Motion For Debate · S7M-01881 · Session 7
Strengthening Scotland’s Bus Network
The motion
That the Parliament welcomes the opportunity to strengthen the availability, affordability and accessibility of Scotland's bus network by bringing the bus network back into public control through franchising and regulation across Scotland; welcomes the Scottish Government's commitment to bring legislation before Parliament to deliver this at the earliest possible opportunity; recognises the successful delivery of the £2 bus fare cap scheme in the Highlands and Islands and Strathclyde areas; welcomes that this means that bus fares are now capped at £2 across 60% of the land area of Scotland and in areas where half of the population of Scotland live; supports expansion of the fare cap to Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire from April 2027 in advance of further roll-out to the rest of Scotland; notes that this measure makes a real difference to people during a cost of living crisis, helping with the cost of everyday travel and supporting access to work, education, healthcare and leisure, and recognises that this builds on the success of the free bus schemes available to 2.4 million people, including everyone aged under 22, eligible disabled people, and over 60s.
What MSPs voted on: the motion as amended
The SNP’s motion was changed by a Green amendment (S7M-01881.2) before this vote. A vote ‘for’ was a vote for the SNP’s motion with the Greens’ changes.
Wording worked out by this site by applying the agreed amendment to the motion as lodged. The Official Report’s final wording was not available to check it against.
Amendments
- S7M-01881.4 Labour Paul Sweeney Defeated vote, 31–86
- S7M-01881.1 Reform UK Graham Simpson Defeated vote, 29–89
- S7M-01881.2 Green Patrick Harvie Agreed vote, 84–34
- S7M-01881.5 Conservative Tim Eagle Defeated vote, 24–92
- S7M-01881.3 Liberal Democrat Willie Rennie Defeated vote, 47–69
Signatures by party
1 MSP besides the lodger · 0 from other partiesParty on the day each MSP signed. Signing a motion is voluntary and not whipped. Who signs whose motions
Vote
1 division- 5 Nov 2026Carried84 for, 33 against
Amendments
5Supporters
1 MSPSNP 1
Party shown is each supporter’s party when the motion was published.
In the Official Report
7 contributions mention S7M-01881-
5 Nov 2026Strengthening Scotland’s Bus Network
The next item of business is a debate on motion S7M-01881, in the name of Stephen Flynn, on strengthening Scotland’s bus network. Members who wish to speak in the debate should press their request-to-speak button now. I will give a few mom…
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5 Nov 2026Decision Time
There are six questions to be put as a result of today’s business. We have some pre-emptions. If the amendment in the name of Graham Simpson is agreed to, the amendments in the name of Tim Eagle and Willie Rennie will fall. If the amendmen…
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5 Nov 2026Decision Time
The next question is, that amendment S7M-01881.1, in the name of Graham Simpson, which seeks to amend motion S7M-01881, in the name of Stephen Flynn, on strengthening Scotland’s bus network, be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.
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5 Nov 2026Decision Time
The next question is, that amendment S7M-01881.2, in the name of Patrick Harvie, which seeks to amend motion S7M-01881, in the name of Stephen Flynn, on strengthening Scotland’s bus network, be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.
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5 Nov 2026Decision Time
The next question is, that amendment S7M-01881.5, in the name of Tim Eagle, which seeks to amend motion S7M-01881, in the name of Stephen Flynn, on strengthening Scotland’s bus network, be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.
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5 Nov 2026Decision Time
The next question is, that amendment S7M-01881.3, in the name of Willie Rennie, which seeks to amend motion S7M-01881, in the name of Stephen Flynn, on strengthening Scotland’s bus network, be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.
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5 Nov 2026Decision Time
The final question is, that motion S7M-01881, in the name of Stephen Flynn, on strengthening Scotland’s bus network, as amended, be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.