Highland Council’s new buses take to the road
Highland Council’s pilot project to run a number of in-house bus services has begun, with the first public services under way and school services starting when pupils return next week.
The council is set to make savings of around £1.4 million a year by operating an in-house bus company.
The council’s economy and infrastructure committee chairman Ken Gowans said: “Investment has been made in purchasing and leasing 12 buses, including six double-deckers, to deliver passenger and school transport services at a lower cost than commercial contractors.
“After a successful recruitment campaign, a team of drivers are now in post and the first of the pilot routes is under way. As well as achieving significant savings, we will be able to provide reliable and sustainable routes to communities."
He added: “Members of the public and school pupils are reminded that national concessionary schemes for bus transport will apply to all of these in-house services. This includes the under-22 free bus travel scheme.”
The council will be monitoring its initial routes with a view to being able to expand services.
The public services are now under way with school services beginning on Monday.
Details of timetables are on the council’s website.
Services and bus numbers are as follows
302 Foyers - Inverness
14 Whitebridge - Inverness
312 Fort Augustus - Glen Urquhart High School
44 Tomich - Strathglass - Dingwall
46 Beauly - Marybank - Inverness
48 Tomich - Strathglass - Inverness
252 Cawdor - Nairn Academy - Cawdor Primary School
251 Nairn Town Service
404 Culbokie - Dingwall Academy
105 Milton of Leys - Millburn Academy
