SNP leader John Swinney to launch two‑pound fare‑cap bus from Dundee to Aberdeen

Scottish National Party leader John Swinney will launch a campaign bus in Dundee on Saturday, traveling to Aberdeen and pledging a two‑pound fare cap.

The pledge is aimed at addressing rising travel costs that have been cited as a barrier for low‑income households and students. By fixing fares at two pounds, the SNP hopes to demonstrate a tangible benefit that can be measured on Election Day, contrasting its platform with rivals who have not offered a comparable nationwide cap.

The launch will take place at Dundee’s main bus station, where Swinney will step onto a bright orange SNP‑branded vehicle. The bus will follow the A90 corridor, stopping in Arbroath, Montrose and Peterhead before reaching Aberdeen. Organisers say the route was chosen to highlight rural and coastal communities that stand to benefit most from lower fares.

SNP officials say the two‑pound fare cap will apply to any single bus journey—regardless of distance, and could save commuters up to £10 a week, according to party calculations^[1]. They estimate the policy would affect roughly one point two million regular riders and require an additional £150 million in subsidies each year, a figure the party says can be funded through reallocated transport spending.

Opposition Labour and Conservative leaders have said the pledge could strain council budgets, arguing that subsidies would need to come from local taxes. They also said a flat fare might discourage investment in higher‑frequency services, potentially leaving rural routes under‑served. Both parties said a detailed cost‑benefit analysis is needed before the policy is enacted.

The SNP previously introduced free bus travel for seniors and students, a policy that boosted its popularity in urban centres during the 2021 election. Analysts note that the current two‑pound cap builds on that legacy by extending a price‑floor to the broader public, while also addressing criticism that the earlier scheme excluded working‑age adults.

The SNP’s campaign season officially opens this weekend, with the Dundee launch marking the first of a series of roadshows across the Highlands, the Central Belt and the Islands. Party strategists say the bus tour will be used to gather voter feedback, distribute promotional literature and showcase the fare‑cap promise at local community events leading up to the May 6 election.

The launch is scheduled for Saturday, though the exact calendar date was not specified in the reports. Media crews are expected to broadcast live from the station, and the SNP has invited local councillors from both cities to ride the bus for the full journey.

Environmental groups have welcomed the initiative, noting that lower fares could encourage a shift from car use to public transport, reducing road congestion and emissions. The SNP plans to pair the fare cap with investment in electric buses on the north‑east corridor, a detail that will be announced later in the week.