(12 Dec 2021, 4:44 pm)Dan wrote Until just recently, Lothian were running 57/08-plate buses on frontline work which had no bells and whistles. The Versa used on the 28 were of an equal/higher specification (as the Lothian buses didn’t have Wi-Fi).

I love Edinburgh and very regularly visit - after a few times you can see it’s not as great as it’s made out to be, or how it feels once you’ve used a few buses in and out of Princes Street.

You seem to be suggesting 57/08-plate bare bones buses shouldn't be on frontline work, while all 3 big NE operators use older stock on frontline work daily with zero creature comforts?

On the point of "you can see it’s not as great as it’s made out to be" - I've used Lothian's services quite a bit, particularly when I was living up in Scotland. The bus has always been well presented (even if I don't like the colours in the livery/interior), generally bang on time, and got me to where I need to go for a reasonable price. They seem to give a lot of attention to the basics of bus travel, which is appreciated by everyone I know who lives in Edinburgh and relies on their services. Maybe if NE operators gave as much attention to the basics as Lothian do, they wouldn't constantly be crying out over low passenger numbers...