Fears free bus travel is causing anti-social behaviour among youths in East Ayrshire
There are concerns free bus travel for under 22s is contributing to a rise in anti-social behaviour in town and city centres.
There’s fears free bus travel for U22’s could be contributing to a anti-social behaviour being caused by teenagers in City centres and towns across Scotland.
Free travel on buses was introduced by the Scottish Government in January for those up to the age of 22.
There have been a number of ‘high profile incidents’ in and around Kilmarnock Bus Station, as well as other incidents across East Ayrshire.
In October a 14-year-old boy was stabbed a street away from the station, and after finding his way indoors, police closed the area.
Another incident occurred in October where Stagecoach suspended their services for a full evening after reports of abusive and threatening behaviour towards staff and customers.
Other concerned locals continue to express their concerns for the anti-social behaviour in the area.
"Youths are jumping from stop to stop and taking the anti-social behaviour with them"
Graham Boyd is an independent councillor for Kilmarnock East and Hurlford and claims there are rising levels of anti-social behaviour across town centres in Ayrshire.
He said: "Some young people are not using this scheme responsibly.
"There have been instances of anti-social behaviour between Kilmarnock and Darvel.
"Youths are jumping from stop to stop and taking the anti-social behaviour with them.
"They might get off at one stop, jump back on and take their trouble to another stop - if the free bus travel wasn't there then that would not be happening."
Police Scotland say they have put in several measures to address community concerns.
Chief Inspector Alison Wilson said: “We are very aware of the impact that anti-social behaviour at and around Kilmarnock Bus Station has had on the local community.
“A number of measures were put in place which have had a positive impact on the high profile issues experienced in the area a few months ago.
“However, we will not become complacent and our officers continue to actively respond to concerns raised by the community about youth disorder and antisocial behaviour in and around Kilmarnock Bus Station.
“We continue to regularly patrol the area to provide reassurance to the public and address any anti-social behaviour which does occur.”
Another councillor from Kilmarnock, James Adams thinks similar incidents are putting people off using the services which is also having an impact on businesses in the area.
He told West FM: “There is that small percentage of people, as you will find with anything, who will try abuse the system.
“Because of the nature of the abuse it only takes one bad incident like that to discourage people from travelling into their town centres.”
There are also fears that the free bus travel for U22’s are causing similar behaviours all across Scotland, including Glasgow.
"We have had runaways from Edinburgh and Ayr who've come to Glasgow on the bus.
John Barclay from Glasgow Street Aid helps injured people coming out of clubs and wandering the streets on Friday and Saturday nights.
He said: "Since the scheme was introduced more and more young people are travelling into the city centre.
"It has caused a few problems because young kids are bored and they decide to make up games and the latest one is who can go missing for the longest before being brought back.
"We have had runaways from Edinburgh and Ayr who've come to Glasgow on the bus.
"Some of these kids are from care homes as well and the care homes are reporting them as missing."
John also claims he and his team have had to help people from as far away as Aberdeen and Dundee.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “There is no evidence to suggest that there has been a rise in youth crime in Scottish cities as a result of the provision of free bus passes to people under the age of 22.
“Free bus passes help reduce social inequality, provide better access to work, education and leisure and give younger generations a better start in life.”