£55 million investment to improve bus services across Scotland

Bus passengers across Scotland will benefit from a £55 million investment in infrastructure designed to improve the reliability, accessibility and efficiency of bus services.

The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport Stephen Flynn, confirmed the funding allocation ahead of today's Better Buses Legislation Stakeholder Roundtable, which will bring together representatives of bus operators, local transport authorities and passenger groups to discuss proposals for new legislation to enhance bus services across Scotland. Undertaking engagement on this legislation was a commitment to deliver within the first 100 days of a new Scottish Government.

The Bus Infrastructure Fund (BIF) will provide £55 million of capital funding in 2026-27, increasing from £20 million in 2025-26, to support projects that make taking the bus more attractive by making them easier to use, faster and more reliable.

The investment supports the Scottish Government's ambitions to increase bus patronage, encourage a shift away from private car use and create a more sustainable, inclusive, safe and accessible transport system.

Mr Flynn said:

The public rightly want and expect their buses to run on time which is why the Scottish Government is investing £55 million in the infrastructure to help make that happen.

This investment will help local authorities deliver the bus priority measures, passenger facilities and wider improvements they believe are needed to make their local bus services more reliable.

And this is just the start of our ambitious plans for the sector – we want all journeys to be more affordable and for bus services in every community across Scotland to be better.

That’s why I am bring the entire sector together – passengers, operators and transport authorities alike – to see how new legislation can help deliver on those shared aims.

Paul White, Director for CPT Scotland said:

CPT welcomes the launch of the 2026/27 round of the Scottish Government’s Bus Infrastructure Fund. Investing in measures that help buses move more quickly and reliably is vital if we are to make bus travel an even more attractive choice for people across Scotland.

Bus priority and other targeted infrastructure improvements can reduce delays, improve journey times and give passengers greater confidence that their bus will get them where they need to be, when they need to be there. We look forward to seeing this funding support practical schemes that deliver real and lasting benefits for bus users and communities across the country.