Transport Scotland has launched a new application to help people aged 16-21 access free bus travel.
Its Transport Scot Pass Collect application enables them to transfer passes for free bus travel onto their National Entitlement Card (NEC) or a non-Young Scot branded NEC without having to apply for a replacement card.
The app is now available on Google and Apple stores.
Transport Scotland said that approximately 140,000 existing card holders are anticipated to benefit from the application, and it will make it faster for people who already have NEC cards to start taking advantage of free bus travel for under-22s in Scotland.
Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth said: “I’m pleased to welcome the new Transport Scot Pass Collect app. This will make it easier for so many existing card holders aged 16-21 to start enjoying the benefits of free bus travel.
“We are committed to giving Scotland’s children and young people the very best chances to succeed in life, whether that is work, leisure or education. Young people have also rightly challenged us to invest in a sustainable future for them – free bus travel for all under 22s will help to deliver that.
“The Transport Scot Pass Collect app speeds up the process for existing card holders between 16 and 21 and will enable our partners to process new applications as a priority.”
Privacy provision
Transport Scotland said that no personal data is held on the mobile application. Its purpose is to use near field communication to transfer a travel product onto an eligible NEC card. The NEC card is then used for travel on bus services.
The Young Persons’ Free Travel Scheme is administered in partnership with the Improvement Service, the National Entitlement Card Programme Office and Young Scot.
