Highland Council owned D&E Coaches will take over Stagecoach’s Thurso and Wick bus operation from 19 October, securing all 26 jobs and keeping existing services running across Caithness.

The acquisition includes the existing bus fleet, depots and operational facilities in Thurso and Wick, with 20 drivers and six maintenance staff transferring to D&E Coaches with no redundancies.

Public bus services, school transport, private hire contracts and services for Dounreay currently operated by Stagecoach will all continue under D&E Coaches following the changeover.

The deal represents another significant expansion of publicly owned bus services in the Highlands and forms part of Highland Council’s strategy to build a larger and more resilient transport network across the region.

Councillors approved the purchase as a strategic investment intended to protect rural routes, reduce transport costs over the longer term and give the council greater capacity to deliver services directly.

It follows Highland Council’s previous acquisition of D&E Coaches and the continued growth of Highland Council Buses, bringing another established transport operation under public ownership.

For passengers in Caithness, the immediate priority will be continuity, with the existing operation transferring rather than services disappearing when Stagecoach leaves Thurso and Wick.

Highland Council Leader Raymond Bremner said:

“This is very positive news for local employees, passengers and communities across Caithness.

“By bringing this operation into public ownership through D&E Coaches, we are securing jobs, safeguarding essential bus services and strengthening our ability to provide reliable transport links for the people who depend on them.

“Combined with the growth of Highland Council Buses and our previous acquisition of D&E Coaches, this move creates a larger and more sustainable transport operation that will protect important rural services, improve operational resilience and create opportunities to deliver transport services more efficiently in the future.”

Stagecoach North Scotland Managing Director David Beaton said:

“We’re pleased that the transfer of our Thurso and Wick operation will secure the employment of all our colleagues in the area, with no redundancies as a result of the change.

“Our colleagues are at the heart of our business, and we’re committed to supporting them throughout the transfer process.

“We’ll work closely with Highland Council and D&E Coaches to help ensure a smooth transition for our colleagues and customers.”

D&E Coaches Director Malcolm MacLeod said:

“D&E Coaches remains one of the north’s business success stories, and we are committed to ensuring these high standards of transport provision are maintained and will work with staff and partners to ensure as smooth a transition as possible.”

The transfer on 19 October means D&E Coaches will inherit not simply routes and vehicles, but an established Caithness workforce and the infrastructure needed to keep those services operating.

Further information for passengers about services following the transfer will be issued by D&E Coaches ahead of the changeover.