Scottish Government gives councils £6m to increase bus involvement

Rhodri Clark

08 February 2023

Michael Matheson: It is important that we allow local authorities to consider what is the most appropriate model for their area. Something that works in a big urban area might not be effective in a more rural area

The Scottish Government has set aside almost 10% of its bus budget for 2023/24 for local authorities to make use of new powers in the Transport (Scotland) Act 2019, including powers to introduce bus franchising. The Act also gave Scottish local authorities the means to establish municipal bus companies for the first time since the 1980s.

Enacting these bus powers was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic, but the Scottish Government now wishes to accelerate their use. Appearing before a...