As a part of the Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme, the Scottish government has awarded £7.4 million for the purchase of electric passenger buses. This initiative has been created to help bus operators invest in ultra-low emission vehicles and their supporting infrastructure.
This also helps to support a green recovery out of the COVID-19 crisis. The grant will provide 41 ultra-low emission buses that will be supported across five bids. The organisers are particularly proud that they have been able to source a good deal of their vehicles locally too. Of the 41 buses 35 of the vehicles will be built in Scotland by British manufacturer Alexander Dennis.
Paul Davies, Alexander Dennis president and managing director, said: “This is a much appreciated first step in stimulating urgently needed demand for new buses and we look forward to building 35 electric buses here in Scotland.”
Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson, said: “366 million bus journeys were made in 2019, which demonstrates the value of our bus sector and supply chain in keeping Scotland moving.
“It also reinforces the key role that buses play every day in supporting the wider vision outlined in our National Transport Strategy. To help support bus operators and passengers, we’re also providing up to £109 million to increase and maintain bus services and £10 million for bus priority infrastructure measures.”
