No.10 – Edinburgh Bus Users’ Group: Members’ Bulletin March 2023

Dear EBUG member,

This is the tenth of our occasional updates for members.

Our AGM is on Wednesday June 21, at 18:00 in the Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge. Our Guest Speaker will be Councillor Scott Arthur, Convener of Transport and Environment at the City of Edinburgh Council.

This Members’ Bulletin is the official notification to all members, as required by EBUG’s constitution.

‘At the AGM

  • The Committee will present a report of the work of Edinburgh Bus Users Group over the year.
  • The Committee will present the accounts of Edinburgh Bus Users Group for the previous year.
  • The officers and Committee for the next year will be elected.Any proposals given to the Secretary at least 14 days in advance of the meeting will be discussed.’

It is helpful, but not compulsory, if you would let us know if you plan to attend the AGM. If you are interested in joining the EBUG committee and would like to discuss this prior to the AGM, please email chair@edinburghbususers.group.

Advance papers will be circulated to members, such as:

  • Minutes of the 2022 AGM
  • Committee’s Annual Report
  • Accounts (may be included in the Committee’s report)

We believe the best way to distribute them is via EBUG’s website. So, keep an eye on it in the run-up to the AGM.

Recent developments

  • In February, the City of Edinburgh Council approved a consultative draft of its Public Transport Action Plan (PTAP). Since then, it has started a programme of ‘engagement and consultation’ together with the Circulation Plan and Action Plans (Active Travel, Parking, Road Safety, Air Quality). EBUG will take time to digest and respond to PTAP and the other Plans where appropriate. Our initial thoughts are that it is extensive and expensive. It should, therefore, be ‘scalable’, so that if one or more parts prove unachievable, the whole Plan does not fall apart. Any thoughtful comments and contributions on the above from members are welcome – please send them to secretary@edinburghbususers.group.
  • EBUG members will probably already know that Lothian Buses is increasing fares by around 10% in April, the first increase for three years. It may well lead other operators to follow suit. Given the difficulties the UK bus industry has faced since COVID and lockdowns, it is not entirely unexpected, but obviously not welcome. Interestingly, LB’s “TapTapCap” late ticket is now cheaper than the equivalent cash fare, bringing the discount in line with the day ticket.
  • Members may have seen our review of ‘Trams and buses’ on Leith Walk, which was prompted by the forthcoming opening of the tram extension to Newhaven. This, and a range of other events, led the Committee to decide to hold a bus stop workshop later in 2023. The purpose is to identify best UK/global practice and match it against Edinburgh. We plan to invite academics, operators, and Council officers.
    • Lothian Buses have produced their 2023 Business Plan, containing many interesting facts and high-level aims. First impression of their direction of travel: robust and ambitious, perhaps best summarised by their over-arching statement: “It’s time for Lothian to build the foundations for the next 100 years.”
  • EBUG committee member Jennifer Marlborough was nominated as a “Local Hero Community Champion” for  her “tireless voluntary work” for Leith Harbour & Newhaven Community Council, Edinburgh Bus Users Group,  Community Councils Together on Trams and Leith Civic Trust.

Your EBUG Committee