We’ve updated one of our key graphs. It now shows:
- The impact of the Covid19 pandemic
- The reallocation of bus lane space during the pandemic, now largely reinstated
- The reduction in bus lane hours in 2015
No 12. Edinburgh Bus Users Group: Members’ Bulletin October 2023
The EBUG Committee has decided to increase the frequency of members’ bulletins. We’re aiming for 6 a year, roughly once every two months. Due to the temporary unavailability of our usual method of posting the bulletin to EBUG members, October’s bulletin comes to you direct from our email account.
Here’s the ‘highlights’ since our previous bulletin in June:
Our AGM took place on June 21. Once the formal business was complete, Councillor Scott Arthur, Convenor of Transport at the City of Edinburgh, spoke about the role of bus services in the Council’s future transport plans. We were particularly pleased to note:
- his reservations about the concept of ‘to not through’ the city centre with regard to buses.
- that Councillors have not approved a blanket policy of removing bus stops.
Continue reading “No 12. Edinburgh Bus Users Group: Members’ Bulletin October 2023”
Update – comments on the Edinburgh Tram extension and buses
In December 2022, EBUG published an initial commentary on the Tram extension to Newhaven and buses https://edinburghbususers.group/ebug-comments-on-the-edinburgh-tram-extension-and-buses. At the time, construction was not complete, particularly at bus stops.
The Tram route has now been operating since June, so we revisited the sites previously inspected for an update. To recap, we had surveyed only the most southerly bus stops on Leith Walk, and the updated survey covered the same ground.
NB as previously, we did not carry out a full bus stop audit.
At Elm Row northbound, the bus stop appears acceptable. The shelter is long, and therefore spacious. It is perhaps disappointing that the opportunity was not taken to install wider end panels for better weather protection; this would have required moving the shelter onto the cycle path.
Continue reading “Update – comments on the Edinburgh Tram extension and buses”
Guest Contribution No 1
EBUG is now occasionally posting contributions by ‘guest writers’ on our website. EBUG may, or may not, agree in full with their content, but believes they are interesting contributions to discussions on the future of buses in and around Edinburgh.
In the first post, Stacey O’Flaherty of the Ratho Bus Working Group reflects on a year of campaigning for better bus services for Ratho.
As well as leading the Working Group, Stacey led the ‘lovemybus’ youth programme, engaging with over 10,000 young people across Scotland in 22 Council areas, working with nine bus operators visiting nurseries, Outdoor Forest Schools, Primary and High and ASN Schools, Scouting and GirlGuiding groups.
Edinburgh Bus Users Group; response to call for evidence by the Cross-Party Group on Sustainable Transport inquiry into cutting public transport emissions
Edinburgh Bus Users’ Group (EBUG) is a campaign which aims to provide a voice for bus users; to protect and improve Edinburgh’s bus network. EBUG is concerned with bus services within the City of Edinburgh Council area and those which cross its boundary. It is user/supporter led, independent of any operator, local or national authority, political party or trade union.
Whilst our response is concerned with buses, some issues are shared with, for example, rail and ferries (and even freight), and the text of our response highlights this where particularly relevant.
Comments on The City of Edinburgh Council’s draft Public Transport Action Plan
As submitted to the City of Edinburgh Council
In commenting on the six Action Plans which underpin the City Mobility Plan (CMP), Edinburgh Bus Users Group is:
- Submitting the commentary below regarding the Public Transport Action Plan (PTAP)
- Submitting a general statement regarding the Active Travel, Road Safety, Air Quality and Parking Action Plans
- Submitting the commentary below, and the general statement, with regard to the Circulation Plan, taking account of the iterative relationship between PTAP and Circulation Plan.
Continue reading “Comments on The City of Edinburgh Council’s draft Public Transport Action Plan”
Comments on The City of Edinburgh Council’s draft Active Travel, Road Safety, Air Quality and Parking Action Plans
As submitted to the City of Edinburgh Council
In commenting on the Active Travel, Road Safety, Air Quality and Parking Action Plans, we submit this general statement which applies to all these Plans.
We have submitted separately comments on the Public Transport Action Plan, but note this general statement regarding overarching issues with all the Plans:
EBUG believes in a working partnership between the Council and bus operators which recognises that each should focus on what it can do, and what it does best.
The Council must increase the budget and capacity of the Council bus team and focus more pro-actively on delivering tangible improvements for bus users.
No. 11 – Edinburgh Bus Users’ Group: Members’ Bulletin June 2023
Dear EBUG member,
This is the eleventh of our occasional updates for members. While the previous edition also served as the official notification for our upcoming AGM, we now provide our members with the agenda and associated documents.
To remind you: the AGM is on Wednesday June 21, at 18:00 in the Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge. Our Guest Speaker is Councillor Scott Arthur, Convener of Transport and Environment at the City of Edinburgh Council.
Agenda
1. Welcome, Apologies
2. Approve minutes of 2022 AGM
3. Committee report and accounts 2023
4. Elections to the committee
5. Councillor Scott Arthur: “Integrating walking, bus and tram in the transport hierarchy”
6. Q&A
6. Q&A
Continue reading “No. 11 – Edinburgh Bus Users’ Group: Members’ Bulletin June 2023”
How bus routes change; a quick guide to the process
Bus users and others often question how and why bus routes are changed, and are often very aggrieved about consultation, advance notice, and communication, or the lack of them. There is a complex set of legislation and regulations governing bus services. Lengthy but detailed explanations are here: https://www.gov.uk/run-local-bus-service and https://www.transport.gov.scot/public-transport/buses/transport-scotland-act-2019-and-bus-services/provision-of-service-information-when-varying-or-cancelling-registration/
EBUG’s attempt at a short guide for convenience follows:
Bus operators (who must hold an operator’s licence) are free to run any route they choose, vary or withdraw them as they see fit. Members of the public have no statutory right to input. This is set out in primary legislation.
Continue reading “How bus routes change; a quick guide to the process”
Cammo Meadows; planning for public transport?
Travelling around the western edges of Edinburgh, it is difficult not to notice the housing developments springing up. Social media has been alive with commentary on some of them, but EBUG’s been looking particularly at ‘Cammo Meadows’, which may be a harbinger of more to come.
Continue reading “Cammo Meadows; planning for public transport?”