Funding secured for new direct bus routes from Midlothian to Royal Infirmary after community backlash
Midlothian Council and Lothian Buses said the changes would benefit employees at the Royal Infirmary as well as the wider community
Midlothian Council has secured funding for two new direct bus services to the Royal Infirmary, after the loss of a vital bus link earlier this year sparked fierce backlash among residents and hospital staff.
Council leaders said £245,000 had been awarded by the South East of Scotland Transport Partnership (SEStran) to improve bus services and make it easier for employees at the Royal Infirmary to get to and from work.
From Autumn, Lothian Buses is set to introduce two direct routes from Penicuik and Rosewell to the Royal Infirmary, which will operate two early morning journeys and a return journey in the evening seven-days-a-week.
The Service 37A will run from Penicuik to the Royal Infirmary via Roslin and Loanhead, and the new Service 39A will run from Rosewell to the hospital via Bonnyrigg and Dalkeith.
Midlothian Council also announced an additional morning journey on the Service 48, which operates from Gorebridge to Musselburgh via Newtongrange, Mayfield, Dalkeith, the Royal Infirmary and Fort Kinnaird.
Last week, the Edinburgh Evening News published a series of articles spotlighting the experiences of Midlothian residents whose lives had been turned upside down by bus service changes introduced by Lothian Buses in February.
The changes removed the only direct bus link to the hospital for residents in Rosewell and Bonnyrigg, meaning those travelling there for work or appointments now have to take multiple buses, which they say can now take anywhere between 45 minutes to an hour and a half depending on the bus times and delays.
Residents shared how they were having to leave two hours before their appointments to allow for the extra travel time, and hospital staff described how they had been forced to change their work shifts and childcare arrangements because of the changes.
In one powerful account, Polton resident Susan Inglis said she was facing the prospect of having to leave her job as a children’s nurse at the hospital after the changes saw her having to take up to ten buses a day to manage the school-run alongside getting to and from work.
Since February, almost 3,000 residents in the area have signed a petition set up by Scottish Labour MP Kirsty McNeill in response to the cuts, calling on Lothian Buses to bring back the service.
In a statement, Ms McNeill said that while the new funding announcement is a "significant step forward," she will keep on fighting for improved services across the county.
She said: "After nearly six months of campaigning on this issue, I am incredibly pleased that action has finally been taken to improve bus links to the Royal Infirmary.
"Since the scrapping of the 46 and the rerouting of the 48, many folk in Midlothian lost their only direct bus link to the hospital. I heard from so many healthcare workers who were struggling to get to work, as well as people who were worried about how they would get to their hospital appointments and visit their loved ones."
Ms McNeill added: “I will continue campaigning for the full restoration of these services and for better public transport links across all of Midlothian’s towns and villages - including those which continue to go without a direct bus to the Infirmary.”
Midlothian Council said the new journeys will be introduced in Autumn, with funding for the services running until March next year.
After that, a Midlothian Council spokesperson said it is hoped the services would become financially self-sustaining.
Councillor Colin Cassidy, the Midlothian Council Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “We know that limited public transport options can make getting to work, especially for early or late shifts, more difficult for some residents.
“Therefore, I’m delighted that Midlothian Council has secured funding to deliver two new bus services and an extra journey on an existing service.
“These new and improved bus services to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary will make journeys more reliable and affordable, helping residents access jobs, training and vital services. Just as importantly, they support families to increase their incomes and opportunities for the future.
“This is a practical step that helps to connect our communities, encourages more people to use public transport and supports our local economy too.”
Ben Ritchie, Commercial Manager at Lothian Buses, said: “We are delighted to be working with Midlothian Council to introduce these journeys, benefiting employees at the Royal Infirmary at key shift times as well as the wider local community.
“This funding enables us to operate these journeys alongside our existing network, strengthening connectivity and improving access for those who rely on public transport.”
Brian Butler, Partnership Director at SEStran, said: “We are delighted to support these new bus routes to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and Edinburgh BioQuarter through our Transport to Employment programme, supported by Scottish Government funding to tackle Child Poverty.
“Transport plays a vital role in tackling child poverty. When parents and carers cannot afford or access reliable transport, it can prevent them from taking up work, training or education, even when opportunities exist. This can reduce household income, increase living costs and keep families trapped in poverty.
“By funding services like this, we are helping more people in Midlothian access employment opportunities while also improving connections to essential healthcare. These new routes will make it easier for residents to get to work, training and appointments at the Royal Infirmary, opening up opportunities and improving access to essential services.”