SNP 'cuts off rural Scotland after spate of traffic accidents'

First Minister Humza Yousaf and his predecessor, Nicola Sturgeon, were accused of forcing people to skip public transport and get into cars. Credit: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

The SNP has effectively cut off part of rural Scotland by not supporting bus transport, one of the country's wealthiest businessmen has said.

Sandy Easdale accused First Minister Humza Yousaf and his predecessor, Nicola Sturgeon, of forcing the population to abandon public transport and get into cars, despite the fact that their governments are committed to a green agenda.

He criticized Holyrood for being did not follow England and introduce a £2 maximum bus fare that acted as a massive subsidy to operators south of the border.

Mr Easdale, who, along with his brother James, is the seventh richest person in Scotland, said: «We have a huge number of people cut off from rural roads and villages.»

Brothers and sisters own transport McGill's Group, which owns more than 400 buses and operates hundreds of buses from other brands.

Mr Easdale said bus trips are 20-25% lower than before the pandemic as the -due to rising inflation, spending increased by a quarter.

р><р>The Easdales allege that the Scottish rail operator, nationalized last year by Ms Sturgeon, is receiving substantially higher subsidies than those offered to bus companies.

But the billionaire's criticism drew a sharp rebuke from Scottish Minister Kevin Stewart. transport.

Mr Stewart said Mr Easdale, who said rail subsidies are 13 times higher than those offered to buses, «ignore[d] the significant bus funding for feed-in fares.»

p>

“The rail figure includes infrastructure and projects, as well as the ScotRail subsidy, so it cannot be compared to buses,” he added. /> Former Rangers director Sandy Isdale (left) said the Scottish rail operator receives higher subsidies than bus companies. drop train fares during peak hours.

“[This] means that during peak hours, people who commute and can afford full fare now get even more subsidies,” he said.

The Isdales are best known in some circles. for owning a stake in the Scottish football club Rangers.

The siblings joined the club due to its financial difficulties in the late 2000s. The court then ordered them to sell their shares to South African Dave King in 2019.

The brothers have an estimated net worth of £1.4 billion and their business interests span real estate, taxis and the scrap metal trade.

< p>Mr. Easdale continued: “Once all these services [are abandoned], the trains will feel the effect because the passengers want you to get to the train… It surprises me [that the SNP believes] that everyone travels by trains.

< p>“If you cut off all these connections. All these connections are down, people won't be able to get to work. People won't be able to get to hospitals. People don't go to anyone.

“I would say that 80-90% of SNP voters actually use buses. And punish their voters. The buses are used by the working and middle class people they purport to represent.”

Mr Stewart said bus support “needs to evolve” to be sustainable in the long term. However, according to him, «a broad package of long-term investments» is provided.

“We are committed to working with operators and local authorities to improve services to make public transport accessible to all, regardless of geographic location,” said Mr. Stewart.