Bus journeys across the Highlands and Islands are set to become far cheaper this month as the Scottish Government rolls out a £2 fare cap pilot across the region.
The scheme aims to make public transport more affordable for people in rural communities and comes as households continue to face pressure from rising living costs.
Under the pilot, single bus fares will be capped at £2 across participating routes.
That means journeys that currently cost far more could drop dramatically.
For example, a single adult bus journey from Wick to Inverness, which can currently cost around £31, would fall to £2.
A trip from Elgin to Inverness, currently £15.60, would also be capped at £2.
The pilot has already launched in Shetland and the Western Isles.
It will begin in Orkney on 9 March before expanding to Highland, Moray, Argyll and Bute from 23 March.
First Minister John Swinney visited Inverness Bus Station to announce the next stage of the rollout while meeting Highland Council apprentices during Scottish Apprenticeship Week.
Mr Swinney said:
“This pilot makes bus travel more affordable for everyone and improves access for low-income communities in rural areas.
“The new £2 bus fare cap is a huge saving, making it easier and cheaper for people to get around and I have heard first-hand from apprentices at Highland Council today about the benefits using public transport to get to and from work.
“The pilot will help to significantly reduce costs of travel across the Highland network.
“For example a single adult fare from Elgin to Inverness, currently £15.60, would be capped at £2.
“This is just one measure we are taking to help people with the rising cost of living, including scrapping peak rail fares to help commuters, and continuing to provide free bus travel for under-22s, over-60s and disabled people.”
The pilot will run across multiple rural regions as the Scottish Government assesses how lower fares could improve access to transport and support local communities.
