Assynt pupils' participation in after-school activities hindered by loss of key Ullapool to Lochinver bus service
Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.
The withdrawal of a school bus service in the north-west has led to pupils losing out on after school activities and travellers being inconvenienced, it is claimed.
Assynt Community Council is now working towards the reinstatement of the 5.20pm Ullapool to Lochinver bus.
It was agreed at the group’s meeting last week that chairman Liam Taylor should seek a meeting to discuss the issue with Highland Council senior transport officer Ali MacDonald.
But community council secretary Phil Jones admitted: “We are not hopeful of a timely solution.”
Ewens Coach Hire were contracted by the local authority to provide a late (5.20pm) bus from Ullapool to Lochinver on Monday to Thursday during term time.
Mr Jones said: “The late bus allowed Lochinver children to attend after-school activities and still get home safely."
“It also provided a vital connection for anyone travelling from Inverness who intended to continue on to Lochinver.
However, according to Mr Jones, Ewens withdrew the service at the end of last year at short notice. It is understood retirement was a factor in the move.
Highland Council put out tenders but were unsuccessful and no replacement service has since been put in place.
“This impacts on those children who need to attend after-school activities as part of their curriculum,” continued Mr Jones.
“It also means that anyone travelling on public transport from Lochinver to Inverness for the day is unable to get back home from Ullapool that same afternoon.”
Highland Council confirmed it had been unable to source a replacement bus contractor for the route in question despite inviting tenders and said it had currently no further plans to retender.
A local authority spokesman said: "Routes are being retendered for new contracts in January 2023."
Do you have a story for the Northern Times? Email: caroline.mcmorran@hnmedia.co.uk