Bus contracts extended as more time needed for business case work
WORK to explore what Shetland’s bus services could look like in the future has had its timeline put back – with the “volume of responses” gained from an engagement exercise cited as the reason.
The current bus contracts have been extended by a year as a result to allow for work to continue on a business case.
People’s views were sought last year by transport partnership ZetTrans and the council to shape the network – which includes mainline and feeder buses together with rural shopper and health centre services – ahead of the next round of contracts.
In a recent update to community councils, Shetland Islands Council transport contracts and operations office Elaine Park said nearly 1,000 responses were received in total.
“Due to the volume of responses, it has been necessary to amend the timeline for the business case work and service contracts have been extended for 12 months in order to enable this to happen,” she wrote.
The next phase of contracts was due to start in August this year but it has now been pushed back to August 2026.
An initial strategic business case report went in front of councillors in private late last year, and Park said the “wealth of information” gained from the engagement exercise has been used to help develop the options for the future public bus network.
An outline business case is being worked through, which is expected to culminate in a recommendation for the preferred future network – with this set to report to ZetTrans and the council in September.
Sonia Robertson of bus company R. Robertson & Son said offers of a 12-month extension, through to mid-August 2026, were made in December.
“All operators are banking on the next tendering process being delivered on the promised timescale, which would mean that before the 16th February we know the contract awards, meeting the agreed the six-month lead in time for operators,” she said.
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Regarding the length of the contract extension, ZetTrans chair councillor Moraig Lyall said many of the contracts relate to school transport or services which double up as both public and school transport.
“It makes sense to introduce new contracts at the start of the academic year rather than trying to make major changes part way through, hence the reason why the delay is not shorter,” she said.
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