- 55% of young people in Scotland have changed how they commute due to rising fuel costs
- Growing shift towards bus travel as a cost-effective and reliable alternative
- Free under-22 bus travel helping protect independence and affordability
Rising fuel costs are reshaping how young people travel across the Highlands, Moray, Aberdeenshire and Orkney, with new research highlighting a clear shift away from car dependency.
Figures show that 55% of young people in Scotland have already changed how they commute due to increasing petrol prices, reflecting growing financial pressures on everyday travel.
The shift is being supported by Scotland’s under-22s free bus travel scheme, which is helping young people maintain their independence without the cost burden associated with driving.
Alongside rising fuel prices, the cost of learning to drive, typically between £2,000 and £2,600 and ongoing delays to driving tests are further influencing decisions, prompting many to reconsider whether car ownership is viable.
David Beaton, Managing Director for Stagecoach North Scotland, said, “We know that the cost of living continues to impact young people, and rising fuel prices are a significant part of that. What we’re seeing is a real shift in how people view travel. Bus services are a popular, reliable and cost-effective way to stay connected, whether that’s getting to work, education or spending time with friends and family. For generations, owning a car has been seen as a symbol of independence, but that perception is changing. Increasingly, young people are recognising that reliable, accessible bus travel offers that same independence without the financial strain. We are proud to connect communities across the north of Scotland and provide an alternative that supports people to stay connected.”
The findings underline a broader shift in attitudes, with bus travel increasingly seen not as a fallback, but as a smart and practical choice that enables independence while managing costs.