Friday, 07 January 2005 14:25

Public transport on Tiree is set to step up a gear from 10 January. The existing shared taxi service funded by Argyll and Bute Council will be replaced with a much enhanced six day a week operation using a new 14 seat wheelchair accessible minibus which has been purchased by the Council.

The new service is possible with grant aid from the HITRANS transport partnership of Highlands and Island local authorities.

Tiree Councillor Ian Gillies welcomed the arrival of the new bus. He said, “Grant assistance from the HITRANS Partnership has made it possible for Argyll and Bute Council to provide services where they are needed most, but perhaps of more importance is that the services are relevant and individually tailored to community needs.”

The enhanced service, to be called Tiree Ring’n’Ride, will be available on demand anywhere on the Isle of Tiree from 7am to 6pm Mondays to Saturdays using a modern, low floor, wheelchair accessible minibus.

Nancy MacKechnie, who operates the current service, will operate the new bus on the Council’s behalf.

Part of the operating cost for the service is being met by the Scottish Executive as part of a pilot scheme into the usefulness and cost effectiveness of this type of service for meeting the transport needs of rural communities.

This is an open access public transport service that is available to anyone. The service can be used anywhere on Tiree to provide connections to the ferry or the airport. It can be used for shopping trips, GP appointments, visits to the library or friends.

The current service is operated by a much smaller vehicle to a narrower timeband and on fewer days of the week. The Council hope that many more Tiree residents, visitors and holidaymakers will be able to make use of the improved service.

FURTHER INFORMATION

To book a journey passengers should contact the Council’s contractor Nancy McKechnie on 01879 220419. Journeys can be booked up to one week in advance and as late as up to one hour before the time of travel (subject to availability)

Normal fares apply on this service and holders of the Strathclyde Concessionary Travel Card travel free.