Offering a free cup of tea or coffee to passengers could be a "carrot" for bus users, a new East Lothian Council report has suggested.
The idea of introducing free morning drinks to travellers is suggested in a response to Transport Scotland's Scottish Transport Project Review (STPR2).
Council officers point to a scheme in Stockholm where drivers were offered a free cuppa if they used new boat routes introduced in the city.
They said that while it may seem "far-fetched" it was something which could be considered to encourage motorists to leave their cars at home in East Lothian.
They said: "They served free coffee and tea in the morning for a year.
"Word spread by mouth of the additional treat. It incentivised usage and once in the habit, people continued using boat over car. Could this be a good carrot for bus users?"
In their response to the consultation council officers are also keen to point to the potential of the former Cockenzie Power Station and new town of Blindwells as a new gateway to the south east of Scotland.
They point to plans for a new rail station near the former power station site in Blindwells which would be within 20 minutes walking distance of the majority of household.
And they point out that the 90 hectare former power station site, which is owned by the local authority includes a "rail head with the East Coast Main Line and jetty to the Firth of Forth".
It says around 3,000 jobs are expected to be created at Cockenzie, adding "Cockenzie has frontage to the Firth of Forth and a jetty, a rail spur from the East Coast Main Line, which may be used for freight and logistics as well as a connection to the National Grid.
"Blindwells and Cockenzie are unique opportunities to integrate strategic planning and transport decisions, as well as wider investment decisions, to create a new well-connected national gateway growth location in south east Scotland that can stimulate sustainable inclusive growth at pace and scale."
The response to the Transport Scotland consultation has been lodged in the council's Members Library Service.
A report accompanying it said: the consultation opened in January this year and is seeking "comments on the review of priorities and outcomes recommended to enable delivery of a the National Transport Strategy 2 (NTS2)."
A spokesperson for the council said the Stockholm free drinks scheme was mentioned "as an example used to incentivise different forms of travel by making it more attractive".
They said: "Teas and coffees can work on boats due to space but could also be suitable for train journeys.
"Another example is free newspapers on buses to read. However these are all part of a larger conversation and there are no plans for any introductions in East Lothian."
