Friday June 26th 2026
Midlothian MP Kirsty McNeil
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Local MP Kirsty McNeill has welcomed the announcement that Midlothian Council has secured funding to improve bus links to the Royal Infirmary.
As a result of £245,000 in funding from the South East of Scotland Transport Partnership (SEStran), Lothian Buses will introduce two new early morning and evening services, operating seven days a week and connecting Penicuik, Roslin, Loanhead, Rosewell, Bonnyrigg and Dalkeith with the Royal Infirmary.
An extra journey has also been added to the number 48, improving connections from Gorebridge, Newtongrange, Mayfield and Dalkeith to the hospital.
The improvements follow a sustained local campaign after the withdrawal of the number 46 service and changes to the number 48 route removed direct bus links from Rosewell, Bonnyrigg and parts of Mayfield to the Royal Infirmary.
Kirsty McNeill MP said: “After nearly six months of campaigning on this issue, I am incredibly pleased that action has finally been taken to improve bus links to the Royal Infirmary.”
“Since the scrapping of the 46 and the rerouting of the 48, many folk in Midlothian lost their only direct bus link to the hospital, and as a result I heard from so many healthcare workers who were struggling to get to work, as well as people who were worried about how they would get to their hospital appointments and visit their loved ones.”
“More than 3,000 people signed our petition calling for the bus cuts to be reversed, with folk from right across Midlothian coming together to make sure their voices were heard.”
“This announcement will make a real difference to people’s lives and shows what can be achieved when we come together to campaign for change.”
“While this is a significant step forward, there is still more to do. People right across Midlothian continue to struggle to access healthcare, get to work and stay connected with their friends and family because of limited public transport options.”
“I will continue campaigning for the full restoration of these services and for better public transport links across all of Midlothian’s towns and villages – including those which continue to go without a direct bus to the Infirmary.”
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