Capital bus firm fined for running early

Published on Thursday 29 July 2010 14:28

EDINBURGH'S main bus operator lost its unblemished 25-year record yesterday when it was fined £10,500 for running services up to five minutes early.

Lothian Buses, which has been named as Britain's best operator several times, suffered its first penalty from the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland after retiming its buses to take account of roadworks delays, including for the tram line.

Traffic Commissioner Joan Aitken, who could have fined the company 385,000, said she would limit it "to what I can term as a marker".

Checks in February on services 4, 27 and 45 found that 44 buses ran between two and five minutes early. Services are permitted to operate only one minute ahead of schedule.

Ms Aitken said: "I am in no doubt that this operator seeks to serve the city to the best of its ability. However, early running cannot be tolerated, given that a passenger can wait for a late bus, but can never catch a bus which has already gone."

Lothian Buses managing director Ian Craig said: "We accept the Traffic Commissioner's findings and affirm our commitment to the highest level of service."