Covid-19 strikes public transport as services are cancelled in Lewis and Harris

Stornoway bus station will be closed all weekend

Late yesterday, a council spokesman told the Gazette: “A number of positive cases and the resulting Test and Protect self-isolation measures has resulted in a significant reduction in the available bus driver pool in both Bus na Comhairle and the private service providers. In these challenging circumstances, the difficult decision to suspend services was the only appropriate option.”

Severe disruption is also expected to bus timetables at the beginning of the week.

Those requiring to travel are reminded about precautions around car sharing. Further information can be found on the website at: https://www.transport.gov.scot/travelling-during-covid-19/advice-on-car-and-vehicle-sharing/

Stornoway Bus Station remains closed to all public access.

Members of the public are asked to check the Comhairle website and social media channels for further updates over the weekend.

School Transport

School transport in Lewis and Harris will be significantly affected on the week beginning March 8 for all pupils expecting to attend school. To reduce demand on services as much as possible and to allow the council to best prioritise any available transport we ask the following from parents:

• Provide school transport directly or make alternative arrangements, taking note of the precautionary advice about car-sharing.

• Where there is absolutely no alternative transport available, parents can make a request for transport using this link: www.bit.ly/cnesbus

Any parents without access to the online form can contact Faire on 01851 701702. Please only use this number to request transport when the online form cannot be accessed. Additional information will not be available from this number.

The Comhairle will try to make arrangements to meet all requests received but, due to the significant level of disruption caused by Covid-19 to the bus network locally, they cannot guarantee that making a request will result in transport being provided. Parents that complete a registration will be informed if transport will be possible.

ASN school transport in Lewis and Harris and all school transport across Uist and Barra is currently not affected.