Stagecoach reveals reduced timetables across Highlands in response to coronavirus impact; Bus boss hails firm's 'key workers' and announces plans to help NHS staff
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A BUS operator helping to connect communities across Ross-shire has announced further timetable changes set to be introduced tomorrow.
Stagecoach Highland has provided the update to its timetables in response to government advice on avoiding non-essential travel during the coronavirus crisis.
The revised timetables will be in place from Monday, March 30 and are now available at stagecoachbus.com.
These temporary timetables aim to maintain critical routes and will operate across the region until further notice.
The company says the changes come after an analysis of the demand for bus services in the area at this time.
It means the frequency of most services will be reduced "but will still cater for essential shopping trips to be made".
Feedback received over the last week has been used to develop the reduced timetables "and will better cater for shift patterns of key workers who still rely on the bus to commute to work".
The company is also offering free travel to NHS workers in the Inverness city area who need to get to or home from Raigmore and New Craigs Hospital between 7pm and 10pm. The free dial-a-bus should be booked by NHS staff no later than the day prior to travel, information on how to book this service is available from the company at highland.enquiries@stagecoachbus.com.
David Beaton, managing director for Stagecoach Highland said: “We continue to play a crucial role in ensuring that key workers, such as NHS staff and the people vital to the food supply chain, can get into work.
“We have worked hard with our temporary timetables to ensure that we are continuing to serve critical routes. If our customers feel we haven’t got things quite right, then we’d really like to receive any comments through our dedicated feedback form which can be found at stagecoachbus.com.
“I’m extremely proud of the way in way our team across the Highlands is pulling together to ensure that we can continue to deliver our services. They are key workers too and I would like to thank them for their continued support and resilience in these challenging times.”
In addition to enhanced cleaning regimes, Stagecoach has taken extensive action to protect the safety of its customers and staff with a number of additional measures in place. Contactless payments are being encouraged wherever possible and social distancing guidelines are being displayed on buses.
Customers can stay up to date with all the latest news from Stagecoach on Twitter @StagecoachHLand or by signing up to their email mailing list.
Full details are available at stagecoachbus.com.
