The Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership

What The Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership does

The Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS) is a statutory Regional Transport Partnership established under the Transport (Scotland) Act 2005, one of seven such bodies in Scotland. It serves the Highlands and Islands region — covering Eilean Siar (Western Isles), Orkney, Highland, Moray, and most of Argyll and Bute — which represents approximately 50% of Scotland's land mass but less than 10% of its population. Its statutory remit spans transport strategy, infrastructure planning, and project delivery across active travel, bus, rail, ferry, air, and road modes. The organisation is governed by a Board of five councillors (one per member council) plus three non-council ministerial appointees, and operates with an executive team of roughly 20+ staff supported by shared services from member councils (HR from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar; payroll/finance from Highland Council).

HITRANS's core product is the statutory Regional Transport Strategy, supported by a portfolio of operational programmes: the HI-BIKE e-bike sharing scheme operating in Inverness and Fort William with planned expansion to Elgin; the Scottish Islands Passport app covering 72 inhabited, accessible Scottish islands with 30,000+ downloads; the Sustainable Aviation Test Environment (SATE) at Kirkwall Airport — the UK's first operationally based low-carbon aviation test centre; the People and Place behaviour change programme (14,000 participants in 2024-25 across five local authorities); the £2 Bus Fare Cap Pilot backed by £10 million of Scottish Government funding; the GO HI public transport information platform; the EV Infrastructure Shared Service (covering six councils); and feasibility studies such as the Fort William Integrated Transport Plan and Inverness Interchange. Underlying technology assets are modest — HITRANS is a planning and partnership body, not a software company — but it operates the Scottish Islands Passport mobile app, journey planning integration via Traveline Scotland, and a multi-modal transport data footprint across the region.

HITRANS does not operate a commercial revenue model. It is funded through a combination of statutory requisitions from its five member local authorities, project and programme grants from the Scottish Government channelled through Transport Scotland (including the People and Place Programme and Bus Service Improvement Plan), and borrowing powers for capital expenditure. The only direct user charge identified is a £25/month subscription for the HI-BIKE Inclusive Cycling Membership scheme (adapted bikes for accessibility needs), while the £2 Bus Fare Cap is a price ceiling on third-party operators reimbursed by Transport Scotland. Customers are effectively public sector bodies — Transport Scotland, the five member councils, NHS Scotland partners (NHS Grampian North Innovation Hub for SATE drone trials), and transport operators (CalMac, HIAL, Network Rail Scotland). The 10-year SATE strategy, published June 2026, represents the most ambitious forward-looking programme.

Name

The Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership

Legal name

The Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership

Website

https://hitrans.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Statutory Regional Transport Partnership covering 50% of Scotland's land mass across five member councils, coordinating transport strategy, infrastructure projects, and innovation programmes including HI-BIKE, the Scottish Islands Passport app, and the SATE sustainable aviation test centre.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Transport Planning and Public Transport Services

NAICS

Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation (48521), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Other (487990)

SIC

Transportation Services (4700), Local & Suburban Transit & Interurban Hwy Passenger Trans (4100)

akta.pro primary industry

State/Provincial Transportation, Roads & Public Works Administration (BPAIABAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Transportation & Infrastructure Planning (BPAHAKAF)

Keywords

• Regional transport planning
• Public transport services
• Active travel promotion
• Sustainable aviation testing
• Regional transport partnerships

Headquarters

HQ city

Inverness

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Statutory Funding from Member Councils: HITRANS has the power to require funding from its five member local authorities (Highland Council, Moray Council, Argyll and Bute Council, Orkney Islands Council, and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar). This forms a core component of its operational funding.
2. Scottish Government / Transport Scotland Grant Funding: HITRANS receives substantial project funding from Transport Scotland (the Scottish Government's transport agency) channelled through Regional Transport Partnerships. Examples include the People and Place Programme funding and the £2 Bus Fare Cap Pilot (£10 million investment from Scottish Government).
3. Borrowing for Capital Expenditure: HITRANS has powers to borrow money for specific capital expenditure, enabling investment in infrastructure projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

HITRANS is a statutory regional transport partnership that plans, coordinates and funds transport services and infrastructure across the Highlands and Islands region of Scotland. It delivers behaviour-change programmes, digital platforms (Scottish Islands Passport app, HI-BIKE e-bike share, GO HI journey planning), and infrastructure projects spanning active travel, bus, rail, ferry, air and road. Its work is governed by a Board of councillors from five member councils plus Minister-appointed members, and is funded through council requisitions and Scottish Government grants.

Product overview

HITRANS operates as a statutory regional transport partnership covering Eilean Siar (Western Isles), Orkney, Highland, Moray, and most of Argyll and Bute. The organization manages a portfolio of transport-related products and programmes including the HItravel active travel promotion campaign, the HI-BIKE e-bike sharing scheme (with an inclusive cycling membership component), the Scottish Islands Passport app for island exploration, and the People and Place Programme for behaviour change. Key initiatives include the £2 Bus Fare Cap Pilot, the Sustainable Aviation Test Environment (SATE), EV Infrastructure Shared Service, and infrastructure projects such as Inverness Interchange and Fort William Integrated Transport Plan. These offerings work together to improve regional connectivity through sustainable transport modes while modernizing infrastructure across the Highlands and Islands region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Scottish Islands Passport: Mobile app featuring 72 inhabited, accessible Scottish islands linked to a stamp network and themed travelogues to encourage balanced and sustainable travel. The app includes island stamps, island finder feature, and companion travelogues.
• HI-BIKE
• People and Place Programme
• HItravel
• SATE (Sustainable Aviation Test Environment)

Products and services

• HITRANS Regional Transport Strategy Statutory regional transport strategy document for the Highlands and Islands region, providing the overarching framework for transport planning, infrastructure investment and behaviour-change programme delivery across Highland, Moray, Argyll and Bute, Orkney Islands and Eilean Siar.
• HI-BIKE E-Bike Sharing Scheme Regional e-bike sharing scheme providing electric bikes to residents and visitors in Inverness and Fort William with planned expansion to Elgin and other towns, supporting active travel across the Highlands and Islands.
• HI-BIKE Inclusive Cycling Membership Adaptive cycle sharing scheme enabling people with mobility and accessibility needs to receive adapted bikes including electric trikes and handcycles for up to one year at £25 per month, delivered through referral partners Shopmobility Highland, Lochaber Environmental Group and Spinal Injuries Scotland.
• Scottish Islands Passport App Mobile app covering 72 Scottish inhabited accessible islands with digital and physical stamp collection, island finder matching, and themed travelogues to encourage active and sustainable island travel among residents and visitors.
• People and Place Programme Transport Scotland-funded behaviour change programme delivered through five themes (Active Schools, Active Workplaces, Accessibility and Inclusion, Capacity and Capability Building, and Sustainable Transport) targeting schools, workplaces and accessibility groups across the Highlands and Islands.
• £2 Bus Fare Cap Pilot 12-month pilot scheme capping the maximum single adult bus fare at £2 across Highland, Moray, Argyll and Bute, Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland, with concessionary National Entitlement Card passengers continuing to travel free of charge.
• Sustainable Aviation Test Environment (SATE) UK's first operationally based low-carbon aviation test centre at Kirkwall Airport testing drones, electric and hybrid aircraft, hydrogen aircraft, eVTOL aircraft, airships and seagliders across a ten-year strategy backed by a consortium of nine partner organisations.
• EV Infrastructure Shared Service Shared service supporting four Councils with EV infrastructure strategy and delivery, including rural, remote and island provision, aiming to attract private investment alongside public funding for charge point rollout.
• Kirkwall AutoLink Feasibility assessment for deploying autonomous shuttles in Orkney, establishing a pathway towards driverless transport solutions in island contexts as part of the SATE programme.
• Inverness Interchange Feasibility Study Strategic multi-modal transport interchange feasibility study considering bus, rail, active travel and parking to inform Inverness Station Masterplanning, conducted in partnership with Highland Council and Network Rail Scotland.
• Fort William Integrated Transport Plan Strategic 18-month study improving transport infrastructure and connectivity in Fort William, addressing trunk road resilience, journey time reliability and accessibility, undertaken by a partnership between AECOM and Stantec.

Quantifiable outcome

• 14,000 participants engaged through the 2024-25 People and Place Programme, with 130 bikes refurbished and rehomed, 80+ inclusive cycling sessions delivered, and 2,900+ attendances at cycling initiatives.
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• SATE Consortium (Cormorant Seaplanes, EMEC, Hybrid Air Vehicles, NHS Grampian North Innovation Hub, Skyports, Streamline Logistics, University of the Highlands and Islands, Urban Foresight, Windracers)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2026The SATE (Sustainable Aviation Test Environment) consortium brought together nine organisations to develop the ten-year strategy for sustainable aviation technologies in the Highlands and Islands. Partners include aviation technology companies (Cormorant Seaplanes, Hybrid Air Vehicles, Skyports, Windracers), research institutions (EMEC, University of the Highlands and Islands, NHS Grampian North Innovation Hub), and innovation consultancies (Urban Foresight, Streamline Logistics). The strategy assesses six technologies: drones, electric/hybrid aircraft, hydrogen aircraft, eVTOL aircraft, airships and seagliders.
• AECOM and Stantec Partnership (Fort William ITP)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 May 2025HITRANS appointed a partnership between AECOM and Stantec to undertake the 18-month Fort William Integrated Transport Plan study, commissioned in May 2025. The plan addresses trunk road resilience, journey time reliability and accessibility in Fort William.
• People and Place Programme Delivery PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024The People and Place Programme is delivered in partnership with local authorities, health boards, National Park Authorities, community organisations, and private sector partners across Highland, Moray, Orkney Islands, Western Isles and Argyll & Bute. Specific delivery partners include Outfit Moray (inclusive cycling), Travelknowhow Scotland (workplace travel planning), SPIN Project Aviemore (bike reuse), and Lochaber Environmental Group (adaptive cycling equipment).
• HI-BIKE Inclusive Cycling Referral Partners (Shopmobility Highland, Lochaber Environmental Group, Spinal Injuries Scotland)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 April 2024The HI-BIKE Inclusive Cycling Membership scheme is delivered in partnership with Shopmobility Highland (Inverness referrals), Lochaber Environmental Group (Fort William referrals, providing adapted bikes and practical support), and Spinal Injuries Scotland (referrals for people with spinal injuries).
• Transport ScotlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransport Scotland is the Scottish Government's transport agency and the primary funder and strategic partner for HITRANS. It coordinates national transport strategy, provides funding for transport activities and services (including the Air Discount Scheme, Freight Facilities Grants, and ferry services), and is responsible for aviation policy, ferry services, rail and trunk road networks in the HITRANS area. It manages the ScotRail passenger franchise and procures Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) for harbour works.
• Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHIAL is a company wholly owned by the Scottish Ministers that operates nine major airports in the Highlands and Islands region. Inverness is the busiest with nearly 1 million terminal passengers annually. Inverness is the only airport with all-year-round cross-border and international services (to Amsterdam, Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Manchester and Bristol). HIAL is central to the sustainable aviation and drone delivery trials under the SATE project.
• Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHIE is the economic development agency for the Highlands and Islands region and an advisory member of the Fort William Integrated Transport Plan Client Delivery Group. It plays a key role in supporting economic growth and infrastructure development across the region.
• Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMAL is owned by the Scottish Ministers and provides funding for works at harbours used by 'lifeline' ferry services. It owns vessels and port facilities, working in partnership with Caledonian MacBrayne to operate ferry services across the west coast and islands.
• Caledonian MacBraynecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCaledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) is the primary operator of ferry services on the west coast of Scotland, operating the majority of routes by number and traffic levels. Services are procured and funded by the public sector. CalMac is a key partner for ferry-related projects and stakeholder engagement through the Hebrides Ferry Stakeholder Group.
• The Highland CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Highland Council is one of five member local authorities of HITRANS and a key delivery partner for transport projects. It is responsible for the non-trunk road network, bus network support, active travel infrastructure, and is a partner in the Inverness Interchange feasibility study and the Smart Cities programme. It also provides payroll and financial management services for HITRANS.
• Scotland's RailwaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScotland's Railway (Network Rail) is responsible for rail infrastructure in the HITRANS area and is a key partner in the Inverness Interchange feasibility study. The rail network in the area includes 70 stations serving routes to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Thurso, Wick, Kyle of Lochalsh, Oban, Fort William and Mallaig.
• Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerComhairle nan Eilean Siar is one of five member local authorities of HITRANS, representing the Western Isles (Eilean Siar). It is responsible for Orkney's internal ferry services and is a key partner in island transport planning. It also provides HR management and legal support for HITRANS staff.
• Western Ferries and Pentland FerriesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWestern Ferries serves the Cowal peninsula and Pentland Ferries connects Orkney with mainland Scotland. Both are major private ferry operators in the HITRANS area, operating commercially alongside publicly supported routes.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT): The other major Scottish Regional Transport Partnership operating under the same Transport (Scotland) Act 2005 framework. SPT covers the west central belt and even takes in Helensburgh & Lomond (the only area not within HITRANS), making it the closest structural peer for statutory functions, funding mechanisms and regional transport planning powers.
• Transport for Wales: Welsh statutory transport authority with regional planning, infrastructure and integrated transport responsibilities across a wide and rural-heavy geography. Direct UK peer for HITRANS given similar multi-modal remit, statutory status and rural/mixed coverage.
• Sustrans: UK charity that delivers strategic active travel infrastructure and behaviour-change programmes, including the National Cycle Network. Direct peer for HITRANS' People and Place, HI-BIKE and HItravel active travel promotion remit, working alongside HITRANS in the Highlands and Islands.
• Transport for the North (TfN): Sub-national statutory transport body in the north of England with multi-modal planning remit across a large geography. Closest non-Scottish analogue to HITRANS in terms of statutory partnership status, regional strategy role and devolved transport-planning authority.
• South East of Scotland Transport Partnership (SEStran): One of the other seven Scottish Regional Transport Partnerships, operating in the south-east of Scotland. Same statutory basis, same funding mechanisms from Transport Scotland, same regional transport strategy remit — making it a direct peer for benchmarking HITRANS' planning and delivery model.

Broad incumbents

• Transport Scotland: Scottish Government's national transport agency — the primary funder, strategic partner and policy setter for HITRANS. Functions as a parent-style counterpart that sets funding direction, national fare pilots (e.g., £2 bus cap) and aviation policy that HITRANS delivers at regional level.
• Transport for London (TfL): Larger, well-resourced statutory transport authority for Greater London with integrated planning, fares, infrastructure and behaviour-change functions. Comparable at the functional level (multi-modal strategy, concessionary fares, active travel) though operating at much higher scale and density.
• Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE): Regional economic development agency for the Highlands and Islands, advisory member of the Fort William ITP Client Delivery Group. Peer in regional strategy delivery, infrastructure investment and community planning partnerships covering the same geography.

Others

• VisitScotland: National tourism agency for Scotland. Indirect peer given the Scottish Islands Passport app's role in encouraging sustainable island tourism, though it is enabling/ecosystem rather than direct competition.

Emerging players

• Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac): Public-sector ferry operator running the majority of west coast and Hebrides services that HITRANS plans and advocates for. Peer in the island-connectivity stack — direct operating counterpart for ferry stakeholder engagement and lifeline route discussions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hitrans_rtp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hitrans

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership