A new programme to make Scotland’s public transport greener has received over £62 million of funding from the Scottish Government.

The Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB) will support operators across Scotland to replace 276 old diesel buses with new battery-electric models and the required charging infrastructure.

In addition, the investment, the largest made in Scotland to decarbonise buses, will support the Scottish Government’s Mission Zero ambitions for public transport.

Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth said: “We want more people to choose to travel by bus now and in the future and to do so, knowing that local buses are contributing to our climate change ambitions.

“Our Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund is successfully decarbonising Scotland’s bus fleet faster than ever before and making a significant contribution to our Mission Zero ambition for Transport.

“We’re providing £62 million in a way which attracts additional private sector investment, resulting in 276 new zero emission buses to be deployed across Scotland. 137 of these buses will be built in Falkirk – supporting skilled, green manufacturing jobs and benefitting the Scottish economy.”

She added: “Supporting a just transition to a net zero economy is central to the ScotZEB approach. Through this round we’re supporting smaller bus operators and rural service providers, whom I’m pleased are equally keen to step up and help tackle the climate emergency.

“I’m pleased that with this significant award for greener buses, free bus travel for under 22s and the provision of over half a billion pounds in long term funding for bus priority infrastructure – we’re putting buses at the heart of Scotland’s green recovery and helping people to choose to travel more sustainably.”

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William Houston, Owner of Houston’s Coaches in Lockerbie said: “Here at Houston’s we want to do our part to respond to the climate emergency and move to a zero-emission fleet.

“As a smaller local operator, it’s been difficult for us to compete with larger operators and attract in financial support to help make the switch.

“The ScotZEB programme has helped us compete and enabled Houston’s to invest in new zero emission buses. I’m delighted that our customers will soon benefit from the modern conveniences of four new battery electric buses, which at the same time will improve air quality and help protect our environment.”

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