£2 fare cap comes to Scotland:

[route101]

Premium fares are excluded from the pilot so that would appear to be no.

First Bus have announced it is part of the cap.The £2 fare is available on all First Bus services in Glasgow and the surrounding areas including the Glasgow Airport Express. Some special event services, tickets, or journeys may be excluded. Please check route-specific information before travelling.

 

[erskinebus]

Have any operators said they are not participating?

 

[Numpt33]

Obviously it won't be Edinburgh isn't in Strathclyde

Yet!......

 

[Stan Drews]

Have any operators said they are not participating?

Not that I’ve seen. The main operators are all on record as participating. I think the issue isn’t so much any operators saying no, but because the detail has all been so last minute, some of the smaller operators simply do not have the knowledge/experience/time to get everything set up in time for Monday, particularly the back office systems.

 

[overthewater]

Looks like Ember heading for trouble if they think they can get away with that:

They have posted this on its Facebook page, Personnel they should be ashamed of themselves. No Ember Glasgow to Fort William is £2. So what going to happen when another area is joined? Does that mean Cumbernauld to Forth Valley will be £4?

Edit: it seems Citylink thinks the same, I think when the next zone is add the the companies are going to be heading for trouble.... https://www.citylink.co.uk/tickets/2-fare-cap-what-it-means-for-your-journey/

Ember Facebook:

£2 fare cap in the SPT (Strathclyde) region from 7 September 2026

We are pleased to confirm that eligible Ember services will see reduced fares under this scheme. The initiative is designed to make bus travel more affordable across the region, and joins a similar scheme in the Highlands area that started earlier this year.

Ember is an intercity operator, so the cap affects our services slightly differently. The £2 fare cap will affect Ember's trips (or parts of trips) within the SPT region and the Highlands region, but not all journeys right across Scotland at this stage.

Any single journey entirely within the new fare cap area will cost no more than £2.

For journeys leaving the area, passengers will still partially benefit as the portion within it will be capped at £2 and the usual fare will apply to the rest. Here are a few examples:

- Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station to Glasgow Airport: £2, down from £4.35
- Glasgow to Fort William: £4, down from £15.55. This journey benefits from two fare caps: the new one in the Glasgow region and the existing cap in the Highlands.
- Glasgow to Dundee: £10, down from £11.05
- Any fares already under £2 do not change
We appreciate that this is all a little complicated on paper, but the good news is that:
- The new fares will be calculated and applied automatically to bookings once the scheme starts
- Nothing will change in Ember's super easy online booking system, and you don't need do do anything differently
- This went very smoothly when introduced in the Highlands, and we expect the same here
If you have any questions once the scheme gets underway, we'll be happy to help via the usual support channels.

 

[styles]

Looks like Ember heading for trouble if they think they can get away with that:

They have posted this on its Facebook page, Personnel they should be ashamed of themselves. No Ember Glasgow to Fort William is £2. So what going to happen when another area is joined? Does that mean Cumbernauld to Forth Valley will be £4?

Edit: it seems Citylink thinks the same, I think when the next zone is add the the companies are going to be heading for trouble.... https://www.citylink.co.uk/tickets/2-fare-cap-what-it-means-for-your-journey/

Ember Facebook:

Why would they be in trouble? They appear to be operating completely within the fare cap rules.

I'd also be surprised if they faced many complaints from people travelling over 100 miles for £4.

 

[Spsf3232]

Looks like Ember heading for trouble if they think they can get away with that:

They have posted this on its Facebook page, Personnel they should be ashamed of themselves. No Ember Glasgow to Fort William is £2. So what going to happen when another area is joined? Does that mean Cumbernauld to Forth Valley will be £4?

Edit: it seems Citylink thinks the same, I think when the next zone is add the the companies are going to be heading for trouble.... https://www.citylink.co.uk/tickets/2-fare-cap-what-it-means-for-your-journey/

Ember Facebook:

You don't know what the rules that the operators have been sent as they haven't been made public.

It does seem odd that every zone has been classed as separate

 

[Volvodart]

You don't know what the rules that the operators have been sent as they haven't been made public.

It does seem odd that every zone has been classed as separate

They probably need to keep the pilot separate from the new "interim" scheme for the evaluation of the pilot when it ends.

 

[overthewater]

They probably need to keep the pilot separate from the new "interim" scheme for the evaluation of the pilot when it ends.

So they wont get merged until 2031? If the scheme gets that far.

I'd also be surprised if they faced many complaints from people travelling over 100 miles for £4.

Yet when more zones get added people traveling a mile ( AKA just over the border) wont get the £2 bus fare, I know a few places which will not BE happy about that. It called being Fair.

If they do keep it sperate then someone traveling from Dumfries to Edinburgh on 101 will be paying £6 for 76miles , yet Inverness to wick is only £2 for over 100miles.

 

[NorthOxonian]

Why would they be in trouble? They appear to be operating completely within the fare cap rules.

I'd also be surprised if they faced many complaints from people travelling over 100 miles for £4.

Yes - the only edge case would be if there are any local journeys where HITRANS and SPT meet, but the boundary between them is very sparse (Helensburgh & Lomond is in SPT, so local journeys between Dumbarton/Balloch etc into Helensburgh should be £2). Looking at where appears to come under each region, even the shortest cross boundary journeys are pretty decently long and £4 wouldn't be unreasonable for those.

I'm not sure how it will work if and when the scheme rolls out further - while a £2 per "region" cap would generally be fairly reasonable, it could throw up some anomalies on routes like the previously mentioned 101 (which runs through three different transport regions in quick succession) or a route like the 23 in West Lothian/Shotts (which is genuinely a local route, serving an area of high deprivation where £4 single to the next town over would seem unreasonable if Glasgow to Ayr is £2).

 

[styles]

Yet when more zones get added people traveling a mile ( AKA just over the border) wont get the £2 bus fare, I know a few places which will not BE happy about that. It called being Fair.

If they do keep it sperate then someone traveling from Dumfries to Edinburgh on 101 will be paying £6 for 76miles , yet Inverness to wick is only £2 for over 100miles.

I think the vast majority of passengers will see 76 miles (3 hours) for £6 to still be a bargain (not to mention how few passengers make this full journey on the regular). It'll still be cheaper than it currently is. Like I say, I can't imagine many complaints.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Sep 2026 ==

I'm not sure how it will work if and when the scheme rolls out further - while a £2 per "region" cap would generally be fairly reasonable, it could throw up some anomalies on routes like the previously mentioned 101 (which runs through three different transport regions in quick succession) or a route like the 23 in West Lothian/Shotts (which is genuinely a local route, serving an area of high deprivation where £4 single to the next town over would seem unreasonable if Glasgow to Ayr is £2).

Even then though, if it's cheaper than the current fare, would people complain? Presumably if the current fare is less than £4 then passengers will continue to benefit from that lower fare.

 

[overthewater]

Because its not fair...

It should also be pointed out people are moaning about the delays on the scheme taking five years to cover all of Scotland.

 

[styles]

Because its not fair...

Ok?

But you said they'd be in "trouble". I haven't seen anything to suggest they'd be in trouble either legally or with the travelling public who are benefitting from cheaper fares. To take your Glasgow to Fort William example, this was £18-40 previous; now it's £4. There are not many 100+ mile journeys you could do in England or Wales for £4, I hardly think passengers will be kicking up a fuss.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Sep 2026 ==

Just checked the Dumfries to Edinburgh example. Currently it is £13.20. So even if it only goes down to £6, not £2, that's still a 55% cut in fares.

 

[overthewater]

Ok?

But you said they'd be in "trouble". I haven't seen anything to suggest they'd be in trouble either legally or with the travelling public who are benefitting from cheaper fares. There are not many 100+ mile journeys you could do in England or Wales for £4, I hardly think passengers will be kicking up a fuss.

Ok?

But what were were trying to highlight was the issues surrounding the cross boundary journeys. The short hop trips which the fares are HIGHER than £2 but are lower than £4.

I will say it seems Ember Wont get into trouble as they ARE playing by the current rules, I have to put my hands up to that, but that doesn't mean people wont complain, on the issues about the short hope journeys.

 

[styles]

Ok?

But what were were trying to highlight was the issues surrounding the cross boundary journeys. The short hop trips which the fares are HIGHER than £2 but are lower than £4.

I will say it seems Ember Wont get into trouble as they ARE playing by the current rules, I have to put my hands up to that, but that doesn't mean people wont complain, on the issues about the short hope journeys.

I guess it remains to be seen, but every example given would be cheaper under the new fare cap regime, so I'd be surprised if many complained about their fares being cut just because it wasn't cut a couple of quid more.

At worst, some shorter journeys will remain the same fare rather than benefitting from a very small reduction.

 

[johncrossley]

Are there specific accounting/administrative reasons for splitting the £2 fares by zone in this manner? The equivalent English scheme doesn't care about crossing boundaries, other than to Wales and Scotland. Even when buses cross into areas not covered by the national scheme, for example Greater Manchester, there is still only one £3 charged. Obviously the Scottish scheme is more generous overall as it is accepted on express coaches unlike in England.

 

[HighlandStorm]

Is this the point where you’d be as well lifting the rails and turning the WHL south of Tyndrum into a bus lane !

 

[Stan Drews]

Just to clarify, there will be only 2 fare cap schemes in operation next week.
1) the original pilot in the ZetTrans and HiTrans areas in the Highlands and Islands.
2) the new interim scheme in the SPT area.

They are both separate in terms of the Grant Offer Letters which participating operators will have signed, and for evaluation purposes. Therefore, for the few services which cross the boundary between the two areas the single fare will correctly be £4. For any service which runs in both areas at either end of a single journey (eg Glasgow to Inverness) then £2 would be added for each end to the fare between the two boundaries.

It is also worth noting that at no point have ScotGov or Transport Scotland said it will be 2031 before any other areas are added, or a nationwide scheme may be introduced. They have simply committed to a full roll out before the end of this parliament.

 

[styles]

Are there specific accounting/administrative reasons for splitting the £2 fares by zone in this manner? The equivalent English scheme doesn't care about crossing boundaries, other than to Wales and Scotland. Even when buses cross into areas not covered by the national scheme, for example Greater Manchester, there is still only one £3 charged. Obviously the Scottish scheme is more generous overall as it is accepted on express coaches unlike in England.

Basically they're separate schemes.

I hope at some point that ScotGov will rationalise it into a single consolidated scheme.

But in all honesty, Scotland is quite different to the rest of the UK in terms of its long-distance routes where the £2 fare cap applies. So being able to go from Glasgow to Fort William for £4 is a bargain which you'd have to hunt in England or Wales for to get a similar or better £/mi return. If anything I'd say that Scotland's extension of the £2 fare cap to such long distance routes makes it far more generous than in England and Wales.

But I do expect that at some point, for the reasons @overthewater mentions regarding short trips across zone boundaries, that it'll be consolidated. Even if it's not though, it's still offering huge fare cuts for millions of passengers.

 

[KrisEK]

I will be visiting Oban and Fort William a lot over the next year even at £4 single, having that offer on the long distance coach services is excellent.

 

[Spsf3232]

It

I will be visiting Oban and Fort William a lot over the next year even at £4 single, having that offer on the long distance coach services is excellent.

Could have been £2 but the SNP never do things properly and have totally messed up having two different schemes

 

[Buzby]

totally messed up having two different

One is an ongoing trial, the other is the promised Strathclyde introduction (as promised) the rest of Scotland follows - but I suppose you hate that too?

 

[styles]

It

Could have been £2 but the SNP never do things properly and have totally messed up having two different schemes

They've "totally messed up" making a 100 mile journey a whopping £4 instead of £2?

I'm honestly quite taken aback by the criticism being levied at ScotGov over this. The equivalent Glasgow to Fort William fare used to be £18-£40 and now it's £4 and people are still complaining that it's not a further £2 cheaper?

This is the government which offers £1 child fares on trains under Kids For A Quid, abolished peak fares, froze fares before Westminster, and offers free bus travel for under-22s.

 

[HighlandStorm]

I'm honestly quite taken aback by the criticism being levied at ScotGov over this.

This is just classic SNP bad stuff. Tories attacking the SNP over this is especially rich since they set the ball rolling on this in the first place!

I do agree with what Ember is saying, the £2 cap should be a staging post to more integrated and sophisticated system. It’s simple to introduce because the infrastructure is already there, but it shouldn’t be the end point.

It is a valid question as to why we’re paying private operators to hugely undercut a public sector railway. This aspect of it is nuts, on the face of it. I think there might be a case for making the north Highland lines £2 for highland railcard holders and giving everyone else the current highland railcard price.

The West Highland Line is more complicated because it can be overwhelmed in summer. But a 156 that operates either as a walk-in freezer or mobile sauna, lacks air conditioning and has grossly inadequate toilet provision and is frequently full and standing at the hottest time of year is not where the railway needs to be to compete with what Ember is offering.

 

[styles]

This is just classic SNP bad stuff. Tories attacking the SNP over this is especially rich since they set the ball rolling on this in the first place!

I do agree with what Ember is saying, the £2 cap should be a staging post to more integrated and sophisticated system. It’s simple to introduce because the infrastructure is already there, but it shouldn’t be the end point.

It is a valid question as to why we’re paying private operators to hugely undercut a public sector railway. This aspect of it is nuts, on the face of it. I think there might be a case for making the north Highland lines £2 for highland railcard holders and giving everyone else the current highland railcard price.

The West Highland Line is more complicated because it can be overwhelmed in summer. But a 156 that operates either as a walk-in freezer or mobile sauna, lacks air conditioning and has grossly inadequate toilet provision and is frequently full and standing at the hottest time of year is not where the railway needs to be to compete with what Ember is offering.

I agree this shouldn't be the end point. But I'm finding it hard to take seriously the suggestion that significant numbers of passengers are going to complain that their fare has "only" been cut by 90%, not 95%. The government has fudged it up a bit but it's clearly still a very good thing to be happening. And in the context of Scotland, we're talking about some exceptionally long journeys which just aren't covered by the £2 fare cap in England and Wales anyway. The longest I've found is Reading to Leamington Spa on a 62.5 mile journey for £2, and that's at the extreme end of things, whereas in Scotland a journey like Glasgow to Fort William isn't that exceptional.

 

[AilsaBus]

One is an ongoing trial, the other is the promised Strathclyde introduction (as promised) the rest of Scotland follows - but I suppose you hate that too?

In that case they should have ended the trial and merged it with the introduction in Strathclyde. But no, having two different schemes in the same sodding country makes loads of sense doesn't it.

 

[styles]

In that case they should have ended the trial and merged it with the introduction in Strathclyde. But no, having two different schemes in the same sodding country makes loads of sense doesn't it.

Any less sense than a bunch of operators in England and Wales not participating in the trial? Passengers guessing whether their bus service is technically a coach service and thus not eligible?

Scotland's implementation of the £2 cap is the most generous in the whole of the UK, you can travel for a full 8 hours for just £8, yet people are still complaining.

 

[overthewater]

Any less sense than a bunch of operators in England and Wales not participating in the trial? Passengers guessing whether their bus service is technically a coach service and thus not eligible?

Scotland's implementation of the £2 cap is the most generous in the whole of the UK, you can travel for a full 8 hours for just £8, yet people are still complaining.

Because its NOT FAIR and not what was promised: It doesn't matter its the most generous, it doesn't matter if the fare cap was a £100 it's the principle of the point.

FYI half the coach services in Scotland operate as bus services.

From SNP Manifest:

Having abolished peak rail fares and frozen train ticket prices this year, we will build on the pilot now underway in the Highlands and help people who travel by bus with a £2 nationwide cap of all single bus journeys. This will help people get to work, school and leisure, help reduce fuel bills and help the climate.

Free bus travel to first-homes fund: what Scottish parties are promising on the campaign trail

Advent of Reform has radically altered the dynamics of the campaign and parties are responding accordingly

www.theguardian.com

The manifesto also included a £100m first-homes fund to give up to £10,000 towards a deposit for first-time buyers, plans to cap all bus fares at £2,

 

[styles]

Because its NOT FAIR and not what was promised: It doesn't matter its the most generous, it doesn't matter if the fare cap was a £100 it's the principle of the point.

FYI half the coach services in Scotland operate as bus services.

From SNP Manifest:

Free bus travel to first-homes fund: what Scottish parties are promising on the campaign trail

Advent of Reform has radically altered the dynamics of the campaign and parties are responding accordingly

www.theguardian.com

If I type in ALL CAPS will it make my point more important?

A 90% reduction in fares seems pretty "FAIR" to me.

 

[overthewater]

I hope you can explain to people why they are having to pay double what other people are paying for on shorter routes, and still claim it's fair.

Oban To Inverness is 109 miles Only £2
Oban to Glasgow is 97 miles yet cost double at £4

That makes no sense to me. The cost is irrelevant at this point, since now people are being penalised.

It will get worse when the If the likes of passengers in Tayport and Newport on Tay are told they have to pay £4 to travel to Dundee, Yes the single fare is under that but they wont and never will benefit from this so called £2 bus fare cap, I very much doubt they will think its fair.

The two routes from Oban actually operate like bus routes, and on many parts route is the only public transport those communities have.