The Scottish Government will provide to £5.7 million to help bus, coach and community transport operators meet low emission zone (LEZ) standards which are being introduced in Scotland’s largest cities in 2022.
The funds come from a fourth round of the Bus Emissions Abatement Retrofit (BEAR) Programme, supporting the costs of installing technology to reduce diesel emissions or to convert buses to electric drivetrains.
This builds on three previous rounds of funding which has provided £12.2 million to ensure 762 buses now meet required emissions standards.
LEZs are to be introduced across Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen between February and May 2022.
Minister for Transport Graeme Dey said: “It is critical that we have LEZs introduced in our four biggest cities by 2022, and this support is another way we’re helping bus, coach and community transport providers to comply with forthcoming emissions standards.”
Stevie More, Engineering Director at Lothian Buses added: “This announcement from The Scottish Government of a further round of BEAR funding is welcomed by the industry as we all strive to meet the LEZ targets across Scotland.”
The Scottish Government has also announced that all residents in Scotland under the age of 22 will be eligible for free bus travel from 31 January 2022.
About 930,000 young people will join the third of Scotland’s population who already get free bus travel through the Older and Disabled Persons Free Bus scheme.
