Scottish Government using £500mill bus cash to stop Councils competing against private bus companies

The Scottish Government today (10 November 2020) announced plans for a £500m bus infrastructure fund, but campaigners say this money is being used to prevent regulation and stifle competition.

The Bus Partnership Fund, first announced in September 2019’s Programme for Government, will pay for things such as bus lanes on trunk roads and smarter traffic management systems. This will speed up journey times, making bus a more competitive transport option, reducing car use with consequent benefits for air quality and climate emissions.

However, the criteria for councils which wish to apply to this fund, includes setting up a bus partnership (BSIP). Campaigners say these partnerships legally prevent other measures such as the setting up of a public bus company; meaning the Scottish Government’s funding stream will simply maintain the status quo.

Friends of the Earth Scotland Air Pollution Campaigner Gavin Thomson commented,

“This £500m is welcome investment for bus lanes on motorways and smarter traffic management. However, it arrives with hefty strings attached. Councils can only apply for this money if they agree to form partnerships with private bus operators and don’t start up their own competing public bus company.

“The Scottish Government is using this much-needed funding stream to prevent regulation and public ownership – powers which were devolved to councils in last year’s Transport Act. All councils need to access their share of this £500m so this fine print effectively pushes councils away from starting up a publicly owned bus company.”

“Public ownership and more democratic control of our public transport is both popular and necessary. Publicly owned buses will allow profits to be reinvested in the network, and for comprehensive services that take people where they want to go. The Scottish Government preventing it in this way will not work for taxpayers, passengers or the climate.”
ENDS