FREE FIRST USE Lenny Warren / Warren Media 07860 830050  01355 229700 lenny@warrenmedia.co.uk www.warrenmedia.co.uk All images © Warren Media 2017. Free first use only for editorial in connection with the commissioning client's  press-released story. All other rights are reserved. Use in any other context is expressly prohibited without prior permission.• Bus operator sees rise in passenger numbers* on routes across Stirling, Falkirk, West Lothian and Edinburgh

• Investment and customer-focused approach a significant factor, says MD

• Operator recently announced new links and frequencies across network

Local bus operator, First Scotland East/Midland Bluebird, has recorded an increase in passenger numbers across a range of services.

The company, which operates across Central Scotland and on key routes into Edinburgh, has seen a year on year passenger increase in excess of 40% on one service and rises of more than 5% on others

First Scotland East/Midland Bluebird Managing Director, Paul McGowan, said a focus on listening to customers and stakeholders, route extensions and other service improvements have all helped to boost customer numbers.

Service 29, Falkirk to Bathgate has seen an increase of more than 48% in passengers in the past year and the company has now extended the service to Broxburn.

Service 2, Falkirk to Dunipace, has also been attracting significantly more passengers, with a rise of more than 12%, and the service has been now extended into Stirling.

Other route successes include:
• Services 62/63, Stirling Alloa Circular: almost 7.6% increase
• Service 5, Langlees to Bo’ness: a rise of more than 8.2% – and now benefiting from the Falkirk area cut-price zonal fares package announced last year
• Service 38, Stirling to Edinburgh Royal Route: an increase of more than 5.5% – and now with additional peak time journeys
• Service 21, Edinburgh to Fauldhouse: an increase of more than 21% – with the service extended to include Edinburgh Airport, Gyle and Edinburgh Park

There has also been a passenger increase of more than 7% on the high frequency Services 27/28, between Bathgate, Livingston and Edinburgh. Humza Yousaf, Scottish Government Minister for Transport and the Islands, launched a new high-tech/low emissions fleet of First West Lothian buses on the route last year.

Paul McGowan, Managing Director for First Scotland East/Midland Bluebird, said: “We’ve seen encouraging growth in passenger numbers on many routes in the past year and this has been exceptional in some cases.

“We’ve achieved this through significant investment in our fleet and services, by listening to customers and through close partnership with stakeholders.

“We will now be building on this success following the announcement of new links and increased frequencies on many services and our recent freeze on mobile mTicket prices, and simplified fares structure.”

First West Lothian Night Service Picture1• Bus operator launches Services N1 and N2 between Edinburgh and West Lothian
• Services provide new, cheaper late night travel option for customers
• N1 and N2 serving key destinations and available on Friday and Saturday nights

Local bus operator, First West Lothian, has announced plans to launch two new weekend night services, linking Edinburgh with West Lothian.

Services N1 and N2 will operate on Friday and Saturday evenings and will be available from Friday, 28 July.

The services have been launched in response to customer feedback which highlighted the absence of public transport between Edinburgh and West Lothian after midnight at weekends.

With a package of cut price fares available, these services will now offer customers a cheaper travel option when planning a night out in the capital

The services have been introduced in time for this year’s Edinburgh Festival, which starts on 4 August.

First West Lothian Managing Director, Paul McGowan, said: “We’ve listened to feedback from customers who helped us identify a key gap in public transport provision between the capital and West Lothian overnight at weekends.

“We’re very pleased to be launching these services and to be offering customers a cheaper late night travel solution.

“We’ll be operating some of our newest vehicles on these services, providing customers with a high quality travel experience after a night out enjoying Edinburgh’s many attractions.”

About the services:

• Service N1: Operates from Edinburgh Regent Road to Bathgate, via St Johns Road, Newbridge, Broxburn, Uphall, A89 to Bathgate.
• Service N2: Operates from Edinburgh Regent Road to Deans, via Dalry Road, Sighthill, Wilkieston, East Calder, Livingston Terminal and Carmondean.
• From Edinburgh: Both services will operate two journeys and will depart from Edinburgh Regent Road at 0100 and 0200 on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Service N1: Operates two journeys from Uphall to Edinburgh, departing 0010 and 0110 on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Service N2: Operates two journeys from Livingston Terminal to Edinburgh, departing 0013 and 0113 on Fridays and Saturdays.

About the fares:

Adult Singles: Travel within Edinburgh – £3.00; Edinburgh to anywhere in West Lothian – £6.00; Travel solely within West Lothian – £4.00