Transport / Transport chair’s frustration at time taken to address South Mainland bus issues
CHANGES will be made to the South Mainland bus timetable in an attempt to address issues with pupils getting to the Anderson High School in the morning.
But the chair of Shetland’s transport partnership says it is “very regrettable the situation has dragged on for so long”.
Shetland Central councillor Moraig Lyall, who chairs ZetTrans, said she is “extremely keen to see a resolution as soon as possible”.
Concerns have been raised recently relating to overcrowding on buses heading from the South Mainland to Lerwick in the morning, with claims that passengers often have to sit on the luggage racks.
Dunrossness Community Council has also written to transport officials regarding the issue of children having to stand on the public bus at speeds of up to 50mph in order to make the journey to and from school.
There had also been a recurring issue with pupils often not getting to the Anderson on time in the morning.
The bus service has become busier in recent years, particularly with more placing requests coming in for the Anderson High School since it opened in 2017.
From Monday (7 November) three public bus services from the South Mainland will depart a few minutes earlier. The changes are as follows:
- The Service 6 bus from Sumburgh Airport will now leave at 0730 instead of 0735, arriving at the Viking Bus Station at 0844.
- The Service 6A bus from Sandwick Central will now leave at 0809 instead of 0813, arriving at Anderson High School at 0845.
- The Service 7 feeder bus from Quendale will now leave at 0740 instead of 0745, arriving at Channerwick at 0800.
Pick up times at bus stops along each route will also change. A more detailed timetable can be found through this link.
Lyall said the tweaks will hopefully help with both timekeeping and capacity issues “while a more sustainable solution is being put in place”.
But she said: “It’s really frustrating the length of time needed to get that point.”
Meanwhile Shetland South councillor Robbie McGregor said he “hopes this change will allow pupils to arrive at school on time and reduce any stress late arrival causes them”.
Additional capacity was previously trialled on public bus services which provide a link between the South Mainland and the Anderson High School, and it was continued through to 2025 after being deemed a success.
There is only one school in the South Mainland for secondary one to four pupils – Sandwick Junior High. Some children attend the Anderson instead, but there is not an obligation to provide them with school transport.
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