A PLEA has been made for community councils across Scotland to join forces to help tackle anti-social behaviour on buses.

The Scottish Government introduced free bus travel for people aged between five and 21 in 2022.

However, it has frequently come under fire after cases of anti-social behaviour.

The issue was discussed at Holyrood and also Haddington’s community council meeting within a matter of days.

Craig Hoy, South Scotland MSP, has called on the Scottish Government to take “urgent action” amid “mounting concern” that some young people are abusing free bus travel.

The politician said the matter had been raised by bus drivers, passengers, police and community councils.

Mr Hoy asked Siobhian Brown MSP, the Scottish Government Minister for Victims and Community Safety, to meet with residents and other stakeholders to review the worrying rise of anti-social behaviour some claim is caused by free bus travel for under 22s.

The politician, previously a councillor for the Haddington and Lammermuir ward on East Lothian Council, told the Courier: “Local people are avoiding town centres and are not travelling at night to avoid the harassment and trouble caused by youths.

“The free bus pass scheme and National Entitlement Card has given a group of young people a free way of using transport to create trouble.

“People in Scotland should not be fearful of going into town centres or using public transport. The rise in anti-social behaviour linked to bus travel is bad for business and causes concern for communities.”

READ MORE: Prestonpans: Group won't support removal of bus passes from youths

Members of Haddington’s community council also discussed the problem earlier this month.

Jack Worden, the group’s vice-chairman, highlighted a recent incident in which a vulnerable teenage boy was left with horror injuries after he was attacked on a bus in Wallyford.

The boy was left with a broken nose and severe bruising following the attack.

Mr Worden said: “They have identified who the kids were in the really nasty attack on a poor lad in Wallyford.

“There should be some mechanism to take bus passes away.

“Just a motion across every community council in Scotland saying we would like that followed up across Scotland.”

Theresa Laing, chairwoman of the group, said there would need to be a change in legislation for bus passes to be taken off people who are committing anti-social behaviour.

READ MORE: Wallyford: Vulnerable boy badly injured after youths attack him on bus

She added: “It is affecting bus drivers.

“Why should anyone feel unsafe going to their work – and they are feeling unsafe.

“I have got grandchildren and I am terrified when they go on a bus – are they going to be safe?

“Nobody should be feeling like that. I do think they need to take them away from those misbehaving on the bus – not everyone, it is a lifeline for folk.”

The issue has also been highlighted in a county-wide level, with Kenny Miller and Ralph Averbuch, chairman and vice-chairman of the Association of East Lothian Community Councils, meeting with East Lothian’s MP, Paul McLennan.

Mr Miller said there had been “a fair amount of communication” on the subject from various community councils throughout the county.

A further meeting with Mr McLennan is planned and Mr Miller stressed: “It is a very small minority that are abusing this privilege.

“They are the ones that need to be targeted, not those using it for what it was intended and not misusing it.”

Ms Brown stressed that the “vast majority” of young people travelling by bus behaved “appropriately”.

She added: “The legislation underpinning the current schemes does not provide a clear mechanism for cards to be removed in cases of anti-social behaviour, and free bus travel is just one of several services provided through the card.

“Transport Scotland are continuing to explore what deterrents or sanctions may be possible and appropriate in these cases.”

A spokesperson for Transport Scotland stressed the National Entitlement Cards covered more than simply free bus travel.

However, it is looking at what may be “possible and appropriate in terms of providing a deterrent or sanction”.