Reimbursement of operators
12
1
It is to be an objective (but not a duty) of the Scottish Ministers to provide that operators are financially no better and no worse off as a result of their participation in the scheme, taking account of the costs (including a reasonable profit) of a well-run undertaking that is adequately equipped with the means to provide the eligible service.
2
Reimbursement of operators is to be calculated on a basis that takes account of the adult single fare for each eligible journey on an eligible service made by an eligible person.
3
The Scottish Ministers must make reimbursement payments to operators at the reimbursement rate specified for each financial year.
4
The reimbursement rate for the period from 12 November 2021 to the end of the financial year beginning on 1 April 2021 is—
a
43.6% in relation to eligible journeys on eligible services made by eligible persons aged 5 to 15 years old,
b
81.2% in relation to eligible journeys on eligible services made by eligible persons aged 16 to 21 years old.
4A
The reimbursement rate for the financial year beginning on 1 April 2022 is—
a
43.6% in relation to eligible journeys on eligible services made by eligible persons aged 5 to 15 years old,
b
81.2% in relation to eligible journeys on eligible services made by eligible persons aged 16 to 21 years old.
4B
The reimbursement rate for the financial year beginning on 1 April 2023 is—
a
43.6% in relation to eligible journeys on eligible services made by eligible persons aged 5 to 15 years old,
b
81.2% in relation to eligible journeys on eligible services made by eligible persons aged 16 to 21 years old.
4C
The reimbursement rate for the financial year beginning on 1 April 2024 is—
a
43.6% in relation to eligible journeys on eligible services made by eligible persons aged 5 to 15 years old,
b
81.2% in relation to eligible journeys on eligible services made by eligible persons aged 16 to 21 years old.
4D
The reimbursement rate for the financial year beginning on 1 April 2025 is—
a
47.9% in relation to eligible journeys on eligible services made by eligible persons aged 5 to 15 years old,
b
72.4% in relation to eligible journeys on eligible services made by eligible persons aged 16 to 21 years old.
5
The value of the adult single fare to be used for reimbursement calculations is to be the value agreed by the operator and the Scottish Ministers for the eligible journey concerned.
6
In agreeing the value of the adult single fare the operator and the Scottish Ministers must have regard to the value specified in the operator’s fare table.
7
Any dispute between the Scottish Ministers and an operator as to the value of the adult single fare to be used for reimbursement calculations is to be determined by an assessment panel comprising 3 members appointed by agreement between the operator and the Scottish Ministers.
8
The assessment panel may either accept or reject the value of the adult single fare and must provide reasons for their determination.
9
The assessment panel must send a copy of their determination to the operator and to the Scottish Ministers.
10
In this article “reimbursement rate” means the percentage payable by the Scottish Ministers, of the adult single fare for each eligible journey on an eligible service made by an eligible person.
Art. 12 in force at 1.4.2021, see art. 1
Art. 12(4) substituted (12.11.2021) by The National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Young Persons (Scotland) Amendment Order 2021 (S.S.I. 2021/381), arts. 1, 2(2)
Art. 12(4A) inserted (1.4.2022) by The National Bus Travel Concession Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Order 2022 (S.S.I. 2022/115), arts. 1, 3(2)
Art. 12(4B) inserted (1.4.2023) by The National Bus Travel Concession Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Order 2023 (S.S.I. 2023/108), arts. 1, 3(2)
Art. 12(4C) inserted (1.4.2024) by The National Bus Travel Concession Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Order 2024 (S.S.I. 2024/107), arts. 1, 3
Art. 12(4D) inserted (1.4.2025) by The National Bus Travel Concession Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Order 2025 (S.S.I. 2025/99), arts. 1, 3