Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has opened a £5m financial assistance scheme for Private Coach and Bus Operators. Eligible private coach and bus operators will receive £8,000 for the first vehicle and £4,450 for each additional vehicle in their fleet or their actual loss for the period April to September, if the loss is lower. The scheme payment to an individual operator is capped at £100k.
Minister Mallon said: “I understand the challenges, uncertainty and upheaval that Private Coach and Bus Operators have experienced during this pandemic and the significant adverse impact that these unprecedented times have had on their businesses. I have listened carefully to their concerns and from being given new powers to provide financial support on the 3 November, I have worked as quickly as possible to get this financial assistance scheme up and running.
“This scheme for eligible Private Coach and Bus Operators opens today until midnight on Friday 18 December. I encourage everyone who is eligible to apply as soon as possible to enable payments to be made as soon as the checking and verification process is complete. I have asked my officials to work quickly to process payments as quickly as possible.
“I hope that this funding along with the £300,000 provided earlier in the year to waive fees for the renewal of bus vehicle licences will provide some compensation for the financial losses incurred recently by private Coach and Bus operators as a result of the pandemic.”
