07:26 Elgin-Inverness returns

ScotRail’s 07:26 Elgin-Inverness train will return on Monday 5 March.

The service has been operated by bus since 23 January to free up a train to provide an early morning service for Plockton High pupils for the duration of the Stromeferry bypass closure.

ScotRail’s extra 06:12 Inverness-Kyle of Lochalsh will remain in service.
The pupils will still be carried to Plockton free of charge, and other passengers can purchase tickets for the train.

The 09:00 Inverness-Kyle of Lochalsh – which was also being partly operated by bus – will return to normal.

To accommodate the changes, carriages on the 09:03 Inverness-Aberdeen and 13:39 Aberdeen-Inverness services will be limited to two.

Jerry Farquharson, ScotRail’s director of business planning, said: “We have a finite number of trains at our disposal.  However, we were determined to find a solution which allowed the return of both morning services while still being able to get the children to school on time - without cancelling other trains.”

He added: “We would like to thank passengers who use the trains between Inverness and Aberdeen in advance for their understanding.”

Councillor John Laing, chairman of The Highland Council’s Transport, Environmental and Community Services Committee, added: “We are delighted that ScotRail has been able to put arrangements to continue running the additional service to Kyle of Lochalsh.

“It makes a difference to know that the children will be able to get to school on time while work continues on the road.”

Susan Galloway, Acting Rector at Plockton High School, said: “We appreciate the fact that ScotRail are continuing to provide the extra service. Our pupils are enjoying travelling to school by train.”