Stagecoach Bluebird is no longer running a direct bus service from Inverness Airport east
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INVERNESS Airport users from the area should be aware that there is no longer a bus running from the site to take them home.
Former service operator, Stagecoach Bluebird, made the change at the height of last summer, during coronavirus lockdown when fewer flights were allowed.
A Stagecoach spokesperson said: “The direct bus service connecting Inverness Airport and Nairn was revised on June 28, reflecting the reduced demand for bus services connecting to the airport. Service 11 was altered to serve Inverness, Inverness Airport and Ardersier with the connection to Nairn withdrawn as a result of extremely low use.”
Passengers wishing to travel to Forres and onward east along the A96 who disembark from a flight at Inverness Airport must now make their way to a bus stop back towards Inverness at the side of the north’s major road.
The operator spokesperson explained: “For those who still require to connect from Inverness Airport to Nairn, our online journey planner will show the connecting services with a change of bus either at Tornagrain or Inverness Retail Park.”
Moray Councillor George Alexander (Forres, Independent) was disappointed to hear about the lack of service.
He said: “Since deregulation, our bus services are provided by private companies which motivated by profits rather than quality of service. Roll on the completion of the new rail station at Dalcross and let’s hope there will be a bus link from the new station to the airport terminal.”
Cllr Aaron McLean (Forres, SNP) added: “It shows how much people rely on cars in this area when you can’t catch a bus due to a private company withdrawing the service. This just isn’t good enough from Stagecoach.”
Highlands and Islands MSP Ariane Burgess lives in Forres.
She said: “Whilst I understand the pressures faced by Stagecoach during Covid and the need to make unavoidable service reductions, I hope that these will be reviewed regularly in line with the latest restrictions and demand. I would hope that the aim is to reinstate normal service levels and improve customer experience as soon as possible.”
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead added: “Inverness Airport is an important connection for people in Moray who need to travel for business, leisure or to visit family, and once we’re through the pandemic I’d expect to see Stagecoach reinstate this important bus link.”
