Supporting the transport needs of local communities

The Highland Council has awarded new public transport contracts  which will run from 1 January 2012 until December 2016.   

This involves 92 public transport contracts, of which 38 include provision for school transport. 

The budget is £2.8 million. 

At the same time, the Council is supporting 19 community transport projects in the Highlands with grants totalling £417,000 in 2012/13. 

Councillor John Laing, Chairman of TEC Services, said: “Public and community transport are essential in a rural area such as the Highlands.  Despite budget pressures, we are delighted to be able to support our local communities by subsidising vital but unprofitable routes and supporting community-based transport services.  We are about to review the wider provision of community, social and health transport to ensure we get the very best value out of public spending available in our communities.”