A GREEN MSP has hailed the 'remarkable' 4.7 million free bus journeys made by young people in North Ayrshire.

The journeys were made possible by the Scottish Greens' under-22s concessionary bus travel scheme, which started in January 2022.

Since the scheme's launch, young people in North Ayrshire have made 4,719,775 fare-free journeys.

Across Scotland, more than 150 million free journeys have been taken.

There are 20,581 young people under the age of 22 with concessionary travel cards in North Ayrshire.

Under-22s without a card can register for theirs at www.freebus.scot.

Ross Greer, West Scotland Scottish Green MSP, said: "These new numbers are a clear sign of the runaway success of free bus travel for young people, a policy secured and delivered by the Scottish Greens.

"Over 20,000 young people getting fare-free bus travel across North Ayrshire is great news for family budgets and for our planet.

"Free bus travel has been genuinely life-changing for many.

"It has opened up access to education, employment, sports, and culture and saved families hundreds of pounds a year on bus fares or petrol costs.

"And in many communities across the West of Scotland, it’s this surge in young people using the bus which is protecting services from cuts.

"In some cases, services have even been expanded due to this increased demand, benefiting everyone.

"I’m proud that a scheme secured by Green MSPs is making a real difference to people’s lives in North Ayrshire and helping us to tackle the climate crisis."