Earlier in his speech, Swinney announced that a £2 bus fare cap would be extended to the north east of Scotland from April.
Swinney told SNP members that “cheaper bus travel is only one part of the story”.
“We need more buses and we need more frequent buses,” he said. “It’s good for commuters. And it’s good for the climate.
“I can therefore announce today that by the end of this parliament, through franchising and regulation, the SNP will bring the bus network back into public control.”
Bus fares are currently capped at £2 in the west of Scotland and the Highlands, with a national rollout promised by 2031.
Bus operators are given government subsidies to participate.
Swinney also announced a £30m fund for community groups to help “combat the rise of the racists”, and a new bill to make harassment and abuse based on misogyny a specific criminal offence.
He added that the government would launch a £1m “respect fund giving every school the resources they need to tackle misogyny”.