ONE of Scotland's most senior bus industry figures has accused the Scottish Government of being "pig-headed and obstinate" in pushing through cuts to operators.
Ralph Roberts, managing director of McGill's and the former chairman of trade body the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) Scotland, said officials had insisted on implementing controversial changes to the Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG), despite being told it would have a disproportionate effect on urban operators.
In a letter to The Herald today, Mr Roberts says the Scottish Government is in "denial" about realising the impact the changes to the grant will have and accuses Transport Minister Keith Brown of going back on an agreement struck with the industry in 2010 over the flagship Concessionary Travel scheme, which provides free bus journeys to those over 60 and disabled passengers.
He says a number of options were proposed which would have cost the Government "nothing".
Changes to BSOG, which mean it will be given on the basis of mileage rather than the amount of fuel used, came into effect on Sunday, together with a 20% cut to the grant.
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