East Coast Buses has announced timetable and fare information as part of its package to rescue key services in East Lothian.
A wholly-owned subsidiary and part of the Lothian Buses family of companies, the operator is set to introduce new routes in addition to the continuation of existing commercial and school provisions.
The company will commence operations on Sunday 14 August with key routes connecting North Berwick with Musselburgh and Edinburgh, and Dunbar with Haddington and Edinburgh.
East Coast Buses’ fare structure will be based on a simple and customer-friendly zonal system. Along with single fares the company is offering three Dayticket options for passengers. The county Day Ticket provides passengers with unlimited travel across the network, excluding the city zone, for £5, while the countyPLUS Day Ticket will allow unlimited access across all East Coast Buses services in all zones for just £7.50.
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East Coast Buses is also introducing a Network Day Ticket, which will allow East Coast Buses passengers access to all Lothian Buses day services, Airlink and Edinburgh Tram services at just £9 for the day.
Operating from Musselburgh and North Berwick Depots, the fleet of 34 newly liveried and refurbished vehicles will provide a high quality, reliable and comfortable service for bus travellers within East Lothian and into Edinburgh.
The East Coast Buses team will be on hand at special events across the new network showcasing the new vehicles prior to commencing operational service. Events will take place on Saturday 6 August in Haddington and Dunbar and Saturday 13 August in North Berwick. Passengers will have the opportunity to find out more information about timetables and fares and to collect a free day ticket for use on the East Coast Buses routes.
Richard Hall, Managing Director of Lothian Buses, said: “These new routes will ensure that residents, workers and businesses across East Lothian will continue to enjoy reliable transport links that support their daily travel needs. We are looking forward to welcoming members of local communities aboard on the launch date and to becoming an important part of the local economy, as well as attracting new customers to the network of services that we will be providing across East Lothian and into Edinburgh.”
Iain Gray, MSP for East Lothian said: “I am very pleased to welcome East Coast Buses’ new services to East Lothian. Their initiative has secured bus services vital to many of our towns and villages, but also saved dozens of jobs and the depots in Musselburgh and North Berwick. The last time Lothian Buses stepped in when another operator walked away from the County they introduced the 113 service which has just been voted best in Scotland, so I think my constituents have every reason to look forward to enjoying a reliable, responsive, high quality service from East Coast Buses.”
Humza Yousaf, Minister for Transport and the Islands said: “The forthcoming start of East Coast Buses operations is great for local communities in terms of securing employment prospects and the ongoing provision of vital bus services. This is a good news story and I also welcome the announcement of the new timetable and the use of environmentally friendly buses.”
Councillor Michael Veitch, Transport spokesperson, East Lothian Council, said: “I am delighted to welcome East Coast Buses to East Lothian. The imminent commencement of these new services represents a hugely significant boost to public transport in the county, and I’m sure that local bus users will be as excited as I am about it.”
Full timetable information will be available at: https://eastcoastbuses.co.uk/
East Coast Buses Ltd will introduce the following services from 14 August 2016:
- 107 – New 60 minute timetable introduced on all days running (30 minute Mon-Fri peak). Buses run West End, Meadowbank, The Jewel, A1, Haddington and East Linton to Dunbar. This part-replaces First Service X6/106.
- 124/X24 – New 30 minute timetable introduced Monday to Saturday and 60 minute on Sundays. Buses run Semple Street, Meadowbank, Portobello, Musselburgh, Prestonpans, Longniddry, Aberlady, Gullane and Dirleton to North Berwick. 3 x morning and afternoon buses run Limited Stop as X24. This part-replaces First Bus 124/X24.
- The following commercial and school services will be continued:
- 124 – 1x morning and 1x afternoon journey between Longniddry and Preston Lodge HS.
- 125 – 2x morning and 2x afternoon journeys between Musselburgh and North Berwick HS.
- 126 – 1x morning and 1x afternoon journey between Aberlady and North Berwick HS.
- 127 – 1x morning and 1x afternoon journey between Longniddry and North Berwick HS.