More than two million bus journeys have been made under Scotland’s £2 fare cap across the Highlands and Islands, but for one Dingwall woman, the real value of cheaper travel goes far beyond saving money.

Emma-Fleur Grof, 49, has spoken about how affordable bus fares have helped her travel to work, enjoy more of the Highlands and, most importantly, spend precious time with a friend receiving care at Highland Hospice.

The Scottish Government introduced the £2 fare cap in January, with the scheme also operating across Strathclyde as part of efforts to ease the pressure of rising living costs.

Ten months later, the Government says more than two million journeys have been made under the scheme across the Highlands and Islands.

Passengers are estimated to be saving an average of £6 on return journeys, with savings reaching £15 on some longer routes.

For Emma-Fleur, who has lived in Dingwall for six years and works in the charity sector, those savings have made a meaningful difference to everyday life.

Although she can drive, the increasing expense of running a car means she now relies heavily on buses.

“Travelling by bus is the most reliable form of public transport in Dingwall for me.

“The nearest city is Inverness, which takes around 40 minutes to travel to, and although I drive it’s become too expensive to run a car.

“I’m part of a one income household and costs are on the rise again, so things are tough.

“I don’t think people realise just how valuable cheaper transport in the Highlands actually is, if you are making journeys by bus regularly, the cost saving could be the difference between heating your home or putting food on the table in the winter.”

But perhaps the most important benefit has been the freedom to visit a close friend who is currently receiving inpatient care at Highland Hospice in Inverness.

At a difficult and emotional time, the reduced fares have made those visits more affordable, allowing Emma-Fleur to spend time with someone who matters deeply to her.

“It’s a very challenging time for her and I know she appreciates a friendly face by her side, along with the rest of her support network from Dingwall.

“The £2 bus fare gives me some financial breathing space to enjoy the precious time I get to spend with her.”

The savings have also encouraged her to spend more leisure time in Inverness, helping her feel better connected to the wider Highland community.

Emma-Fleur believes the benefits are being felt by others too, with buses from Dingwall appearing busier since the fare cap was introduced.

“Buses out of Dingwall have never been busier and it’s playing a small part in tackling the cost-of-living crisis, while personally, it has had such a positive impact on my mental wellbeing.

“I think people really value it.”

For rural communities where travelling even modest distances can be expensive, affordable public transport can make the difference between staying at home and maintaining important connections.

And behind the impressive figure of two million journeys are countless individual stories of people getting to work, seeing friends, attending appointments and simply enjoying more freedom.

For Emma-Fleur, that freedom means being there for a friend when it matters most.

The Scottish Government’s £2 Bus Fare Cap is in place in the Highlands and Islands region and Strathclyde area.

For more information about the areas currently covered and plans for future expansion, go to transport.gov.scot/public-transport/buses/2-bus-fare-cap/