Bus service between Black Isle and Inverness reinstated by Stagecoach after being axed in error
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A bus service between Inverness and the Black Isle is to be reinstated following a furore when it was removed from newly-published timetables.
The 6.20pm service from Inverness to the Black Isle was axed by Stagecoach, resulting in commuters and other passengers facing a gap of more than two hours between services.
It meant those missing the 5.20pm bus had to wait until 7.40pm.
But it will now be reinstated from tomorrow, to the relief of passengers, following a U-turn by the bus company.
A spokesperson for Stagecoach Highlands said the weekday 6.20pm journey was removed in error.
"As soon as this was brought to our attention, we took steps to reinstate the journey, and it will resume from Monday, January 16," the spokesperson said.
"We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused to customers who use this service."
Black Isle Independent councillor Sarah Atkin said the new timetable had caused a furore and felt the outcome would have been better had there been constructive engagement with bus users.
“Genuinely, people were in distress about being stuck for hours,” she said.
“However, Stagecoach did perform something of a U-turn and the 6.20pm will be resurrected starting Monday .
“Needless to say, a collective sigh of relief was felt right across the Black Isle.
“I appreciate that there’s a limited budget and everybody is cutting their cloth to live within their means.
“However, were there genuine, constructive engagement between Stagecoach and bus users on timetable options, the outcomes would be far better.
“Those using services have great insight and ideas to input into making what we have work for the many.
“Personally, I feel we have to prioritise those who rely on these services to get to work. Jobs are being jeopardised and life’s tough enough for people at the moment.”
She also felt an issue for all bus users was that the Inverness bus station closed at 5.30pm which meant no toilets or facilities and nowhere to wait when it was cold and wet.
“This is not good,” she said. “Should you be running something on that in the near future? Inverness is meant to be a city after all.”
One commuter who had complained about the decision to axe the 6.20pm bus before it was reinstated had described the new timetables as “ridiculous”.
“For me, someone who lives on the Black Isle and works a nine-hour day to have my bus home cancelled from the timetable and having to wait over two hours for the next one is ridiculous and also meaning I generally won’t see my kid now before bed time,” they said.
“I can’t be the only person who lives on the Black Isle who finishes work between 5pm and 6pm.”
