Bus services

Here in Lewis, the 20,000 strong populace is served by a surprisingly good bus service. The town of Stornoway has two or three dedicated scheduled buses, and there are numerous buses to outlying areas. The exception is Uig, 35 miles to the west, which only has two or three buses going to it in the day, and if you want to come back in the evening, you have to locate a people carrier outside the Timsgarry shop.

I am mentioning this, because Lisa was surprised I could board a schoolbus. It is the very fact that local bus operators have the contracts to take schoolchildren to and from their schools (sometimes from outside their very doors) that we have such an excellent service. By implication, the buses used are part of the normal scheduled service. Anyone can join them, but they are there primarily for the kids. Unlike the USA, where there are dedicated vehicles, which will only carry schoolchildren.

Another unusual aspect of the buses here is that you can join them anywhere you want. Many is the time I have flagged a bus down from the side of the road, miles from anywhere. And the drivers are not surprised at that at all. The only favour they ask is for you to stand in a place where they can pull over safely, and that you give an adequate hand signal.