All MSPs in the Parliament have a role in highlighting the issue to promote take-up. I agree that the schemes can make a real difference to those who are entitled to access them.

In March 2022, the Child Poverty Action Group reported that free bus travel can save a total of

“£3,000 in the lifetime cost of a child in Scotland”.

In spring 2023, Transport Scotland co-funded and delivered a successful national marketing campaign with the Confederation of Passenger Transport and bus operators to encourage people to return to bus or to use it for the first time. The campaign had a considerable reach at that time, and the number of concessionary journeys by older and disabled people increased by 5.8 per cent during the campaign.

Although we can have such campaigns and spend more than £300 million on such schemes, it is important that eligible disabled people, as the member mentioned, and everyone else who is eligible take up free concessionary bus travel.