I write in response to the routeone industry expert column published in January’s issue.
One must remember that The Highland Council had less choice of operators on tenders when one particular operator in the area was bought out by a larger PLC in 2008, leaving only the corporate and a smaller company to run those tenders – which was, in effect, everything outside of Inverness, across a very large rural area.
All of the Scottish Highlands is tendered – from Fort William to the Isle of Skye, from Dornoch all the way to Thurso, and my old base of Nairn.
Back in 2009, The Highland Council was contemplating its own service, but could not, until the legislation changed recently. It also has very knowledgeable council officials in transport.
There has been an element of corporates dictating prices over the past 10 years in the area, effectively forcing the authority to move such as it has.
The Highland Council may not be able to run services any cheaper than before, but it will be able to minimise demands that are forcing prices up.
Having said all that, it remains one of the most gorgeous places to work and live, with seven depots scattered over many miles of amazing scenery.
