Transform Scotland is urging Edinburgh councillors to allow the city’s 7-7-7 bus-lane trial to continue, with effective monitoring to assess its benefits and address any practical problems.
In a written deputation to the City of Edinburgh Council’s Transport and Environment Committee for its meeting on 12 November, we highlight how more reliable buses can help people reach work, education, appointments and local businesses.
Our submission complements the Edinburgh Bus Users Group’s deputation and calls for an evaluation covering journey times, passenger benefits, accessibility, deliveries and effects on local businesses.
Transform Scotland spokesperson Stacey O’Flaherty said:
“People need buses they can depend on to get to work, attend appointments and reach local shops and services. Our Life in the Bus Lane research identified slow and unreliable journeys as barriers to bus use. Edinburgh’s 7-7-7 bus-lane trial deserves a fair opportunity to show what extended hours can deliver for passengers. Even small improvements to individual journeys can add up to substantial benefits across the many people using the corridor.
“Concerns about deliveries, local businesses and access for older and disabled people deserve practical responses. Accessibility also means ensuring that people who rely on buses can reach their destinations reliably. We urge councillors to allow the trial to continue, publish a thorough evaluation and make targeted adjustments where problems are demonstrated. Edinburgh needs sustained progress on bus priority to give more people a dependable alternative to driving.”
