Forres to Logie Steading 940 service bus funded by the Finderne Development Trust to begin
A new rural bus service funded by the community it serves is starting next week.
On Monday, September 23, the 940 will run four times daily between Forres and Logie Steading via the Half Davoch road replaces a service which ran on a similar route but was discontinued when the school bus contract was renewed.
Edinkillie Community Association (ECA) secretary Moira Dennis confirmed, at a time when local bus services are under greater pressure than ever, she is delighted with the launch.
She explained: “Funded by the Finderne Development Trust (FDT), which distributes the community benefit fund generated by the Logie windfarm, the bus was originally proposed by members of the ECA, who feel public transport is a basic necessity for rural areas.
“In the autumn of 2022, we persuaded FDT to fund an eight-week trial, running a hired minibus driven by local volunteers to test demand.
“The trial showed there was interest in a regular timetabled service with paid drivers, rather than for a volunteer-led dial-a-ride option.
“However, the plan is that the Edinkillie bus may be booked by groups or individuals at weekends, or in the hours between its daily timetabled runs. These extra runs will be staffed by trained volunteers.”
The 16-seater will accept Young Scot and 60+ cards so travel for those groups will be free.
Weekly rates for other groups are available - the starter price for a weekly pass is £20, a return £5 and a single fare £3, with payment by card only.
The timetable has been designed to allow people to use it to travel to work, or for Forres Academy pupils to stay for after-school clubs or to see friends.
The bus will give greater freedom to students at the Glasgow School of Art campus on Altyre estate.
It can be flagged down at any point on its route through Edinkillie and Half Davoch, and will use existing bus stops within Forres.
The turnaround point in town will be at Lidl on the Greshop Industrial Estate.
Government payments calculated per kilometre travelled will help sustain the service, although its long-term survival will depend on it being used.
For more detail, email Keith Rushton on keitherushton@yahoo.co.uk or Moira Dennis of Edinkillie Community Association via moiradennis24@gmail.com or 07792 831095.
