Scotland has locked in the 2026/27 settlement for its free bus travel schemes. From 1 April, operators will be reimbursed at 53% under the Older and Disabled Persons Scheme, while the Young Persons Scheme pays 48.1% for ages 5–15 and 72.5% for 16–21. The capped funding is £248.2m for older and disabled travellers and £220.6m for young people. (parliament.scot)

Why it matters for cashflow: the Scottish Parliament’s Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee notes that reimbursements are subject to annual caps and stop once those limits are reached. 2026/27 is also the first year the young persons scheme carries a cap, aligning it with the older and disabled scheme. (parliament.scot)

On rates, the shifts are modest. The older and disabled rate moves to 53% from 52.9% in 2025/26, while the young persons rates become 48.1% (up from 47.9%) and 72.5% (up from 72.4%). In practice, headline revenue will rely more on patronage and trip mix than on these fractional rate changes. (parliament.scot)

What this looks like per journey: if a standard adult single is £2.00, an older or disabled concession trip would typically yield around £1.06; a 5–15 journey roughly 96p; and a 16–21 journey about £1.45. Actual calculations follow scheme rules and eligible fare definitions, but the illustration shows how the two youth bands skew returns.

The cap changes the planning job. Finance teams should track monthly claims against the £248.2m and £220.6m pots, model seasonal peaks, and pressure‑test scenarios where growth in 16–21 usage pulls a larger share of reimbursement. Within a capped system, accurate data and punctual submissions become as important as miles run.

For passengers, the numbers underpin service choices. Stable reimbursement supports off‑peak access for older and disabled riders, while a higher 16–21 rate helps sustain later evening services popular with college students and entry‑level workers. If either pot tightens late in the year, early engagement with communities over timetable tweaks will matter.

The Order framework makes clear that young persons reimbursements are paid at the stated rates within the capped level of funding for the year. In operational terms, that means any eligible revenue needs to be validated and claimed promptly because payments cease once the ceiling is met. (parliament.scot)

The parliamentary route is complete: the draft was laid on 15 January 2026; the Committee reported on 23 February recommending approval; and MSPs agreed the motion on 4 March. Operators should therefore budget on the new terms from 1 April 2026. (parliament.scot)

One extra datapoint from Committee scrutiny: members queried a small gap between the combined scheme caps (around £468.6m) and the higher budget line (£472.8m). Officials said the difference reflects administration costs rather than operator pay‑outs-useful context when mapping cash receipts versus headlines. (parliament.scot)