First Edinburgh
Encyclopedia
First Edinburgh is a bus operator which operates in the south east and central Scotland
, and was created by the merger of three companies: Lowland Scottish
, Eastern Scottish
and Midland Scottish
to form a single company for the area and is part of First Group plc. The company has a fleet of over 420 buses, and employs over 1200 staff.
regions of Scotland and into northern England, branded simply as 'First' on buses and marketed as the regional company First in South East & Central Scotland.
During 1998, it was decided to reorganise the operations of the 3 companies: Lowland Scottish
, Eastern Scottish
and Midland Scottish
into one main company. By doing so helped simplify the operations, as areas such as West Lothian or Mid Lothian were covered by at least two out of the three companies.
The start of the process came into effect in 1999, with many back-door functions being transferred to Larbert
and a new single livery being introduced. By 2002, all of the companies' operations were controlled by Larbert
.
to the west, First operated buses throughout most of southern Scotland from the late 1990s/early 2000s. The region covered includes Ayrshire
, Renfrewshire
, Dunbartonshire
, Glasgow
, Lanarkshire
, Clackmannanshire
, Stirlingshire
, Lothian
s, Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders
. From October 2004, First Group gained the ScotRail
franchise to run until 2014, increasing its dominance in the public transport market across the Central Belt
.
Although operating services in Edinburgh, these are mainly from the city centre to outlying towns in East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian. These only operate on arterial routes, therefore do not serve the city extensively. Most routes within Edinburgh are operated by Lothian Buses
.
The company's presence in the Borders has declined drastically due to the withdrawal of commercial town services and the loss of rural tendered services to local independent operators, although the company has recently taken control of service 20, which was previously held by MacEwan's Coaches. The depots at Berwick-upon-Tweed, Hawick, Jedburgh, Kelso and Peebles (recently demolished) have all closed, leaving just Galashiels as an operating base in the Borders. Haddington depot in East Lothian also closed, although the sub depot at North Berwick
and Balfron
have survived. There are still depots at Dalkeith
, Larbert
, Livingston
, Musselburgh
and Stirling
.
. FifeFirst operated a single route, the 56, operating between Edinburgh, Dunfermline, Cowdenbeath and Ballingry, using vehicles transferred from Lowland, Midland and Rider York and painted in allover red. A sub-depot was set up in Dunfermline
with Westfield providing most of the vehicles used. Fife First ran until July 2000 when the service was axed and the low floor buses transferred to the Falkirk
area.
, with fares being cut, extra vehicles being drafted in, timetables altered and routes being diverted. Lothian complained to the Office of Fair Trading
, claiming First was engaging in anti-competitive behaviour in an effort to become the dominant operator in Edinburgh. However, the OfT ruled that First Edinburgh's conduct represented legitimate competition; that it did not intend to 'drive Lothian off the streets', and that its fares were low enough in comparison to its costs. Regardless of this decision, the First network in Edinburgh was curtailed, ending the bus war and leaving Lothian as the dominant city operator.
, that were cut back, have been taken over by Lothian Buses.
Since the 4 public enquires, First Edinburgh has dealt with many of the issues raised and has sorted out all outstanding issues.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, and was created by the merger of three companies: Lowland Scottish
Lowland Scottish
Lowland Scottish Omnibuses Ltd was a bus operator in south eastern Scotland and parts of northern England. The company was formed in 1985 and operated under the identities Lowland Scottish, Lowland and First Lowland / First SMT, until 1999 when the company's operations were combined with the...
, Eastern Scottish
Eastern Scottish
Eastern Scottish, of Edinburgh, Scotland, was a bus and coach operator and a subsidiary of the Scottish Bus Group . Eastern Scottish Omnibuses Ltd. was formed in June 1985 from the main part of Scottish Omnibuses Ltd., which had itself traded as 'Eastern Scottish' since the 1960s...
and Midland Scottish
Midland Scottish
Midland Scottish Omnibuses Ltd, in Scotland, was a bus operating subsidiary of the Scottish Transport Group formed in June 1985 from Walter Alexander and Sons Ltd, and operated until 1991 when it became Midland Bluebird Ltd.- Operation :...
to form a single company for the area and is part of First Group plc. The company has a fleet of over 420 buses, and employs over 1200 staff.
History
Despite the company name, the company operates across the Central, Lothians and BordersScottish Borders
The Scottish Borders is one of 32 local government council areas of Scotland. It is bordered by Dumfries and Galloway in the west, South Lanarkshire and West Lothian in the north west, City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian to the north; and the non-metropolitan counties of Northumberland...
regions of Scotland and into northern England, branded simply as 'First' on buses and marketed as the regional company First in South East & Central Scotland.
During 1998, it was decided to reorganise the operations of the 3 companies: Lowland Scottish
Lowland Scottish
Lowland Scottish Omnibuses Ltd was a bus operator in south eastern Scotland and parts of northern England. The company was formed in 1985 and operated under the identities Lowland Scottish, Lowland and First Lowland / First SMT, until 1999 when the company's operations were combined with the...
, Eastern Scottish
Eastern Scottish
Eastern Scottish, of Edinburgh, Scotland, was a bus and coach operator and a subsidiary of the Scottish Bus Group . Eastern Scottish Omnibuses Ltd. was formed in June 1985 from the main part of Scottish Omnibuses Ltd., which had itself traded as 'Eastern Scottish' since the 1960s...
and Midland Scottish
Midland Scottish
Midland Scottish Omnibuses Ltd, in Scotland, was a bus operating subsidiary of the Scottish Transport Group formed in June 1985 from Walter Alexander and Sons Ltd, and operated until 1991 when it became Midland Bluebird Ltd.- Operation :...
into one main company. By doing so helped simplify the operations, as areas such as West Lothian or Mid Lothian were covered by at least two out of the three companies.
The start of the process came into effect in 1999, with many back-door functions being transferred to Larbert
Larbert
Larbert is a small town in the Falkirk council area of Scotland. The town lies in the Forth Valley above the River Carron which flows from the west. Larbert is 3 miles from the shoreline of the Firth of Forth and 2.5 miles northwest of Falkirk, the main town in the area...
and a new single livery being introduced. By 2002, all of the companies' operations were controlled by Larbert
Larbert
Larbert is a small town in the Falkirk council area of Scotland. The town lies in the Forth Valley above the River Carron which flows from the west. Larbert is 3 miles from the shoreline of the Firth of Forth and 2.5 miles northwest of Falkirk, the main town in the area...
.
Operational area
Together with First GlasgowFirst Glasgow
First Glasgow is the largest bus company serving the Greater Glasgow area in, Scotland. It forms part of FirstGroup, a company operating transport services across the British Isles and in North America...
to the west, First operated buses throughout most of southern Scotland from the late 1990s/early 2000s. The region covered includes Ayrshire
Ayrshire
Ayrshire is a registration county, and former administrative county in south-west Scotland, United Kingdom, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine. The town of Troon on the coast has hosted the British Open Golf Championship twice in the...
, Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire is one of 32 council areas used for local government in Scotland. Located in the west central Lowlands, it is one of three council areas contained within the boundaries of the historic county of Renfrewshire, the others being Inverclyde to the west and East Renfrewshire to the east...
, Dunbartonshire
Dunbartonshire
Dunbartonshire or the County of Dumbarton is a lieutenancy area and registration county in the west central Lowlands of Scotland lying to the north of the River Clyde. Until 1975 it was a county used as a primary unit of local government with its county town and administrative centre at the town...
, Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Lanarkshire
Lanarkshire
Lanarkshire or the County of Lanark ) is a Lieutenancy area, registration county and former local government county in the central Lowlands of Scotland...
, Clackmannanshire
Clackmannanshire
Clackmannanshire, often abbreviated to Clacks is a local government council area in Scotland, and a lieutenancy area, bordering Perth and Kinross, Stirling and Fife.As Scotland's smallest historic county, it is often nicknamed 'The Wee County'....
, Stirlingshire
Stirlingshire
Stirlingshire or the County of Stirling is a registration county of Scotland, based around Stirling, the former county town. It borders Perthshire to the north, Clackmannanshire and West Lothian to the east, Lanarkshire to the south, and Dunbartonshire to the south-west.Until 1975 it was a county...
, Lothian
Lothian
Lothian forms a traditional region of Scotland, lying between the southern shore of the Firth of Forth and the Lammermuir Hills....
s, Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders
Scottish Borders
The Scottish Borders is one of 32 local government council areas of Scotland. It is bordered by Dumfries and Galloway in the west, South Lanarkshire and West Lothian in the north west, City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian to the north; and the non-metropolitan counties of Northumberland...
. From October 2004, First Group gained the ScotRail
First ScotRail
ScotRail Railways Ltd. is the FirstGroup-owned train operating company running domestic passenger trains within Scotland, northern England and the cross-border Caledonian Sleeper service to London using the brand ScotRail which is the property of the Scottish Government...
franchise to run until 2014, increasing its dominance in the public transport market across the Central Belt
Central Belt
The Central Belt of Scotland is a common term used to describe the area of highest population density within Scotland. Despite the name, it is not geographically central but is nevertheless situated at the 'waist' of Scotland on a conventional map and the term 'central' is used in many local...
.
Although operating services in Edinburgh, these are mainly from the city centre to outlying towns in East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian. These only operate on arterial routes, therefore do not serve the city extensively. Most routes within Edinburgh are operated by Lothian Buses
Lothian Buses
Lothian Buses Plc is the only municipal bus company in Scotland and the largest provider of bus services in Edinburgh, Scotland. City of Edinburgh Council own 91.01% of the company with the remainder being owned by East Lothian and Midlothian councils. As well as serving Edinburgh, Lothian Buses...
.
The company's presence in the Borders has declined drastically due to the withdrawal of commercial town services and the loss of rural tendered services to local independent operators, although the company has recently taken control of service 20, which was previously held by MacEwan's Coaches. The depots at Berwick-upon-Tweed, Hawick, Jedburgh, Kelso and Peebles (recently demolished) have all closed, leaving just Galashiels as an operating base in the Borders. Haddington depot in East Lothian also closed, although the sub depot at North Berwick
North Berwick
The Royal Burgh of North Berwick is a seaside town in East Lothian, Scotland. It is situated on the south shore of the Firth of Forth, approximately 25 miles east of Edinburgh. North Berwick became a fashionable holiday resort in the 19th century because of its two sandy bays, the East Bay and the...
and Balfron
Balfron
Balfron, is a village in the Stirling council area of Scotland. It is situated near Endrick Water on the A875 road, 18 miles west of Stirling and 16 miles north of Glasgow. Although a rural settlement, it lies within commuting distance of Glasgow, and serves as a dormitory town.-History:The name...
have survived. There are still depots at Dalkeith
Dalkeith
Dalkeith is a town in Midlothian, Scotland, lying on the River North Esk. It was granted a burgh of barony in 1401 and a burgh of regality in 1540...
, Larbert
Larbert
Larbert is a small town in the Falkirk council area of Scotland. The town lies in the Forth Valley above the River Carron which flows from the west. Larbert is 3 miles from the shoreline of the Firth of Forth and 2.5 miles northwest of Falkirk, the main town in the area...
, Livingston
Livingston, Scotland
Livingston is a town in West Lothian, Scotland. It is the fourth post-WWII new town to be built in Scotland, designated in 1962. It is about 15 miles west of Edinburgh and 30 miles east of Glasgow, and is bordered by the towns of Broxburn to the northeast and Bathgate to the northwest.Livingston...
, Musselburgh
Musselburgh
Musselburgh is the largest settlement in East Lothian, Scotland, on the coast of the Firth of Forth, six miles east of Edinburgh city centre.-History:...
and Stirling
Stirling
Stirling is a city and former ancient burgh in Scotland, and is at the heart of the wider Stirling council area. The city is clustered around a large fortress and medieval old-town beside the River Forth...
.
Fife First
In 1997, First started a new operation, FifeFirst. This competed with Stagecoach, who had started up new services in GlasgowGlasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
. FifeFirst operated a single route, the 56, operating between Edinburgh, Dunfermline, Cowdenbeath and Ballingry, using vehicles transferred from Lowland, Midland and Rider York and painted in allover red. A sub-depot was set up in Dunfermline
Dunfermline
Dunfermline is a town and former Royal Burgh in Fife, Scotland, on high ground from the northern shore of the Firth of Forth. According to a 2008 estimate, Dunfermline has a population of 46,430, making it the second-biggest settlement in Fife. Part of the town's name comes from the Gaelic word...
with Westfield providing most of the vehicles used. Fife First ran until July 2000 when the service was axed and the low floor buses transferred to the Falkirk
Falkirk
Falkirk is a town in the Central Lowlands of Scotland. It lies in the Forth Valley, almost midway between the two most populous cities of Scotland; north-west of Edinburgh and north-east of Glasgow....
area.
Edinburgh bus war
First sought to increase their market share of Edinburgh city services in 2001, cutting fares and increasing traffic on certain routes, while cutting back on more tradition routes. This sparked a very bitter 'bus war' between First and Edinburgh city operator Lothian BusesLothian Buses
Lothian Buses Plc is the only municipal bus company in Scotland and the largest provider of bus services in Edinburgh, Scotland. City of Edinburgh Council own 91.01% of the company with the remainder being owned by East Lothian and Midlothian councils. As well as serving Edinburgh, Lothian Buses...
, with fares being cut, extra vehicles being drafted in, timetables altered and routes being diverted. Lothian complained to the Office of Fair Trading
Office of Fair Trading
The Office of Fair Trading is a not-for-profit and non-ministerial government department of the United Kingdom, established by the Fair Trading Act 1973, which enforces both consumer protection and competition law, acting as the UK's economic regulator...
, claiming First was engaging in anti-competitive behaviour in an effort to become the dominant operator in Edinburgh. However, the OfT ruled that First Edinburgh's conduct represented legitimate competition; that it did not intend to 'drive Lothian off the streets', and that its fares were low enough in comparison to its costs. Regardless of this decision, the First network in Edinburgh was curtailed, ending the bus war and leaving Lothian as the dominant city operator.
Aftermath
Heavy losses where made, which resulted in cutbacks in many parts of their operations which included the loss of all travel shops in Dalkieth, Falkirk, Edinburgh, Galashiels, Hawick and Livingston. The main depot at Westfield in Edinburgh was also closed. Many traditional routes to Pencuik, Dalkieth and BonnyriggBonnyrigg
Bonnyrigg is a town in Midlothian, Scotland, eight miles southeast of Edinburgh city centre. The town had a population of 11,260 in the 1991 census which has risen to 14,457 according to the 2001 census. Along with Lasswade, Bonnyrigg is a twin town with Saint-Cyr-l'École, France.- History :Early...
, that were cut back, have been taken over by Lothian Buses.
Traffic Commissioners
First Edinburgh has been in front of Traffic Commissioners, on 4 occasions due to various issues surrounding the company. Public enquires were held on the;- 2004 and 2005 to deal with maintenance
- 2008 was to deal with both Maintenances and time-keeping, problems come to a head in Falkirk in 2007 when a high number of companies buses were taken off the road for repairs, leving many passengers unimprested,.
- 2010 was to deal with timekeeping
Since the 4 public enquires, First Edinburgh has dealt with many of the issues raised and has sorted out all outstanding issues.
Falkirk & Stirling area 26 July 2011
| Route Number | Route Name | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| UL | Uni Link | University of Stirling - Stirling City Centre | |
| L1 | Linlithgow Town Service | ||
| 1 | Blue Line | Whitecross - Dunipace | Falkirk Local Service |
| 2 | Blue Line | Whitecross - Denny | Falkirk Local Service |
| 3 | Red Line | Tamfourhill - Grangemouth | Falkirk Local Service |
| 4/4A | Red Line | Camelon - Grangemouth | Fakkirk Local Service |
| 5 | Brown Line | Langlees - Hallglen | Falkirk Local Service |
| 6A | Forth Valley Hospital - Linlithgow | ||
| 8 | Falkirk - Westquarter | Falkirk Local Service | |
| C8 | Balfron - Glasgow via Milngavie | ||
| 10/11/12 | Yellow Line | Falkirk Town Service via Antonshill | |
| 10 | Balfron - Glasgow | ||
| 11A | Glasgow - Balfron | ||
| C11 | Stirling - Balfron via Blairdrummond | ||
| 12/C12 | Stirling - Balfron via Kippen | ||
| 13 | Balfron - Balloch | ||
| 13/13A | Montgomery Street - Bus Station | Falkirk Local Service | |
| 15 | Falkirk - Stirling via Alloa | ||
| 15A | Falkirk - Alloa | ||
| 16/C16 | Falkirk - Cambusbarron/Stirling via Fallin | ||
| 17 | Falkirk - Limerigg | Falkirk Local Service | |
| X19 | Forth Valley Hospital - Edinburgh via M9 motorway | Limited Stop | |
| 24 | Stirling- Glasgow Via Kilsyth | ||
| 27 | Falkirk- Glasgow Via Kilsyth | ||
| 29 | Falkirk - Livingston | ||
| 29A | Falkirk - Bathgate | ||
| 32/C32 | Balfron - Stirling via St Ninians | ||
| X37 | Falkirk - Glasgow via Cumbernauld | Part Limited Stop | |
| 38/X38 | Edinburgh - Stirling via Linlithgow Cross | ||
| X39 | Stirling - Glasgow via M80 motorway | Part Limited Stop | |
| 40 | Falkirk - California | ||
| 42 | Falkirk - Linlithgow via Reddingmuirhead | ||
| 43/X43/X4 | Edinburgh - South Queensferry, Bo'ness or Linlithgow | ||
| 44N | Edinburgh - Bo'ness | Night Service | |
| 45/46 | Linlithgow Circular via Bo'ness | ||
| 49 | Linlithgow to Bo'ness via Blackness | ||
| 53 | Whins of Milton - Cornton | Stirling Local Service | |
| 54/54A/C54 | Green Line | Cowie Circular via Bridge of Allan and Cornton | Stirling Local Service |
| 56 | Bannockburn - Fallin | ||
| 57/C57 | Pink Line | St Ninians - Raploch | Stirling Local Service |
| 58/C58 | Stirling - Dunblane Wallace Road | Stirling Local Service | |
| 59/C59 | Fallin - Callander via Blairdrummond | ||
| 60 | Turquoise Line | Falkirk - Stirling - Clackmannan via Alloa | |
| 62/63 | Orange Line | Stirling Circular via Alloa Circular | |
| 67/76 | Indigo Line | Forth Valley Hospital - Bo'ness | |
| C68 | Menstrie - Clackmannan | ||
| C69 | Yetts of Muckhart/Dollar - Alva | ||
| C70 | Dollar - Alva | ||
Livingston (From Novermeber 2011)
| Route Number | Route Name | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| B1 | Broxburn (Hoban Square) - Broxburn (Crossgreen) | ||
| 20/X20 | Edinburgh - Whitburn - (Fauldhouse) | ||
| 21/21A/X21 | Edinburgh - Bathgate - Armadale - Fauldhouse | Also includes 418/419 | |
| 22/X22 | Edinburgh - Whitburn - Harthill | ||
| 26 | Deans - Livingston - Fauldhouse | Every 20mins | |
| 27/X27 | Edinburgh - Bathgate via Wilkieston | includes 427 | |
| 28/X28 | Edinburgh - Bathgate via Kirknewton | includes 428 | |
| 30 | Boghall - Bathgate | ||
| 31/32 | Livingston - Linlithgow | Includes Sunday 475 | |
| 403 | Bathgate Town Service via Tesco | council service | |
| 409/410 | Livingston Circular via Knightsridge | Peak times | |
| 416 | Boghall - Blackridge | Sunday only | |
| 417 | Broxburn - Bathgate via Uphall | Sunday only | |
| 466/489 | Livingston - Bathgate via Loganlea | ||
| 474 | Bathgate Tesco - Linlithgow | ||
| 484 | Bathgate Station/Birniehill - Broxburn via Philpstoun | ||
| 600 | Bathgate - Longridge - Whitburn - Bathgate | ||
| 630/631 | Livingston - Kirkliston - Ocean Termanil | Every 2 hours | |
| 651 | Livingston - Kirkliston - Ferrytoll - Dunfermline | Every 2 hours | |
| 800 | Livingston - Blackridge | Every 30mins | |
| X1 | Edinburgh - Blackridge | Limited Stop, peak times | |
| X2 | Edinburgh - Livingston (Deans South) | Peak times | |
| X3 | Edinburgh - Livingston (Deans North) | Peak times | |
| X15/15A | Livingston - Glasgow | Limited Stop | |
Scottish Borders
| Route Number | Route Name | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Galashiels Town Service | ||
| 8A | Galashiels - Melrose via Langlee | ||
| 9A | Galashiels - Melrose via Tweedbank | ||
| 12/12A/12B | Hawick Town Service | ||
| 20 | Hawick - Kelso via Jedburgh and Denholm | ||
| 60 | Rail Link | Galashiels - Tweedmouth via Berwick-upon-Tweed | |
| 61/61A | Galashiels - Oxton | ||
| 62/62A | Tweedlink | Galashiels - Edinburgh via Peebles and Penicuik | |
| 65 | Galashiels - Kelso | ||
| 65A | Galashiels - Kelso via Langlee | ||
| 66 | Galashiels - Kelso via Earlston | ||
| 67 | Galashiels - St Boswells | ||
| 68 | Galashiels - Jedburgh | ||
| 68A | Galashiels - Jedburgh via Bowden | ||
| X70 | Edinburgh - Peebles | Limited Stop | |
| 72 | Melrose - Selkirk (Bannerfield) | ||
| 73 | Galashiels - Selkirk/Hawick | ||
| 74/74A | Galashiels - Melrose via BGH and Tweedbank | ||
| 75/75A | Galashiels - Melrose via BGH and Darnick | ||
| 81 | Kelso Circular via Eckford | ||
| 83 | Kelso Circular | ||
| 90A/90B | Peebles Town Service via South Side Circle | ||
| X95 | Rail Link | Edinburgh - Carlisle via Galashiels, Hawick and Selkirk | Limited Stop |
Dalkieth & Musselburgh: 30th May
| Route Number | Route Name | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 44 | Balerno - Wallyford | Every 10 mins | |
| 44 | Balerno - Whitecraig | Hourly | |
| 44B | Balerno - Pencaitland | Houlry | |
| 44C | Balerno - Haddington | Two per Hour | |
| 44D | Edinburgh - Dunbar | Evenings and Sundays | |
| 86/86A | Edinburgh - Birkenside via Keir Hardie Drive | Every 20 mins Dalkieth to Edinburgh except at peak where 10 min frequency is maintained. | |
| 92/92A | Dalkieth Circular via Bonnyrigg and Gorebridge | ||
| 110 | Dalkieth/Elphinstone - Cockenzie/Prestonpans | ||
| 121 | North Berwick - Haddington | ||
| 123 | Haddington - Haddington Via Gifford | ||
| 124/X24 | Edinburgh - North Berwick | ||
| 129 | Ocean Terminal - Musselburgh (Tesco) - Seton Sands | ||
| 141 | Fort Kinnaird - Penicuik via Roslin | ||
| 142 | Fort Kinnaird - Straiton | ||
| 228 | Musselburgh - Royal infirmary | ||
| 253 | Edinburgh-Haddington-Berwick Upon Tweed | operated alongside Perrymans 253. Service was withdrawn after operation on 1st October 2011 | |
| 328/428 | Cousland - Dalkieth - Newton | ||
| X13 | Edinburgh - Pencaitland | Peak times | |
| X29 | Edinburgh - Seton Sands | Peak times | |
| X44 | Edinburgh - Haddington via Tranent | Limited Stop | |
| X45 | Edinburgh - Dunbar via A1 and Haddington | Limited Stop | |
External links
- First Edinburgh website
- First Edinburgh route map – Showing main services