The Scottish Government has awarded a further £6.2 million in grants to 20 Scottish bus and coach operators to help with the financial costs associated with engine and exhaust retrofitting.

The fourth round of the Bus Emission Abatement Retrofit Fund (BEAR) will see 379 older buses and coaches adapted to achieve the Euro VI mission standards, through the installation of accredited retrofit technology.

This brings the total number of mid-life buses and coaches to be upgraded to over 1,000.

Scottish businesses who specialise in exhaust retrofitting will also benefit – helping to drive a green recovery out of the COVID-19 pandemic, whilst improving air quality and supporting the Programme for Government commitment to introduce Low Emission Zones in Scotland’s four biggest cities.

Minister for Transport Graeme Dey said: “Buses will have a key role to play in our world-leading ambition to reduce car kilometres by 20% by 2030 – but of course, they must be up to the challenge.

“This additional funding to retrofit mid-life buses adds to the £12.4 million we have invested through the BEAR programme in the previous three rounds, helping to support the delivery of Scotland’s Low Emission Zones.

“We all want our air quality to be the best in Europe, but for the oldest and youngest in our society and those with existing health conditions, air quality remains an issue. We will introduce LEZs in our four biggest cities next year and this fund will continue to help support our ambition to protect public health and improve our air quality.”