SNP plans undermine lifeline buses

12.00.00am GMT Wed 28th Nov 2007

The Liberal Democrats have exposed how the SNP Government are threatening the future of fragile rural communities by undermining vital bus services.

During the Scottish Parliament Transport Committee's investigations into the SNP Government's budget proposals Liberal Democrat Transport spokeswoman, Alison McInnes revealed how bus operators in England and Wales are now benefiting from compensation for the higher fuel duty bills they are now facing while there are no plans to introduce a similar proposal in Scotland.

To make matters worse, the SNP Government's Budget also shows significant cuts to funding for bus services.

In a statement, Mrs McInnes said:

"While bus operators south of the border are enjoying a generous fuel duty settlement, under the SNP the Scottish bus industry is facing severe cuts and hardship. Cuts which could undermine lifeline bus services across Scotland.

"Bus operators have planned and budgeted for a fair deal on fuel duty compensation in line with the rest of the UK, but are now looking at a gaping funding deficit of some £6 million. This is on top of a Budget which will cut bus services spending by over £9 million.

"The SNP Government's lack of support is going to be severely damaging, particularly for rural service operators which are already at full stretch financially. If bus operators are not adequately compensated for the fuel duty they pay then their only options are to cut services or raise fares. Bus passengers will suffer, and the effects will be felt even more acutely in rural areas where bus services are relied upon the most.

"Bus operators simply cannot afford these cuts to their funding, and it is a disgrace that the Scottish Government has made this decision at the same time as the Westminster government is implementing a far more generous settlement.

"The SNP profess to be in favour of public transport, but this Budget reveals a total lack of support for bus operators and rural services."