How has free bus travel for young people worked in Scotland?

Between studying, working, and volunteering, Poppy Fairbairn covers hundreds of miles a month on Scotland's bus network. But the 19-year-old medical student, from Kirkcaldy in Fife, does not pay a penny for her travel. As a National Entitlement Card (NEC) holder, Poppy - who is part-time swimming teacher alongside her studies at the University of St Andrews – benefits from Scotland's free bus transport for those aged under 22. She said the scheme, which has run in Scotland for more than four years, means she "doesn't have to worry" about the cost of travel. Young people in England under the age of 16 will benefit from free bus travel in August under new measures announced by chancellor Rachel Reeves on Thursday. In Scotland, anyone aged between five and 21 with an NEC featuring the blue 'ITSO' circle is permitted to travel on any bus service within Scotland free of charge. Poppy lives in St Andrews during term time and uses the bus network to get to and from classes, as well as making the 50-mile round trip home to Kirkcaldy on a regular basis. She also volunteers with a number of organisations, including the Scouts, Young Scot and Scottish Action for Mental Health, in locations ac