Bus company folds – but isles services unaffected

A SHETLAND-owned bus company ceased trading with immediate effect on Tuesday – but there will be no impact on local services.

Highland Council was forced to create a replacement timetable to enable about 400 pupils to travel to school on Wednesday in areas including Thurso and Wick after Andrew’s (Shetland) Ltd, which provided bus services in the region, folded.

But the company that has ceased trading is separate to the company running some school and ZetTrans buses in Shetland.

In a statement, sole director Morris Morrison said he “regrettably confirmed” that the company ceased trading late on Tuesday.

“Andrew’s (Shetland) Ltd traded on the Scottish mainland and in Orkney and had no current operation in Shetland and as such no customers in Shetland will be affected,” he said.

A spokesman for Shetland Islands Council said the Andrew’s school transport in the islands was provided by the company AGS Morrison.

The Andrew’s (Shetland) Ltd website says the company had a fleet of 40 vehicles ranging from eight to 53 seaters, while it also offered coach tours nationally and internationally.