Rural communities in the south of Moray can look forward to enjoying new connections to the coast next year through an electric bus service.
Hitrans, the regional transport partnership for the Highlands and Islands, has received cash from the Scottish Government to purchase the vehicle.
Moray Council is now working to identify a route to connect parts of Speyside and the area’s coastal towns.
Concerns have been raised in recent years about the lack of public transport in rural communities which has led to social isolation and a greater reliance on cars.
But the introduction of the new green vehicle was welcomed yesterday by Speyside Glenlivet councillor Louise Laing.
She said: “This is definitely a step in the right direction because there is generally a lack of bus services for our rural communities.
“We could still do with better connection from Speyside south towards Aviemore, but this will definitely be an improvement on what we already have.”
Hitrans has been awarded a grant of £127,000 from the Scottish Government’s Green Bus Fund to help buy the vehicle.
Tests are currently being done on the bus, which is expected to come into operation early next year.
A scheduled service will be run on the route during the morning and afternoon peaks with further services expected during the middle of the day.
An allocation of £35,000 has been awarded from the European-sponsored Green Passenger Transport in Rural Areas fund in order to market the route.
The cash boosts for the project follow the announcement of an £810,000 upgrade for the Speyside Way, which will include two new rapid charger ports in Aberlour.
Julie Cromarty, public transport information officer for Hitrans, said: “This is really good news for this pioneering project.
“The marketing campaign will raise awareness of the benefits of travelling sustainably in rural areas where there has been no previous public transport links and therefore a high car usage.”