OIC to axe OCTO bus service

Orkney Islands Council looks set to scrap the West Mainland OCTO bus service.

Citing insufficient passenger numbers, the local authority has instead decided to tender a new contract for an enhanced scheduled bus service in the area.

The OIC says that the decision follows a review of all the bus services in the county and comes as part of an invitation to bus operators to submit tenders for school and public bus contracts for 2015 to 2020. Under the new contract for the West Mainland service, from 2015 onwards, bus services to the area will provide a commuter service six days a week, with a mid-day service as well. Some routes have also been extended.

In response to the news, OCTO bus users have set up a petition hoping to change the council’s mind on a service that “provides a vital transport link for the community”.