Further Funding for the Scottish Ultra Low Emission Bus Scheme
The Scottish Government has announced that an additional £25 million is being made available through a second round of the Scottish Ultra Low Emission Bus Scheme. The scheme, which opened in August last year, provides support to bus operators and manufacturers who want to transition to zero emission vehicles and also help drive a green recovery out of COVID-19 pandemic.
The first round secured £10.8 million to fund infrastructure to support the running of ultra-low emission buses across the country and 62 new buses, 35 of which are being manufactured in Scotland. This further round of funding is expected to support around 140 new battery-electric buses and associated infrastructure. It will allow the public transport sector to help meet Scotland’s legislative emission reduction targets and work towards tackling climate change.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Michael Matheson, said:Following on from the success of the first round of the Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme launched last summer, I’m pleased to announce a further £25 million for the bus sector.
It’s an extremely unsettling time for the industry which plays a key role in keeping Scotland moving during the COVID-19 pandemic. I hope this additional funding will provide support to our vital bus operators and manufacturers and at the same time help drive forward a green recovery in Scotland and our world leading climate targets.
We have already provided over £100 million to increase and maintain bus services and priority infrastructure measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chair of the Just Transition Commission, Jim Skea, said:Investing in our bus services can play a vital role in delivering a just transition to net-zero, particularly as we look to rebuild following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The announcement today is a welcome vote of confidence in the future of our public transport system, which provides vital services to so many and will play a key part in helping to bring emissions down in this sector. It will also give a much needed boost to the world-leading supply chain we have here in Scotland.
The Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme (SULEBS) is an evolution of the Scottish Green Bus Fund held each year between 2011 and 2018. SULEBS supports the purchase of new buses, and assists with 50% of the cost differential between a standard diesel bus and the equivalent ultra-low emission bus. This can rise to a maximum 75% support of the differential for buses depending on their zero emission running capability. Support is also available for the infrastructure for this technology of up to a maximum 75% of the capital cost.
SULEBS is part of the Scottish Government’s approach to meeting furthering our ambitions for a net-zero economy and improving air quality through a greener fleet.
This article was originally published by Transport Scotland.
