This Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme is an evolution of
the Scottish Government’s Green Bus Fund. Through the Green Bus
Fund, £17 million was invested between 2011 and 2018 to help
operators overcome the initial capital costs of new buses. This
successful scheme supported the introduction of nearly 500
cleaner buses across Scotland.
This new initiative focuses on ultra-low emission technologies
(hydrogen electric or fully electric propulsion) which supports
the Scottish Government’s world-leading net zero targets, its
commitment to delivering Low Emission Zones and the bold
ambitions Scotland has for transport decarbonisation.
Accelerating the deployment of electric buses is in line with
Scotland’s ambition to move to net-zero economy. The Scottish
National Investment Bank is being established to support and
enable the transition to net zero and will look to leverage
additional private finance to deliver its missions. The Bank
will also have the ability to offer patient capital, on a
commercial basis. Commercial bus operators are encouraged to
contact SNIB@gov.scot or other financial institutions now, as
part of their application for grant support.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and
Connectivity said:
“The Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme will support bus
operators and bus manufacturers in what I know is a turbulent
time for the industry. The investments we will make this year
will help drive forward a green recovery in Scotland while
supporting our air quality objectives and our world-leading
climate targets.
“With around three-quarters of all public transport journeys
made by bus in recent years, equating to some 380 million trips
across Scotland in 2018/19, it’s always been clear to me how
critical our bus industry and its supply chain is to our wider
transport objectives outlined in our National Transport
Strategy.
“This is why during the COVID-19 crisis we are providing up to
£109 million to increase and maintain bus services and why we
are providing £10 million for bus priority infrastructure
measures. In addition, we have maintained concessionary travel
payments and Bus Service Operator Grants at pre-COVID levels
and have also improved our existing offer for bus exhaust
retrofit solutions.
“I’m pleased that our Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme
will provide further support for our vital bus sector which
plays a key role in keeping Scotland moving, improving our air
quality whilst responding both to the COVID-19 crisis and the
global climate emergency.”
, Director for CPT in Scotland said: “While Covid-19
has presented immediate challenges for our sector we cannot
lose sight of important elements of public transport policy
such as air quality, decarbonisation and patronage growth. The
launch of SULEBS is an important step in retaining the momentum
for meeting these objectives and the wider National Transport
Strategy vision.”
Full guidance on the Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme can
be found on the Transport Scotland website: https://www.transport.gov.scot/public-transport/buses/scottish-ultra-low-emission-bus-scheme/
