Shetland gets first commercial bus service

R. Robertson & Son is to launch Shetland’s first commercial bus service this Sunday (7 April 2024), offering four circular journeys every Sunday until 29 September 2024.

Designed to offer visitors and cruise ship passengers with an alternative activity on Sundays when shops and public bus services are limited, the service will operate a 108-minute loop from Lerwick (serving all piers, the Viking Bus Station and Esplanade). The route will offer passengers the chance to see sites including Clickimin Broch, the Sands of Sound, Scalloway, Hamnavoe, Meal Beach, Law Ting Holm and Tingwall Loch.

Alex Johnson, Operations Manager at R.Robertson & Son, told B&CB that it will mainly be using its Alexander Dennis Enviro200s on the route, but on occasions may use other vehicles. For instance, on days predicted to be quieter, it may use its Wrightbus Streetlite or PSVAR Iveco Revolution, which joined the fleet last month.

Passengers are able to purchase a day ticket for unlimited travel so they can ‘hop on and off’ as many times as they like during the day. Tickets can be purchased online through R.Robertson & Sons’ sales partner, Viator, or by cash or card from the driver.

“It is hoped that this service will go some way to relieving the pressure on existing local bus services” – Alex Johnson, Operations Manager

A press release signed off by Alex Johnson, Operations Manager, said: “It is hoped that this service will go some way to relieving the pressure on existing local bus services which struggled with capacity on busy days last summer, while also providing additional transport options to local residents.”