Wednesday July 29th 2026
Katherine Sangster, MSP for Edinburgh and Lothians East, Scottish Labour Party writes her monthly column for Midlothian View.
Andy Burnham has announced that he will cap bus fares across England at £2. At a time where the cost of living crisis is putting a strain on families and residents across the UK this is a welcomed measure. This is real action that people need to reduce the burden of the cost of living.
Buses connect our communities, allow people to access jobs and opportunities and are more than just transport. Making bus travel cheaper means that it is less of a barrier and will mean bigger and better opportunities. However, I know throughout Edinburgh and Lothians east, not only is bus travel too expensive, but there is not enough of the services that people need, and they are not regular enough.
Across Midlothian I know how hard it is for residents to rely on these services. There are not enough services, they are unreliable and they are too expensive.
Kirsty McNeill MP launched a petition following the withdrawal of the 46 service and the rerouting of the 48. These changes left many residents without direct access to supermarkets and made it more difficult for people to travel to work at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. While Midlothian Council has secured funding to partially reinstate part of the route for hospital workers, further action is needed. During my campaign I ran a bus survey as residents in Wallyford, Tranent and Whitecraig consistently raised concerns about the lack of services between the towns and into Edinburgh.
The Scottish Government must do more to ensure bus operators receive adequate funding to cover the cost of concessionary travel schemes. Residents, particularly those living in towns and villages, need reliable and affordable connections to hospitals, workplaces, supermarkets and other essential services.
This challenge is not unique to Midlothian. Residents across East Lothian and other parts of Scotland have also highlighted the consequences of reduced bus services. When routes are cut or become unreliable, people can be isolated from employment, education, healthcare and leisure opportunities. Strong public transport links are essential to keeping our communities connected, and everyone should have access to affordable and dependable transport.
It is vital that the Scottish government recognises this and reduces the cost for these vital services. At a time when household budgets remain under pressure, affordable and reliable public transport should be a priority. We need buses that people can depend on, services that connect our communities effectively, and fares that are genuinely affordable.
Labour has shown that a £2 fare cap can be delivered. The Scottish Government should now follow that example, accelerate plans for a nationwide cap, and ensure that people across Midlothian, East Lothian and the rest of Scotland can benefit from cheaper bus travel sooner rather than later. Because everyone deserves access to affordable transport, across Scotland.
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