Congestion sparks call for city bus lane hours to be extended

killing our industry. Bus operators are trying to combat that but we can only do so much.”

Mr Hall said he had lobbied “very hard” for longer bus lane hours and for the lanes to be lengthened, without success.

He said: “They need to be operating in daylight hours.

“The evening peak is now 1-2pm to 7pm, yet bus lanes operate only from 4 to 6:30pm and there is congestion from 2:30-4:30pm.

“Bus lanes should start at the bottom of the A1 [from the east] so you hit the priority before the queue starts.”

However, the city council said it had no plans for more bus priority.

Since 2015, most all-day bus lanes have been reduced to peak hours only.

Transport and environment convener Lesley Macinnes said: “We live in a growing, busy, successful city.

“More people are moving around, and in and out of the city, than ever before.

“To reduce congestion we need to get more people to choose public transport as the better option – for themselves, for the city and for those who need to move quickly and easily on our roads.

“Between our buses and trams, we have some of the most highly regarded public transport providers in the country.

“We are working closely with Lothian Buses, Edinburgh Trams and other partners to reduce congestion in the city, improve and expand the public transport network and make movement around, and in and out of, the city a positive experience.”

0 Bus boss says Edinburgh is being ‘strangulated’ by congestion