Coach firm boss defends SNP's public bus plans branding dictator comparisons 'absurd'

First Minister and party leader John Swinney sits in the driver’s cab of a First Bus during a tour of the Exhibitors Hall at the SNP annual conference (Image: Jane Barlow/PA)

THE boss of one of Scotland’s top coach operators has said the reaction to the SNP’s plans to bring buses back under public control is “absurd” after another major firm accused John Swinney of behaving like a dictator.

Pierce Glennie, one of Ember's two co-founders, told the Radio Scotland Breakfast show he thought it was “great” that the Scottish Government cares about buses and has called on ministers to work with the industry to help deliver improved services.