http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Bus latest en Tue, 07 Jul 2026 19:46:06 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16209&page=27#post-384992 Sun, 05 Jul 2026 15:06:17 +0000 Tulyar 384992@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Ember's principals Pierce &amp; Keith are a refreshing change from old school bus managers</p> <p>They use many different applications for modern systems, with the most relevant being the request stop systems so that the coach driver gets a manifest displayed on the cab binnacle en route, and only stops when there are passengers getting on/off</p> <p>I travelled from Glasgow to Kinross one Saturday, to have breakfast with a LeJog ride &amp; ride to Perth with them</p> <p>I was on 03.19 coach to Dundee &amp; changed at St Madoes (05.00-05.30) the coach was well filled with U22 bus pass users (not driving home?) &amp; one guy got off at Auchterader at 04.30 for a 1½ mile hike from the A9 coach stop</p> <p>I'm pressing Ember to call at Gills Bay and JoG road end (by Youth Hostel) as they cannot get use of the Citylink coach stand on Scrabster Harbour, whilst there's no decent coach service to Gills Bay for the faster &amp; shorter Pentland Ferries service (3 per day) to St Margarets Hope</p> <p>Hoping that Ember services to Carlisle and Newcastle start soon? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16209&page=27#post-384969 Fri, 03 Jul 2026 13:38:54 +0000 MediumDave 384969@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Re £2 bus fare cap - my partner and I were quite surprised to travel Inverness&lt;-&gt;Scrabster with bikes for 8 quid return for the pair of us on a recent holiday (Ember). </p> <p>I rather agree that middle-class types like us going on holiday should not be subsidised to such an extent, or if we are, we should be taxed more to compensate! </p> <p>On the return journey quite a lot of passengers on that bus were schoolchildren who got on and off along the stretch around Invergordon as the service happened to pass through at a convenient time. Interesting dynamic for an express coach service </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16209&page=27#post-384966 Fri, 03 Jul 2026 12:32:44 +0000 Tulyar 384966@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Where to start?</p> <p>East Lothian has engaged with <strong>HiyaCar</strong> to offer the council's pool car fleet to local residents as a pseudo car club that gets the fleet in use when it would otherwise be idle outside the Council's working times </p> <p>I've been pressing some folk at Lothian Buses to include a car club membership deal which has sound data from the annual <strong>CoMoUK</strong>surveys to show that car club members make 4-6 times more use of the bus or cycling for local trips </p> <p>Ultimately I'm hoping that I can eventually get a large service provider to deliver a <strong>Total Mobility</strong> deal that I was working on in 1996 and have delivered my own personal hacks to achieve. I'd love to also look at a small <strong>Mobility Makeover</strong> feature or video showing what could be achieved using existing systems but bursting those silos</p> <p>In 1996 the vision was to use a single portal (the ITSO bus pass) to hire bikes, hire cars &amp; get almost any public transport 24 hr/day this 2008 video brings it to the next level of a phone app. I'm enjoying my own hack with its slight inconvenience of having to bridge across various providers but I am enjoying 24hr access to <strong>new electric cars</strong> with 3 all within a short walk of my front door which so far this year has cost me <strong>under £200 TOTAL</strong></p> <p>Here's the video ... from nearly 20 YEARS ago </p> <p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/h52/48590678631/" rel="nofollow">https://www.flickr.com/photos/h52/48590678631/</a></p> <p>The other detail for bus services that work for smaller settlements is the <strong>Medice cura te Ipsum</strong> we already have for Strathaven (who run their own express coach service hourly to Glasgow 6 days per week) or Glenfarg (who run a Section 22 permit community bus operation with 8 buses (large motor cars with 16 seats or fewer) that are driven by local people with regular Class B driving licences (&amp; MIDAS certificates) who can be paid or volunteer with the local bus services tailored to local needs. They also run the local school bus contract which provides a revenue stream to support the operation, and an on demand late night bus that meets the Ember coach at the Kinross request stop at midnight to get people home after a night out in Edinburgh</p> <p>Tons that can be done but I need to get this going with some key players</p> <p>PM &amp; I'll try to spot you when I'm next on CCE</p> <p>PS per the <strong>£2 single fare</strong> bus cap... last I checked an annual Lothian Buses Ridacard cost barely £700/year that's <strong>£2 per DAY for unlimited bus trips</strong> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16209&page=27#post-384963 Fri, 03 Jul 2026 10:31:45 +0000 chdot 384963@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>Children aged five to 11 receive a card with no picture, which only gives access to free travel, and can be used up until the day before their 12th birthday. </p> <p>From then until the day before they turn 22, they can use the Young Scot NEC (National Entitlement Card) which is a valid form of photo ID as well as a bus pass and rewards card. However, this must be applied for in advance. </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/midlothian-girl-walked-school-alone-34077919" rel="nofollow">https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/midlothian-girl-walked-school-alone-34077919</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16209&page=27#post-384861 Thu, 25 Jun 2026 06:51:30 +0000 chdot 384861@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>An alternative to the planned Scotland-wide £2 bus fare cap has been proposed by an operator which argued it would better protect rural and lesser-used services. </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/bus-firm-ember-unveils-alternative-to-proposed-scotland-wide-ps2-fare-cap-8754743" rel="nofollow">https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/bus-firm-ember-unveils-alternative-to-proposed-scotland-wide-ps2-fare-cap-8754743</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16209&page=27#post-384798 Sat, 20 Jun 2026 10:34:17 +0000 Arellcat 384798@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Rosewell is fast becoming a PT outpost. The 46 was the only bus that actually entered the village; the 31 was the only one in and out of Edinburgh and it loops at a pretty uninviting roundabout, on the distributor road, a short way outside the village. But the kinds of houses Midlothian has built are all your prosperous two-car, converted-garage, sprawling McMansions, and the North Esk valley is just as arsey to get across as it ever was.</p> <p><blockquote>She had to take her three-year-old son to the hospital nearly ten times last year due to tonsillitis, and said she “couldn’t imagine” doing the journey now with children in tow, which would require taking two buses or having to walk the distance.</blockquote></p> <p>I know 'but family' and 'but weather' and stuff, but Rosewell residents literally have the old Peebles railway path that goes directly past the hospital, and it's only 2.5 miles. That's fifteen minutes' cycling, tops. If it were converted back into rail, probably light rail/tram-trains and could be plugged in Eskbank and perhaps even Penicuik, it might actually solve a ton of transport issues.</p> <p>What Rosewell (and Auchendinny, and Roslin, and Penicuik) also doesn't have is even a single car club car. Loanhead now has one, but that's cold comfort if you live more than a mile or so away. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16209&page=27#post-384797 Sat, 20 Jun 2026 10:18:53 +0000 chdot 384797@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>A mum from Poltonhall has described how getting around with children and seeing her relatives has become an “absolute nightmare” since a key bus route in Midlothian was scrapped earlier this year. </p> <p>Allison Brunton, who had to leave her job as a carer two years ago to look after her son, said the decision to withdraw the 46 service - which ran from Rosewell to Musselburgh via the Royal Infirmary and Dalkeith - has uprooted her day-to-day life and routines. </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/midlothian-mum-says-supermarket-shop-has-become-a-two-hour-trip-after-bus-service-scrapped-8745995" rel="nofollow">https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/midlothian-mum-says-supermarket-shop-has-become-a-two-hour-trip-after-bus-service-scrapped-8745995</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16209&page=27#post-384796 Sat, 20 Jun 2026 09:01:48 +0000 chdot 384796@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>Doubts have been raised about John Swinney’s pledge to extend the £2 bus fare cap to the Glasgow area within 100 days of the SNP being re-elected after Transport Secretary Stephen Flynn failed to explicitly confirm the commitment </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/doubts-raised-over-snp-pledge-to-extend-ps2-bus-fare-cap-to-glasgow-area-within-100-days-of-being-re-elected-8747175" rel="nofollow">https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/doubts-raised-over-snp-pledge-to-extend-ps2-bus-fare-cap-to-glasgow-area-within-100-days-of-being-re-elected-8747175</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16209&page=27#post-384587 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 12:50:39 +0000 chdot 384587@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“<br /> Anti-bus residents of posh suburb near Glasgow accused of trying to disrupt new route</p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://archive.ph/0szS6" rel="nofollow">https://archive.ph/0szS6</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16209&page=27#post-384578 Wed, 03 Jun 2026 17:23:18 +0000 chdot 384578@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/lothian-buses-purchases-60-new-volvo-double-deckers-for-routes-including-edinburgh-airport-8654596?" rel="nofollow">https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/lothian-buses-purchases-60-new-volvo-double-deckers-for-routes-including-edinburgh-airport-8654596?</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16209&page=27#post-383871 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 18:23:07 +0000 chdot 383871@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>Greens pledge free bus travel for all in manifesto as parties hit campaign trail </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c1mkkl813jdt" rel="nofollow">https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c1mkkl813jdt</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16209&page=27#post-383852 Sun, 12 Apr 2026 21:23:14 +0000 LaidBack 383852@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://news.stv.tv/highlands-islands/two-people-taken-to-hospital-after-bus-crash-in-highlands" rel="nofollow">https://news.stv.tv/highlands-islands/two-people-taken-to-hospital-after-bus-crash-in-highlands</a></p> <p>Ember Inverness to Edinburgh bus. Some passengers continued journey by train apparently. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16209&page=27#post-383850 Sun, 12 Apr 2026 13:47:15 +0000 chdot 383850@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/i-wont-be-able-to-shop-cramond-residents-fears-after-critical-bus-route-withdrawn-for-ten-weeks-6570366" rel="nofollow">https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/i-wont-be-able-to-shop-cramond-residents-fears-after-critical-bus-route-withdrawn-for-ten-weeks-6570366</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16209&page=26#post-383791 Fri, 03 Apr 2026 22:29:16 +0000 LaidBack 383791@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><strong>Scotland needs a single public transport ticket / card system. </strong><br /> Probably said this in first week of CC Forum a long time ago? Always think that when I throw away unused return half of expired rail tickets due to mix of modes we use. (Free on bus for my age group of course so worse for people paying between 22 and 60).</p> <p><a href="https://www.thenational.scot/politics/25993322.scotlands-public-transport-needs-single-ticket-system/" rel="nofollow">https://www.thenational.scot/politics/25993322.scotlands-public-transport-needs-single-ticket-system/</a></p> <p>Private bus companies will soon be looking for government help on diesel cost increases I imagine? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16209&page=26#post-383777 Thu, 02 Apr 2026 08:13:54 +0000 chdot 383777@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>Passengers across England will be able to start tracking their bus in real time through Google Maps from Thursday, ministers have announced. </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/track-bus-live-google-maps-boost-public-transport-4331557" rel="nofollow">https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/track-bus-live-google-maps-boost-public-transport-4331557</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16209&page=26#post-383246 Mon, 16 Feb 2026 23:41:54 +0000 chdot 383246@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/residents-slam-plans-to-scrap-vital-royal-infirmary-bus-link-5596392" rel="nofollow">https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/residents-slam-plans-to-scrap-vital-royal-infirmary-bus-link-5596392</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16209&page=26#post-382762 Tue, 13 Jan 2026 12:49:05 +0000 chdot 382762@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://www.lothianbuses.com/news/2026/01/public-transport-use-in-the-capital-continues-to-grow/" rel="nofollow">https://www.lothianbuses.com/news/2026/01/public-transport-use-in-the-capital-continues-to-grow/</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16209&page=26#post-382325 Sat, 06 Dec 2025 21:28:30 +0000 LaidBack 382325@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><blockquote>SEARCHING for a cleaner in the hope of finding bin bags at a cold Scottish bus station in the middle of the night was not record-breaking cyclist Markus Stitz’s finest moment.</p> <p>However, the driver of the express bus from Glasgow to Edinburgh was insisting he could only take Stitz’s bike if it was covered up and bin bags seemed the only solution at the time.</blockquote></p> <p><a href="https://www.thenational.scot/news/25678443.new-book-showcases-16-loch-lomond-trossachs-gravel-rides/" rel="nofollow">https://www.thenational.scot/news/25678443.new-book-showcases-16-loch-lomond-trossachs-gravel-rides/</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16209&page=26#post-382321 Sat, 06 Dec 2025 17:19:20 +0000 acsimpson 382321@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I blame the <strong>grand</strong> parents. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16209&page=26#post-382299 Thu, 04 Dec 2025 19:41:13 +0000 chdot 382299@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“over 60 ingrates are very unruly“</p> <p>I blame the parents </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16209&page=26#post-382298 Thu, 04 Dec 2025 18:43:29 +0000 gembo 382298@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Yeah these over 60 ingrates are very unruly on the buses </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16209&page=26#post-382297 Thu, 04 Dec 2025 18:36:37 +0000 chdot 382297@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“<br /> Plans to bar unruly passengers from using their free bus passes is “not about punishment without support” but “setting clear expectations”, connectivity minister Jim Fairlie has told The Scotsman</p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/why-scottish-government-is-taking-action-against-anti-social-behaviour-on-buses-jim-fairlie-5428667" rel="nofollow">https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/why-scottish-government-is-taking-action-against-anti-social-behaviour-on-buses-jim-fairlie-5428667</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16209&page=26#post-382296 Thu, 04 Dec 2025 15:31:16 +0000 chdot 382296@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/dec/04/new-luxury-sleeper-bus-service-europe-twiliner-amsterdam-zurich" rel="nofollow">https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/dec/04/new-luxury-sleeper-bus-service-europe-twiliner-amsterdam-zurich</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16209&page=26#post-381949 Mon, 10 Nov 2025 18:04:00 +0000 chdot 381949@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/nov/10/uk-transport-cyber-security-chiefs-investigate-chinese-made-buses" rel="nofollow">https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/nov/10/uk-transport-cyber-security-chiefs-investigate-chinese-made-buses</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16209&page=26#post-381808 Sun, 02 Nov 2025 21:42:37 +0000 chdot 381808@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://archive.ph/2025.11.02-193838/https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/rural-bus-service-cut-threat-to-pay-for-zero-emission-vehicles-5382915" rel="nofollow">https://archive.ph/2025.11.02-193838/https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/rural-bus-service-cut-threat-to-pay-for-zero-emission-vehicles-5382915</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16209&page=26#post-381571 Tue, 14 Oct 2025 09:57:39 +0000 chdot 381571@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/transport/stagecoach-set-for-shake-up-of-bus-services-in-fife-these-are-the-key-changes-5358306" rel="nofollow">https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/transport/stagecoach-set-for-shake-up-of-bus-services-in-fife-these-are-the-key-changes-5358306</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16209&page=26#post-381486 Wed, 08 Oct 2025 20:05:16 +0000 chdot 381486@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>A NEW electric bus route between Glasgow and Inverness has been unveiled for October.</p> <p>Bus firm Ember announced on Tuesday that its new route between the two Scottish cities will also stop in Dunblane, Perth, Pitlochry, Dalwhinnie, and Aviemore.</p> <p>Starting on October 22, the service will operate “around the clock” with 12 return trips per day, with three of the services being non-stop between Glasgow and Inverness.</p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.thenational.scot/news/25527444.electric-bus-service-linking-glasgow-perth-inverness-revealed/We" rel="nofollow">https://www.thenational.scot/news/25527444.electric-bus-service-linking-glasgow-perth-inverness-revealed/We</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16209&page=26#post-379599 Fri, 09 May 2025 09:08:06 +0000 chdot 379599@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Napier student survey </p> <p>“</p> <p>What users want to see improved Respondents identified practical priorities like more frequent buses, expanded route coverage, better real-time information, and improved services outside standard hours. Sustainability and integration with other transport services were mentioned, but less frequently. </p> <p>Satisfaction with bus services </p> <p>When asked to rate different features of the bus service, most people said they were generally satisfied. The highest scores went to cleanliness and comfort, both averaging just over four on a five-point scale. Buses are seen as physically comfortable, safe, and well-maintained . </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://edinburghbususers.group/napier-university-student-study-edinburgh-bus-users-views" rel="nofollow">https://edinburghbususers.group/napier-university-student-study-edinburgh-bus-users-views</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16209&page=26#post-379287 Fri, 18 Apr 2025 08:11:21 +0000 chdot 379287@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>Stagecoach to launch new bus service between St Andrews and Edinburgh Airport </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://www.stagecoachbus.com/news/east-scotland/2025/april/stagecoach-to-launch-new-bus-service-between-st-andrews-and-edinburgh-airport" rel="nofollow">https://www.stagecoachbus.com/news/east-scotland/2025/april/stagecoach-to-launch-new-bus-service-between-st-andrews-and-edinburgh-airport</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=16209&page=26#post-379193 Sun, 06 Apr 2025 17:21:26 +0000 chdot 379193@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“</p> <p>from next week, the number of daily direct buses travelling between Macmerry and Edinburgh will be cut from 35 to just three, with no service on the weekends. This is down from buses running every half hour on Mondays to Saturdays and hourly on Sundays currently. </p> <p>It’s a decision that the operator, East Coast Buses, says was based on “data and travel patterns,” but it has left the community rocked — and, one would imagine, property developers revising their brochures.</p> <p>The dramatic scaling-back of the X6 service between Haddington and Edinburgh’s West End is also a bitter pill to swallow for bus users in the neighbouring village of Gladsmuir, which while being much smaller than Macmerry is set to see its population double if a proposed 26 new homes are approved. </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://archive.ph/2025.04.06-102756/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/25064461.fury-rural-macmerry-loses-three-bus-services-edinburgh/" rel="nofollow">https://archive.ph/2025.04.06-102756/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/25064461.fury-rural-macmerry-loses-three-bus-services-edinburgh/</a> </p>