Glaswegians have been left "raging" as COP26 delegates enjoy free transport across Scotland while locals pay "rip-off" fares.
That's the message from campaigners and politicians calling for greater investment in public transport across the most populous region of the country.
Get Glasgow Moving - a grassroots movement set up in 2016 - held a demonstration today in the city's George Square against "rip-off fares" and "zero integration" between bus, rail and Subway services.
And Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has called for buses - privatised in the 1980s by Margaret Thatcher - to be brought back under local control.
It comes as leaders debate the future of transport at the COP26 climate summit being held at the SEC.
Sarwar said: “We cannot achieve net zero with rocketing fares on public transport and bus services in decline. It is time for transformational change and that is exactly what Labour’s local leaders in Strathclyde are promising.
“To help people choose the bus, Labour councils will use new Transport Act powers to bring Strathclyde’s bus network under democratic control.
"By putting passengers before profit, we believe we can secure better, more affordable services for Greater Glasgow and the West.
“Under the SNP, 48 million vehicle kilometres have been stripped out of the bus network right across in Strathclyde and the South West of Scotland.
"Meanwhile fares have gone up by a fifth in five years. That is simply not sustainable. The broken bus market has failed passengers and it’s got to be scrapped.”
Thousands of delegates have been handed a free transport pass which allows them free travel on any ScotRail, Subway or local bus service - a convenience denied to residents, who have to buy a separate ticket for each service.
Promoting their demo on social media, Get Glasgow Moving asked: "Are you raging that COP26 delegates have been given free multi-modal travel passes?
"Meanwhile we're stuck with rip-off fares and zero integration between bus, train and Subway."
Calum Jack replied: "Yes I am. Was seething seeing people (rightly) have a free travel pass for across the city, meanwhile, there is zero integration between public transport."
The Record has asked Transport Scotland for comment.
To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.
