Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan has met a bus company executive to discuss capacity problems on a route serving a popular ferry port.
Mr Allan has received several complaints about the bus service for foot passengers getting off the Stornoway ferry at Ullapool.
The bus from the village to Inverness has often been full over the summer and some people have been stranded in Ullapool.
Others have been unable to book a seat in advance.
Mr Allan met Citylink’s Operations Director, David Frenz, at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh this week.
The SNP MSP said: “I pressed home the need for additional capacity on this route and the need for much better integration. Over the summer people have repeatedly got in touch with me to complain about getting stranded in Ullapool or not being able to book onto the bus days in advance.
“More generally I also pointed out that better integration between Citylink and CalMac could help solve this problem. For example; it would help if CalMac were able to highlight on their timetables and online booking systems that it may be necessary to pre-book tickets.
“It might also help if a way could be found at the ferry terminal to ask those buying tickets if they needed a bus. This would give three hours notice of passenger numbers and Citylink have confirmed that this would increase the chances of a second bus being provided.
“Citylink have acknowledged the need for more capacity on this route and have told me that next summer they plan to run a larger bus than the current 49 seater.
“Ultimately the last thing anyone travelling to or from the island wants is to find themselves stuck in Ullapool after a long journey. While I received an assurance from Citylink that everyone who books will get a space on the bus, there is probably still more that could be done to bring CalMac and Citylink together to ensure people are not stranded.”