Working with Transport Scotland local bus operator, First Aberdeen, has upgraded its ticket machines. 16-18 year olds who have a Young Scot card (sometimes known locally in Aberdeen as the Accord card) can now simply scan the card on the ticket machine in order to access a 1/3 discount.
16-18 year olds with a Young Scot card are already entitled to 1/3 off all adult single bus fares in Scotland, but users in Aberdeen, until now, had to carry a separate ‘Bus Concessions Card’ in order to provide proof of age to the driver. The investment in First Aberdeen ticket machines means that 16-18 year olds now simply scan their Young Scot Card on the ticket machine which confirms to the driver they are entitled to the concessionary travel discount. Therefore, young people using First Aberdeen services no longer have to carry a separate ‘Bus Concessions Card’.
This change makes using the bus quicker and more convenient because the process is now automated.
Duncan Cameron, Director and General Manager at First Aberdeen, said: “This is a fantastic initiative and we’re delighted to have worked with Transport Scotland in bringing this to life.
“We want to improve our services and attract more people on to our buses. Improving our ticket machines not only make bus travel more convenient for 16-18 year olds, but it also encourages more young people to take advantage of the 1/3 discount. We’re confident this initiative will be successful and will help get more young people on board our buses.”
Transport Minister, Keith Brown, welcomed the introduction. He said: “I am pleased that this smart initiative is being introduced by First Aberdeen. This is a welcomed development in smart ticketing, encouraging Scotland’s young people to use public transport. The use of smart technology to enable one card to fulfill many purposes is aligned to Transport Scotland’s long term vision that all journeys on Scotland’s bus, rail, ferry, subway and tram networks can be accessed using some form of smart ticketing or payment. Travel is just one use of the Young Scot card and I believe this initiative will encourage users to take advantage of the wider benefits available to them. I look forward to seeing further smart ticketing initiatives by First as well as other Scottish transport operators.”
Louise Macdonald, Chief Executive of Young Scot, said "Young people regularly tell us that bus travel is crucial in enabling them to access leisure, training and employment opportunities. We are delighted that First Aberdeen is introducing new technology to make it quicker and easier for young people to access discounted travel using their Young Scot card."
About the Young Scot Card
The Young Scot Card is a free card for all young people aged 11-26, created by the Scottish Government, Young Scot, local authorities and other organisations.
Users of the Young Scot card can access discounts from a wide range of retailers and services, including bus travel. 16, 17 and 18 year olds are eligible for a third off adult single fares on all local and long distance bus services available to the general public in Scotland.
How it works
From 2 February all ticket machines on First Aberdeen buses recognised Young Scot Cards. This means that any 16-18 year old with a Young Scot card can simply scan the card on the ticket machine. This lets the driver know that they are entitled to 1/3 discount on any adult single fare.
Not all bus services in Scotland are yet able to use the Young Scot card in this way. First Aberdeen is pleased to be amongst the first bus operators in Scotland to recognise Young Scot cards.