The Scottish Liberal Democrats have pledged to deliver a boost to rural transport if returned to government on May 1.

As the Holyrood election campaign enters its final fortnight, Jim Wallace brought forward a range of new policies to assist the travelling public in remote areas.

The party's commitments include the abolition of road tolls on the Skye Bridge and cheaper flights throughout the Highlands and Islands region.

"Faster, more efficient transport for people in rural areas is central to Scottish Liberal Democrat plans for the next Parliament. Already, we have frozen the Skye Bridge tolls, laid plans for the Borders Railway and funded 466 projects through the Rural Transport Fund," said Wallace.

"In the next four years we will make the difference, introducing cheaper, more convenient flights in the Highlands and Islands, abolishing the Skye Bridge tolls and begin building the borders railway."

Wallace added that "links between communities are vital" for local economies.

"Too often, the lack of investment in transport by previous governments has isolated rural communities," he said.

"Liberal Democrats are clear that improving social inclusion means addressing the needs of those whose opportunities are constrained by geography, as well as through deprivation."

The party leader and deputy first minister said transport was vital if the decline seen in some areas is to be reversed.

"Rural communities all over Scotland need better transport to thrive," he said.

"People in the Borders have suffered for too long without public transport links to Edinburgh, leading to economic isolation."