Welcome for bus fare cap pilot announced for Highlands and Islands

HITRANS has welcomed a year-long £2 bus fare cap pilot across the region following a £10 million investment by the Scottish Government.

The pilot aims to make bus travel more affordable and accessible, while encouraging greater use of public transport.

It will also deliver better value for money and support lower-income passengers.

Following a successful Expression of Interest process, the Scottish Government will work with HITRANS and ZETRANS to deliver the pilot in Highland, Moray, Argyll and Bute, the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland.

Transport Scotland will now move into an initial co-design and mobilisation phase, including agreement of technical and operational arrangements.

… for HITRANS said: “We are delighted this joint expression of interest has been successful and that work can start on rolling out the pilot across the Highlands and Islands.

“A fare cap will help make bus travel more affordable and therefore more attractive to more people.

“It will assist efforts to encourage a shift from car use and make travel routes more sustainable, particularly, in rural areas.”