Glasgow has commenced a significant pilot project, offering unlimited free public transport to 1,000 city residents for a period of seven weeks. The scheme, which began on Monday, February 9, 2026, allows participants to travel without charge on local buses, trains, and the Subway network.
Funded by a £225,000 allocation approved by city councillors late last year, the initiative seeks to evaluate the tangible effects of fare-free public transport on residents’ travel patterns. Key objectives include assessing whether the absence of fares encourages a reduction in private car usage and how lower transport costs can improve access to vital services such as employment, education, and healthcare.
Participants in the pilot have been issued with Zonecards, providing unrestricted access across Zones 1 and 2 of the Strathclyde public transport area, encompassing Glasgow and extending into neighbouring local authority regions. Services covered include ScotRail trains, the Subway, and bus operators such as First Bus, Stagecoach, McGill’s, and West Coast Motors.
The selection process for the 1,000 participants involved a dual approach. Half were chosen from a demographic representative of city residents, with a particular focus on individuals who frequently depend on private vehicles. The remaining 500 were identified through various community and support services, targeting those who commonly encounter obstacles to travel. Many were referred via Glasgow’s child poverty programme, along with services like Improving the Cancer Journey and Glasgow Helps. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde also nominated patients and families for whom travel expenses often contribute to missed medical appointments.
To rigorously monitor the pilot’s impact, participants are required to complete surveys and maintain travel diaries throughout the seven-week period. Detailed case studies will also be developed to provide deeper qualitative insights into the experiment’s outcomes.
The scheme has garnered strong support from the city’s Green group, which championed its implementation. Councillor Christy Mearns, transport spokesperson for the Greens, articulated the potential broader benefits of the trial. “This pilot will demonstrate the transformative effect of making transport more accessible,” Mearns stated.
Mearns further emphasised the necessity of addressing transport barriers: “With so many people unable to use public transport in ways that suit them, due to cost, and given many don’t have access to a car, it’s imperative that we challenge this head on.”
Highlighting the environmental dimension, she added: “Transport is a large cause of our country’s emissions, so not only would free public transport help people’s pockets, but it will hopefully help the planet too.”
The pilot is scheduled to conclude on March 29, with the collected data expected to form a crucial evidence base for future discussions on public transport policy and its role in urban mobility and economic participation.
