Subsidy request
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Secretary of State for Scotland, Mr George Younger, has turned down a plea that the Government help to subsidise Eastern Scottish bus services. He has told Musselburgh & District Bus Users' Action Group backing should come from the regional authorities.
The action group are campaigning to have fares reduced, particularly on routes serving Musselburgh. Wallyford and Whitecraig. They say the fares are too high compared with those on services operated within Edinburgh by Lothian Regional Transport and are causing hardship for many families.
The group wrote to Mr Younger asking that part of the North Sea oil profits be given in subsidy to Scottish Bus Group companies so that fares could be cut and 'retained at an acceptable level by the travelling public.' In his reply, he said the bus group were not directly subsidised by the Government because their services fulfilled local rather than national needs.
It was felt that regional councils — the local authorities responsible for public transport — were in the best position to judge the level of services and fares, and consequently of subsidy, needed in their areas. However, Mr Younger pointed out that regional councils could get a grant from Government towards the cost of subsidies given to bus companies.