Scottish Ministers have awarded £6.2 million in grants for 20 Scottish bus and coach operators to help with engine and exhaust retrofitting.
The fourth round of the Bus Emission Abatement Retrofit Fund (BEAR) will see 379 older buses and coaches adapted to achieve the Euro VI mission standards, through the installation of accredited retrofit technology.
This will bring the total number of mid-life buses and coaches to be upgraded to 1,141.
Scottish businesses who specialise in exhaust retrofitting will also benefit – helping to drive a green recovery out of the COVID-19 pandemic, whilst improving air quality and supporting the Programme for Government commitment to introduce Low Emission Zones (LEZ) in Scotland’s four biggest cities.
Minister for Transport Graeme Dey MSP said:
“Buses will have a key role to play in our world-leading ambition to reduce car kilometres by 20% by 2030 – but of course, they must be up to the challenge.
“This additional funding to retrofit mid-life buses adds to the £12.4 million we have invested through the BEAR programme already, helping to support the delivery of Scotland’s Low Emission Zones by retrofitting 762 buses already.”
Kenneth Gibson MSP added:
“We all want our air quality to be the best in Europe, but for the oldest and youngest in our society and those with existing health conditions, air quality remains an issue.
"The SNP Government will introduce LEZs in our four biggest cities next year and this fund will continue to help support our ambition to protect public health and improve our air quality."
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