‘Aid to trade’ could help Scottish coach operators

An ‘aid to trade’ proposal designed to help coach operators has been taken up by Scottish politician, Fergus Ewing.

The proposal would provide operators with a grant to reduce the level at which a coach tour becomes viable to recognise the social distancing restrictions that are in place make it difficult to run trips commercially. Fundamentally it is designed to help operators get up and running again with tours as soon as restrictions allow.

Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) Scotland has issued Fergus Ewing, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism, with the ‘aid to trade’ proposal. The proposal was submitted to the UK Government but they have been unwilling to progress and as a result Fergus Ewing has committed to speaking to his cabinet colleagues about whether the Scottish Government can do anything within Scotland.