By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
Accept
routeonerouteonerouteone
  • News
    • Show all
    • Awards & Events
    • Deliveries
    • Environment
    • Exhibitor News
    • Euro Bus Expo 2024
    • Features
    • Legal
    • Minibus and minicoach
    • Operators
    • Opinion
    • People
    • Suppliers
    • Vehicles
  • Vehicles
    • Find a Vehicle
    • ZEV Comparison Tool
    • Sell a Vehicle
    • Vehicle Seller Dashboard
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Events
    • British Tourism & Travel Show
    • Euro Bus Expo
    • Innovation Challenge
    • Livery Competition
    • routeone Awards
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • Share your news
    • Subscribe
    • Update Subscription Details
  • Latest Issue
  • SIGN UP
Search
© 2024 routeone News. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: £6m Scottish coach industry support package is welcomed
Share
Font ResizerAa
routeonerouteone
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • News
    • Show all
    • Awards & Events
    • Deliveries
    • Environment
    • Exhibitor News
    • Euro Bus Expo 2024
    • Features
    • Legal
    • Minibus and minicoach
    • Operators
    • Opinion
    • People
    • Suppliers
    • Vehicles
  • Vehicles
    • Find a Vehicle
    • ZEV Comparison Tool
    • Sell a Vehicle
    • Vehicle Seller Dashboard
  • Insights
  • Careers
  • Events
    • British Tourism & Travel Show
    • Euro Bus Expo
    • Innovation Challenge
    • Livery Competition
    • routeone Awards
  • Advertise
  • Contact
    • Share your news
    • Subscribe
    • Update Subscription Details
  • Latest Issue
  • SIGN UP
Follow US
© 2024 routeone News | Powered by Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd
- Advertisement -
-
routeone > News > £6m Scottish coach industry support package is welcomed
NewsOperatorsTop Story

£6m Scottish coach industry support package is welcomed

routeone Team
routeone Team
Published: December 9, 2020
Share
Scottish coach industry support package announced
SHARE

News that the coach industry in Scotland will benefit from almost £6m of support from the Scottish Government has been welcomed. The backing forms part of a wider £185m package for businesses that have been affected by the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic that was announced by Finance Secretary Kate Forbes MSP on 9 December.

Contents
Scottish coach industry support follows ‘aid to trade’ submissionCPT welcomes news but UK-wide package ‘still urgently needed’

While details of how monies will be allocated are to follow, businesses “can expect to apply for all new grant schemes in January,” says the Scottish Government.

Scottish coach industry support follows ‘aid to trade’ submission

The funding follows MSP Fergus Ewing’s commitment to take an ‘aid to trade’ proposal created by coach operators and the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) Scotland to his fellow ministers for consideration. 

It is not yet clear whether Ms Forbes’ announcement of support for the coach industry is related to Mr Ewing’s work, or whether any of the ‘aid to trade’ proposals submitted to him will factor into distribution of the £6m allocated to the sector by the Scottish Government. 

Early reaction from operators in Scotland to the support package was positive. “I am delighted that at last we have been acknowledged,” says Morag Milligan, Director of Mauchline-based Milligan’s Coaches.

Scottish coach industry support package
Details of how the £6m funding for coach operators in Scotland are to be allocated are to be announced in due course, the Scottish Government says

“We have felt like the forgotten industry for nine months. CPT Scotland has worked hard for us and sector-specific funding has been long overdue. I feel as though all I have done for the past few months is write emails and fight to justify our existence.” 

Another Scottish coach operator’s representative says they “cautiously welcome” the development.

Both they and Ms Milligan have engaged with their MPs and MSPs ahead of a Westminster Hall debate on the future of the coach industry at 1500hrs on Thursday 10 December in the hope that it will help to pressure the UK government to develop a countrywide support scheme for coaching.

CPT welcomes news but UK-wide package ‘still urgently needed’

CPT has also welcomed the announcement of funding for coach operators in Scotland, saying that it has come about “as a result of CPT’s engagement with Mr Ewing on coach support.” 

CEO Graham Vidler notes that the money will help to support those businesses “through the winter with a view to getting back up and running next year.” Mr Vidler adds that CPT “continues to push for similar support to be provided for all UK coach operators as a matter of urgency.” 

Scotland is the second UK nation to agree a support package for the coach sector. The Northern Ireland Executive confirmed in October that it is to provide grants based on fleet size to coach and private bus operators in the country.

Share This Article
Facebook LinkedIn Threads Email Copy Link
Previous Article DVSA 10 year tyre MoT fail DVSA to enforce tyre ban from February
Next Article Transdev Witchway Sky Class Enviro400 Transdev Witchway route gets ‘Sky Class’ Enviro400 fleet
- Advertisement -

Latest News

Temsa HD12 and HD13 delivered to Cresta Coaches under Asset Alliance rental deal
Temsa pair join Cresta Coaches on Asset Alliance rental agreement
Deliveries
Go-Ahead London – Managing Director
Careers Jobs
andy burnham tfgm £15.6 billion (1) The funding announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves today (4 June) has been allocated to several combined mayoral authorities to use on rail, tram, road and bus infrastructure. Transport for Greater Manchester revealed today that part of the £2.5 billion it will receive will go towards making the Bee Network fully battery-electric by 2030. An as-yet undecided portion of that will support a planned investment in 1,000 new zero-emission buses over that period, the mayoral authority said. That is part of plans to build the UK's "first fully integrated, zero-emission public transport system", with trams and trains also set to benefit. Liverpool City Region's already announced BRT system is among the projects to which its £1.6 billion will be allocated. Under those plans - due for realisation by 2028 - a high-speed network will be served by articulated buses which are modelled on the 'Glider' in Belfast. It is due to link Liverpool city centre with John Lennon Airport, and Liverpool FC and Everton FC's respective stadia along three routes. Although the model of bus has not been confirmed, a Van Hool Exqui.City on loan from Belfast was last year used as a demonstrator. That 18m vehicle can accommodate around 30% more passengers than a typical bus and has three sets of double doors. The funding will also go towards buses elsewhere in the city as the region heads towards franchising services by 2027. Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram with a 'Glider' which was on loan from Belfast last year - an example of the sort of bus which could serve the new BRT Bus services in the East Midlands region will be boosted by the funding, thanks to the £2 billion handed to it today by the government. Some of that allocation will be used for a rapid transit network on the Trent Arc between Nottingham and Derby. Between the two cities, the Freeport, Infinity Park Investment Zone and Ratcliffe-on-Soar will also benefit from the improved bus services. South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority's newly announced commitment towards bus franchising has been boosted by £350 million in funding as part of that region's allocation. The funding for West Yorkshire will help build new bus stations in Bradford and Wakefield. Likewise, the Tees Valley Mayoral Authority will put its sum towards a new £15 million bus station in Middlesbrough. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander says: "Today marks a watershed moment on our journey to improving transport across the North and Midlands – opening up access to jobs, growing the economy and driving up quality of life as we deliver our Plan for Change. "For too long, people in the North and Midlands have been locked out of the investment they deserve. With £15.6bn of government investment, we’re giving local leaders the means to drive cities, towns and communities forward, investing in Britain’s renewal so you and your family are better off."
TfGM’s all-electric bus plan boosted by new £15.6 billion package
News
Local Transport Minister opens First Bus electric depot in Hengrove
Local Transport Minister opens First Bus electric depot in Hengrove
Bus
- Advertisement -
-

routeone magazine is the indispensable resource for professional UK coach, bus and minibus operators. The home of vehicle sales and the latest bus and coach job vacancies, routeone connects professional PCV operators with complete and unrivalled news coverage.

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • GDPR Policy
  • Sustainability
  • Advertise
  • Latest Issue
  • Share Your News
routeonerouteone
Follow US
© 2024 routeone News | Powered by Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd