Stagecoach Launch New Buses In Caithness

3rd July 2008

Stagecoach in Caithness (formerly known as Highland Country Buses Ltd) celebrated the launch of 3 new coaches as they took to the road on Friday morning to operate on service 958 between Scrabster, Thurso, Wick and Inverness.

The brand new coaches are fitted with CCTV and seatbelts, offering customers added safety whilst travelling on the service. These state of the art buses are also driven by the latest Euro 4 engines which are amongst the greenest engines in Europe.

Charlie Mullen, Managing Director, Stagecoach Bluebird said: "The Stagecoach Group recently acquired Highland Country Buses and so it is of particular significance for us to be able to demonstrate to passengers and staff in the area that we fully intend on continuing to develop public transport in the Highlands. The investment of over £500,000 in these coaches, which are all wheelchair accessible, will bring real improvements to the passengers of Caithness".

Bob Edwards, Rural and Community Transport Officer, Highland Council said: "Highland Council welcome the increased number of journeys in the new timetable. We are very pleased that the extension of accessible transport has been made to the 958 service opening the opportunity for travel between Inverness and Kirkwall."

Stagecoach in Caithness plan to work closely with Caithness Partnership over the next few months in order to gain valuable passenger feedback on proposed timetable improvements for the Caithness area. A public consultation will take place in advance of service changes in October.

George Bruce, Partnership Chair said: "We are delighted that Stagecoach have indicated their commitment to improving the local service by supplying the new buses and inviting the community to become involved in a review of the service. Through our Transport Forum, Caithness Partnership will do everything we can to help out with this process and urge public transport users in Caithness to make sure that they take the opportunity to fill in the feedback postcards which will be circulated over the summer. Working with the Dunnet & Canisbay Community Council earlier this year we have already collected views on the service in their area, and it is important that people throughout the county take part in this opportunity."

For timetable details of service 958 please contact Traveline on 0871 200 22 33. The service is jointly operated by Scottish Citylink and Stagecoach in Caithness. Tickets are inter-available.

Photo
Caithness and Sutherland MSP Jamie Stone about to cut the ribbon held by Jimmy Fry (left) of Age Concern and Coucillor Donnie Mackay