Caley Thistle and Rapsons coaches have just announced details of the subsidised busses that will be run for the duration of season 2004/05 ... Rapsons will provide a free bus for the team and a fans fare of five pounds return ... Playing ‘home' matches at a place like Pittodrie Stadium may not come cheap - but at least Caley Thistle now know they won't have to fork-out for the long journey to and from Aberdeen.

Having provided Inverness Caledonian Thistle's official team bus for the last 10 years, Rapsons Coaches has decided to offer free travel to the club for all its ‘home' matches in Aberdeen. It means Caley Thistle's ground-sharing with Aberdeen FC won't cost the Inverness club a penny more in travel expenses.

The journeys to away games mean Caley Thistle is already one of the farthest-traveled football clubs in Scotland, but the players and officials now also face a 200-mile round trip for every ‘home' match in Aberdeen.

Rapsons Chairman, Sandy Rapson says he felt Caley Thistle had enough on their plate without having to worry about a big increase in travel expenses: "By the time you include a decent cup run, Caley Thistle could be looking at between 20 and 30 additional 200-mile return journeys.

"We are so proud of the club for having won promotion to the SPL, and for having bent-over backwards to meet the league's requirements. It is going to be a struggle this season, and free travel for all the ‘home' games was one obvious way in which we could help. I hope it will be one less thing for the club to worry about.

"Come on, Caley Thistle!"

ICT Chairman Ken Mackie said:

"This is a magnificent gesture by Sandy Rapson and his company. We very much appreciate their continued support which removes one financial burden from our club for next season. The challenge ahead is enormous, but with the continued support of Highland businesses such as Rapsons and our fabulous support, the anticipation is mounting. ICT at Pittodrie is a challenge we face with relish!"

In addition to providing the official team bus for all home games, agreement has also been reached between the Club and Rapsons to provide supporters buses at preferential rates.

Announcing the arrangement, Ken Mackie commented:

"At the end of last season we promised supporters that we would do all we could to assist in transport matters. Once again thanks to Rapsons we will be in position to deliver affordable transport to all home games next season. The club will co-ordinate this provision in partnership with the supporters club, with an advance booking system being operated."

He continued:

"A Fare structure of £5 return for adults and £3 for children will we hope be well received. The club will now make contact with the companies who have offered to sponsor transport in the hope that they are now in a position to commit to arrangements. This fantastic offer should complete the package."

The news was welcomed by Supporters Club Secretary Mairi MacLean:

"We are happy that the arrangements have been finalised and welcome the pricing structure. Hopefully once sponsorship is secured, the booking system finalised and times arranged, we can relax and look forward to the voyage!"