17 January 2012
Green Bus Fund announcement
Real test for Government commitment to bus passengers will be whether it cuts overall level of funding
Transform Scotland [1], the sustainable transport alliance, has today (Tuesday 17) welcomed the Scottish Government's decision to reinstate the Scottish Green Bus Fund [2] -- but questioned whether the Government still intended to proceed with its intended severe overall Budget cuts to support for bus services.
Transform Scotland Director Colin Howden said:
"The Scottish Green Bus Fund was conspicuous by its absence from the Draft Budget announced last September. So it's good that the Government has made this u-turn and put it back in the Budget, albeit at a reduced level of £2 million (cut from £3.4 million).
"However, we'll have to wait to see whether the Government's Budget delivers for bus passengers. The key test will be whether the Government plans to cut the overall level of investment in bus services. The Budget announced in September slashed funding for the Bus Service Operators Grant ("BSOG"). [3]
"BSOG is essential to maintaining bus services across Scotland. Following cuts to this same grant in England, there was a wave of cutbacks in services. [4] If the Scottish Government's decision to cut BSOG is not reversed then we can expect bus services across Scotland to also face cuts as a result of the spending review. The impacts of cuts to bus services would be most severe for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, young people and for those in rural areas. It would be deeply unjust for the Scottish Government to repeat the same errors made by the UK Government in its spending review."
ENDS
Notes to Editors
[1] Transform Scotland is the national sustainable transport alliance, bringing together rail, bus and shipping operators, local authorities, national environment and conservation groups, businesses and local transport groups - see <http://www.transformscotland.org.uk/members.aspx> for details.
[2] Scottish Government news release 'Minister announces £2 million boost for green buses': <http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/news/Scottish-green-bus-fund>.
[3] See e.g. coverage in The Herald last autumn:
<http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/transport/warning-of-bus-fare-hikes-as-pound12m-in-funding-is-cut.15218016>
<http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/transport/poorer-scots-losing-out-on-bus-services.15479814>
[4] See e.g. <http://www.bettertransport.org.uk/media/aug-11-select-committee-report>.
END OF NEWS RELEASE