New (Dial a) Bus Service

You spoke – and the council can help! Coming to a place near you shortly.

The East Lammermuir Local Place Plan Survey found that a top priority for local people is better public transport. (See elcc.scot for more details)

East Lothian Council has agreed to fund a trial Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) operation, using a 16-seater low floor wheelchair bus.

The operation of the DRT 131 by Eve Coaches will hopefully start on 12 February 2024 once permission from the Traffic Commissioner has been received. The DRT131 will operate to direct points only from the area covered: Oldhamstocks, Dunglass, Bilsdean, Innerwick, Thorntonloch, Skateraw and Broxburn to:

• Asda Spott Road – Access to the public bus services: X7, 253, 120 &130
• Dunbar Railway Station – Access to train services.
• Dunbar Medical practice – Access to medical appointments.

Area Covered includes: Oldhamstocks, Dunglass, Bilsdean, Innerwick,
Thorntonloch, Skateraw and Broxburn

The reason for operating direct point to point is the DRT can’t operate in direct competition to one of the existing services (Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) regulations).

The service hours of operation would be linked to commuting services Mondays to Fridays 0700-2100. The service will also accept National entitlement cards and Under 22 scheme.

Further information will be released prior to the start date once approval is gained.

Proposed ‘on-demand’ Community Bus

A significant proportion of people responding to the East Lammermuir Local Place Plan survey identified a responsive bus service as something they would use if it were available.  

A three-month trial of a new ‘on-demand’ bus service has been agreed, linking Oldhamstocks, Dunglass, Bilsdean, Innerwick, Thorntonloch, Skateraw and Broxburn to Dunbar:

  • Asda, Spott Road – Access to the public bus services: X7, 253, 120 &130
  • Dunbar Railway Station – Access to train services.
  • Dunbar Medical practice – Access to medical appointments.

The start date is not yet confirmed, but we are pushing for it to be in service before Christmas!

Use of the service will help to gather evidence for the (economic) feasibility of the service.

Consessions and passes will be accepted.

How will it work?

This is your chance to prove the service is required – if it isn’t used, then the service will not continue. 

Note of meeting with Fred Olsen Renewables 9 November 2023

Notes of a notes of meeting called by Fred Olsen Renewables to discuss their impending work and future proposals at Crystal Rig.

This meeting was called by Fred Olsen Renewables to prepare for their (Spring 2024) work up at Crystal Rig and associated traffic movements.

It also included important news about their future plans at the site – which is accessed through East Lammermuir from the A1 at Thurston.

It is likely there will not be an end to periods of intense construction traffic movements on this route – at least not in our lifetimes.