18 April 2019

The SNP’s scheme to retrofit buses to reduce emissions has been branded a ‘humiliating failure’ as figures show only 84 buses across Scotland benefited from the scheme.

Figures released by the Energy Savings Trust show that just over £1m was spent out of a £7.9m budget.

The scheme ran into controversy earlier this year when First Group, one of the biggest operators in the country, failed to apply, claiming the grants were not generous enough.

Labour Transport spokesperson Colin Smyth said:

“This scheme has been a humiliating failure for the SNP and ministers need to ask the tough questions as to why.

“We are facing a climate emergency and upgrading to clean, green public transport needs to be a priority.

“Instead big bus companies have literally turned down government grants to do so.

“This strengthens the case for more public ownership in our bus network.

Municipally owned, locally run bus companies would be more accountable than private firms that all too often seem to put the filling their pockets ahead of saving the planet.”

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