A share of funding awards totalling more than £750,000 will be used to develop improvements for East Lothian’s bus infrastructure and shorten journey times.
The county will benefit from two allocations from the Scottish Government’s Bus Infrastructure Fund (BIF) which were announced by Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity Jim Fairlie on Wednesday, 10 September.
An award of £505,000 will enable East Lothian Council, Midlothian Council and City of Edinburgh Council to work in partnership along with bus operators to develop a business case for more sustainable transport corridors in the region. This will include reviewing bus delay data to identify potential improvements and evaluating post-COVID-19 changes in travel behaviour.
Part of the funding will allow East Lothian Council officers to explore the introduction of new bus routes connecting the county with Edinburgh and Midlothian along with studying measures to decrease the length of journeys in and around Musselburgh.
Ways to link bus services with the Musselburgh Active Toun (MAT) project, which aims to create safer and more attractive routes for walking, wheeling, and cycling, will also be examined.
Another £250,000 in BIF funding will go to the Edinburgh and South-East of Scotland Partnership to help deliver a strategic business case for mass transit solutions to support economic growth and sustainable transport.
Identify sustainable opportunities
East Lothian Council also received £200,000 in direct BIF funding to review and upgrade existing bus stops and shelters, signage and promotional material, and to work towards making bus stops more accessible.
The Bus Infrastructure Fund is the Scottish Government’s primary fund for the development, design, and construction of bus infrastructure across the country.
Councillor John McMillan, East Lothian Council’s Cabinet Spokesperson for Environment, Economic Development and Tourism, said: “This funding from the Scottish Government’s Bus Infrastructure Fund will allow us to work with neighbouring local authorities to identify sustainable opportunities for better transport links.
“We are committed to delivering a wide network of bus coverage, both within East Lothian and for those travelling to and from Edinburgh and Midlothian, along with increasing overall access to public transport.
“By looking at ways to connect with active travel projects, we aim to deliver an integrated transport system which allows people to make healthy choices while contributing to net zero emission targets.”
Improved infrastructure
Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity Jim Fairlie said: “I’m pleased that we’re supporting East Lothian Council’s sustainable transport ambitions through the Scottish Government’s Bus Infrastructure Fund. In addition to over £200,000 of investment being provided to the Council directly, we are also providing over £750,000 for regional projects.
“This funding will support business cases which could lead to transformational change in how buses get around East Lothian - meaning improved infrastructure and faster bus services for communities.
“We need to respond to the climate crisis. We need people to have real choices when it comes to leaving the car and home and choosing more sustainable public transport. This investment will improve those options, making bus travel more attractive and accessible for people across East Lothian.”