Stagecoach Highlands is making what it says is a £3.3m investment in its Skye fleet that includes the introduction of 11 new Volvo B8RLEs with MCV Evora bodywork for use at Portree depot. They will be joined by a pair of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter-based minibuses early next year.
The operator launched the Volvo MCVs on 2 November. They will be used across the island, including on routes to Portree High School. Each has USB charging points, LED interior lights and the means to accept contactless payments.
Of the new buses, two are 10.8m examples with the remainder at 12.1m. They follow 25 B8RLE Evoras delivered to Stagecoach Highlands in 2021 for use on Orkney.
Says Stagecoach Highlands Managing Director David Beaton: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to provide the people of Skye with a brand-new fleet of buses to improve their daily commute, trip to the shops or journey to school. This investment is part of our long-term commitment to Skye and the communities we serve there.”
Adds The Highland Council Cllr John Finlayson (pictured, right): “I was delighted to attend the launch of the many new buses for Skye, which I know will be greatly appreciated by users across the island. It will also be hugely welcomed by school pupils who use the buses daily and it was great to hear the positive feedback from them at the launch.”
