Trossachs Explorer: 2025 Evaluation Report
Following the conclusion of a successful second year pilot in summer 2025, the Trossachs Explorer Evaluation Report captures how the service is helping more people reach nature-rich places in a low-carbon way, while highlighting the wider benefits the service delivers for communities and visitors.
About the Pilot
The Trossachs Explorer was first introduced as a seasonal shuttle service from July to September 2024, connecting Callander and Aberfoyle with remote destinations within Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. Designed to provide a sustainable transport alternative, the pilot aimed to reduce car dependency, improve accessibility for visitors and residents, and support local businesses. To find out more about the 2024 season of the pilot, you can read the 2024 Evaluation Report.
From July to October 2025, the service again showed how well-designed rural transport can connect people with nature while easing pressure on some of the National Park’s busiest areas.
Key Findings
Performance remained strong and consistent, with 94% of respondents feeling positive about the service and 92% saying they would use it again. Crucially, 90% reported increased confidence in public transport, underlining its role in supporting a shift toward more sustainable travel.
Ticket data and survey feedback show the Trossachs Explorer being used for walking, hiking, volunteering, work, local access and onward connections. This breadth of use reflects its growing value for rural mobility – reducing car dependency and giving more people a practical, enjoyable way to reach nature rich places without adding to congestion or parking pressures.
What Comes Next?
Looking ahead, there is clear support for the service to return in 2026. Work is underway with Stirling Council and partners to secure the funding required to develop this into a permanent service which compliments the sustainable transport network.
The Trossachs Explorer continues to illustrate what a future low carbon transport network could look like across the National Park, supporting the ambitions of the National Park Mobility Partnership to deliver an inclusive, nature positive and carbon negative travel system.
You can read the full Evaluation Report for the 2025 pilot by downloading it below.