Bus operators to receive additional financial assistance from Scottish Government to see them through coronavirus crisis

Bus operators are to receive additional financial assistance to help maintain essential services.

The support is intended to offset the impact that reduced demand is having on the viability of local services for key workers and to protect the industry for the future.

Operators will receive additional payments matching the difference between actual payments and previously forecasted levels.

Scotland's cabinet secretary for transport, infrastructure and connectivity, Michael Matheson, said: “We are doing everything we can to support our bus industry in this unprecedented time.

"This action will enable critical services to continue to run, helping our key workers get to their work and to carry out their essential roles across the country. I also recognise that our bus industry will be vital to our economic recovery – and we must take steps to protect that recovery now.

“People are changing their travel patterns to help reduce the spread of coronavirus and we’ve seen a real dip in public transport use across Scotland.

"Figures from Transport Scotland analysts show that concessionary bus journeys in particular had dropped by 81 per cent in the last two weeks – and I would expect this to fall even further in light of the latest guidance."

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