North-east drug addicts and alcoholics could get free bus pass

Moves to give people addicted to drugs and alcohol free bus passes have received ‘positive’ comments in a report for the north-east’s regional transport partnership.

Substance abusers have been included in the concessionary travel scheme with a view to making it easier to reach recovery services.

The report highlights how the initiative helped patients attend treatment schemes.

Nestrans, whose board meet each Wednesday, released a report which said: “Comments have been mixed, but are overall more positive than negative.”

Transport Scotland already provides free bus travel for people with disabilities, people over 60 and some veterans.

The pilot was undertaken with the Aberdeenshire Alcohol and Drugs Partnership (ADP) to look at the potential benefits and viability of improving the concessionary travel application process for their service users.

No decision has been taken yet on if and when the scheme would go ahead.