Five per cent increase in bus fares

The cost of travelling by bus in Orkney will increase by five per cent from today, Sunday.

According to bus operator Stagecoach, rising costs and reduced public sector investment have forced up fares for passengers across the Highlands and Orkney.

Steve Walker, managing director of Stagecoach in the Highlands said: “We understand that this will be frustrating for our passengers. Unfortunately, we have had to take some difficult decisions, but we have done our best to keep fare changes to a minimum.

“We are facing continued rising costs in a number of areas of our business and we are seeing reduced public sector support for bus services as local authority budgets continue to be squeezed.

“We have worked hard to keep fares down for those who rely on the bus the most.”