PEOPLE in Helensburgh are being encouraged to make sure they have their say on the future of Scotland's bus pass scheme as the last week of consultation on its future begins.

The town's MSP, Jackie Baillie, says it is feared even more services for users could be put at risk if there is a reduction in the number of people using the bus pass or further cuts to the budget for concessionary travel.

The public have until November 17 to take part in the nationwide consultation.

Concessionary travel for older people and disabled people was introduced in 2006 with 1.3 million people in Scotland benefiting from the free bus pass.

The Scottish Government is consulting on the future of the scheme.

Ms Baillie says First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the Transport Minister Humza Yousaf have so far refused to rule out raising the qualifying age from 60 to 65 – and she wants to make sure local bus users have their say on the future of the scheme.

Ms Baillie said: “The SNP has cut £9.5 million from the bus pass budget and now ministers are consulting on the future of the bus pass, refusing to rule out raising the qualifying age from 60 to 65.

“Spending on the bus pass represents a major investment in public transport. It prevents social isolation, supports people on low-incomes working up to retirement and helps to sustain bus services across Scotland.

“Cuts to the bus pass will hit bus services at a time when passenger numbers are already plummeting.

"Over the past ten years, the number of passenger journeys has declined by 78 million and a fifth of bus routes been scrapped.

“I would encourage all those who depend on bus services and value the bus pass to make their voice heard in the Scottish Government’s consultation.”

The Scottish Government wants to hear views on the options to safeguard the longer term sustainability of the existing free bus travel scheme and on providing free bus travel to young modern apprentices to support their travel costs.

The plans for modern apprentices will initially be tested in a pilot scheme in 2018, to ensure the success of a full roll out.

Mr Yousaf said: "The Scottish Government is committed to providing free bus travel to older and disabled people and no one who has a bus pass will lose it. This popular scheme provides free travel throughout Scotland and doing so access to services, facilities and social networks locally and further afield.

"It promotes a more active lifestyle thus improving health and is helping older and disabled people to be independent, socially active and generally helps them play a greater part in their community.

"We will listen carefully to the views given in the consultation and take account of them in deciding whether any changes need to be made to the scheme at this time.

"If we then decide that changes are to be made, I can confirm that everyone who already has a bus pass before any changes come into force will continue to have access to the benefits of the scheme."

The concessionary travel consultation will be available via the Transport Scotland website – www.transport.gov.scot – until midnight, November 17.