Free bus pass uptake below 50% in Aberdeen
Only 49% of under-22s have a free bus pass in the city
Less than 50% of under-22s in Aberdeen have taken up the option of a free bus pass.
The scheme was brought in by the Scottish Government at the start of the year, but has been widely criticised by the opposition due to the "complicated application process".
Only 49% of youngsters in Aberdeen City have a pass, that drops to 44% in Aberdeenshire.
It's less than both Dundee (64%) and Edinburgh (63%), though still an increase on figures in Glasgow (43%).
North East MSP Liam Kerr says it's a result of the the Scottish Government's "botched handling of the scheme".
"The Scottish Government’s botched handling of the scheme has been abysmal.
“Young people are clearly being put off from applying because too many obstacles have been put in their way by the complicated application process.
“The figures for the north-east make for extremely poor reading for the SNP-Green coalition and highlight that much more focus needs to be brought on our region to improve the uptake, particularly in schools.
“To make matters worse, the nationalists are refusing to pay out any compensation to those who are still having to pay fares while waiting for their card to be issued.
“They must get their act together to ensure those who need it most don’t miss out.”