Bus passengers across Shetland will benefit from a major overhaul of the island’s public transport network next month, with new timetables coming into effect from Monday 17 August.
ZetTrans says the changes have been designed to improve accessibility, increase travel opportunities and better meet the needs of both existing and future bus users.
One of the biggest improvements will be the introduction of additional evening and weekend services, giving people more flexibility to travel for work, appointments, leisure and visiting family and friends.
The updated network has been developed following public consultation with communities, passengers and stakeholders, with feedback gathered in late 2024 helping to shape the new services.
Among the changes are additional evening journeys and new Sunday services on the Lerwick to Walls via Aith route and the Lerwick to Mossbank and Toft service.
A new bookable Sunday overland service will also be introduced for the North Isles, while passengers in Fetlar, Vidlin and Nesting will benefit from improved connections to health centres.
The revised network also includes changes to services linking Lerwick with Vidlin and Sumburgh, improved connections with the Holmsgarth ferry terminal and timetable adjustments across the network to improve reliability and better reflect passenger demand.
Passengers are being encouraged to check the new timetables before travelling, as departure times for some services will change.
The revised timetables will be available through the ZetTrans website, the Shetland Travel App, the Traveline Scotland journey planner and in printed copies distributed through shops, leisure centres, health centres and Shetland Library.
Councillor Moraig Lyall, Chair of ZetTrans and the Council’s Environment and Transport Committee, said:
“We are delighted to introduce these new timetables, which represent one of the most significant improvements to Shetland’s bus network in recent years.
“The changes have been shaped by the valuable feedback we received during our public consultation, and we would like to thank everyone who took the time to share their views.
“The additional evening and weekend services will give people more opportunities to travel by bus, whether they’re commuting to work, attending activities, visiting friends and family or enjoying everything Shetland has to offer.
“We hope these improvements will encourage more people to choose public transport as a convenient, reliable and sustainable way to travel.
“Coupled with the £2 bus fare cap, bus travel has never been a better option for getting about Shetland.
“At a time when many communities across Scotland are losing their bus services or seeing them reduced it is great that we are taking the decision to invest in our bus network.
“We hope those who asked for the additional services will find them helpful and make a significant difference to their ability to get around.”
