High bus fares and the lack of a regular timetable make it difficult for people in island and rural areas to access essential services, according to a new report.
Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) said job seekers often faced paying a high proportion of their income to get to the nearest jobcentre.
Travelling to work, to see a GP, or attend college can be a problem if going by bus.
Local authority subsidies to bus services last year ranged widely, from £108 per adult in the Western Isles to as low as £0.55 in Aberdeen City.
CAS said a main concerns is that many people in rural areas find it difficult to get regular bus services to important services like healthcare, post offices, banks and further education.
CAS consumer spokesman, Fraser Sutherland, said: "For many in Scotland’s cities and
large towns bus connections can be frequent and relatively affordable, while in more
rural parts of Scotland we have found communities that contend with twice-
“For example, those in the remote and rural areas we surveyed paid an average price of over £9 for a return journey to the nearest job centre."
"While some jobseekers and others can receive a discount on tickets this still represents a significant cost for those already struggling to make ends meet on a low income.
"In many areas, we found that price information was not available up-
Poor bus services is a concern in rural districts
16 June 2016