The Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG), formerly and still commonly known as Fuel Duty Rebate (FDR), is something those that operate local bus services are able to claim. There are however a number of requirements that have to be met that will qualify an operator for the bus service operators grant according to Section 19 of the Transport Act of 1985.

Aside from holding a Section 19 permit, eligible operators should provide evidence that they are operated by non-profit business entities and prove that they provide service to:

• Individuals at least 60 years of age
• Disabled individuals
• Individuals on income support
• Individuals on job seeker’s allowance
• Persons influenced by social exclusion whether by poverty, cultural principles, religious inclinations or health issues
• Individuals assisting any of the aforementioned

There were however a number of amendments to the  Bus Service Operators Grant in 2004(England and Wales). These stipulated that the criteria for the qualification of the Bus Service Operators Grant now included that at least half of the spaces available on the bus should be available to members of the general public. This amendment also takes the stops into account in the sense that they should be marked and located for public convenience.

In cases where stops are not clearly designated, the public should be able to disembark at locations of their choice on a regular basis. In addition, the service should provide passengers with the ability to make a single journey between two locations and he fee thereof should remain reasonable. The Payment of the aforementioned fee should also be at a location and during a time which is of convenience to the passengers. Finally, those applicants for the Bus Service Operators Grant should expressly aim to include all groups within society and supply sufficient public information regarding operating times and stop locations.

According to Internet sources there are additional rebate benefits for certain members of the Bus Service Operators Grant. These specify that should the bus service be making use of biofuel, then the rebate will amount to 100 percent of the fuel duty. This is contrasted to those within the Bus Service Operators Grant community that receive an 80 percent rebate as they are making use of conventional fuels.

So, to sum it all up, you are eligible for the Bus Service Operators Grant if you provide at least 50 percent of the seating (or standing areas) on your bus to the general public in a specific geographical area which has a certain number of well marked stops at a reasonable price. Showing consideration to disadvantaged and aged individuals with regard to the fee of their travel will also count toward your eligibility. The initiative of the government seems set to focus on combining the Bus Service Operators Grant objective with environment friendliness as well as the specific service provider’s performance.

For more information on the Bus Service Operators Grant as well as the original publications, visit The Department For Transport website