Motion · S6M-02386 · 1 Dec 2021
X5 Bus Service
The motion
That the Parliament notes the X5 bus service provided by East Coast Buses between North Berwick, Dirleton, Gullane, Aberlady, Longniddry and directly on to Edinburgh, via the A1, has now been suspended since March 2020, following the introduction of national COVID-19 lockdown restrictions; understands that due to the suspension of the X5, commuters from Dirleton, Gullane and Aberlady now face an extra hour added to their daily commute into Edinburgh as there is no alternative direct public transport link into the city other than the longer 124 bus service, which stops at Prestonpans, Wallyford, Musselburgh and Portobello; further understands that a petition calling for the reinstatement of the X5 following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions has now received over 900 signatures, including more than 10% of the population of Gullane; believes that a draft proposal submitted to Lothian Buses by Rural East Lothian Bus Users (RELBUS) to re-timetable existing services to allow a partial return of the X5 service without harming the service for other communities in East Lothian is yet to receive a response; recognises that there are challenges facing bus operators, but that these challenges are not confined to the X5 route, and considers it is fundamentally unfair to solely target East Lothian and the X5 route, and notes with disappointment the reports of the failure of Lothian Buses, which is publicly owned, to engage with communities, locally elected members, and local organisations to find solutions to secure the return of the X5 service.
Supporters (22)
- Jeremy Balfour 5 Sep 2025
- Miles Briggs Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party 5 Sep 2025
- Alexander Burnett Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party 5 Sep 2025
- Donald Cameron 5 Sep 2025
- Sharon Dowey 5 Sep 2025
- Russell Findlay Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party 5 Sep 2025
- Meghan Gallacher Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party 5 Sep 2025
- Pam Gosal 5 Sep 2025
- Jamie Greene 5 Sep 2025
- Sandesh Gulhane 5 Sep 2025
- Jamie Halcro Johnston 5 Sep 2025
- Liam Kerr Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party 5 Sep 2025
- Edward Mountain 5 Sep 2025
- Douglas Ross 5 Sep 2025
- Mark Ruskell Scottish Green Party 5 Sep 2025
- Alexander Stewart 5 Sep 2025
- Paul Sweeney Scottish Labour 5 Sep 2025
- Sue Webber 5 Sep 2025
- Annie Wells 5 Sep 2025
- Tess White 5 Sep 2025
- Martin Whitfield 5 Sep 2025
- Brian Whittle 5 Sep 2025
Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.