Bus operators have been invited to bid for the latest round of green bus funding.

The Scottish Government is seeking applications from bus companies wanting a share of the £3 million funding pot released to boost the number of low carbon vehicles used by the public transport industry.

The Scottish Green Bus Fund has so far handed £13m to operators over five previous funding rounds, supporting the introduction of 269 low carbon emission vehicles across Scotland's public bus fleet by March 2016.

The latest round of funding was announced by Transport Minister Derek Mackay during a visit to First Bus in Glasgow.

Mr Mackay said: “Increasing the number of low carbon vehicles in the Scottish fleet achieves a number of government aims – helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality by accelerating the replacement of older, more polluting vehicles.”

First Bus were among the operators to receive grant funding last year, using £920,000 to purchase 75 new green vehicles.

Fiona Kerr, Managing Director of First Glasgow, said: “That investment is encouraging more people to use the bus, positively impacting congestion and the city’s carbon dioxide emissions."

Source: HeraldScotland