Caithness Map :: Links to Site Map Great value Unlimited Broadband from an award winning provider  

 

Success Of Highland Council's In-house Bus Service Pilot Is Highlighted

3rd May 2024

Photo Gallery

Photograph of Success Of Highland Council's In-house Bus Service Pilot Is Highlighted

The Highland Council's In-House bus service pilot project was launched in January 2023.

The success of its first year of operation in delivering savings and creating a valued and reliable service was highlighted at today’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee.

The service was set up to deliver passenger and school transport services at a lower cost than commercial contractors.

In its first year of operation, the In-house service carried 449 pupils daily who are entitled to home to school transport, and 52,046 public passengers.

In addition to the scheduled routes, the buses have provided hires to schools (e.g., for swimming trips) and community organisations. Twenty-four schools are currently using this facility in the Inverness/Black Isle/Dingwall area.

Chair of the Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans said: "Since the pilot was launched it has moved forward at a pace, with additional routes added.

“In addition to now operating 12 key public services and delivering financial savings, the team are importantly providing a cost-effective service to schools and community groups which opens up new ways to access more leisure opportunities.

“I would like to thank our bus drivers and everyone else involved in the pilot for all their hard work and commitment to make it a success.

“The project has always been about making financial savings, but also providing improved and more inclusive services for communities. Going forward the team will continue to explore new opportunities and providing a great service."

An example on a recent expansion to the pilot includes is an additional route, providing school transport in Strathdearn for both primary and secondary pupils, and a public service between Tomatin and Inverness.

This was launched in January 2024 and compared to the previous contract, this is saving £173,313 per annum.

Al 53-seater coach has also been purchased to enable greater capacity for school hires. From 20 May this vehicle will also be used on two home-to-school journeys in the Nairn area, replacing a Stagecoach contract with a cost reduction of £333,715.

Members were advised that as the in-house bus service expands, there is an opportunity to reinvest some of the savings made in strengthening the public and community transport networks and supporting the emerging Bus Service Improvement Partnership. It is intended that a report on these matters will be brought to a future Committee.

The committee have also agreed that a report be brought to a future committee on the implications of moving the operation to an Arm’s Length External Organisation.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

6/11/2024
Police - Area Performance Report to Caithness Area Committee on 11 November
A report by the police to the Caithness area committee on 11 November will allow councillors to discuss a range of issues.   Chief Inspector Calum Smith - Area Commander (North Highland Area Command) sets out the crime related figures up to June 2024.  
6/11/2024
Common Good Funds In Caithness Expenditure - Quarter 2 Monitoring
On 11 November 2024 the Caithness Area Committee will discuss several papers.   Thurso and Northwest Caithness Ward Discretionary Budget applications approved 1 April 2024 - 30 September 2024 The Committee is asked to note that the following Thurso and Northwest Caithness Ward Discretionary Budget applications have been approved for the period 1 April 2024 to 30 September 2024:.  
6/11/2024
Report Retailers Selling Vapes To Underagers - Highland Council Trading Standards Find 1 In 3 Retailers Selling Vapes To Under 18s
Highland Council's Trading Standards team is reporting worrying findings from the age restricted product test purchase programme it carried out over the last six months.   During the most recent exercise, premises in Skye, Easter Ross, Inverness, Badenoch and Strathspey were test purchased for cigarettes and vapes using volunteers under 18 years of age.  
5/11/2024
Transport In Highland - A Chance To Share Your ViewsThumbnail for article : Transport In Highland - A Chance To Share Your Views
The Highland Council is developing a new Local Transport Strategy (LTS) for the next 10-year period.  This Strategy will underpin the future direction and policy focus for transport in Highland.  
1/11/2024
Financial Forecast Reported To Highland Council
A revised financial forecast for the Highland Council, taking account of already agreed savings and other measures, suggests a remaining budget gap of £38m-£54m over the coming three years, 2025/26 to 2027/28.   As part of the Council's Medium-Term Financial Plan, agreed in February 2024, Council agreed a package of £54.6m of budget savings, and the use of a range of financial flexibilities and use of reserves, to address the projected £113m gap over a 3-year period 2024/25 - 2026/27.  
22/10/2024
Housing Summit To Address Housing Challenge In Highland
The Highland Council has called a Housing Challenge Summit, designed to bring together all parties from National and Local government.   Also private sector interests, both large and small, from across the fields of energy, housing development and commerce, to focus on the Housing Challenge in Highland.  
8/10/2024
Sudden Withdrawal Of Bus Services In Caithness
Aarons of Wick Ltd informed The Highland Council at lunchtime on Friday 4 October that with immediate effect they were unable to continue to operate any school or public service journeys which require a full-size bus.   The Council has sourced replacement services from Dunnetts Transport for the Reay - Thurso and Bower – Castletown – Thurso services.  
7/10/2024
Supporting Island Communities
New funding for critical infrastructure projects that will help boost employment, empower communities and ensure a sustainable future for Scotland's island communities has been announced by First Minister John Swinney.   Ten projects have been awarded a share of the Scottish Government's £3 million 2024/25 Islands Programme Fund.  
3/10/2024
Councils Withdraw Support For National Care Service Proposals
Council Leaders have (27th September 2024) withdrawn support for the Scottish Government's revised National Care Service Bill.   The Bill is currently being considered by the Scottish Parliament.  
2/10/2024
New Contract For Highland's Mixed Plastic And Metal Containers Recycling ServicesThumbnail for article : New Contract For Highland's Mixed Plastic And Metal Containers Recycling Services
A new contract has been awarded to Perthshire's Wyllie Recycling Ltd for the provision of mixed plastic and metal container recycling services and haulage in Highland.  This includes plastic bottles, pots, tubs, trays, metals tins, drink cans, aerosols and food and drink cartons which are collected in the new green recycling bins.