Orkney's public bus services buck the national trend with rising usage

The number of people using public buses in Orkney continues to grow, bucking the national downward trend. 

Bus passenger figures last month, were greater than any other month last year and we are not yet in ‘peak’ season. There were 36,130 passenger trips recorded across all public bus services in Orkney during May, which represents an increase of over 18% from May 2023. 

From the period 1 January to 31 December 2023 there were a total of 311,187 passenger trips recorded across all public bus services in Orkney. 

Transportation Service Manager, Laura Cromarty, said: “Orkney has seen bus passenger growth year on year unlike the steady decline seen across the rest of Scotland. 

“Significant investment has been made by the Council following the last School and Public Bus Contract award in August 2021, which saw the main operator Stagecoach submit a tender on the basis of a brand new fleet of accessible low floor, low emission vehicles for the county. 

“Bus passenger figures are not just positive on Mainland Orkney, we have also seen growth in our island public bus services operated in Westray, Sanday and Hoy.” 

Laura continued: “Increased tourism, the cost-of-living crisis, in-migration to the county, and the introduction of the Scottish Government’s Under 22 Free Bus Scheme have almost certainly contributed to increased passenger numbers on the bus services we subsidise – as well as our new low emission fleet, reliable service and enhancements to services. 

"For example, based on discussions with Stagecoach, the X1 has been enhanced to provide more frequency and to call in past the historic sites over the summer period. The 8S providing a link to Skara Brae has been enhanced on a commercial basis, going from a three day per week service to a six day per week operation.  

“Evening bus services on a Friday and Saturday have also continued thanks to external grant funding and match funding through the Sustainable and Green Transport Fund, established through bus passenger fare income.” 

Passenger growth equates to additional ticket sales income on public bus services subsidised by the Council which are kept by the Council and poured back into our Sustainable and Green Transport Fund. This fund has helped to establish community transport in a number of island communities as well as improvements and enhancements to existing bus services. 

Chair of the Council’s Development and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Kristopher Leask, said: "It's hugely encouraging to see Orkney bus usage grow and continue to be a valuable asset for our community.  

 “The investment in our service and ongoing work to improve is having a clear impact and allowing more people to benefit from public transport.  

 “Our bus network is an important part of how our community accesses services and socialises, and I thank the public for their support in helping us make the case for ongoing provision.” 

You can view the full public bus service timetables on the Council website at www.orkney.gov.uk/bus