Mallon opens third financial support scheme for the bus and coach sector

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has opened a third financial support scheme for the bus and coach sector.

Eligible businesses who have experienced financial losses of at least 40% between 1 April 2021 and 31 January 2022 will be able to apply. 

Payment will be based on the reserves that licensed bus and coach operators are required to hold in satisfying the requirement of ‘financial standing’. This scheme will cover a period of 10 months (not 6 months as in the first two schemes).  The payment will be paid pro-rata i.e. £13,350 for the first vehicle and £7,400 for each additional vehicle.  The Department is committed to ensuring value for money. Operators will therefore be asked to provide evidence of their expenditure to cover the period between 1 April 2021 and the end of January 2022. This evidence will again require verification by a suitably qualified accountant.

The application process is open from today until 3 March 2022  and is available here: 

• Bus Operator Financial Assistance Scheme Northern Ireland 2022 - NI Direct - Citizen Space

Minister Mallon said:

“There is no doubt that the Covid-19 pandemic has continued to affect businesses here.  This is true for some within the bus and coach sector.  I have examined all the evidence presented to me and I have concluded that for some within this sector there is a need for further intervention which is why I am launching a third financial support scheme today.  I have secured funding of £4m to provide assistance to those business who have experienced difficult trading conditions during this latest period of Covid-19 uncertainty.  

“While providing business support is not within my Department’s remit I have stepped in to provide essential help for those struggling at what has been an exceptionally difficult and worrying time.   I hope the worst of the pandemic is behind us and that those in the bus and coach sector and indeed all of us can begin to move forward with hope and as we look towards recovery from this pandemic.”  

Notes to editors: 

1. The Department for Infrastructure carries regulatory responsibility for the bus and coach industry.  The Department did not previously have the power to create grant support for hardship or loss of income for this sector.
2. In the first financial support scheme covering April 2020 to September 2020 106 operators received supported payments of £2.9m.  There were a further 116 valid applications for the second scheme, covering October 2020 to March 2021, resulting in payments totalling £2.8m, to 98 operators.
3. For this third financial support scheme private bus and coach operators will have to demonstrate a drop in turnover of at least 40% from 1 April 2021 to 31 January 2022, compared to the best equivalent period between 1 April 2018 and 31 January 2019 or between 1 April 2019 and 31 January 2020 i.e. prior to the pandemic.
4. Those applicants with one vehicle will be entitled to a maximum of £13,350, however, should their calculated loss be lower than £13,350; the payment made will be on the lower amount. Where applicants have more than one vehicle, the maximum entitlement will be calculated based on an amount of £13,350 for the first vehicle and £7,400 per additional vehicle with payment being the lower of the loss or maximum entitlement.
5. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk . 
6. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
7. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure

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