Written Question · S5W-30900 · Session 5
How much support it has provided to the bus industry during COVID-19, broken down by (a) type and (b) purpose of funding; whether any of th…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government how much support it has provided to the bus industry during COVID-19, broken down by (a) type and (b) purpose of funding; whether any of this funding was subject to meeting conditions, and, if so, whether it will publish a full account of what conditions were placed on such funding.
The answer
To date, the Scottish Government has provided, or announced funding totalling £32.9 million of capital and £196.8 million of resource during the COVID-19 period to the bus industry through a number of programmes which are detailed in the following tables. Where available, the conditions placed on these funding streams are set out and the links provided.
Funding provided
Name
Type: Resource / Capital
Purpose
Conditions
National Concessionary Travel Scheme
Resource
- £39.4 million paid between 2 March and 27 July 2020
Reimbursing bus operators for journeys made under the National Concessionary Travel Scheme (NCTS) for older and disabled people and the Young People's Scheme for eligible holders of the Young Scot National Entitlement Card.
The conditions and reimbursement terms for the older and disabled people's scheme are in the legislation establishing it, in particular the National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Older and Disabled Persons (Scotland) Order 2006 (as amended) and the National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Older and Disabled Persons (Eligible Persons and Eligible Services) (Scotland) Order 2006.
The Young People's Scheme is a non-statutory arrangement in which participating bus operators give eligible young people 1/3 off single fares and are reimbursed the difference. More details are at www.transport.gov.scot/concessionary-travel/young-scot-national-entitlement-card/
Covid-19 Support Grant (CSG)
Resource
- £41.6 million paid between 2 March and 27 July 2020
Maintaining operators' funding at the levels forecast before Covid-19 for National Concessionary Travel Scheme (NCTS) and Bus Service Operators' Grant (BSOG) in order to maintain essential bus services and support the future viability of bus operators.
Information on CSG is published at www.transport.gov.scot/public-transport/buses/covid-19-support-grant
Participating bus operators sign up to conditions through grant agreements or public service contracts.
Covid-19 Support Grant
- Restart (CSG-R)
Resource
- £52.8 million paid between 22 June and 27 July 2020
Additional funding to support the remobilisation of buses and increased service levels with physical distancing measures in place.
Information on CSG-R is published at www.transport.gov.scot/public-transport/buses/covid-19-support-grant
Participating bus operators sign up to conditions through public service contracts.
Low Carbon Economy funding
- Research and Development funding to Alexander Dennis Limited
Capital
- £5.0 million expedited during COVID-19 period of an overall £10.0 million grant awarded by Scottish Enterprise (funded by Transport Scotland) in 2019.
Supporting a £29 million ADL investment over 2 years centred on new technologies (including hydrogen), next generation battery powered vehicles; and high capacity, fast-loading vehicles.
Subject to the normal Scottish Enterprise terms and conditions.
The details of the grant were placed in the EU Transparency Register.
Low Carbon Economy funding
- Research and Development funding to Alexander Dennis Limited
Capital
- £73,000 grant from Scottish Enterprise (funded by Transport Scotland)
Supporting the development and testing of retrofitted on-bus equipment and passenger protection from Covid-19 infection, in turn to enable the carriage of more passengers on buses whilst physical distancing guidance in place.
Subject to the normal Scottish Enterprise terms and conditions.
Funding Announced
Name
Type: Resource / Capital
Purpose
Conditions
Bus Priority Rapid Development Fund (BPRDF)
Capital
- £10.0 million in the financial year 2020-21
To enable local authorities and the bus industry to implement temporary bus priority measures
The criteria are published at www.transport.gov.scot/public-transport/buses/bus-priority-rapid-development-fund/
Bus Emissions Abatement Retrofit (BEAR) Scheme Phase 3
Capital
- £8.857 million in the financial year 2020-21
Support
Funding provided
Name
Type: Resource / Capital
Purpose
Conditions
National Concessionary Travel Scheme
Resource
- £39.4 million paid between 2 March and 27 July 2020
Reimbursing bus operators for journeys made under the National Concessionary Travel Scheme (NCTS) for older and disabled people and the Young People's Scheme for eligible holders of the Young Scot National Entitlement Card.
The conditions and reimbursement terms for the older and disabled people's scheme are in the legislation establishing it, in particular the National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Older and Disabled Persons (Scotland) Order 2006 (as amended) and the National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Older and Disabled Persons (Eligible Persons and Eligible Services) (Scotland) Order 2006.
The Young People's Scheme is a non-statutory arrangement in which participating bus operators give eligible young people 1/3 off single fares and are reimbursed the difference. More details are at www.transport.gov.scot/concessionary-travel/young-scot-national-entitlement-card/
Covid-19 Support Grant (CSG)
Resource
- £41.6 million paid between 2 March and 27 July 2020
Maintaining operators' funding at the levels forecast before Covid-19 for National Concessionary Travel Scheme (NCTS) and Bus Service Operators' Grant (BSOG) in order to maintain essential bus services and support the future viability of bus operators.
Information on CSG is published at www.transport.gov.scot/public-transport/buses/covid-19-support-grant
Participating bus operators sign up to conditions through grant agreements or public service contracts.
Covid-19 Support Grant
- Restart (CSG-R)
Resource
- £52.8 million paid between 22 June and 27 July 2020
Additional funding to support the remobilisation of buses and increased service levels with physical distancing measures in place.
Information on CSG-R is published at www.transport.gov.scot/public-transport/buses/covid-19-support-grant
Participating bus operators sign up to conditions through public service contracts.
Low Carbon Economy funding
- Research and Development funding to Alexander Dennis Limited
Capital
- £5.0 million expedited during COVID-19 period of an overall £10.0 million grant awarded by Scottish Enterprise (funded by Transport Scotland) in 2019.
Supporting a £29 million ADL investment over 2 years centred on new technologies (including hydrogen), next generation battery powered vehicles; and high capacity, fast-loading vehicles.
Subject to the normal Scottish Enterprise terms and conditions.
The details of the grant were placed in the EU Transparency Register.
Low Carbon Economy funding
- Research and Development funding to Alexander Dennis Limited
Capital
- £73,000 grant from Scottish Enterprise (funded by Transport Scotland)
Supporting the development and testing of retrofitted on-bus equipment and passenger protection from Covid-19 infection, in turn to enable the carriage of more passengers on buses whilst physical distancing guidance in place.
Subject to the normal Scottish Enterprise terms and conditions.
Funding Announced
Name
Type: Resource / Capital
Purpose
Conditions
Bus Priority Rapid Development Fund (BPRDF)
Capital
- £10.0 million in the financial year 2020-21
To enable local authorities and the bus industry to implement temporary bus priority measures
The criteria are published at www.transport.gov.scot/public-transport/buses/bus-priority-rapid-development-fund/
Bus Emissions Abatement Retrofit (BEAR) Scheme Phase 3
Capital
- £8.857 million in the financial year 2020-21
Support
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S5W-30900 by reference.