Lothian Buses suspends services tonight after violent attacks
It's after a bus driver was assaulted & several windows were shattered.
Lothian Buses is suspending services tonight – to protect people from threats of violence.
The operator says it’s taking a zero-tolerance approach after nine windows were smashed in anti-social attacks on eight buses earlier this week.
They followed police stepping up patrols in the Drumbrae and Clermiston areas after other incidents – including a driver being injured during an assault two weeks ago.
Buses schedule to leave terminals after 19:30 will not be operating this evening, but it’s hoped they'll be back on the roads tomorrow – although it’s being kept under review.
Bus bosses say drivers have been dealing with trouble for months and it's escalating.
They're apologising to essential travellers but insist safety is the absolute priority.
The crackdown impacts on Lothian Buses, Lothian Country, and East Coast Buses services, but NightBus services remain unaffected.
Sarah Boyd, Lothian Buses' operations director said: "It is with pride that Lothian serves at the heart of our local communities and after the challenges of the last year it’s frankly appalling that the actions of a few can directly impact on so many.
"However, driver and customer safety is our absolute priority and so it is with deep regret that we have to take this action.
"We understand that we provide a critical service for key workers and those for whom travel is essential and we can only apologise to these customers who we know will be inconvenienced by this decision.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Police Scotland for all their efforts in helping us to maintain service this far. I would also like to thank our customers and all of our colleagues for their continued support and patience.
"We would urge anyone with any information relating to these incidents to come forward to ensure those responsible are held accountable for their actions."
The union, Unite's regional industrial officer, Lyn Turner added: "Our members have the right to work without fear and we stand by Lothian’s decision to withdraw services from areas in which they cannot operate safely. The safety of our members is paramount.
"We would urge communities to come together and provide information on those responsible for these dangerous acts of criminal behaviour which are putting the safety of our members and that of the public at serious risk."
Commenting on the latest development, Edinburgh City Council's transport convener, Lesley Macinnes told Radio Forth News: "Like everyone who’s seen coverage of the horrendous attacks on our bus services in recent days I’ve been utterly appalled by the reckless and intimidating behaviour of those behind the assaults. Enough is enough, it has to stop.
"I’m completely behind Lothian’s decision to withdraw bus services tonight as a clear message that this criminal targeting of a vital public service will not be tolerated.
"Anyone out there who thinks they know someone who’s involved in this despicable campaign of antisocial behaviour needs to do the right thing and report it to Police right away."