Scottish Government to provide bus operators extra £25.7m as Covid support extended

The Scottish Government will provide a further £25.7m to bus operators as the Covid recovery fund is extended.

The support grant, initially introduced to help protect fares as the country recovered from the pandemic, has been extended to October.

The National Support Grant Plus will also fund priority infrastructure and improved data services.

Transport minister Jenny Gilruth said the Government had provided £210m to bus operators through other schemes so far.

The MSP said: “We continue to deliver on our commitment to provide additional recovery funding and we have supported bus operators through the most difficult periods of the pandemic.

“As services continue to recover, this additional £25.7m will support our bus sector to continue to navigate their way through and out of the pandemic.

“This, in addition to the up-to-£210m we have already provided, has ensured our bus operators are well positioned and at the forefront of our green recovery.”

She continued: “Looking ahead, it’s important that the support we give transport operators continues to adapt and evolve to make sure it remains fit for purpose.

“Over 10 million journeys have been made since January through the provision of free bus travel to under-22s.

“We continue to invest in bus priority infrastructure and have offered local authorities flexible powers to work in partnership with operators should they wish.

“For our health, our climate and our communities, we will continue to support our bus industry and encourage the shift away from cars and towards sustainable public transport.”