Timetable: https://www.lothianbuses.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/X5_220605.pdf
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Following a concerted local campaign, I am pleased to confirm that East Coast Buses is set to reintroduce the X5 bus service.
Lothian Buses has announced that the service, which runs from North Berwick to Edinburgh, will return from June 5.
Last year my petition, which secured over 1,000 signatures, was sent to Lothian Buses and made clear our community’s view that the service should be restored.
Yesterday’s announcement is an overdue but very welcome move by the bus operator and I would like to thank residents who joined my campaign by signing the petition calling for the service to be restored.
This express service is vital for many residents in coastal communities and I look forward to this lifeline route returning.
I also welcome further moves to ensure East Lothian residents are properly served by express bus services now that people are freely commuting as Covid restrictions are removed.
In a letter I received yesterday, Nigel Serafini, Managing Director of Lothian Buses, said: “It is our intention to introduce a service change with effect from 5th June with changes which aim to provide increased frequency, more capacity and faster journeys for customers in East Lothian.”
Mr Serafini added: “Most notably, East Coast Buses will be reinstating Service X5 on an hourly basis. I hope this provides clarity on the timeline for reintroduction of some services which I appreciated have been missed by customers.”
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank local councillors Lachlan Bruce and Jeremy Findlay, along with North Berwick Community Council Chairman Judy Lockhart-Hunter, for their support my campaign.
Judy, Jeremy and Lachlan have played an important role in galvanising the community. They have shown a strong commitment to ensuring our coastal communities have access to proper local bus services.
I look forward to circulating details when the full timetable is announced and more details will be available via this link to my website in the coming days.
Very best regards,
Craig