£3 million available for green buses

Bus operators, local authorities and Regional Transport Partnership’s across Scotland can apply for funding towards the purchase of low carbon emission buses.

The Scottish Green Bus Fund, now in its seventh year, aims to help support the introduction of new low carbon vehicles across the country. The Scottish Government has already invested £14.8m over the previous six rounds.

Funding for the 2017/2018 Green Bus Fund has been made available from this year’s Future Transport Fund.

Operators of low carbon buses are also eligible for an enhanced rate of the Bus Service Operators Grant which further incentivises the use of green buses.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said:

“The Scottish Government is committed to the introduction of cleaner and greener transport. We continue to spend nearly a quarter of a billion pounds a year in grants to support the network, promote the take up of new greener buses.

“I am pleased to announce funding for this latest round of the Green Bus Fund, which has already seen the introduction of more than 300 low emission buses to the Scottish fleet and I look forward to seeing even more on our roads.

“We will continue to invest in public transport and active travel, and in low carbon technologies, such as electric cars and vans, hybrid ferries, green buses and the infrastructure they require.”

The deadline for applications for the 2017/2018 Green Bus Fund is 30 June 2017.

CPT Scotland Director George Mair said:

“The Scottish Green Bus Fund has been an fantastic initiative in assisting operators to upgrade the standard of their vehicles and meet low emissions targets.

“Buses are responsible for less than 4% of road transport emissions. Scotland’s bus operators remain committed to further improving the green credentials of what is already one of the most environmentally sustainable modes of transport.”

Note to editors

For further details on the Green Bus Fund visit www.transport.gov.scot/public-transport/scottish-green-bus-fund

For details on the Bus Service Operators Grant visit www.transport.gov.scot/public-transport/bus/bus-services-operators-grant