Passengers left in dark as tracker fails again

Published on Friday 15 April 2011 18:19

AN investigation is under way into what is causing the city's Bus Tracker network to keep going on the blink.

Travellers in the city centre were left without information yesterday after the system, which provides real-time updates for Lothian Buses services, went down.

It is the latest in a string of problems for the technology, which also allows the travelling public to check bus times online and on their phones.

Communications regulator Ofcom is now investigating amid concerns that "microwave interference" is affecting equipment used by Bus Tracker.

Earlier this year, a massive surge in the number of commuters checking bus times online was blamed for crashing the computer system which provides the updates.

The city council, which maintains the technology, said the Bus Tracker website had received 6.5 million hits in November, compared with just over one million hits per month earlier in the year.

It said the increase was due to wintry weather conditions, but also smartphone users accessing the website using an app which has been downloaded by thousands of people in the Capital since being introduced in late 2009.

Improvements have since been made to the infrastructure, but now it is the on-street facilities which are giving cause for concern.

A council spokesman said: "We are aware of the problem and we are currently investigating the causes."

Meanwhile, it has emerged that drivers at Lothian Buses have accepted a new pay deal understood to be a 3.5 per cent rise over two years, despite a pay freeze for other council workers.

However, drivers who join the company next year will now go on to a lower wage, which will equate to around 2 an hour less than existing employees.

It means the average salary for a bus driver will rise to around 25,000.

In 2005, a pay dispute led to industrial action when Lothian Buses drivers held strikes after rejecting a five per cent rise.

One current worker said: "The basic wage will go up to 11.63 an hour in January and then 12.03 the following year.

"That's the deal the company wanted the drivers to take, but it means me won't get a lieu day for the royal wedding." Tony Trench, Edinburgh regional officer for the Unite union, which represents Lothian Buses staff, said: "I'm happy with the deal and the membership have agreed the deal.

"The new drivers will still be among the highest paid in the industry, even though they will start on a lower rate."

No-one from Lothian Buses was available for comment.