Passengers using public transport to access Orkney and Shetland can now take advantage of integrated tickets in conjunction with Hitrans, the regional transport partnership body for the Highlands and Islands.
Orkney and Shetland ” the UK”s most northerly outposts ” can present a challenge for passengers but train operator, First ScotRail and NorthLink Ferries, have co-operated to create through tickets that combine bus, rail and ferry journeys.
Customers can now travel by train to Aberdeen and then by ferry to Kirkwall (Orkney), or travel by train to Thurso (northern Scotland), catch a bus to Scrabster Pier and onward to Stromness (Orkney).
”Integrated travel is high on our agenda and I am confident these through tickets will be well received by those already using the routes, as well as encouraging more people to travel,” said First ScotRail commercial director, Peter Williams.
Hitrans also welcomed the initiative noting that if successful, the scheme could be introduced on other routes.
”Linking the Far North line and the Scrabster-Stromness ferry route, brings together two of Scotland”s most scenic journeys and with the new ticketing options through Aberdeen, the Northern Isles have never been more accessible,” added NorthLink Ferries commercial director, Gareth Crichton.