Scotland awards £7.4 million for electric buses
As a part of the Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme, the government has awarded a total of £7.4 million for the procurement of electric passenger buses so far. This pertains to 41 electric buses across five bids.
The organizers are also particularly proud that they are able to source a good deal of their vehicles locally: 35 of the vehicles will be built and provided by British manufacturer Alexander Dennis. The company also remarked on the effects of the Covid-19 crisis on public transportation and hopes for passengers to return soon: “This is a much appreciated first step in stimulating urgently needed demand for new buses and we look forward to building 35 electric buses here in Scotland,” says Paul Davies, Alexander Dennis president and managing director.
“366 million bus journeys were made in 2019, which demonstrates the value of our bus sector and supply chain in keeping Scotland moving,” says Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson, adding: “It also reinforces the key role that buses play every day in supporting the wider vision outlined in our National Transport Strategy.” Matheson also promised support for the infrastructure and surrounding investment: “To help support bus operators and passengers, we’re also providing up to £109 million to increase and maintain bus services and £10 million for bus priority infrastructure measures.”
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