£42 MILLION FUNDING TO MAINTAIN BUS SERVICES

THE WHEELS ON THE BUS WILL KEEP GOING ROUND 
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Colin Beattie has welcomed the news that up to £42 million in funding will be made available by the Scottish Government to support bus operators to maintain services in Midlothian and East Lothian.

The announcement was made today by Minister for Transport, Graeme Dey, and forms part of the up to £96.8 million that the Scottish Government had already made available in 2021-22.  

Bus services have been a crucial way of getting people around safely in Midlothian and East Lothian throughout the pandemic, and Colin Beattie has said their role “will become ever more important as we emerge from the pandemic and build a greener country.” 

This announcement from the Scottish Government today is in addition to maintaining concessionary reimbursement and bus service operator grant payments at pre-COVID levels, and free bus travel for under-22s.

Commenting Colin Beattie said: 

“Public transport in Midlothian and East Lothian has never been more important - throughout the past 18 months it is has been a lifeline to many and will continue to help Scotland reach its world leading climate targets.  

“Buses in Midlothian and East Lothian not only help us all get around but Lothian Buses have gone further, supporting the COVID 19 vaccine rollout, by transforming some of their fleet into vaccination buses and I thank everyone involved in this initiative which is helping us gradually start to return to normality. 

“I’m pleased the Scottish Government has recognised that additional support is still currently required to support our buses as we recover and I’m sure it will be welcome news across my constituency.”