Location notice
Please note that this page contains information and links most relevant for people living in Scotland.
Energy Saving Trust today announced the £5 million COVID-19 Public Transport Retrofit Fund, funded by Transport Scotland, is now open for applications from operators of public and community transport in Scotland. This fund is administered by Energy Saving Trust and is part of the larger COVID-19 Public Transport Mitigation Fund.
Operators of buses, taxis and private hire vehicles, trams, subways, ferries, and local and community planes are eligible to apply for funding to install measures aimed at reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission and increasing public confidence while travelling.
The measures that can be funded include partition screening, hand sanitiser dispensers and bins, hands-free bell pushes, window hopper locks, interior fogging equipment, automated UV cleaning solutions and easy-clean seat covers. Operators are also encouraged to look at and suggest other possible solutions, which will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The COVID-19 Public Transport Retrofit Fund is delivered in partnership with the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS).
Ellie Grebenik, senior programme manager at Energy Saving Trust, said: “The launch of the COVID-19 Public Transport Retrofit Fund is welcome news. This fund will further enable operators to implement measures necessary to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission and will help individuals who need to use public transport feel safe and confident while travelling. The climate emergency has not gone away, and public transport usage is crucial to reducing Scotland’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and improving our towns and cities by reducing congestion.”
Full details of the fund, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, are available on the COVID-19 Public Transport Retrofit Fund page.
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Notes to editors:
Energy Saving Trust
Energy Saving Trust is an independent organisation dedicated to promoting energy efficiency, low carbon transport and sustainable energy use. We aim to address the climate emergency and deliver the wider benefits of clean energy as the UK transitions to net zero.
We empower householders to make better choices, deliver transformative programmes for governments and support businesses with strategy, research and assurance – enabling everyone to play their part in building a sustainable future.
COVID-19 Public Transport Retrofit Fund
The £5 million COVID-19 Public Transport Retrofit Fund is part of the larger COVID-19 Public Transport Mitigation Fund, announced by Transport Scotland in August 2020.
The fund supports the installation of measures needed to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission on vehicles and aims to improve capacity and increase public confidence while on board. The fund is open to applications from operators of buses, taxi and private hire vehicles, trams, subways, local ferries and planes that are used for public and community transport.