MSPs have voted for swift action to be taken to address anti-social behaviour (ASB) and violence towards bus drivers – including potentially removing free passes from repeated offenders.

Holyrood debated tackling the abuse of bus drivers following a recent mass survey of drivers in Scotland – conducted by Unite the Union - which found that 84 per cent reported an increase in the number of incidents of abuse at work in the last year.

Members of the Scottish Parliament sent their condolences to the family of Keith Rollinson, a driver who died after being assaulted at Elgin bus station in February.

Labour MSP Claire Baker brought the debate to the chambers calling on the Scottish Government to take action including exploring the potential for legislative measures to protect transport workers against assault, threats, and abuse.

The motion also called on the government to remove access to concessionary bus passes from individuals who are repeatedly involved in ASB.

She said: “I am sending our deepest condolences to the family of Keith Rollinson. Everyone should be safe and respected at their place of work and no one should have to endure abuse or violence in the workplace.

“There was public shock at the attack on Keith Rollinson and it has been sobering to read the survey on bus drivers highlighting that violence, abuse, and sexual harassment are not isolated incidents on buses but are frequent occurrences that are not being taken seriously.

“Bus drivers are facing unacceptable health and safety risks including verbal and physical assaults carried out by a minority of people of all ages travelling on buses.

“However, evidence suggests that this has been exacerbated by the extension of the concessionary travel scheme to people under the age of 22.

“We must now see action. Scottish Labour is clear, there has to be consequences for persistent abusive behaviour towards bus drivers and passengers.”

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The motion was passed with 117 votes to one and Green MSPs backed an amendment by Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife.

It stated that the Scottish Greens “supported restrictions on all individuals who cause serious and repeated ASB from accessing bus services”. It removed the mention of the under-22 free bus travel scheme.

The amendment also called on bus operators to “fully invest in measures to support the safety of transport workers and passengers, including onboard CCTV”.

During the debate, Conservative MSP Sue Webber explained that her party could not support the amendment.

She said: “It is a real pity that a minority of young people are spoiling it for everyone. The Green motion is not one that we can support.

“It removes all reference to the under 22 concessionary bus pass.”

SNP MSP Jim Fairly, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, said the under 22 bus scheme “is not to blame”.

Whilst Liberal Democrat MSP Beatrice Wishart added that there should be an appeals process.

She commented: “We shouldn’t be apprehensive about sanctions such as the removal of free bus travel from individuals who repeatedly and persistently behave antisocially towards drivers or other passengers or indeed cause damage to buses.

“Any policy to remove the entitlement to bus passed must be clearly defined with just cause and there should be an appeal mechanism.”