6/28/2021 - Big lift for cyclists in the HighlandsNew Story
It’s now easier to take your bike on the bus on a number of Highland scheduled services thanks to a pilot being run by HITRANS, the regional transport partnership for the Highlands and Islands, in partnership with Scottish Citylink and Stagecoach. Reusable bike socks (covers) will be available on coach services provided by Stagecoach between Inverness and Caithness, and by Scottish Citylink on services between Inverness and Skye, Fort William and Ullapool. The covers fit easily over the wheels and chain mechanism, allowing the bike to be safely carried in the luggage compartment of the coach.
There will be two socks available on each service. Both hire of the sock and carriage of the bike are free of charge. If the pilot service proves popular, a booking service may be introduced in the future. The scheme will benefit local people wishing to take the bus and then cycle for their onward journey, and visitors travelling to or from the Highlands and islands for cycle touring holidays.
Highland Councillor Allan Henderson, Chairman of HITRANS, said: “This new service will be a great benefit to cyclists, both tourists and commuters. The Highlands offer excellent cycling options, with many quiet routes on single-track roads, off-road routes and forestry tracks. Highland residents travelling to or from Inverness on Scottish Citylink services will warmly welcome being able to take their bike on the bus for their onward journey. As a Lochaber resident, I know how much Fort William has to offer in terms of off-road cycling, whether riding the mountain bike trails or taking a day trip along the Caledonian Canal. It’s great that people can more easily bring their bike on the bus for a car-free holiday or day out.”
Simone Smith, Operations Director of Scottish Citylink, said; “We are delighted to partner with HITRANS in this initiative, which we know will be popular with locals and visitors alike.”
Alex Flanagan, Stagecoach Operations Manager for Aviemore, Inverness and Tain, added: “We are always looking for new ways to promote our services, so we’re delighted to be able to accommodate cycles more easily on some of our key routes.”
ends
Note: Below is a list of stops where Citylink can safely permit cyclists to board/alight:
917 Inverness – Portree
:
Inverness Bus Station
Drumnadrochit Post Office / opposite Post Office
Urquhart Castle
Kyle of Lochalsh Old Slipway
Broadford Post Office / Hospital Road End
Portree Square
919: Inverness – Fort William
Inverness Bus Station
Drumnadrochit Post Office / opposite Post Office
Urquhart Castle
Fort Augustus Bus Stance
Spean Bridge Spean Crescent
Fort William Bus Station
961: Inverness – Ullapool
Inverness Bus Station
Garve
Ullapool Pier
For more information: Please contact Vikki Trelfer, HITRANS Active Travel Officer on 07810 003 646
Note: Velosock have a video of how to put your socks on: https://velosock.com/pages/velosock-video-stories?_pos=1&_sid=a146ef1eb&_ss=r