To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to maintain the provision of bus services in isolated urban communities reliant on public transport.

The Scottish Government is committed to bus services in Scotland. We are working with local government partners and bus operators to maintain and improve bus services. The Scottish Government is providing funding to the bus industry of over £240 million in the current financial year.

The majority of services in Scotland are operated on a commercial basis by private bus companies. Local authorities can provide subsidy for services that are not provided on a commercial basis but this is entirely a matter for the local authority.