Reduced timetable for Stagecoach
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Temporary changes to bus services across Caithness and beyond are being introduced by Stagecoach from Monday.
This follows new government advice around social contact and non-essential travel to help combat the coronavirus.
A reduced timetable will operate across the Highland region "until further notice".
A spokesperson said: "The timetables have been carefully created to ensure that critical routes are maintained wherever possible."
Services in Caithness, Inverness, the Black Isle, Easter Ross and Aviemore will be operating to a temporary timetable.
Services in Skye and Orkney will continue to operate to the winter timetable. Service 10 Inverness – Aberdeen will operate to a Sunday timetable.
The reduction in service follows "extensive action" by bus operators to enhance cleaning regimes and protect the safety and wellbeing of customers and employees.
David Beaton, managing director for Stagecoach Highlands, said: “Along with other bus operators and key sectors, we are working hard to support the national effort to tackle the current challenging situation.
"The safety of our customers and our employees is at the heart of everything we do. We also know that our bus services play a vital role in keeping the country running and ensuring key sector personnel get to work.
“Following the latest government advice, we have reviewed our timetables and made temporary changes which reflect the reduced level of travel. Our objective has been to focus resources on where we know they are needed most at this time.
“We are working hard to best maintain essential services, safeguard jobs and ensure the long-term sustainability of a sector which is central to our economy and communities.
“We will continue to monitor the position, liaise closely with government and other authorities, and respond as appropriate to what is a dynamic situation.”
Stagecoach has implemented additional hygiene measures to protect passengers, frontline bus workers and office-based staff.
It says that in addition to well-established and rigorous cleaning regimes there has been more frequent cleaning of main customer touch-points on buses, such as hand-poles and grab-rails.
Travel shops in Inverness and Elgin will also close until further notice.
Customers can stay up to date with all the latest news from Stagecoach on Twitter @StagecoachHLand or by signing up to its email mailing list. Details are available at stagecoachbus.com
