The Ferry will not be left without a bus service following intervention by Lothian Buses.
The Edinburgh Reporter has been told that from 4 June 2017 they will be introducing a new service to South Queensferry with their new bus company called Lothian Country.
The bus firm will be wholly owned by Lothian Buses but will operate as a standalone business with its own buses and products.
Historically two major transport providers First and Stagecoach have been unable to operate commercially viable services within this area with low passenger numbers and increasing levels of traffic congestion contributing to their withdrawal.
The company has issued a statement about the new service :
“The successful continuation of bus services is wholly dependent on customer usage levels – it’s important that the community embrace our new venture to ensure its ongoing success.
“We have been working hard behind the scenes over the last few weeks gathering customer and journey time data, and working in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council on the delivery of bus priority measures that ensure our ability to run reliable services which optimise journey times and deliver a positive customer experience.
“Some of these measures have now been agreed for implementation:
- Traffic signal prioritisation at Princes Street/Queensferry Street junction and Queensferry Street/Melville Street
- A commitment that the existing citybound bus lane is not compromised on approach to Dean Bridge
- Review of parking restrictions on key arterial city routes to allow for passing places for buses
There is, however, an ongoing need to look long term and strategically at traffic flows into the city.
No further details or information on routes and fares are currently available for release.
We are now working hard to finalise these prior to registration with the Traffic Commissioner and public release and they will be available during the course of next week.
We want you to have the opportunity to be the first to have access to all details including the new routes and fares by signing up to receive information below.
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We look forward to seeing you onboard soon!
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
