Buses World News: Bus Drivers Protest * UK - Against firms merging. Labour say scrapping trams would be 'anti-Edinburgh'

24.10.10

Bus Drivers Protest * UK - Against firms merging. Labour say scrapping trams would be 'anti-Edinburgh'

Lothian Buses insist drivers should not fear merger with tram firm

Edinburgh,Scotland,UK -The Guardian, by Michael MacLeod -15 Oct 2010: -- Councillors will be asked to sign a disclaimer when they study new figures backing the case for a scaled-back line... After a lengthy debate in the city chambers yesterday, councillors voted to demand details of the new business case for halting the line at St Andrew Square. They also asked for the report to include a cost scale for the first phase, projected passenger numbers and what impact it might have on Lothian Buses... They will be under strict instruction not to reveal any commercial details. The agreement came after the SNP's third failed effort to halt the tram project. Main contractor Bilfinger Berger is still locked in legal talks with TIE over how much work can be done with existing funds... On their way in to the meeting some councillors took leaflets from bus drivers who held a protest outside. They too were calling on more clarity, fearing the long-standing proposal to merge Lothian Buses with Transport Initiatives Edinburgh (TIE) to create Transport Edinburgh Limited (TEL) could be damaging... (Picture: Michael MacLeod/guardian.co.ukLothian Buses could merge with tram firm TIE)

Labels: drivers' protests