£2 Bus Fare Cap Pilot Launches In Western Isles
Bus passengers in the Western Isles will benefit from a £2 fare cap from today (February 23) as part of a Scottish Government pilot.
The year-long trial aims to make bus travel easier and more affordable, while encouraging greater use of public transport.
It is due to be rolled out on a phased basis across Highland, Moray, Argyll and Bute and Orkney next month.
The government is working with Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS) to deliver the Regional Bus Fare Cap Pilot in a £10 million investment.
The scheme was introduced in Shetland on January 30.
The pilot will cap the maximum single adult bus fare at £2, with participating operators reimbursed by Transport Scotland.
It is expected to have a significant impact in rural and island areas where journeys can be longer and fares can be comparatively high.
A reduction in travel costs could therefore ease transport-related financial pressures, particularly on lower-income households, and improve connectivity to employment, education, healthcare and other services.
It is also anticipated that making travel more affordable will encourage a greater number of people to travel by bus rather than cars.
In more remote communities, this will help support and improve existing services and provide better value for money in public investment in networks.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop said: “I’m delighted to see the £2 Bus Fare Cap Pilot launch in the Western Isles, following the first phase of launch in Shetland in January.
“This means that no one will pay more than £2 for a bus journey in the Western Isles and Shetland, for the duration of the pilot.
“This delivers on a key Scottish Government Budget commitment and on a recommendation from the Fair Fares Review, offering another way to make public transport more available, accessible and affordable.
“With the pilot now live in both Shetland and the Western Isles, it is already helping reduce the cost of daily travel and making it easier for more people to choose sustainable journeys.
“As the pilot continues across the Highlands and Islands, I look forward to seeing the positive impact it brings for local communities across the wider region.”
Ranald Robertson, Partnership Director for HITRANS, said: “The fare cap pilot is a major opportunity for the Highlands and Islands.
“It will improve the affordability and accessibility of bus travel, supporting lower-income passengers.
“It will also encourage increased use of public transport and strengthen the sustainability of local bus services.”
HITRANS chairman and Western Isles councillor Uisdean Robertson said: “I welcome the roll out of the pilot programme.
“Buses are a green and economical way to travel around the Western Isles; I support any move to make bus travel more accessible and hope that this fare cap will encourage more people to use our local public transport network.”