New times released for Edinburgh's night buses

A NEW night bus service is set to be introduced while an axed route will be resurrected under a service shake-up.

The review of Lothian Buses' Nightbus network includes the new N11 service between Haymarket and Western Harbour and the reinstatement of the N16 route between Leith Street and Torphin on weekdays.

However, there will be cutbacks to the N25 service, which will see the Elm Row to Restalrig section of the route withdrawn due to "minimal" passenger numbers.

The N37 between Silverknowes and Penicuik will also be reduced to an hourly service during the week from its current half-hourly rate.

There was an outcry in July last year after the N16 and the N44 Balerno-Tranent services were stopped between Sundays and Thursdays.

Councillor Jason Rust, who represents Colinton/Fairmilehead, was among those to welcome the reinstatement of some of the night buses.

He said: "I have long argued that the provision of a night bus service is a necessity for residents in the south-west and other outlying parts of the city.

"The complete weekday removal of so many night services, which were utilised by young and old alike, was without precedent and effectively curtailed the lives of many residents who were unable to afford taxis and had no access to private transport. Vulnerable and low-paid shift workers particularly suffered, so the return to night-time services is fantastic news."

The other timetable changes include increasing the frequency of the number 11 between Ocean Terminal and Hyvots Bank, as well as changes to the 15, 16, 23, 42 and 49 services.

The changes, which are part of the two service reviews carried out every year, are set to take effect on October 10.

Bill Campbell, Lothian Buses' operations director, said: "We are particularly excited about this raft of changes scheduled for October, especially the developments we are introducing to our very popular Nightbus network."