Public transport services return to normal

LOCAL bus and inter-island ferry timetables will return to normal from Monday including reinstatement of late evening services, Shetland Islands Council has said.

Late evening bus services will begin again from Friday 24 July and Saturday 25 July on the four routes to/from Lerwick: Scalloway (Service 4), Sumburgh/South Mainland (Service 6), Walls (Service 9) and Toft/Mossbank (Service 23).

Social distancing on buses has been reduced to one metre, in line with Scottish Government recommendations, and will be rolled out across the bus network in the coming days.

Inter-island ferries will also operate late evening services from Monday 20 July, and the summer timetable is now available online at: www.shetland.gov.uk/ferries/timetable.asp

The requirement to book ferry journeys will be relaxed with a return to the practice of ‘bookings only’ limited to the late evening services on Yell Sound, Bluemull Sound and Whalsay routes.

There is no requirement to book any services on the Bressay service.

Although ferry bookings will no longer be mandatory, passengers are asked to continuing doing so wherever possible, to help with travel planning and management of capacity on the vessels, an SIC spokesperson said.

The council is working to introduce contactless payment facilities on all ferries as soon as practically possible. In the meantime the account-based system remains in place and passengers are encouraged to continue to use this option where they can.

The wearing of face coverings remains mandatory for all bus passengers over the age of five, unless medically exempt. Face coverings must also be worn on enclosed spaces in ferries, including passenger lounges.