Lothian Buses is creating 45 new driver posts and will take on 10 new apprentice engineers to help meet growing demand for its services against a backdrop of overall decline in bus usage nationally.
A brand new airport link for the north of Edinburgh will provide access from Ocean Terminal through Clermiston and Muirhouse benefiting travellers and airport staff as Edinburgh Airport continues to grow.
Various other improvements will be introduced across the network from 23 April, including changes to frequencies on Saturday and Sunday services, as well as route extensions to serve key destinations such as the Fort Kinnaird Retail Park, Edinburgh Park and Gyle Shopping Centre.
Lothian Buses MD Richard Hall says: “We are delighted to be able to expand on our smart, efficient network to provide more vital links for our customers across the city and beyond, while announcing further investment in recruitment and maintaining our current fare structure.
“Responding to customer feedback, we have adapted routes to improve network choices for customers and are in no doubt that these changes will be to the benefit of our economy and the local communities we serve.
“Our new Service 200 will provide a vital connection to Edinburgh Airport from Ocean Terminal in the north of the city, taking in key residential areas at Newhaven, Clermiston and Drum Brae.
"Following years of strong business performance, bucking the industry trend, this year we will continue to invest in new vehicles with lower emissions and in our ticketing infrastructure to simplify bus travel for all.
"We are excited to grow our business further and are sure that our customers will benefit greatly from the changes introduced.”
In 2016 the company invested £12.5m in 55 new vehicles and since 2011 have removed 4,500 tonnes of CO2 from its carbon footprint.
Further investment in hybrid-electric vehicles is scheduled for 2017, along with improvements to customer Wi-Fi provision and updates to the Bus Tracker and mobile apps.
Last year Lothian Buses announced it was taking on 50 new staff.
Ridacard season ticket prices have remained the same since 2015, while single tickets have only increased by 10p over a four-year period.
