Local authorities can now run their own bus services, as the Scottish government has commenced powers in the Transport (Scotland) Act. 

Section 34 of the Act gives local transport authorities power to run local bus services in any way they see fit within the wider context of their obligations, which they were previously prohibited from doing under the Transport Act 1985.  This power sits alongside their existing ability to subsidise services.

As with many aspects of the Transport Act, the provisions empower local authorities with the flexible tools they need to respond to their own transport challenges.

Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth said:

“By investing over half a billion pounds in long term funding for bus priority infrastructure, coupled with the roll out of free bus travel to under 22s and significant investment to encourage a shift to zero emission buses, we’re responding to the climate emergency by placing buses at the front of our just transition to a net zero society – supporting our world leading commitment to reduce car kilometres by 20% by 2030.

“I would encourage all local transport authorities to consider using this power, and the full range of tools available to them under the Act, to ensure that everyone has accessible public transport regardless of where they are in Scotland.”