Midlothian Council "raises concern" over Lothian Buses tram cash plan
The Chief Executive of Midlothian Council has hit out at proposals to use £20 million from Lothian Buses to help pay for the extension of Edinburgh's tram track.
The Chief Executive of Midlothian Council has hit out at proposals to use £20 million from Lothian Buses to help pay for the extension of Edinburgh's tram track.
Kenneth Lawrie has written to the company to raise doubts about the potential impact the move could have on bus services in the area.
In a letter to Jim McFarlane, chair and interim general manager of Lothian Buses, he wrote: "It was always Midlothian Council's understanding that Lothian Buses and the Edinburgh trams were two separate companies and would operate in this way.
"The recent announcements suggest that one is increasingly dependent on the other in terms of its future strategic direction and this can only be to the potential detriment of Lothian Buses' future and areas outlying from Edinburgh.
"Overall, it's feared that in trying to meet the wishes of the City of Edinburgh Council, this may come at a cost to the public transport users within Midlothian.
"Midlothian residents are very reliant on the services provided by Lothian Buses."
At a full council meeting yesterday (22nd March), councillors heard that Mr McFarlane had responded, and reiterated a commitment to fleet investment and network services in the region.