Stagecoach has defended the new batch of buses it has introduced on its daily X99 service between Caithness and Inverness.
The company has faced flak from a number of passengers about changes which it is claimed are bad news for disabled and elderly people and parents with prams or push-chairs.
Retired bookshop owner Kevin Crowe said: “These new buses only have three seats downstairs, plus one space for a wheelchair, with most people having to climb a quite steep set of stairs to the upper deck.
“It seems Stagecoach, which receives subsidies from the Highland Council, is not concerned about its customers with mobility issues, nor its customers with babies and young children.”
Mr Crowe, from Wick, maintains the buses are discriminatory and intends pressing the issue with the company and north politicians.
He said: “Many of us will no longer be able to use the X99 service, forcing us to either use the limited and lengthy train service or drive, and there are lots of people who either cannot drive or who do not have access to a car.
“Given that many of us have regular appointments at Raigmore, this retrogressive move will make it even harder and more costly for us to attend these.”
A spokesperson for Stagecoach North Scotland said: “All of our vehicles in Caithness are fully compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act and meet all the required vehicle standards.
“The X99 service is used by a wide range of customers with varying journey lengths from local trips to end-to-end travel and we are aware that our customers have a range of opinions on the coaches we have introduced to the X99 service.
“These coaches have allowed us to increase the capacity on the service and we are pleased to have already seen an improvement in reliability on the service since their introduction.”