http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: "Edinburgh tourist coach firm loses licence" en Fri, 22 May 2026 10:16:55 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13142#post-159708 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 13:40:33 +0000 Greenroofer 159708@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The key test is whether the bus lane sign has the word 'local' in the bus on the sign. If it does, then the lane is restricted to buses on a scheduled service. If it doesn't, then a 'bus' is defined as a vehicle having more than 9 (from memory) passenger seats. This is why Lothian Buses use a Transit minibus as their 'Green Lane Patrol Vehicle'.</p> <p>Some of the lanes around the Shandwick Place tramstop and the West End have 'local' on the sign. Most of the lanes in Edinburgh don't.</p> <p>I have an unhealthy interest in this due to my involvement with another group that runs a minibus. We like to know where we can (and can't) drive it. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13142#post-159704 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 12:51:02 +0000 acsimpson 159704@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"I think they're probably OK to use the bus lanes. Mini-buses can use them so those sort of mini-coaches used by the tour firms would be allowed, I'd think."</p> <p><a href="http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/20016/travel_and_parking/280/bus_lane_notices">Not according to the council website</a><br /> "The only vehicles that can use bus lanes and bus gates are</p> <p><ul><li>public service vehicles, such as Lothian and First buses</li><li>taxis but not private hire cars</li><li>pedal cyclists</li><li>emergency service vehicles.</li></ul>" </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13142#post-159703 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 12:46:13 +0000 dg145 159703@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I think they're probably OK to use the bus lanes. Mini-buses can use them so those sort of mini-coaches used by the tour firms would be allowed, I'd think. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13142#post-159702 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 12:43:18 +0000 Stickman 159702@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Kaputnik - they do it going the other way as well, using the westbound bus lane along West Maitland Street. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13142#post-159692 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 11:23:30 +0000 acsimpson 159692@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Interesting that they are essentially being banned for bad management rather than any actual driving infringements.</p> <p>I guess it's easier to prove that the paperwork is out of order than that they were driving too close to parked cars/cyclists etc. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13142#post-159689 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 11:17:13 +0000 kaputnik 159689@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>They have a shop on Dalry Road, just at the 5 way junction with Ardmillan and Gorgie Road.</p> <p>The name always brought a wry smile to my childish lips.</p> <p>On a related note - does anyone know if there's an exemption that allows those "Haggis Tours" / "Rabbies Trailburners" type tourist kamikazecoaches to go straight through from Haymarket, Shandwick Place and down Princes Street in buses/taxis/cycles/trams only sections? I thought such private coaches were not allowed to do this and it was only public service buses which can. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13142#post-159688 Fri, 18 Jul 2014 11:09:18 +0000 chdot 159688@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"</p> <p>Simon Evans, deputy traffic commissioner for Scotland, said Wangping Travel had set a “dreadful example” that risked undermining public confidence in the entire public service vehicle trade.</p> <p>"</p> <p><a href="http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/transport/edinburgh-tourist-coach-firm-loses-licence-1-3480753" rel="nofollow">http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/transport/edinburgh-tourist-coach-firm-loses-licence-1-3480753</a></p> <p>Can't say I've ever heard of them or heard 'watch out for their drivers' - unlike some companies! </p>