Ross: SNP must ‘urgently’ get on with scrapping bus passes for those guilty of anti-social behaviour after death of Elgin bus driver Keith Rollinson
Calls have been made for free bus passes to be removed from under-22s found guilty of anti-social behaviour.
The demand was made by Highlands and Islands MSP Douglas Ross who said that First Minister John Swinney must now “urgently” put in place such measures.
It comes following the First Minister’s Programme for Government announcement which confirmed plans are being worked on to suspend passes temporarily or permanently for those who commit anti-social behaviour when using their pass.
Mr Ross has paid tribute to the wife of Elgin bus driver Keith Rollinson who tragically lost his life as a result of a brutal attack by a teenage passenger last year.
He said the tireless campaigning by Mr Rollinson’s wife, Susan, has finally been listened to by the SNP, but highlighted that he has been mentioning the “serious flaws” with the bus pass scheme with SNP ministers since last year.
The MSP went on to state that it is “disgraceful” that current rules mean that Mr Rollinson’s killer, since he was only sentenced for four years, would still be eligible for a free bus pass upon being released.
He added that it is “common sense” that those guilty of abusing the pass should have them removed and says SNP ministers cannot continue to “dither” in bringing these plans into law.
Mr Ross continued: “Local people in Moray will welcome John Swinney finally agreeing to get tough on those who abuse the SNP’s free bus scheme for under 22s.
“The tragic death of bus driver Keith Rollinson in Elgin last year at the hands of a teenage thug shocked people across the region. I want praise his widow Susan for her tireless campaigning since losing her husband which has been inspirational.
“It is frankly disgraceful that current laws mean that Keith’s killer would still be eligible for a free bus pass when he is released.
“I have highlighted these serious flaws with SNP ministers for months. It should not have taken so long to get to this point but now they must urgently get on with making it clear that those who abuse the scheme will be properly punished.
“That is just common sense. We must do everything we can to avoid any further tragic incidents occurring.
“SNP ministers cannot continue to dither turning this announcement into law and I will continue to press them at every opportunity to make this a reality as quickly as possible.”
Moray SNP MSP Richard Lochhead said that those affected by the issue were being consulted in order to “get this right”.
He commented: “The Scottish Government’s Programme for Government (PfG) recognises the seriousness of this matter and the need to ensure any measures are appropriate and effective.
“I am pleased this issue is being looked at and it is important that the bus companies, their employees’ representatives, Police Scotland and of course the victims of crime and their families are consulted and listened to in order to get this right.
“The people of Moray will want to see appropriate measures taken to protect our bus drivers and the wider workforce following the tragic loss of local bus driver Keith Rollinson.”
