Portmahomack to Tain bus service pilot extended

The buses run between Portmahomack and Tain

Highland Council says it is extending a trial bus service from Portmahomack to Tain in Ross-shire until next year.

The 416A pilot service has been operating twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, since a three-month trial started in July.

It was due to draw to a close at the end of this week, but the local authority said that following discussions the service would now be extended until January.

Paul Reid, of Highland Council, said: "During this time we will work with the local community council to establish demand and look to develop a service early 2026 that strives to meet the needs of the community."

The pilot extension follows Highland Council taking over Inverness-based company D&E Coaches earlier this year.

The local authority had been spending about £25m a year on school and public transport provision.

Rising costs around contracts for public transport led to it setting up its own bus team, which had already been operating 16 public service routes.

Highland Council said in February buying D&E Coaches would help in its efforts to improve local bus services as well as reducing its school transport costs.

When will the buses run?

Highland Coincil said the current timetable will remain in place for the extended pilot.

The first bus of the day departs from Main Street, Portmahomack, at 09:40, stopping at Tarrel at 09:45am and Shore Road in Inver at 09:51 before arriving in Tain at 10:00.

Another two journeys from Portmahomack depart at 13:40 and 17:40.

The two return journeys each Tuesday and Thursday from Tain to Portmahomack depart at 13:15 and 17:15.