Scottish Government Extends Support For Local Bus Services

MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon MacDonald, has welcomed an announcement that the Scottish Government will further extend its funding support for Scotland’s bus operators.

Announced today by Scotland’s Transport Secretary, the Scottish Government will invest up to £52.6 million in maintaining Scotland’s bus services between November 2020 and January 2021.

This latest announcement is in addition to the £109.7 million in funding that the Scottish Government has been providing since June to support bus services.

Bus travel typically accounts for just under three quarters of all public transport journeys. This funding is to cover the anticipated loss of fare-paying passenger revenue that operators will experience due to physical distancing and reduced carrying capacity during a period when more people would normally be travelling.

Edinburgh Pentlands MSP Gordon MacDonald said, “So far the Scottish Government has invested over £109 million in maintaining Scotland’s bus services during the pandemic.

“This is a difficult time for bus operators with physical distancing and reduced passenger numbers hitting the industry hard. This further £52 million will go some of the way to alleviating that strain and help to ensure the future of the buses that we all rely on.

“While we must follow the latest guidance and walk or cycle where possible, I want to thank all of our public transport operators and staff here in Edinburgh who have helped keep Scotland’s key workers moving in recent months.

“The Scottish Government will continue to work with passengers, businesses and bus operators to provide a safe and frequent bus network for those who need to make essential journeys.”