Press release

30 August 2019

ZetTrans Area Transport Forums – All Welcome

ZetTrans has set the dates for the first round of Area Transport Forums, which will take place from late August to mid September.

Given the scale of the localities involved, two or more events will be taking place in each area and people can attend whichever is most suitable or accessible for them. Dates and times are shown below, or can be seen on Shetland Times’ public notices. Anyone wishing to get involved is invited to contact ZetTrans on 01595 744868 or by email to zettrans@shetland.gov.uk or simply turn up on the day. Those requiring assistance with transport to attend the events should let transport staff know.

The purpose of the Forums is to develop ongoing, regular two-way engagement between ZetTrans and the communities it serves. It is a move away from stand-alone issue-based consultations undertaken in isolation from other key services. It is hoped that this approach will help with the future development and monitoring of affordable, accessible and sustainable transport services that meet the needs of Shetland’s residents, businesses and visitors.

Transport Policy and Projects Officer Robina Barton: “We are keen to develop Forums in each of the seven localities defined in Shetland’s Partnership Plan to ensure consistency of development with other agencies across Shetland. We want to build up groups that are representative of their communities and the different interests within them. The door is very much open to get involved and I would encourage anyone with an interest, anyone reliant on public transport, and anyone that would like to make more use of public and active forms of transport to consider taking part.”

The first round of Transport Forums will focus on understanding how people feel about transport in their area, and specifically on exploring development of the next network of Public Bus services, which will come into effect in August 2020.