Question reference: S5W-35773
- Asked by: George Adam, MSP for Paisley, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 5 March 2021
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Current status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Michael Matheson on 8 March 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether COVID-19 funding for bus operators will be extended beyond 31 March 2021.
Answer
Today I am announcing up to £61.4 million in further funding to support bus operators maintain services between 1 April and 27 June 2021. This is in addition to up to £191.3 million that the Scottish Government has made available to support bus services since June 2020. This funding is subject to regular reconciliation to ensure we are not over or under paying operators and actual spend in 2020-21 is forecast at £144.5 million. Funding only covers the gap between additional operational costs due to Covid-19 and the loss of fare revenue due to physical distancing and reduced demand.