Bus fares across Western Isles could rise by 25% as fares fail to keep pace with inflation for a decade

Bus fares across the Western Isles could rise by 25% under proposals going before councillors this month, with officers warning that fares have failed to keep pace with inflation for a decade.

The move comes as Comhairle nan Eilean Siar looks to finalise its budget for 2026/2027 and forms part of a wider budget strategy that also includes a proposed 9.5% council tax increase and higher levies on second homes, and use of £250,000 of the authority’s reserves.

Increases in other service fees and charges are also proposed.

A report by head of municipal services Colm Fraser recommends increasing single adult fares across all distance bands to help cover operating costs on subsidised island services.

Had fares followed inflation since 2016, they would now be around 38% higher than current levels, the report states.

Under the proposals going to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on February 24:

A single adult fare for journeys up to one mile would rise from £1.10 to £1.40. Journeys of four to five miles would increase from £1.60 to £2, while a ten to 12-mile trip would go from £2.50 to £3.20. The longest journeys of 56 miles and over would rise from £7.80 to £9.80.

However, a Scottish Government £2 fare cap pilot is being rolled out across the Highlands and Islands, which will limit the impact on longer journeys. The 12-month, £10m scheme launched in Shetland on January 30 and will be extended to the Western Isles at a later date.

During the pilot, no single adult or child fare will exceed £2.

For shorter trips where fares are already under £2, return or ten-journey tickets may often be cheaper than multiple capped singles, a report on the proposals confirms.

To further reduce the impact on regular passengers, discounts on return tickets would increase from 20% to 35%, while ten-journey ticket discounts would rise from 33.3% to around 47%. This would limit price increases on these tickets to 5% or less.

The report notes that Transport Services had been considering the 25% increase prior to the announcement of the fare cap pilot.

Concessionary pass holders will not be affected by any fare increases.

Other charges

Most other municipal service fees could also be set to rise by 5% in line with budget assumptions, according to the report.

However, the lower rate of landfill tax will more than double from £4.05 to £8.65 per tonne, while the standard rate rises from £126.15 to £130.75.

Burial charges will increase, with lair fees rising from £700 to £735 and adult interment fees from £550 to £577.50. There is no charge for children’s interments.

Bulky household waste collection will rise from £34 to £35.70 for up to five items.

Public convenience charges at Perceval Square, Stornoway, remain unchanged at 50p.

The report also removes a fee for residential caravan site licences for single units where the caravan occupier is the owner.