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As set out in the Scottish Government’s response to question S6W-30400 on 18 October 2024, planned engagement with stakeholders will commence in the next few months. No timescale has been set for concluding this work, but this would be agreed in discussion with said stakeholders.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

Discussions are ongoing so no formal impact assessment has been undertaken.

Discussions are ongoing so no formal impact assessment has been undertaken.

Whilst the inherent environmental and social benefits of the TimberLINK service are recognised, increasing budgetary pressure has meant it is also important to explore opportunities to maximise benefits of public funding for all communities.

My officials are continuing discussions with the service provider and users of the TimberLINK service to explore options for the future of the contract.

Transport Scotland is working with the Confederation of Passenger Transport to facilitate the sharing of best practice between bus operators, to ensure that the legal protections which allow drivers to refuse travel to passengers who breach conditions of carriage are well understood by operators, staff and passengers, and that bus drivers feel safe and supported to enforce these rules and to report unacceptable behaviour.

Wider engagement with other key stakeholders such as Police Scotland, local authorities and unions is also taking place as we seek to ensure that a full and effective range of preventative measures and sanctions are in place to tackle antisocial behaviour on the bus network.

A one year evaluation of the Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel scheme was published in December 2023.

The findings of the review were generally very positive, indicating that it is beginning to deliver progress towards its longer-term objectives. While personal safety continues to be a concern across all modes of public transport, the study also showed that young people generally felt safer travelling alone, or at night, than they had expected to before the scheme launched.

Evidence from the evaluation is being used to inform the development of measures to reduce antisocial behaviour on the bus network and we are committed to ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the scheme.

Our one year evaluation of the Young Persons Free Bus Travel Scheme, included the views of over 10,000 young people, their parents and input from children’s and families’ organisations. This evidence is being used to inform our work to ensure that appropriate options to prevent and tackle antisocial behaviour on the public transport network are available at the local and national level.

At a strategic level, the Independent Working Group on Antisocial Behaviour, has been established, bringing experts and practitioners together to consider a long-term strategic approach to antisocial behaviour. The transport sector recently fed into the Group’s engagement work which is expected to report its findings and recommendations by the end of 2024.

The vast majority of passengers travelling under the National Concessionary Travel Schemes behave appropriately. However, there is a minority of people, of all ages, who abuse their entitlement, including to commit offences, and which can result in serious harm to bus employees and passengers. That is simply not acceptable.

Bus operators can already restrict access to their services in line with their own conditions of carriage and Transport Scotland is working with operators and other stakeholders to develop further sanctions and preventative measures including temporary suspension of concessionary cards, although this does have some complexities.

The vast majority of passengers travelling under the National Concessionary Travel Schemes behave appropriately. However, there is a minority of people, of all ages, who abuse their entitlement, including to commit offences, which can result in serious harm. That is not acceptable.

Transport Scotland is already working proactively with stakeholders to reduce antisocial behaviour on the bus network, including through changes to the application processes for the schemes and development of a behaviour code. Further work to develop additional preventative measures and sanctions is being progressed a priority.

The Scottish Government is committed, through our draft palliative care strategy, to work with Health and Social Care Partnerships (HSCPs) and adult independent hospice organisations to develop a national guidance framework to support and improve consistency of local planning and commissioning of independent hospice services.

The Scottish Government continues to work with Integration Joint Boards (IJB) Chief Officers and adult independent hospice organisations to support longer-term sustainable planning and commissioning for the sector, and officials will take forward plans to develop a new national guidance framework.