Current status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 24 March 2026
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met with Borders Buses to discuss the future funding of bus services that cross (a) local authority boundaries in South Scotland and (b) the border between Scotland and England.
The Scottish Government has not held any direct meetings with Borders Buses regarding the future funding of bus services operating across (a) local authority boundaries in South Scotland or (b) the Scotland–England border, as these would be local matters.
Local authorities have a duty under the Transport Act 1985 to identify where there is a social need for particular bus services and can subsidise these at their discretion. Through legislation, we have given local authorities powers on partnership working, franchising and to run their own bus services. Our approach enables local transport authorities to determine what is best to address any transport challenges in their local areas.