Paul White, Director of the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) Scotland, has called for a full review of funding levels for the bus sector there following the end of the Network Support Grant Plus (NSG+) on 31 March.

In response to the expected cessation, a series of fare hikes or service cuts have either already taken place or have been scheduled by operators.

The package, which complemented the still-existing Network Support Grant (NSG), was revived in January with backdated reimbursements following its previous end in October 2022. However, while similar pandemic-related funding in Wales and England remains, another reprieve for Scotland seems off the cards.

Independent operator McGill’s Buses says 10-12% of its services in West Scotland will be lost next month. Stagecoach East Scotland announced a 15% rise in fares and is reviewing its services, while Stagecoach Bluebird put up journey prices by 12% on average. Lothian informed of price hikes of up to 10% on its West Lothian routes. 

Mr White says the Scottish Government should not have been surprised by this. “We saw some word from ministers expressing disappointment that services were being cut and operators were increasing fares during a cost-of-living crisis,” he says. “I would answer back with: ‘We’ve been telling you exactly what would happen for several months.’” 

Want to see Scotland under the SNP?