Edinburgh Bus Wars: Bright Bus Tours ticket sales bid paused over public safety fears

A rival tour bus company attempting to take on Lothian have had their bid to sell tickets on city centre streets put on hold amid public safety fears.

Bright Bus Tours are hoping to take on Lothian's Edinburgh Bus Tours

Bright Bus Tours, which is owned by First Buses, has applied to the Edinburgh City Council for a licence in order for seven ticket sellers to operate at locations across the city centre – including on the Royal Mile, Waverley Bridge, Lothian Road and the Grassmarket.

But the authority’s licensing sub-committee has paused the plans – instead asking for more detailed information to be provided over exact locations.

The company, which offers tours on bright orange buses across the city, claimed that Edinburgh Bus Tours, run by Lothian Buses, has been selling tickets on the street for “around 20 years” without a licence and has appealed for a “level playing field”.

Jonny Nisbet, representing Bright Bus Tours, said that the firm was “asking for fair treatment”.

He added: “Lothian Bus Tours have street sellers at Waverley Bridge. We note that neither Lothian Buses or Edinburgh Bus Tours has a licence to sell tours. This is an unlicensed yet tolerated activity – it’s very visible on Waverley Bridge and they have been operating for around 20 years without an issue.

“The addition of seven sellers is not going to make a material change to the activity in those locations. We are looking for a limited number and we do not accept that we are causing a problem.”

But the council’s licensing manager, Catherine Scanlin, told the committee that Lothian has now submitted a licensing application for its street sellers – and raised concerns over the application by Bright Bus Tours.

She said: “The seven locations are very congested areas on very narrow pavements. They are in places where there is a competing demand for space.

“As far as licensing is concerned, there are not tickets being sold, outside of Waverley Bridge, elsewhere in the city. I’m not saying it doesn’t happen, but we are not aware of it.”

Cllr Karen Doran said that claims Lothian was selling tickets on streets across the city was “hearsay”.

She added: “There continues to be concerns raised by the people of Edinburgh and they don’t feel it’s safe when people and pushed onto roads.

“Some of the places you have asked for have some of the smallest pavements. Do you not have any concerns at all?”

Tony Kenmuir, city tours manager for the company, refuted claims that the operation is contributing to public safety concerns on narrow pavements.

He said: “Do I believe that we are causing a safety issues? No I don’t.”

He added: “We are by no means critical of the established operator – we have nothing but respect for it. We have chosen to compete with it, partly for that reason.

“We want to make any effort to be a valuable part of the tourist offering in the city.”

But councillors were unwilling to approve the application without having more detailed information on the proposals – which will be brought forward by the company at next month’s meeting.

Cllr Max Mitchell said he felt “quite uncomfortable” with the plans.

He added: “One point proposed is Lothian Road, next to the bus stop. I cannot see how it would possibly work with people management, particularly in the peak periods in the year. It’s verging on impossible.”

A spokesperson for Edinburgh Bus Tours said: “Edinburgh Bus Tours has always worked within the previous guidance from relevant authorities and we are consulting with officials on any next steps around licencing on Waverley Bridge.”