Question reference: S5W-32536
- Asked by: Alison Johnstone, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
- Date lodged: 14 October 2020
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Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 29 October 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether financial help to support bus travel will be provided for as long as the public is advised not to travel unless necessary and to work from home where possible.
Answer
Since 22 June the Scottish Government has committed up to £162.3 million in additional funding to support bus operators increase and maintain bus services. This funding fills the gap between additional costs of operating services due to COVID-19 and severely reduced ticket income due to reduced demand and capacity constraints.
This financial support is provided up to 17 January 2021 when we will review whether further funding is required.
The Scottish Government is also maintaining concessionary travel reimbursement and Bus Service Operator Grant payments at pre COVID-19 levels where we would normally spend over £260 million.