Council / Wheels come off free bus travel motion after narrow vote
A MOTION calling on Shetland Islands Council (SIC) to explore a possible two-year trial of free bus fares for all has failed to secure the majority of support of elected members.
The motion, proposed by Shetland South councillors Alex Armitage and Robbie McGregor, lost out by one vote at a full SIC meeting on Wednesday.
Those against the motion felt that it was not the time to carry out work exploring free fares when a review of the bus network is already taking place.
A counter amendment from fellow Shetland South councillor Alison Duncan calling for the opposite won a narrow vote 10-9.
The original motion instructed SIC’s transport planning manager to provide a future report on how a two-year trial of 100 per cent concession on bus fares for all Shetland residents may be funded, implemented and appraised.
It took a different tact from a motion Green member Armitage and McGregor, of the SNP, attempted to bring forward in 2022, which focused on the SIC exploring costs and feasibility of all free public transport, which included ferries as well as buses.
That 2022 motion went down to a vote and the result was 10-10, with convener Andrea Manson’s casting vote going against Armitage and McGregor.
At the moment, like the rest of Scotland, under 22s and people over 60 do not pay to go on buses in Shetland, while there are also disabled bus passes available.
At a meeting of the full council on Wednesday Armitage said “fare free” bus travel for all would bring many benefits to Shetland.
He said he has spoken to some workers who are paying hundreds of pounds a year on fares, which only serves to “drive inequality”.
Armitage argued free bus travel could “grease the wheels of economy” but also enable people to get to health appointments and social events.
Armitage concluded that the motion was a chance to “turn talk into action”.
He described it as a “comparatively simple policy” that could “easily run alongside the current work that is being done”.
“We have to be innovative in the way that we approach the social, environmental and economic challenges of Shetland’s future,” Armitage argued.
“This motion provides us as a council with the opportunity to be positive and to show ambition and leadership.”
But Duncan argued that exploring free bus travel would be “inappropriate at this time”.
He said it would divert resources away from the work currently taking place on the bus network, adding that “staff are under tremendous pressure” as it is.
The meeting heard that bus contracts have been extended by another 12 months in light of the current review.
During debate most councillors had their say, with opposing views on each side.
Development committee chairman Dennis Leask said the motion was about “evidence, not gut” instinct and suggested there could potentially be benefits from free bus travel.
Lerwick South councillor John Fraser also said Duncan’s move to shut off the motion felt “close minded” as it only sought to explore the idea of a free-fare trial.
Meanwhile McGregor said free bus travel could also potentially help hospitality businesses recruit staff – however, depute convener Bryan Peterson said from his experience timetables were the problem, not fares.
Shetland West councillor Liz Peterson also noted the cost of living in rural areas.
The motion also received support from the North Isles, with Ryan Thomson saying local people he had spoken to suggest free bus travel could open up “huge opportunities”.
Shetland Central councillor Ian Scott also spoke out in favour of the motion, saying it was worth exploring – particularly after the SIC had earlier in the day approved spending hundreds of thousands on a new artificial sports pitch in Lerwick.
He said free bus travel for all could be a “legacy” for the SIC.
Environment and transport committee chair Moraig Lyall said there could be information drawn from a study, like the report the motion called for, which could give an insight into whether the cost of travelling by public transport affects people’s travel choices.
On the other side, SIC leader Emma Macdonald said council officers are working at capacity and that exploring free bus travel would require input from a number of departments.
She added that the ongoing bus review has highlighted people are more concerned about bus timetables and frequency.
Shetland West councillor Mark Robinson, who said he is employed by a bus company, called the motion a “short sighted” move.
He told the meeting he has heard from three bus operators who are considering not going for future contracts because they are now operating at a loss.
Robinson advised the SIC to get contract renewals done first, and said any free bus travel should be coming from Holyrood and not the council chamber.
Other members felt the free bus travel motion could wait, with Lerwick North and Bressay councillor Stephen Leask for instance saying it could “muddy the waters” if worked on alongside the current bus review.
Lerwick South councillor Cecil Smith said there was “good intent” in the motion but added that it would be “inappropriate to start asking for more reviews and reports”.
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