Calls for hybrid bus fund to be set up in Scotland
There were calls this week for the Scottish government to introduce a bus scrappage scheme in order to prevent job losses at some of the country’s biggest coach builder companies.
The launch of such a scheme, it was argued, would also have a positive effect on the environment and help Scotland reduce its carbon emissions.
Transport spokesman, Charlie Gordon, is calling for the Government to set up a fund of £3 million to provide financial help to those bus companies who wish to invest in a fleet of greener, hybrid buses. These vehicles have both a standard fuel powered engine, and an electrical motor.
Mr Gordon added that the introduction of such a scheme would help the environment as there would be a decrease in the number of old and highly polluting buses on the roads, plus it would help safeguard jobs within the coach building industry, and it will result in an improved public transport system for passengers in Scotland.
The call for the bus scrappage scheme comes after the UK government announced that they had put aside a fund of £30 million for the provision of hybrid buses and now Scotland hopes to follow suit.