Stagecoach North Scotland has invested over £750,000 in a purpose built depot in Portree.
The new depot is now the base for 15 buses which operate throughout the Isle of Skye.
The depot, situated on Broom Place, includes engineering and maintenance facilities with Bluetooth vehicle lifts in addition to compressed air technology. The new site also includes parking and washing facilities for the vehicles.
The improvements will allow all maintenance work to be carried out in Portree which previously would have been completed at the Fort William depot, 107 miles away.
While constructing the depot, Stagecoach and Andrew Cowie Construction installed a geothermal climate system to heat the building. In addition, depot insulation is over and above the recommended requirements and is fitted with energy efficient Dextra lighting.
Steve Walker, Managing Director at Stagecoach North Scotland, said: “We are delighted to open the new depot which has good on site facilities for both the engineering and driving staff.
“The previous depot gave us limited opportunity to maintain the vehicles, so this will make our operations in Skye much more efficient.”
Stagecoach employs 20 people in the Isle of Skye and is currently recruiting for trainee and qualified bus drivers.
