Council steps in after Stagecoach cuts services

Highland Council is stepping in to provide bus services in several parts of Inverness after Stagecoach cut a number of routes.

Stagecoach blamed low passenger numbers for its decision to withdraw services in the Dalneigh, Drakies, Milton Crescent, Milton of Leys and Culduthel areas of the city.

Invernessians who rely on bus transport have complained about previous cuts to Stagecoach routes and about the reliability of services.

Highland Council said it was pleased to be able to help communities affected by the pending changes.

Highland Council, which has been steadily expanding its in-house bus company since it was launched in January 2023, will start three new services from 19 February.

They are the 104 - Milton of Leys to Falcon Square, 107 - Slackbuie to Bridge Street and 106 - Bruce Gardens in Dalneigh to Academy Street.

Ken Gowans, who chairs Highland Council's economy and infrastructure committee, thanked the local authority's in-house bus team for its work to quickly respond to the needs of communities.

"Having the ability to be flexible and to react to customer demands is one of main benefits of investing in council bus services," he said.

Stagecoach, which has highlighted driver shortages, said it was removing lesser-used services to focus resources on its busiest routes.

The company said the timetable changes - coming into effect from 16 February - would improve connections to key sites as well as boosting punctuality and reliability.

David Beaton, managing director for Stagecoach North Scotland, said he recognised that any change to local bus services could be challenging and said the decision to withdraw services had not been taken lightly.

He said: "At the same time, we are pleased to strengthen services to key destinations such as Raigmore Hospital, the National Treatment Centre and Inverness Retail Park, ensuring better access to healthcare, jobs and essential services."