As someone who lives an hour away from George Square in walking distance, and half an hour by bus, the Young Scot Card has been a blessing. The Young Scot Card is accessible for anyone under the age of 22, as long as they have a Scotland-based address. It can be used on any Lothian bus in Scotland.
Edinburgh is one of the only cities, to my knowledge, that grants a free public transportation pass to its youth. I think this is a generous offer that should be granted to more children and young-adults across the world. I use the bus at least twice every day, having this bus pass has saved me a considerable amount of money and time. Although it is incredibly helpful for me as a university student, I can’t imagine the benefits this has for families with working parents who may not have the time or who may not be
able to afford to take the time to drive their children to and from school. Those with cars, or those in walking distance to their daily routines, do not realise the necessity of the bus to the remainder of Edinburgh locals.
Although the Lothian buses may not be the most reliable at times, their existence is essential to most residents of Edinburgh. As a frequent bus rider, I have been amazed at seeing how independent kids are in Edinburgh. I don’t think I travelled on my own, to and from school, until I got my driver’s licence at sixteen. Kids learning how to navigate this city on their own at such a young age, is a scary thought to me in some ways.
However, I am also very impressed at how unafraid they are to take the bus without an adult to guide them. This may sound strange to someone who is from here, but I grew up in a town that was not walkable and did not have accessible public transport. Anytime my family visited a city where we had to take the subway, it was scarier to me than anything else. It wasn’t until I moved here, at nineteen, that I learned that public transport is far more comforting than intimidating.
When I see ten-year-olds doing what I couldn’t do until 19, and I overhear them innocently gossiping with their peers about the things that I would have discussed with mine on our school bus, I smile at the thought that these brave little people are getting a head-start in life with their confidence.
Not only is the Young Scot Card practical and accommodating, it encourages children to learn how to be independent, along with teaching them that public transport is not something to generalise as being scary or ‘other.’ Additionally, it teaches them to say ‘thank you’ to bus drivers as they step off the bus and into the world. One of the many things I love about this city is that everyone takes the time to say ‘thank you’ to the driver when they step off the bus. The Young Scots Card is a fantastic idea, and anyone who has the opportunity to use it, should take it.
“Lothian Buses – 465 | SJ66LRU” by fabiotanniguchi is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.