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Lothian have announced some major changes to the bus network, starting on 28 May. Details here: https://www.lothianbuses.com/news/2023/05/service-change-from-sunday-28-may/
As far as I can see, the change that most affects our area is the withdrawal of the 41. It is to be replaced by a new service 9. This will follow the 41 route from the King’s Buildings to Causwayside, and so will continue to serve Blackford Avenue, Marchmont Road and Melville Drive, but will then head through Nicholson Square to Surgeons’ Hall and the Bridges. After that it will follow the 8 route towards Canonmills, Pilton and Granton. So we will no longer have a direct route to George IV Bridge, Hanover Street, Queensferry Street, Craigleith or beyond.
The frequency of the new 9 route looks to be the same as for the 41, that is, every 20 minutes Mondays to Saturdays, and every half hour on Sundays and late weekday evening.
The section of the 41 route between the West End and Cammo will be served by the 47 and 47B.
Has anyone any comments on this change? Is it an improvement, or a step backwards?
Mike
It’s the first time it hasn’t existed in my lifetime!
Really sad about this. I’m wondering if the stops on Kilgraston Road outside the nursery / Esdaile Bank will be in use as the 9 is only listed as stopping on Marchmont Road and Blackford Avenue with nothing in-between.
Thanks Mike
It is definitely a step backwards. there is now no bus going to George IV bridge and to the centre of Princes Street. The withdrawal of the 42 service was a real loss but as long as the 41 was there it was possible to get to the Central Library, the National Library, The Upper reaches of the Royal Mile without too much difficulty. From the centre of The Grange the only bus now serving the c entre of Princes Street and the New Town is the 24. There are a lot of elderly people and people with mobility problems in the area who have difficulty walking through to Minto Street or up to Newington especially in winter who are going to have great difficulty getting to the parts of town where historically it has been easy to access.Why do we have both the 12 and the 24 going to Tollcross and Lothian Road? It can’t be for more access to the theatres and the Usher Hall as the 12 doesn’t run in the evening.
I’ve written to Ian Murray to protest the removal of the 41.
This was the response from Ian Murray’s office –
This has been raised by a few constituents and we have been making enquiries with Lothian Buses. Our understanding is that this has been due in part to funding cuts by the Scottish Buses. Ian will be highlighting all the concerns raised and will keep you updated on any actions being taken to address these.
I have looked at the map on the LRT website and all the stops in our area for the new number 9 bus route are listed the same as for the 41. I think the changes are dreadful. We will miss being able to go to the Central Library and Cramond. Why duplicate the number 8 route? I think it is shocking that people living in the Grange, Marchmont and Sciennes will no longer have direct access to Princes Street. Another nail in its coffin for Princes Street! I am disabled and already have to walk some distance for the 24 and the 5.
I agree. The 41 service between Grange and the Central Library has been fantastic. What is the point in its removal?
It would help if the new No 9 went via Forrest Road and Chambers Street rather than Nicolson Square, then we could get to the Museum, not have so far to walk to get to the library and have the option of transferring to the 23/27 if we want to go to Hanover Street.
Mike – I’ll highlight that in my next membership email – the forum is only accessed by a small proportion …
I’ve now had a response from Ian Murray –
Thank you for contacting me about the continued pressures that Lothian Buses services find themselves under in Edinburgh South.
The effects that Scottish Government cuts are having on our bus services are incredibly disappointing and damaging to our communities. A few years ago, the 42 service was scrapped and replaced with the 12, which has cut off accessibility to George IV Bridge for many of my constituents, and many of us are now expected to take two buses when we travel around our city.
Now, the 41 and 49 services are threatened by withdrawal, leaving constituents in South East Edinburgh high and dry when it comes to accessing the city centre. The 41’s replacement with a new number 9 route is supposed to account for growing student populations in Broughton but I have been consistently pointing out to the Scottish Government that the developments that they encourage in Liberton and Gilmerton need to be accompanied by better public transport services.
Those who already live in the area or those who are beginning to make Liberton and Gilmerton a home for them and their families now face withdrawn bus links, oversubscribed GP services and primary schools that do not have the capacity to educate their kids.
This is unacceptable, and my Build Better Places campaign includes a petition to the Scottish Government to improve public services in South East Edinburgh.
I have created a similar petition, named Save Our Bus Routes, which calls on the Scottish Government to restore funding for our bus routes and ensure that public transport usage actually increases rather than decreases, which is crucial to the future of our planet.
You can sign both of my petitions, but please do not hesitate to get in contact with me again regarding this issue or, indeed, any other.
Kind regards,
Ian Murray MP
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