Transport Service and Interchange Improvements

The START project aims to improve access to sustainable transport to, from and within Atlantic Area regions. This activity consists of a specific programme of measures that will improve the passenger experience by improving the quality of the interchange and bus service in terms of comfort, reliability and frequency. It is hoped that the START project partners will have the opportunity to develop a standard that can become a quality mark for public transport services throughout Atlantic Area regions.

This activity includes the following actions that aim to improve transport services and interchange in a variety of ways.

Action No.1 : Moray to Inverness Airport JET Service Extension

In considering ways of improving access to Inverness Airport a missing link that has often been highlighted by passengers and the airport operator was the need to have direct links from Inverness Airport to communities to the east of the Airport. The START project enabled HITRANS to extend the existing JET service from Inverness City to Inverness Airport and on to Elgin in Moray. This service included the provision of two new low floor easy access buses which are fitted with leather seats and luggage racks for maximum passenger comfort and convenience. The service operates from the Airport to Elgin on an hourly frequency from early morning and continues into the evening.

Since the service was extended to include Elgin the bus operator has recorded a significant increase in passenger growth on the JET 11 with passenger numbers up by more than 30% on the previous year. 

Action No.2 : Stornoway Airport JET Bus

The START project provides an opportunity to extend the JET brand to Stornoway Airport. Stornoway is the largest town and administrative centre of the Outer Hebrides which is the archipelago to the north west of the Scottish mainland. The aim of this action is to introduce a low floor easy access bus on a new route to Stornoway airport operating on an hourly frequency designed to meet all flights at the Airport.  

Action No.3 : Kirkwall Airport JET Service

The START project has supported the introduction of the JET brand to an improved bus service for Kirkwall Airport in the Orkney Islands. A modern low floor easy access bus has been branded in the JET livery and operates on a half hourly frequency from Kirkwall Travel Centre to Kirkwall Airport.

The START project funding will help improve infrastructure and information on the JET route to the Airport and the connecting services that link Kirkwall Travel Centre with the ferry terminals at Stromness, St Margaret’s Hope and Kirkwall Travel Centre and Airport.

The JET service bus is fitted with a real time information system to give passengers excellent service information and real time information screens will be installed at Stromness Travel Centre and St Margaret’s Hope Ferry Terminal.

Action No.4 : Inverness City and Airport Bus Service Development

HITRANS launched the original JET service in July 2007 with support from the Scottish Government. This service provides the blueprint for this activity and the START project allows the route to develop and improve while extending the concept to other parts of the Highlands and Islands.

The Inverness Airport JET service provides fast reliable frequent journeys from Inverness Airport to Inverness City Centre. The bus route is branded in a striking JET livery that makes it easily identifiable as the Airport bus route. The buses that operate the route include four low floor easy access double deck buses which are fitted with leather seats for passenger comfort, luggage racks, CCTV for passenger safety and real time information for convenience.  

Since the JET service and brand was introduced to Inverness Airport patronage has continued to increase each year. The success of the project was recognised in November 2010 when it was recognised at the Transport Times Scottish Transport Awards as winner of the “Best Bus Service” category.

Contact of the Activity leader:

Mr. Ranald Robertson (Ranald.robertson@hitrans.org.uk)

For more up to date information, please download the Project Findings Summary published in autumn 2011. The Final brochure will be released by the end of May 2012.