ZetTrans, the transport strategy partnership for Shetland, today announces that new bus timetables will come into effect across Shetland from Monday 17 August 2026.
The changes across the local bus network are designed to improve accessibility, increase travel opportunities, and better support the needs of current and future bus passengers. A key feature of the new timetables is the introduction of additional evening and weekend services, providing greater flexibility for people travelling for work, leisure, social activities and appointments.
The updated timetables are the result of feedback received from communities, passengers and stakeholders during public consultation events that took place in late 2024. The introduction of the new timetables follows the approval by the board of ZetTrans in February 2026 of the business case for public and school bus services, after considering the feedback from the consultation events. Work has been ongoing in recent months to finalise details of services, working with local operators who will provide the new network.
The enhanced network includes:
- Additional evening journeys on Service 9 (Lerwick to Walls via Aith) and Service 23 (Lerwick to Mossbank/Toft)
- Introduction of Sunday services on Services 9 and 23
- Introduction of a bookable overland service for the North Isles on Sundays (Services 24V, 28, 29, 30)
- Reconfiguration of Service 19 (Lerwick to Vidlin)
- Improved health centre connections for Fetlar, Vidlin and Nesting areas
- Improved connections to/from Holmsgarth ferry terminal in Lerwick
- Re-routing of Service 6 (Lerwick to Sumburgh) and Service 7 (Bigton and Quendale Feeder)
- Revised timetables across the network to improve reliability and better reflect passenger demand.
Full timetable information will be available before the launch date on the ZetTrans website, the Shetland Travel App and through the Traveline Scotland journey planner.
Passengers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the new timetables before travelling, as departure times on some services may have changed. Paper copies of the timetables will also be available locally, at shops, leisure centres, health centres and Shetland Library.
Councillor Moraig Lyall, Chair of ZetTrans, and the Council’s Environment & Transport Committee, said:
"We are delighted to introduce these new timetables, which represent one of the most significant improvements to Shetland's bus network in recent years. The changes have been shaped by the valuable feedback we received during our public consultation, and we would like to thank everyone who took the time to share their views.
“The additional evening and weekend services will give people more opportunities to travel by bus, whether they're commuting to work, attending activities, visiting friends and family or enjoying everything Shetland has to offer. We hope these improvements will encourage more people to choose public transport as a convenient, reliable and sustainable way to travel."
“Coupled with the £2 bus fare cap, bus travel has never been a better option for getting about Shetland.”
“At a time when many communities across Scotland are losing their bus services or seeing them reduced it is great that we are taking the decision to invest in our bus network. We hope those who asked for the additional services will find them helpful and make a significant difference to their ability to get around.”