Highland Perthshire bus service extended to five days a week thanks to funding boost

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Highland Perthshire bus service has been extended to a five-day pilot for the next 12 months thanks to a funding boost.The number 91 service — which operates between Aberfeldy, Kenmore, Acharn, Fearnan, Fortingall and Weem — will now also offer additional travel between Aberfeldy and Tummel Bridge/Kinloch Rannoch on Saturdays.The move follows Perth and Kinross Council’s successful bid to the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places Open Fund.The funding will enhance the council’s subsidised three-day-a-week service, operated by Sweeney’s of Muthill, to allow it to operate a timetable on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.As well as increasing the number of days the service operates, the funding will allow the recruitment of two people to complete the training for a PCV driving licence, cover administration costs and provide consultancy support, marketing and advertising.The pilot project will scope out the need for public transport journeys in the area with the prospect of delivering a community-driven public transport solution.Conservative Highland ward councillor, John Duff, commented: “I was very pleased to use the service recently.“It was an excellent journey in a very comfortable 22-seater bus driven by regular driver, Brian, and I am sure will be a very welcome extension of our local public transport facilities.“Residents in the outlying area will benefit enormously from the revised service, especially those in and around Kenmore and the Loch Tay area, with three or four travel options each day.“Additionally, residents in Kinloch Rannoch or Tummel Bridge will have the opportunity to spend a few hours in Aberfeldy on a Saturday doing their shopping or having a coffee and a catch up with friends.”Cllr Duff