Pilot scheme capping bus fares at £2 to begin in Shetland

A new project to cap single bus fares at £2 for both children and adults is being trialled from Friday in Shetland.

The move is part of the Scottish Government’s regional bus fare cap pilot, a 12-month initiative which aims to make bus travel more affordable and attractive.

It is being introduced across the ZetTrans public transport area – which covers Shetland – from Friday, with a phased rollout in other parts of the Highlands and islands to follow.

Transport secretary Fiona Hyslop said she is “really pleased to see the bus fare cap pilot get under way in Shetland”.

She said the scheme had been a “key Budget commitment” from the Government, and was recommended as part of a review of transport fares as being “another way to make public transport more available, accessible and affordable”.

The minister said: “Our public transport system is a key enabler for growth and opportunity, helping people and communities to connect to jobs, education, retail, public services, leisure, social and family networks.

“This pilot can have a really positive impact for people in Shetland, and across the Highlands and islands as it is rolled out, and I look forward to seeing how it supports sustainable travel across these regions.”

ZetTrans chairwoman councillor Moraig Lyall said it was “exciting to be involved in this pilot project capping bus fares”, adding the scheme will “ensure no-one pays more than £2 for a bus journey in Shetland”.

She added: “We’ve discussed for some time what difference altering the fare structure would make in the uptake of using buses in Shetland, and this pilot will help answer that question.

“I would hope that more people would see the bus as an affordable alternative to their car and those without their own transport will be enabled to travel more frequently.”