McInnes: SNP must protect bus passengers

12.39.20pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 15th Apr 2008

Following the Competition Commission's decision to lift the fare cap on Firstbus, which will allow them to raise prices by a higher level, Liberal Democrat Transport spokesperson Alison McInnes has written to the Transport Minister demanding that he takes urgent action to minimise the impact on bus passengers across Scotland.

The Competition Commission blames the removal of the fare cap on the SNP Government's decision not to increase the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) to compensate for rises in fuel duty.

Commenting, Mrs McInnes said:

"This is exactly what I predicted would happen as a result of the SNP's cuts to public transport funding. The Government's Budget seriously under-funded the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) and now Scottish bus passengers will have to pay for the SNP's poor judgement.

"The Government's lack of support for bus services will be particularly damaging for rural service operators, which are already at full stretch financially. If bus operators are not adequately compensated for the fuel duty they pay or for the concessionary fares they provide, then their only options are to cut services or raise fares.

"I have today written to the Transport Minister demanding he takes action to minimise the impact on bus passengers across Scotland."