McInnes: Passengers pay after SNP slash bus grant

2.10.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 16th Apr 2008

Following Stagecoach Bluebird's decision to raise fares due to rising fuel costs and increased fuel duty, Liberal Democrat Transport spokesperson Alison McInnes MSP said:

"Bus passengers in North East Scotland are the latest casualties of the Labour Government's Westminster Budget and the SNP's Holyrood Budget. An unholy combination of rising fuel prices, increased fuel duty from Westminster and the SNP's decision to slash the BSOG (Bus Service Operators Grant) means that Stagecoach Bluebird are the second company this week to talk about raising prices.

"The SNP's Budget seriously under-funded the BSOG. The Competition Commission has already lifted a fare cap on Firstbus, blaming the Scottish Government's decision not to increase the BSOG to compensate for rises in fuel duty. Which bus service will announce price hikes next?

"I have written to the Transport Minister raising this important issue. I await a detailed explanation as to why the SNP decided to withdraw crucial financial support from bus operators and what Scottish Ministers intend to do to minimise the impact on bus passengers in Scotland."