£2 fare cap comes to Scotland:

[N1]

From Tain Asda to Inverness on the Ember E6 service is only £5.40

This is the online fare, surely the walk up fare will be a lot more, closer to the Stagecoach fare.

 

[PG]

They hope it will all be sorted by next week, Transport Scotland is dealing with everything.

Heaven help us - I wouldn't trust them to run a bath!
IIRC the under 22 concession started somewhat later than originally scheduled and I fully expect this will go the same way.

This is the online fare, surely the walk up fare will be a lot more, closer to the Stagecoach fare.

However even if presenting as a walk-up you are almost certain to be prompted by the driver to book online while at the bus stop.

 

[nw1]

From Tain Asda to Inverness on the Ember E6 service is only £5.40

That sounds more like what I would expect given the apparent distance on the map.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

That sounds more like what I would expect given the apparent distance on the map.

Single fares are pretty cheap with Ember for short journeys

 

[GusB]

I'm rather looking forward to this fare cap.

I've just priced the journey from home to visit a friend of mine with an overnight stay.

Single-fare:
£22.00: 2x (£5.90 + £5.10)

Period return:
£22.30: £12.60 + £9.70

Unfortunately, Stagecoach's journey planner didn't offer me the Dayrider option, which would cost me 2x £8.60 (£17.20).

If each leg of the journey was capped at £2 single, it'd cost me £8. If it was £3, the total would be £12. If each leg was priced at £4, I'd still save £1.20!

 

[JKP]

That sounds more like what I would expect given the apparent distance on the map.

The distance is around 35 miles.

 

[nw1]

The distance is around 35 miles.

Ah ok. Bit like Winchester to Guildford for example, might expect about £5-£7 for a single, a shade more for a return, though I hadn't done longer bus journeys for several years before the fare cap so perhaps I'm stuck in the early-mid 2010s with my expectations...

Or, I might have expected an Explorer for some £10 or so to cover it.

 

[Flying Snail]

Ah ok. Bit like Winchester to Guildford for example, might expect about £5-£7 for a single, a shade more for a return, though I hadn't done longer bus journeys for several years before the fare cap so perhaps I'm stuck in the early-mid 2010s with my expectations...

Or, I might have expected an Explorer for some £10 or so to cover it.

A Stagecoach day ticket that covers Tain is £19.80.

https://tiscon-maps-stagecoachbus.s3.amazonaws.com/ZoneMaps/North%20Scotland/Highlands%20Zone%20Map%202025.pdf

 

[overthewater]

I take it, the scheme will run late? still no proper details, let alone a start date.

 

[Volvodart]

The Shetland part of the bus fare trial starts today.

Shetland bus fares capped at £2 from today as part of trial to make public transport more affordable and attractive

A trial to make bus travel more attracttive, affordable and simple to plan begins today (Friday) with the introduction of a £2 cap on fares.

www.shetlandtimes.co.uk

 

[overthewater]

Just in the nick of time, however you have to wonder when will the Highlands and Moray will go live? To me, it just feels like Shetland got the go ahead now just to save face, I doubt passengers numbers will go up that much on the island.

 

[GusB]

Just in the nick of time, however you have to wonder when will the Highlands and Moray will go live? To me, it just feels like Shetland got the go ahead now just to save face, I doubt passengers numbers will go up that much on the island.

The article linked in post #70 says:

The pilot is being introduced on a phased basis across the ZetTrans and HiTrans Regional Transport Partnership areas, starting today in Shetland and with a phased roll out across the islands and highlands area to follow.

There is no exact timescale given but, considering we're only just at the end of January, maybe we should be a little more patient. Just because it hasn't been widely publicised doesn't mean that there isn't a plan in place.

You might get a more detailed answer if you write to the transport secretary or one of your MSPs to ask for further information.

 

[markymark2000]

Just in the nick of time, however you have to wonder when will the Highlands and Moray will go live? To me, it just feels like Shetland got the go ahead now just to save face, I doubt passengers numbers will go up that much on the island.

It will help that bar one or two routes, Shetland is all tendered routes. Especially if the contracts are all gross cost.

 

[185143]

It will help that bar one or two routes, Shetland is all tendered routes. Especially if the contracts are all gross cost.

And most if not all of the fares are very cheap and subsidised by the oil companies anyway, according to a driver up there.

The extra subsidy required will be minimal. And will likely make little to no difference to passenger numbers.

 

[Cloud Strife]

Citylink single fares from Wick are shocking.

21.60 for Wick to Inverness isn't that bad, is it? It's over 100 miles and 3 hours, so I don't think it's that unreasonable.

 

[Volvodart]

Moray Council has been advised not to participate in the scheme as they would be left, at least in part, to foot the bill for it.

Councillors urged to opt out of £2 bus fare cap

Councillors have been asked to opt out of a pilot scheme to cap bus fares at £2 - because there is “no indication” of the cost.

www.northern-scot.co.uk

 

[318266]

Moray Council has been advised not to participate in the scheme as they would be left, at least in part, to foot the bill for it.

Councillors urged to opt out of £2 bus fare cap

Councillors have been asked to opt out of a pilot scheme to cap bus fares at £2 - because there is “no indication” of the cost.

www.northern-scot.co.uk

It should be noted that this refers to the council-ran operation of a limited number of bus services, of which the report (commissioned by the council, and not binding) states 95% of users travel on the public purse regardless.

The decision to participate in the scheme, as with the £3 scheme in England, is made at a per-operator basis - the predominant operator in Moray, Stagecoach, would decide for themselves whether they should join.

However, I question the motivations in general around subsidising bus travel so heavily without providing equivalent fares on the nationalised rail network. A £2 cap for rail fares (e.g. Thurso to Inverness) would go a long way to not only increase rail ridership, but also to lower by up to a significant margin the ever-spiralling cost of subsidising the bus network so heavily.

 

[overthewater]

Moray Council has been advised not to participate in the scheme as they would be left, at least in part, to foot the bill for it.

Councillors urged to opt out of £2 bus fare cap

Councillors have been asked to opt out of a pilot scheme to cap bus fares at £2 - because there is “no indication” of the cost.

www.northern-scot.co.uk

The Wheels on the bus keep falling off, falling off, falling off.....

What a complete and utter shambles but lets be honest I think we all know this was going to happen. The policy was announced so quickly with little thought and I thought alot of people will be able to see the political showboating. Stagecoach wont agree to the scheme if the councils wont even commit.

They will never put a £2 rail fare cap in place as within days it would put the X99 and ember service out of business.

 

[GusB]

The Wheels on the bus keep falling off, falling off, falling off.....

This is a completely predictable response from someone who wrote the whole scheme off before it even started. The same person who denigrated the under-22 free travel scheme from the outset. You clearly don't like the current administration; that's fine, but please provide your own suggestions on how things should work, rather than just sniping from the sidelines like you normally do. Do you wish to see increased bus ridership or not?

What a complete and utter shambles but lets be honest I think we all know this was going to happen. The policy was announced so quickly with little thought and I thought alot of people will be able to see the political showboating. Stagecoach wont agree to the scheme if the councils wont even commit.

How do you know that Stagecoach won't agree to the scheme? As far as I'm aware, Moray Council doesn't actually operate any commercial services; it seems to exist as an operator of last resort, and it's understandable that it won't want revenues to be lessened.

 

[Volvodart]

How do you know that Stagecoach won't agree to the scheme? As far as I'm aware, Moray Council doesn't actually operate any commercial services; it seems to exist as an operator of last resort, and it's understandable that it won't want revenues to be lessened.

You cannot tell from the latest filed accounts as it is combined with Highland, but the previous year nearly 60% of revenue was Government funded, which is supposed to be on a no profit no loss basis. These are the fares that they should be making profits for investment, so the reimbursement rate would need to be appropriate for that.

 

[overthewater]

This is a completely predictable response from someone who wrote the whole scheme off before it even started. The same person who denigrated the under-22 free travel scheme from the outset. You clearly don't like the current administration; that's fine, but please provide your own suggestions on how things should work, rather than just sniping from the sidelines like you normally do. Do you wish to see increased bus ridership or not?

I understand you play devil's advocate at times, but this whole scheme was clearly written on the back of fag packet, and it was clear as day from the moment this was announced it was badly thought-out and designed, and the evidenced is growing by the day on this thread, and its dis-hearting.... really is.

Whether I like or dislike the current administration is neither here nor there, this scheme is a joke, it's clear as day, the current reimbursement rate for the passes keep on getting cut and that also is a disgrace.

The scheme needs to be like D-day landing with a clear plan for starting, and a clear plan for long term growth, and there is nothing here to suggest either is included in this scheme. It really does feel like political showboating, there desperate to get this scheme out before the election, its no good having a half - **** scheme in place for an election just for it be written off afterwards.

The sooner everyone releases these points the sooner it will get fixed. Of course I want to increase bus ridership, but not at any cost. You have to wonder what the public are thinking. Maybe one of the many newspapers that read this forum for ideas will take a deeper look at the scheme to see where problems are.

With the under 22 scheme, that because it was another rushed job with no clear path forward, underfunded and no safe guard put in place. At the time I was right to highlight the fact they are giving nearly million people free travel JUST as the bus industry is having issues with drivers retention and slashing routes. ( it's been a few years now have any compaines seen an increase in passengers ages 22 -25? plenty of teenagers are still ditching the bus once the free travel gone because the networks are still not good enough for thier needs. )

I think I speak for everyone on this thread, we all want this scheme to work and we all want to see an increase in bus ridership but ... It shouldn't boil down to either NO scheme or a badly run scheme.

Why can't we have good designed scheme?

 

[Sealink]

Deleted - repeating myself from an earlier post.

 

[Volvodart]

Stagecoach must have agreed to the fare cap as the First Minister has been visiting them and posted on X Elgin to Inverness going from £15.60 to £2 and Wick to Inverness going from £31 to £2.

From the Transport Scotland news page below, the Western Isles have also joined in the scheme from 23 February 2026, Orkney will from 9 March 2026 and Highland, Moray, Argyll and Bute will from 23 March 2026.

Cheaper bus travel for Highland communities

First Minister announces roll-out of £2 fare cap.

www.gov.scot

 

[Deerfold]

I understand you play devil's advocate at times, but this whole scheme was clearly written on the back of fag packet, and it was clear as day from the moment this was announced it was badly thought-out and designed, and the evidenced is growing by the day on this thread, and its dis-hearting.... really is.

Whether I like or dislike the current administration is neither here nor there, this scheme is a joke, it's clear as day, the current reimbursement rate for the passes keep on getting cut and that also is a disgrace.

The scheme needs to be like D-day landing with a clear plan for starting, and a clear plan for long term growth, and there is nothing here to suggest either is included in this scheme. It really does feel like political showboating, there desperate to get this scheme out before the election, its no good having a half - **** scheme in place for an election just for it be written off afterwards.

The sooner everyone releases these points the sooner it will get fixed. Of course I want to increase bus ridership, but not at any cost. You have to wonder what the public are thinking. Maybe one of the many newspapers that read this forum for ideas will take a deeper look at the scheme to see where problems are.

With the under 22 scheme, that because it was another rushed job with no clear path forward, underfunded and no safe guard put in place. At the time I was right to highlight the fact they are giving nearly million people free travel JUST as the bus industry is having issues with drivers retention and slashing routes. ( it's been a few years now have any compaines seen an increase in passengers ages 22 -25? plenty of teenagers are still ditching the bus once the free travel gone because the networks are still not good enough for thier needs. )

I think I speak for everyone on this thread, we all want this scheme to work and we all want to see an increase in bus ridership but ... It shouldn't boil down to either NO scheme or a badly run scheme.

Why can't we have good designed scheme?

I'm not sure what\s wrong with this scheme - I see you've complained at everything they've done, but it's not clear why.

I don't know if it will work well or not, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of evidence it isn't at the moment.

What makes you think it's being badly run?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Stagecoach must have agreed to the fare cap as the First Minister has been visiting them and posted on X Elgin to Inverness going from £15.60 to £2 and Wick to Inverness going from £31 to £2.

Way to kill the Far North Line...who would travel by train when the coach is £2 walk up? This sort of thing (free passes rather than a fare cap) caused a problem on the Conwy Valley Line until passes were accepted on the train, which killed the bus off.

 

[overthewater]

It good to hear Stagecoach has recached a deal to be part of this scheme, its unclear if Moray council are still going to opt out ?

The scheme is a rushed job, it's clear that's the case. Surly everyone would expect a government schemes to properly thought-out and excecated in a timely manner, not a mad rush for electioneering on such an important issue? That what it feels like to me.

It was already started on this thread the Scottish government had announced the scheme and not even talked to the bus compaines yet, and thus they have now spent the best part of 2 months scuttling around to get everyone on board? Surly you speak to everyone before you made pubic and have everything sorted before hand?

It was also highlighted just a few post above Moray council are unsure about the scheme, that going to cause a lot of confusion will it not? Suddenly at the stroke of 6pm when a council contract kicks in "sorry £2 not allowed. It doesn't seem to been resolved as of yet?

To give them thier dues they did speak to all 7 Public transport bodies yet some like Dumfries and Galloway couldn't bid for the scheme because thanks to they awful muckup with the retendering over the summer 2025, there isn't resources to deal with any increase in passengers, However it was also stated on this thread one of other reason why they never bided was because there was a lack of information surrounding the scheme.

That sounds like they were making it up as they go along? That's why I can see there issues with this scheme, Maybe other can't see this, that fine. I want them to prove me wrong badly, I do wonder what short sighted deal was done to get it over the finishing line? We will have to wait until NEXT March before we have clear idea if everything has worked out.

HOWEVER go back to the very first post and your see other who are sceptical about this scheme, but for other reasons.

The Confederation of Passenger Transport, which represents bus operators, was also sceptical.

Scotland director Paul White said: “Recognition of the key role bus plays in connecting communities across Scotland is always positive.

“However, this fares initiative will not help address the barriers to sustainable passenger growth, namely freeing buses from congestion and making bus journeys faster and more reliable.

"The cabinet secretary's announcement comes ahead of consultation with the bus sector around how the scheme will operate in practice.

Scottish Labour transport spokesperson Daniel Johnson said: "This pilot is welcome, but it doesn't change the fact huge parts of the Highlands don't have a bus service they can rely on.

 

[JKP]

It good to hear Stagecoach has recached a deal to be part of this scheme, its unclear if Moray council are still going to opt out ?

The scheme is a rushed job, it's clear that's the case. Surly everyone would expect a government schemes to properly thought-out and excecated in a timely manner, not a mad rush for electioneering on such an important issue? That what it feels like to me.

It was already started on this thread the Scottish government had announced the scheme and not even talked to the bus compaines yet, and thus they have now spent the best part of 2 months scuttling around to get everyone on board? Surly you speak to everyone before you made pubic and have everything sorted before hand?

It was also highlighted just a few post above Moray council are unsure about the scheme, that going to cause a lot of confusion will it not? Suddenly at the stroke of 6pm when a council contract kicks in "sorry £2 not allowed. It doesn't seem to been resolved as of yet?

To give them thier dues they did speak to all 7 Public transport bodies yet some like Dumfries and Galloway couldn't bid for the scheme because thanks to they awful muckup with the retendering over the summer 2025, there isn't resources to deal with any increase in passengers, However it was also stated on this thread one of other reason why they never bided was because there was a lack of information surrounding the scheme.

That sounds like they were making it up as they go along? That's why I can see there issues with this scheme, Maybe other can't see this, that fine. I want them to prove me wrong badly, I do wonder what short sighted deal was done to get it over the finishing line? We will have to wait until NEXT March before we have clear idea if everything has worked out.

HOWEVER go back to the very first post and your see other who are sceptical about this scheme, but for other reasons.

Are we clear if the Moray Council refusal to participate applies only to their own bus routes or does it extend also to routes that it subsidises? If the latter are these routes minimum cost where the operator remits on bus and other revenue to the Council or minimum subsidy where the contractor carries the risk? I would suspect in the case of Stagecoach the operator will carry the risk, so passengers on any subsidised journeys will be carried at £2.00.

 

[GusB]

I'm not sure what\s wrong with this scheme - I see you've complained at everything they've done, but it's not clear why.

I don't know if it will work well or not, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of evidence it isn't at the moment.

What makes you think it's being badly run?

@overthewater pours scorn on everything that the Scottish Government does and cries of "I really want this to succeed" don't wash with me.

I suspect it's down to jealousy because it's not happening in their own area, but I'll leave others to make up their own minds.

 

[overthewater]

Good to see satire isn't dead around here.

 

[Volvodart]

The Stagecoach website journey planner has got the new prices on it for the £2 fare, but the 10 and M96 Elgin to Inverness are not included. Not sure if this is an error, the Wick to Inverness is correct