Council’s new buses take to the road
The Highland Council’s pilot project to run a number of in-house bus services has begun, with the first public services underway 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.
Chair of the Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans said: “Investment has been made in purchasing and leasing 12 buses, including 6 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 underway. 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, allowing pupils who are non-entitled to school transport to use their free Under 22 concession cards on all services.”
The Council will be monitoring these initial routes with a view to being able to expand our in-house services in the future.
The public services are now underway with further school services beginning on Monday 9 January.
Details of timetables are on the Council’s website -
There is also a dedicated facebook page to provide service information on the routes – Highland Council Buses
The services and bus numbers are listed below with links to the relevant timetable:
- 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
Full details on the national concessionary schemes for bus transport, including how to get your concession card and all other applicable discount schemes can be found by visiting the Council’s website.