Published: Tuesday, 6th July, 2010 1:17pm

Regional services to terminate at Edinburgh bus station

BUS services between the Borders and Edinburgh are to once again terminate at the city's bus station. First Bus confirmed the announcement following pressure from local politicians.

Last year, the bus company caused controversy when it decided to terminate the 95 service from Galashiels and the 62 service from Melrose at Waterloo Place in Edinburgh - leaving passengers with a walk through a dimly lit alley and across two roads to reach connecting services.

It denied it was putting their safety at risk in a bid to save money and blamed the disruption caused by ongoing tram works for the change.

However, the bus company said it was possible to return to the bus station not that the tram works affecting nearby traffic was complete. It is envisaged services will return on August 16.

Welcoming the announcement this week, South of Scotland SNP MSP Christine Grahame said: "The Edinburgh tram works have caused high levels of disruption for passengers and bus operators alike, but I am now relieved that the end appears to be in sight for most Borders bus users."

A spokeswoman for First said: "As promised to our passengers we carried out a monitoring exercise once the tram works which were previously effecting our Borders services were completed at the end of May.

"Following the results of this exercise we have decided to go back into the bus station. We are currently in the process of registering this change and hopefully with the support of local authorities the new timetable will commence mid August 2010."

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Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

hazelkaye
Jul 6 10 18:20
Comment: 12257

Better still when the trains 'terminate' (maybe not, as some might run onwards to Fife etc) at Waverley station!
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CuriousBystander
Unregistered User
Jul 7 10 18:22
Comment: 12274

While it is good news the buses are now going back to the station I was a bit curious as to the route passengers were left with - I couldn't see how they needed to go through a 'dimly lit alley'. After thinking it out, I realised the alley that was referred to. Yes, that may have been the quickest route to the station, but one that is not compulsory! Surely it is possible to walk along Princes Street and turn up St Andrew's Square? That way is hardly dimly lit! Anyway, glad it is to be back to normal - it was a pain going to Waterloo Place to get the bus, caused me to miss a bus or two in my time!
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