George. Posted January 8, 2011 Report Share Posted January 8, 2011 On Thursday morning I arrived back in Shetland. I got off the boat and, as I live in Hillswick, I got on the 7.55am bus to Brae, expecting to catch the 9.40 bus from Brae up to the house in Hillswick. I stood at the bus stop over the road from the Co-op in Brae and the bus came along on time, gave me a wave and passed on by. I got a taxi. Cost? Twenty quid!!! During the summer the 9.40 service to Hillswick runs. Any other time it does not but - and it is a big but - the same bus makes the same journey at the same time because it has to get to Hillswick to depart at 10.00am with people going to Brae or Lerwick, wherever. I don't drive. Next time I get off the ferry out of season, how do you suggest I get home? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Girzie Posted January 8, 2011 Report Share Posted January 8, 2011 Ask a friend to fetch you. Wait until the evening and take the later bus which does go through. Hitch if you don't have too much luggage. Advertise beforehand on Shetlink to see if anybody is travelling that way around that time and offer them a fiver towards petrol.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George. Posted January 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2011 Next time the bus passes by Girzie, I'll give you a shout!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustMe Posted January 8, 2011 Report Share Posted January 8, 2011 Well perhaps you could see if any other people in the Hillswick area would like to use this bus outside the summer period and try getting your councillor to press for it to be a year round service. After all if the bus is travelling the route anyway it might even be that fares collected would defray any extra cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaydee67 Posted January 8, 2011 Report Share Posted January 8, 2011 That run is in column C, doesn't say what C stands for. http://www.zettrans.org.uk/bus/NorthMainland.asp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostrider Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 I was going to say 'walk'....then I checked a map. Seriously though, such is the price you pay to live here, always has been and probably always will be. You either have to be able to drive, or then have to plan your transport requirement around the services there is. If you expect anything near to a "full public transport service", you have to choose to live near the main N/S arterial route, or in one of the few significant population centres. It would be nice to have a full public transport service everywhere, but in the current "cut, cut, cut" mood, expecting the public authority to subsidise yet more routes I see as unrealistic. In all probability we'll see some of the lesser used routes axed completely on cost saving grounds, before we see any new ones added. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George. Posted January 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 Because of my moans and groans and the help of the community council I understand that the drivers have been told that they can pick me up and take me home at 9.40am. Thank you!!! That is absolutely wonderful, it solves what could be a very large problem, not only for me but for the rest of the people that live in the area. It also allows the out-of-season tourists (and they do exist!!!) to come along and see the area and what we have to offer. Big round of applause, eh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostrider Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 ^^ I almost don't believe it, an outbreak of common sense and moving things along at a decent speed in the corridors of power. Lets hope its catching, and good on you for making a difference. If the bus has to travel in two directions anyway, the cost is already factored in to the contract, so its nonsense only to take passengers one way, but rarely do folk behind remote desks think that way. Researching route demand, re-tendering, yadda, yadda is usually the only way they can think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlos Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 Although of course, the council choosing to offer a subsidy for a route or not doesn't stop the bus company running a service on it if they want to.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frances144 Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 Wow! Result. Respek. Well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 Wow! Result. Respek. Well done. Tut tut Frances, your spelling is atrocious today! That's RespekT! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifi Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 Well done George. Seems pointless for the bus to be going anyway but not taking people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJ of Hildisvik Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 Common sense at last, now for a 10.00am bus on a Wednesday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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