Council highlights commitment to Lochaber bus users

A report on today’s agenda of the Council’s Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee focused on bus contracts in Lochaber  and provided councillors with an update on steps being taken to maintain transport links across the area.

In 2016 Stagecoach were offered and accepted three public service bus contracts as well as a school transport contract from Duror and Onich to Kinlochleven High School. A further school transport contract from Roy Bridge to Spean Bridge was also awarded following the mothballing of Roy Bridge Primary.

After Stagecoach gave notice to the Council that they would be terminating their Lochaber bus contracts and closing their depot in Fort William, Councillors and officials have been working behind the scenes to ensure transport links are provided throughout the area after Stagecoach operations end on 30 June 2018.

As well as hearing about the work going on to ensure bus transport links in Lochaber are maintained, members delegated authority to the Director of Community Services, in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair, to decide an appropriate level of service and to agree the award of contracts for the following three key routes.

• 509: Corpach – Upper Achintore (evenings)
• 512: Kinlochleven – Fort William
• 514: Roy Bridge – Fort William

Tenders are currently being invited for replacement contracts and it is expected that new contracts will be awarded in time for the start of the school year in August. Temporary arrangements will be made for public transport routes during the school summer holidays.

Chair of the Committee, Cllr Allan Henderson said: “We know our communities have been concerned about bus services since Stagecoach made their announcement but I want to give people the reassurance that a lot of hard work is going on to keep any disruption to a minimum. Every effort is being made to encourage other local operators to apply for the replacement contracts and we are confident this can be achieved before the start of the school year.”

ENDS