Scottish Government  announces extra £3m for Green Bus Fund

Wed 29 August 2012 View all news

The Scottish Government is making £3m available to bus operators to buy low carbon vehicles. Since Scotland's Green Bus Fund was launched two years ago, 74 buses have been purchased. The extra funding is expected to see around 40 more low carbon buses on the road.

Bus operators will be invited to apply for a share of the spending, being brought forward to help boost the economy, through Transport Scotland.

Transport Minister Keith Brown said: “The Scottish Government is absolutely committed to public transport and to our ambitious climate change target of reducing carbon emissions by 42 per cent by 2020.

“Early indications from the use of vehicles bought in the first phase are showing substantial fuel savings and reduced emissions.

Scotland's Green Bus Fund is based closely on the Westminster Department for Transport's fund of the same name which was introduced following close discussions with the LowCVP.

Scotland's low carbon buses produce at least 30 per cent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than a current Euro III equivalent diesel bus of the same passenger capacity.

Transport for Scotland's press release says that Edinburgh-based Lothian Buses confirmed that the Double Deck Hybrids they bought in the first SGBF are producing a fuel efficiency of 56.7% improvement over the standard diesel vehicles previously used.

The scheme invites bus operators, local authorities and Regional Transport Partnerships (RTPs) together with bus manufacturers to submit applications for funding.

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