£2 fare cap pilot launches in Orkney

06 Mar 2026

Maximum single adult bus fare capped at £2 across Orkney as part of Scottish Government pilot
Year-long scheme aims to make travel more affordable and encourage greater use of public transport
Part of £10 million investment supporting sustainable and accessible transport across the Highlands and Islands

A new £2 bus fare cap pilot will launch in Orkney on Monday (9 March), making bus travel cheaper and more accessible for local residents and visitors across the islands.

Customers travelling on services operated by Stagecoach North Scotland on the island will pay no more than £2 for a single adult journey as part of the Scottish Government’s Regional Bus Fare Cap Pilot.

The year-long initiative is designed to support affordability, encourage a shift towards more sustainable transport and improve access to opportunities across rural and island communities.

The pilot is funded through a £10 million Scottish Government investment and delivered in partnership with Transport Scotland, HITRANS and ZetTrans. Participating operators, like Stagecoach, will be reimbursed for fares above the £2 cap.

The scheme was first introduced in Shetland on 30 January and Western Isles on 23 February. The rollout continues this month across Highland, Moray and Argyll and Bute, beginning on 23 March.

In rural and island areas where journeys can often be longer and fares comparatively higher, the pilot is expected to make a meaningful difference by reducing travel costs and strengthening access to employment, education, healthcare and other essential services.

David Beaton, Managing Director at Stagecoach North Scotland, said:

“This change will be genuinely transformative for customers in Orkney, and we’re pleased to be taking part in the pilot programme. We operate right at the heartbeat of the community on the island and understand the vital role bus services play in helping people stay connected to work, education, services and each other.

“We’re hopeful this will encourage new customers to start using our services and to take advantage of the outstanding value on offer. It promises to be an exciting time for bus travel in Orkney.”

Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, said:

“It’s great to see that the £2 Bus Fare Cap Pilot is now live in Orkney, following the earlier launches in Shetland and the Western Isles. This means that, for the duration of the pilot, no one will pay more than £2 for a bus journey in Orkney, the Western Isles or Shetland.

“The pilot delivers on a key Scottish Government Budget commitment and aims to make bus travel more affordable, improve access for low-income communities, and support sustainable travel for people across the HITRANS and ZetTrans regions.”

Ranald Robertson, Partnership Director at HITRANS, added:

“The fare cap pilot could have major benefits for the Highlands and Islands. It will improve the affordability and accessibility of bus travel, with the expected increased use of public transport helping to make services more sustainable.”

Kristopher Leask, councillor at Orkney Islands Council and HITRANS board member, said:

“I’m delighted to see the bus fare cap launch in the Highlands and Islands, and Orkney specifically. Buses are first and foremost public services, making amenities and travel accessible to our community.

“This pilot is a positive step in making public transport more affordable and accessible, and we look forward to hearing from local people about their experiences as the scheme progresses.”

The £2 fare cap is expected to encourage more people to choose the bus for everyday journeys, helping reduce congestion and supporting a more sustainable transport network across the region.