New public bus services have been announced today, incorporating service changes as a result of community feedback received on the future of the bus network.
Contracts now have been awarded to local bus operators to deliver the new network from Monday 17th August 2026. This follows the recent approval of business cases for the new contracts by both Shetland Islands Council and the board of ZetTrans, Shetland’s Regional Transport Partnership.
The bus network now includes changes after extensive stakeholder engagement, with almost 1000 responses received from individuals, community councils, businesses, voluntary groups and Youth Voice.
The additions include – the introduction of evening services to the West and North Mainland, departing Lerwick shortly after 7pm; and the introduction of Sunday services for these areas and the North Isles. These new services will enable travel to and from Lerwick, to attend events, sporting opportunities and to visit family and friends.
The corresponding journeys will be timed to enable travel for Northlink Ferries arrivals and departures. It will also be possible to access some of the existing Sunday services which provide access to Sumburgh Airport.
There will also be some alterations to existing services, addressing some of the issues raised through feedback, including an afternoon service through Mossbank; and the introduction of a bookable service from Nesting and Vidlin areas to the Brae Health Centre.
The new service contracts and timetables across the overall network are expected to yield future financial savings to Shetland Islands Council.
Detailed public information of the new journeys and service alterations will be available soon, both electronically and in paper formats, before their introduction in August.
Councillor Moraig Lyall, who Chairs the Council’s Environment and Transport Committee, and ZetTrans, commented, “I am delighted to see new services being added to the public network. This follows extensive work undertaken to look at the overall bus network, and the quantity of feedback received demonstrates the continued need for a widespread and sustainable network, capable of enabling access to services and opportunities.
"This enhanced network delivers on those identified needs, and within the available budget, making bus travel a more feasible option for travellers across Shetland.”