As election fever rises to slightly above normal body temperature, we've localised a familiar graphic. Cut out and use!

Salutary lessons from NE England and London. MSPs and Councillors note: If you think 'that's buses sorted' by subsidy instead of investment, you'll end up without any. And please don't rebrand maintenance & subsidy as investment.

30 pages of amendments at T&EC on Thursday! democracy.edinburgh.gov.uk/documents/b2... Notice a link between Cllr Kinross-O'Neill's re a bus stop on Gorgie Rd and this at full Council next week? democracy.edinburgh.gov.uk/documents/s9... Yes, bus stops removed to maintain schedules; a clue why...

Two EBUG deputations to Transport etc Committee this Thursday. Pages 4 & 19 democracy.edinburgh.gov.uk/documents/b2... Item 9.4 👍 democracy.edinburgh.gov.uk/documents/s9... Item 7.2 👎 a disappointing lack of effort democracy.edinburgh.gov.uk/documents/s9...

Our budget commentary edinburghbususers.group/scottish-bud... Not quite as feisty as web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/edin... , so we'll add: Any would-be MSP who doesn't back £60m in 2026/27 and £1.3bn longer-term for bus priority is not pro-bus.

Of course, if you get rid of other traffic and over-running roadworks, you don't need any of these. But until then...

Bus stuff not recommended for funding (yet) from the TVL: democracy.edinburgh.gov.uk/documents/s9... So apparently the review forum was told that improving buses is all about services. Nothing about infrastructure, really? 🤦 @stephenjenkinson.bsky.social @kate-c.bsky.social @chasbooth.bsky.social

Rather late in the day, thanks to www.glasgow.gov.uk/dontbeabusbl... , we discover the Highway Code now says don't park at bus stops. Though @edinburghcouncil.bsky.social approach of declaring almost all bus stops to be clearways, so parking there's a definite offence, is still better.

Excellent comment by @staceyoflaherty.bsky.social @transform.scot transform.scot/2026/01/14/m... Confirming £60m for bus priority in 2026-27 (more due in later years) At last, a more realistic allocation. Now get on with it, Councils (and don't put them through hoops, Transport Scotland).

Now in EBUG members' emailboxes: Members' Bulletin 24. If you're a member but your copy hasn't arrived, let us know (after checking spam boxes!) To join EBUG, sign up here gmail.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=... Non-members have to wait till Bulletin 24 is on our website.

Question: If public and active travel provisions are an important part of the Sheriffhall project, why was the artist not told to make damn sure they featured in this impression?

OK, there appears to be £1.3bn+ for "active travel & bus infrastructure, ZEBs, smartcard programme & EV charging infrastructure" in the plan period. www.gov.scot/publications... @spokes.org.uk @livingstreetsedi.bsky.social

As we wait expectantly for ScotGov's Infrastructure Investment Plan, Salford shows the way www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater... (while also revealing that turgid pre-construction phases are not limited to Edinburgh and the Lothians)

2026 is a big year for Scottish politics. With Holyrood elections in May, Director Colin Howden asks 6 hard questions on bus priority, traffic reduction, public transport funding and scrutiny👇 transform.scot/2026/01/12/6...

Also tagging aspirant MSPs and others, including those we may have missed (see BOTH BITS) @kate-c.bsky.social @benmacpherson.bsky.social @stephenjenkinson.bsky.social @chasbooth.bsky.social @kevin-lang.bsky.social @markruskell.bsky.social @sannedd.bsky.social @ehyslop.bsky.social

Updated graph for 2025. Showing🧵: Patronage returning to pre-Covid There were 12.5m tram trips; some would previously be by bus, but post-phase1 research showed most tram pax were new to PT c.120m = 'Mon-Fri peak-only bus lanes' norm? LB expansion in E/W Lothian inflates figures

Lothian Buses patronage now back to pre-Covid levels. www.lothianbuses.com/news/2026/01... Imagine what they'd be with updated bus priorities.

Hoping any cuts don't fall on bus infrastructure. Oh wait, they already did. REMINDER: politicians who claim to support bus travel but do 0 for bus priority are not serious people. www.scotsman.com/news/politic... web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/holy...

No change there then. www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/long-...

REMINDER: still 4 days (including the weekend) to get your application in. NB the job's about BUSES (don't worry, our Curator won't be applying 🙂😉)

Your occasional reminder that, while our politicos talk about extending concessionary fares as if it's the be all and end all of bus policy, it's Not Much Use if there's no buses where you live, and some other plans are needed.

Oh hello. A 'mixed' review on 4 bus things: 7-7-7 'meh' (but looking forward to progress in 2026) Through traffic ban 👎 Potholes; hmmm (no, we don't like them) Bus Station 👍 www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/edinbur...

As 2026 starts, 3️⃣ organisations say similar things in bus manifestos: edinburghbususers.group/ebug-suggest... ) www.cpt-uk.org/media/cc4jqx... sestran.gov.uk/wp-content/u... improve journey times reduce congestion give buses priority & better enforcement improve rural services target £s better!

Happy 2026 to our followers, especially any just west of the International Date Line with < 2 hours to go. May your bus journeys be: Frequent, reliable, consistent Cheap/free, simple Informed With: Legendary customer service Appropriate roadside furniture, parking & land use policies

Merry Christbus to all who celebrate it 🙂🌲

All-in-one summary of comments and responses on this BBC article: web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/livi... web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/drsc... web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/step... web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/sw20...

Calling all politicos on Bluesky... Still wondering what to get bus users for Christmas? The perfect present would be your party putting this in its 2026 manifesto. edinburghbususers.group/ebug-suggest... (Even if it's 'delayed in the post' till the New Year)

Non-paywalled article on £2 trial bus fare cap www.scotsman.com/news/transpo... Where @ruralweeyin.bsky.social and @paulwhite-cpt.bsky.social set out why putting all your eggs in the free/reduced fares basket is a mistake. (also www.transport.gov.scot/news/regiona...)

'The focus of this role is our campaign for better buses... looking for someone with excellent listening skills, who can build relationships with people and organisations and support them to campaign for change in their communities'. (perhaps knowing about buses would be an asset 🤷)

Quite a good set of 'asks' for Holyrood 2026. sestran.gov.uk/wp-content/u... (even though they didn't include a number for £infrastructure investment) "We call on all political parties to: Embed bus in all aspects of policy Protect & expand rural bus services Reduce congestion, which slows

#MSPbuspresents 5. For Lib Dem MSPs There's always someone it's difficult to choose a gift for. This year we suggest a slightly tarnished gold star for making the most sensible contribution in a Holyrood debate on buses. Guys, next year please tell us what you actually want.

Revealed at DMSC today; response to @cllrbenparker.bsky.social question why no S75 contributions for buses at a huge residential development... If bus patronage grows, just put on more buses 🤦 This, in an area with no RTI screens, but with unsheltered and inadequate bus stops.

#MSPbuspresents 4. For Green MSPs A pre-broken magic wand (see Labour), and some spectacles (not rose-tinted) allowing them to see further than free buses for everyone.

Top bus-related commentary on Transform Scotland's website. It could almost have been written by one of our Committee members.

Buses: What’s the state of play among the political parties at Holyrood? A short read. transform.scot/2025/12/16/b...

#MSPbuspresents 3. For Labour MSPs A pre-broken model Halton Transport bus. To remind them that public ownership sometimes goes badly wrong, and is no magic solution. (Should have asked for the full set with bus-friendly roads, people)

#MSPbuspresents 2. For Conservative MSPs A copy of 'Beginner's Guide to Transport Policy and Planning in the 21st century'. And a U22s bus pass invalidator, so they can zap away till the batteries run out, when they'll have to find something else to do for a change.

1. For SNP MSPs A memory chip, constantly replaying reminders that they used to have an OK-ish plan for buses till they broke it. Also administers a mild electric shock if they suggest the Bus Infrastructure Fund is a satisfactory alternative.

Still looking for that last-minute Christmas present for the MSPs in your life? Join us next week as we reveal our top tips for the ideal gift for politicians of every political party!* * may be bus-related. #MSPbuspresents

🤦What's the point? We said, given the substantial ⬆️ in residents from this planning application ('a more inclusive, & a more vibrant & thriving neighbourhood that strengthens the heart of the city': Developer) democracy.edinburgh.gov.uk/documents/s9... CEC should insist on bus stop improvements

The law is not an ass... Wherein m'luds and ladies determine that access to shops doesn't just mean 'by car' www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

It tells you quite a lot about transport in Midlothian that the Council seems to think a bus bay is a good thing and posts it on Twitter.

Reminder of the two most authoritative documents on why bus patronage has declined over the years, and what to do about it. www.cpt-uk.org/media/b3rgvs... www.cpt-uk.org/media/bnqecq...

Us, on Radio Forth et al later today; being all balanced and reasonable about anti-social behaviour and bus passes.

Accessible transport benefits everyone #DisabilityDay #EveryoneIncluded

Your antidote to wall-to-wall Budget coverage; selected transport news in a frankly paltry attempt to mimic @edinburghminute.bsky.social @edi.bike et al. www.transport.gov.scot/news/survey-... Nice non-paywalled iconclasm www.ft.com/content/47ab... Flixbus is telt www.scotsman.com/news/transpo...

THIS; Started with @stephenjenkinson.bsky.social article re trams. ➡️thread re buses (h/t @pastandotherplaces.bsky.social) ➡️observation on the state of play. web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/past...

📢 Debate on bus deregulation takes an unexpected turn... www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...