8. To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address antisocial behaviour on public transport. (S6O-02187)

The Scottish Government is committed to tackling antisocial behaviour and promoting safer, stronger communities where people take responsibility for their actions and how they affect others. The police, local authorities and other local agencies are responsible for tackling antisocial behaviour at the local level. Those agencies, empowered by the Scottish Government, work in a concerted and co-ordinated way to effectively tackle the problem.

I encourage anyone who witnesses such incidents to report the behaviour to their local authority’s antisocial behaviour team and to report all criminal behaviour to Police Scotland or the British Transport Police.

The minister will be aware that there has been an increase in antisocial behaviour on Lothian Buses. Such activity, which includes vandalism, can relate to cancelled or diverted buses, and it can result in police officers being called to disturbances on board buses. Such behaviour will deter people from using public transport, and they will instead turn to private vehicles, which will increase carbon emissions on our roads. Will the minister instruct Transport Scotland to run a national campaign to change behaviour and make local buses safer for all passengers?

It has been suggested by some people that some of the antisocial behaviour is linked to the launch of free bus travel for young people. I am not convinced that that is the case, because I think that most of our young people behave in a good manner. However, we will evaluate that scheme one year after its launch and look at all aspects of it.

I will certainly consider Mr Balfour’s suggestion for a campaign. I will write to him in due course on that issue.

The Deputy Presiding Officer:

That concludes portfolio question time. Before we move on to the next item of business, there will be a short pause to allow front-bench teams to change position, should they so wish.