Western Isles bus fares capped at £2 under pilot scheme

Bus passengers in the Western Isles are to benefit from a £2 fare cap from this week as part of a Scottish government pilot scheme.

The year-long trial aims to make bus travel more affordable and encourage greater use of public transport.

Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (Hitrans) is leading the scheme which is supported by £10m of public funding.

The initiative has already been introduced in Shetland and will also be rolled out in Highland, Moray, Argyll and Bute and Orkney over the coming weeks.

Islands local authority Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar said the scheme was expected to have a significant impact in rural and island areas where journeys can be longer and fares can be comparatively high.

It said a reduction in travel costs could ease transport-related financial pressures, particularly on lower-income households, and improve connectivity to employment, education, healthcare and other services.

The comhairle also said the scheme could encourage a greater number of people to travel by bus, which would help to support and improve existing services.

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said she was looking forward to seeing the positive impact the bus fare cap pilot scheme would bring to local communities across the wider region.

Ranald Robertson, partnership director for Hitrans, said it was a "major opportunity for the Highlands and Islands".

The comhairle's transportation chairman Uisdean Robertson said buses were 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," he added.