Nicola Sturgeon promises green bus-boost

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has promised that if re-elected, her party will deliver a £120m investment in zero-emission buses.

The pledge is part of the SNP’s proposed transport revolution. This would see a target to reduce the use of cars, measured as ‘car kilometres’, by 20% by 2030, alongside a £500m investment to improve bus infrastructure and tackle congestion. She also assured work to decarbonise Scotland’s railways by 2035.

Among the list of the SNP’s promised green-agendas is a proposal to develop what the party describes as the enormous potential of Scotland’s hydrogen sector. This would include a target of 5GW hydrogen production capacity by 2030 and exploring the use of hydrogen trains as an alternative to diesel and electrification.

Jo Bamford, owner and Executive Chairman of Wrightbus, welcomed the announcement. Jo, who is also founder and Executive Chairman of Ryse Hydrogen, said: “The firm commitment today from the SNP to put hydrogen front and centre of its climate strategy for Scotland is greatly welcomed.

“Hydrogen not only represents a fantastic opportunity for the country to achieve the clean air, zero-carbon future it strives towards, but it will also bring huge economic benefits.

“We’ve long believed that Scotland has the potential to create a world-leading hydrogen economy, bringing multi-million pound investments and tens of thousands of jobs – and this announcement gives confidence to the sector.

“We were immensely proud at Wrightbus to launch the world’s first fleet of hydrogen double-deckers onto the streets of Aberdeen last year, and we stand ready to go with further Scottish projects and investments from Ryse Hydrogen and Wrightbus to help unlock Scotland’s hydrogen potential.”

The 2021 Scottish Parliament election is set to be held on 6 May.