ScotRail is to provide an additional early morning service to ensure that Plockton High pupils can get to school – free of charge – while the Stromeferry bypass remains closed.
From Monday 23 January, an 06.12 Inverness-Kyle of Lochalsh service will transport the children to Plockton before 09.00. Other passengers can also buy tickets for the service.
In order to accommodate the additional service, the 07.26 Elgin-Inverness will be replaced by a bus. The 09.00 Inverness-Kyle will be replaced by a bus between Dingwall and Achnasheen, where it will connect into a train.
Jerry Farquharson, ScotRail’s director of business planning, said: “We’ve worked closely with Highland Council and HITRANS to put this plan in place.
“It means that pupils will be able to get to school over the coming weeks with as little disruption as possible – and without incurring any extra travel costs.”
Dr Michael Foxley, Highland Council leader said: “This is great news. ScotRail’s cooperation is much appreciated, particularly as the children will get to travel for free.”
Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "I am pleased to see various agencies coming together to keep the local area moving. We will continue to work with the Highland Council and the rail industry to achieve a long-term solution.”
It is expected that the service will be in place for between four and six weeks.
Media enquiries
Carla Rinaldi, ScotRail Communications: 0141 335 5156 / carla.rinaldi@firstgroup.com
Notes to editors
As a result of storms earlier this month, which deposited a huge amount of trees and other debris onto the tracks, some of our trains were damaged.
While they are out of service being repaired, some services are operating with fewer carriages than normal. This means that, in order to accommodate the additional service to Kyle of Lochalsh, the train that normally operates the 07.26 Elgin-Inverness will be replaced with a bus.
The 06.12 Inverness-Kyle is scheduled to depart Strathcarron at 07.58 and arrive in Plockton at 08.27 and Inverness at 08.40.
