SNP Pledges £2 Nationwide Bus Fare Cap in New Transport Commitments

Passengers across Scotland could see bus fares capped at £2 under a new pledge outlined in the SNP’s latest election manifesto.

The proposal would allow fare-paying travellers to make journeys anywhere in the country for a maximum of £2, building on a year-long pilot scheme that launched recently.

As part of its wider transport commitments, the party also confirmed it would abandon plans to introduce higher ferry fares for visitors travelling to Scotland’s islands via CalMac services.

However, the manifesto signals a more limited approach to the long-discussed dualling of the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen. Instead of upgrading the entire route, the SNP now plans to focus on improving “key sections” of the road.

Broader Transport Ambitions

Alongside fare reforms and road investment changes, the manifesto outlines a number of longer-term transport ambitions. These include exploring the potential for direct sleeper rail services linking Scotland with mainland Europe, as well as introducing tram-train systems in Edinburgh.

Rail expansion also features prominently, with proposals to extend the Borders Railway to Carlisle and to restore a line connecting Aberdeen with Ellon, Fraserburgh and Peterhead.

The combination of fare initiatives and infrastructure proposals reflects an effort to improve connectivity, reduce travel costs and support more sustainable transport options across Scotland.