Passengers give community bus the thumbs up
Council Leader Councillor Kelly Parry and Cabinet Member for Transport Councillor Colin Cassidy jumped onboard the community bus to hear what passengers think of the new pilot service.
Stops include Auchendinny
Around 70 passengers a week have been using the daytime, weekday service since its launch on 31 March.
Round trips
The bus, which drops and picks up passengers from stops including The Brae Top at Auchendinny and Vogrie Country Park, offers two return journeys Mondays to Thursdays and one return service on Fridays.
Bus regulars
Mary Cornwall uses the bus once or twice a week for return journeys to Dalkeith or Tesco, Eskbank from her home in Gorebridge. She says: “It’s a great help. I live up the hill so it’s good for me with my messages. I hope they keep it on.”
The route
The route includes picks-ups and drop-offs at Tesco, Eskbank, Bonnyrigg Community Hospital, Straiton Retail Park, Station Road in Newtongrange and Jarnac Court, Dalkeith. Passengers can also hail the bus on parts of the route even if not at a designated bus stop.
Six month trial
The new service is being trialled for six months and delivered using some of the council’s dividend from Lothian Buses and is free for a limited period.
Thumbs up
Passenger John Ramsay is onboard about three times a week. John, who lives in Arniston and walks about 15 minutes to the bus stop, says: “It’s much easier for me to get to Bonnyrigg now.”
Connecting communities
Cllr Cassidy said: “It’s great to hear the difference the bus is making to local people’s lives.”
Cllr Parry added: “Two months into the trial, we’re satisfied with passenger numbers and feedback suggests it’s connecting communities east and west with shops, rail links and parks – good news for areas like Auchendinny, which didn’t have a local bus service.”
Fares
The service is initially free but will eventually offer the same full and concessionary fares as Lothian Buses.
More information
In the picture
Councillor Colin Cassidy and Council Leader Kelly Parry came along to meet passengers Mary Cornwall and John Ramsay.