Ember: Electric coach service

[AndrewTaylor95]

Pure speculation but I wonder if a South Lanarkshire - Edinburgh route would work.

East Kilbride had the 904 but was a peak only bus

 

[318266]

It also can’t fully serve Edinburgh Bus Station due to capacity issues, so the 900 will always will on convenience.

Most 900 users get off before the bus station - usually, at Princes St, Shandwick Pl or Haymarket. Heading westbound, I find that a lot of the time people use the bus station so that they have a better chance of a good seat, more than anything else.

 

[Porty]

Most 900 users get off before the bus station - usually, at Princes St, Shandwick Pl or Haymarket. Heading westbound, I find that a lot of the time people use the bus station so that they have a better chance of a good seat, more than anything else.

It's a lot less exposed waiting in the bus station, and with access to a toilet, than hanging around a windy bus shelter in Princes Street. If you don't have your wits about you there's also potential for the bus not to stop if not formally hailed by someone.

 

[Sealink]

Announced: Scrabster - Thurso - Wick > Inverness.

FOUR return services a day including a very early departure, allowing for rail connections at Inverness including 0755hrs Highland Chieftain to London.

Single fares half what Citylink/Stagecoach are charging at £13.90 single, although Citylink are equivalent or cheaper for certain returns.
Despite not doing the detour into Lybster, or going through Wick Town Centre, most journeys are slightly longer than Citylink timings.

Also serving Tain which was ditched by Stagecoach's X99 service years ago.

Waiting to see what Stagecoach will do (if anything) in response!

E6 - Between Inverness and Thurso

Ember

bustimes.org

 

[markymark2000]

Announced: Scrabster - Thurso - Wick > Inverness.

While I get serving Wick adds a new town to the network, by skipping Wick, they could save 25-30 minutes which would then make it faster than the X99 so is better competition there. It's something different so gives Ember a USP, and it would likely make bus/ferry more of an option for people as the journey time would be better.

 

[Buzby]

by skipping Wick, they could save 25-30 minutes which would then make it faster

Apart from Scrabster and Inverness, all the intermediate stops are optional. If there’s no passengers wishing to travel, the driver‘s computer will direct them on the shortest route - so the best of both worlds (as long as said diversion is under 10 minutes to allow a ticket to be booked).

 

[markymark2000]

Apart from Scrabster and Inverness, all the intermediate stops are optional. If there’s no passengers wishing to travel, the driver‘s computer will direct them on the shortest route - so the best of both worlds (as long as said diversion is under 10 minutes to allow a ticket to be booked).

That doesn't matter in the case of Wick as the bus driver would need to know about serving Wick before Georgemas Junction. And even if it skipped Wick, the bus would end up waiting time somewhere else because it would then be too early going through Dunbeath.

Probably also worth noting, what a silly rule forcing people to book 10 minutes ahead despite the fact the bus will be driving past a number of the stops anyway. Diversion ones where there is a time penalty I get (Ie Tain) but Brora, Dunbeath and Thurso stops, the bus will literally pass them anyway because there is no other route to take without going past the stops. You might as well save passengers the hassle. Why put barriers to getting people onboard?

 

[Sealink]

While I get serving Wick adds a new town to the network, by skipping Wick, they could save 25-30 minutes which would then make it faster than the X99 so is better competition there. It's something different so gives Ember a USP, and it would likely make bus/ferry more of an option for people as the journey time would be better.

Stagecoach did this when they changed the X99 from Thurso Wick Inverness, to run via the A9 from Thurso. Passengers from Wick had to change at Dunbeath. A miserable experience!

It didn't last, I think traditionally Wick gets more bus passengers than Thurso, for a very similar reason: the train goes to Thurso first and adds over half an hour to the journey.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Jul 2025 ==

That doesn't matter in the case of Wick as the bus driver would need to know about serving Wick before Georgemas Junction. And even if it skipped Wick, the bus would end up waiting time somewhere else because it would then be too early going through Dunbeath.

Probably also worth noting, what a silly rule forcing people to book 10 minutes ahead despite the fact the bus will be driving past a number of the stops anyway. Diversion ones where there is a time penalty I get (Ie Tain) but Brora, Dunbeath and Thurso stops, the bus will literally pass them anyway because there is no other route to take without going past the stops. You might as well save passengers the hassle. Why put barriers to getting people onboard?

To play devils advocate, I would assume that not having the driver having to handle payments etc. would speed up the boarding process.
Although imagine for whatever reason, you hadn't booked and it was now 9 minutes before departure - does the website not show the service? That would be frustrating.

 

[stevieinselby]

Surely Ember has registered these intermediate stops so that it qualifies as a bus. You don't have to prebook a bus. You should have the right to turn up and pay on board as with any other bus.

If they are using coach vehicles rather than bus vehicles then I presume they aren't licensed for standing passengers. So if the bus is full – or is expected to become full with pre-booked passengers boarding later – then you may not be able to travel if there is no seat for you, whatever your "rights" are. When the service only runs a few times a day then it is strongly advisable to book in advance – a different scenario on the E1 from Dundee where there will be another one along in half an hour, I can completely understand why Ember don't want to risk having to leave passengers at the roadside in remote locations with the next bus not due for several hours. If anything was to happen to a passenger in that situation, you can bet that the media would be all over them.

 

[Sealink]

I am surprised they are not serving Helmsdale or Golspie, although the website does say "Stops will be added"
I see they have sold 3 tickets on the first service already! 0347hrs from Scrabster!

 

[Buzby]

Although imagine for whatever reason, you hadn't booked and it was now 9 minutes before departure - does the website not show the service? That would be frustrating.

It works well elsewhere on their network. Take the Cumbernauld stop as an example if nodody’s booked the service is shown on the website, but at 9 minutes you cannot book it.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Jul 2025 ==

And even if it skipped Wick, the bus would end up waiting time somewhere else because it would then be too early going through Dunbeath.

Not a problem if there are no passengers there. If there’s are, it will wait. In my Cumbernauld example, the bus may well be early at its terminus but who will complain about that?

 

[markymark2000]

To play devils advocate, I would assume that not having the driver having to handle payments etc. would speed up the boarding process.

The driver takes walkup fares anyway and concessionary passes still need to be scanned etc. I see nothing wrong with them encouraging people to book online and all of that jazz.
It's just the fact that for some stops (specifically like Dunbeath) the bus goes past the stop anyway with no time penalty to passengers, it should sit and stop there to wait it's time. Not just 'oh there is no one here 10 minutes before departure lets get going'.
As I say, in the cases of Tain (and a few other places), it's a diversion off the main route and so I can understand reqeusting pre booking (that then falls into a similar category to say former Wiltshire Connect and Compass 99 Flex which were scheduled routes but with pre booked diversions. Diversions are a time penalty and especially if there are delays on the road, this is a good way of catching up time etc). If the bus passes the stop anyway though, there is no reason why anyone should leave early.

If they are using coach vehicles rather than bus vehicles then I presume they aren't licensed for standing passengers. So if the bus is full – or is expected to become full with pre-booked passengers boarding later – then you may not be able to travel if there is no seat for you, whatever your "rights" are. When the service only runs a few times a day then it is strongly advisable to book in advance – a different scenario on the E1 from Dundee where there will be another one along in half an hour, I can completely understand why Ember don't want to risk having to leave passengers at the roadside in remote locations with the next bus not due for several hours. If anything was to happen to a passenger in that situation, you can bet that the media would be all over them.

Citylink, National Express, Flixbus work it fine by strongly encouraging pre booking but still permitting walkups. Indeed to some extents Ember already makes it work at some stops. It's a risk for the passenger, but if the passenger is willing to take that risk, it's up to them surely?

Not a problem if there are no passengers there. If there’s are, it will wait. In my Cumbernauld example, the bus may well be early at its terminus but who will complain about that?

You can't go through too early though because you can still only go through each stop 10 minutes early so either the bus then has to go slower to Dunbeath or has to wait a bit of time somewhere.

Stagecoach on the X99 wouldn't get away with it if the traffic commissioner comes knocking. TC - 'Why have all of your buses ran 10 minutes early through this timing point'. SC - 'Oh well no one rung up to let us know they wanted to get on so we ignored the timetable and plodded on'. People wouldn't accept such nonsense from other firms, it shouldn't be accepted with Ember.

 

[Bedford OB]

Announced: Scrabster - Thurso - Wick > Inverness.

FOUR return services a day including a very early departure, allowing for rail connections at Inverness including 0755hrs Highland Chieftain to London.

Single fares half what Citylink/Stagecoach are charging at £13.90 single, although Citylink are equivalent or cheaper for certain returns.
Despite not doing the detour into Lybster, or going through Wick Town Centre, most journeys are slightly longer than Citylink timings.

Also serving Tain which was ditched by Stagecoach's X99 service years ago.

Waiting to see what Stagecoach will do (if anything) in response!

E6 - Between Inverness and Thurso

Ember

bustimes.org

Stagecoach has already registered a revised timetable for X99, effective 18 August.

 

[davp]

The E6 is going to have to run through Wick anyway as there will be more than 10 mins travel time remaining at the A9 alternative route in both directions. It'd do well to be 10 mins early at Dunbeath even without a stop in Wick.

 

[Sealink]

Stagecoach has already registered a revised timetable for X99, effective 18 August.

Interesting. Do Stagecoach still do "spoiler" services, departing a few minutes earlier than a new operators service?

 

[route101]

Never understood why the X99 is not part of the Citylink network.

I have noticed Ember do have later and earlier services even on more rural routes.

 

[Porty]

I am surprised they are not serving Helmsdale or Golspie, although the website does say "Stops will be added"
I see they have sold 3 tickets on the first service already! 0347hrs from Scrabster!

If it's the same as other recently added routes, such as the Fort William services, they will operate for a few weeks with few stops (at least 15 miles apart) then add more. I presume this is done for route registration reasons and having to give the appropriate notice period. Unless it's to give a "soft" opening to iron out any problems of route or timetabling. It has the added benefit of free advertising as the bus will be seen passing through villages to get the locals talking about it.

 

[voidwxrranty]

Never understood why the X99 is not part of the Citylink network.

Technically, same with the M96, it is. It’s bookable through Citylink and Megabus, and i’ve seen it advertised once or twice.

 

[Sealink]

The X99 is a strange hybrid now. A shadow of it's former self.

Book via the Citylink website and single fares are £21.60, book via Stagecoach and it's £31. Currently not bookable via megabus but I expect that to change, as they introduced this when Aaron's of Wick attempted an Inverness service.

I miss the days of Citylink liveried buses on the route (I can't remember the service number, it wasn't X99), it was part of a bigger network, and had published timetabled with connections.

 

[Highland050261]

The E6 will get alot of use the fact that Inverness to Tain is only £5.40 is brilliant.

 

[Sealink]

The E6 will get alot of use the fact that Inverness to Tain is only £5.40 is brilliant.

ScotRail pricing on the FNL seems very odd these days.

I have actually booked Nairn - Tain and even Kingussie - Tain for less than the Inverness- Tain fare. For a non-railcard holder £19.40 / £38.80 for a single/return is extortionate.

 

[kkong]

ScotRail pricing on the FNL seems very odd these days.

There is a lack of Off-Peak Day Returns from Inverness to/from stations within commuting distance to the north.

It's not clear to me why that is.

There is the Highland Railcard of course, but that is no use to anyone who doesn't live in one the permitted postcode areas.

 

[overthewater]

The X99 is a strange hybrid now. A shadow of it's former self.

Book via the Citylink website and single fares are £21.60, book via Stagecoach and it's £31. Currently not bookable via megabus but I expect that to change, as they introduced this when Aaron's of Wick attempted an Inverness service.

I miss the days of Citylink liveried buses on the route (I can't remember the service number, it wasn't X99), it was part of a bigger network, and had published timetabled with connections.

Are you thinking of route no 958?


From July 2008: https://caithness-business.co.uk/article/919

Stagecoach in Caithness (formerly known as Highland Country Buses Ltd) celebrated the launch of 3 new coaches as they took to the road on Friday morning to operate on service 958 between Scrabster, Thurso, Wick and Inverness.

The brand new coaches are fitted with CCTV and seatbelts, offering customers added safety whilst travelling on the service. These state of the art buses are also driven by the latest Euro 4 engines which are amongst the greenest engines in Europe.

Charlie Mullen, Managing Director, Stagecoach Bluebird said: "The Stagecoach Group recently acquired Highland Country Buses and so it is of particular significance for us to be able to demonstrate to passengers and staff in the area that we fully intend on continuing to develop public transport in the Highlands. The investment of over 500,000 in these coaches, which are all wheelchair accessible, will bring real improvements to the passengers of Caithness".

Bob Edwards, Rural and Community Transport Officer, Highland Council said: "Highland Council welcome the increased number of journeys in the new timetable. We are very pleased that the extension of accessible transport has been made to the 958 service opening the opportunity for travel between Inverness and Kirkwall."

 

[Sealink]

Are you thinking of route no 958?

That's the one!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Jul 2025 ==

Looking at Ember's T&Cs, it's quite refreshing!

- Full refund on cancelled tickets.
- Free amendments - either pay any difference or receive any difference as a refund
- Charging cables to borrow from the driver
- Phone dead? Just gave the driver your name and they will find your booking.

It just feels worry and hassle free.

 

[Spsf3232]

That's the one!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Jul 2025 ==

Looking at Ember's T&Cs, it's quite refreshing!

- Full refund on cancelled tickets.
- Free amendments - either pay any difference or receive any difference as a refund
- Charging cables to borrow from the driver
- Phone dead? Just gave the driver your name and they will find your booking.

It just feels worry and hassle free.

Don't forget a refund if your service is heavily delayed

 

[computerSaysNo]

That's the one!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Jul 2025 ==

Looking at Ember's T&Cs, it's quite refreshing!

- Full refund on cancelled tickets.
- Free amendments - either pay any difference or receive any difference as a refund
- Charging cables to borrow from the driver
- Phone dead? Just gave the driver your name and they will find your booking.

It just feels worry and hassle free.

Don't forget a refund if your service is heavily delayed

I'm sure I've heard/read before that they don't see themselves as a bus company, they see themselves as a tech company who just happen to run buses. And that their competitor is the private car, not other bus/coach companies.

 

[stadler]

It is worth pointing out that Ember have the extremely discrimatory policy of not accepting cash and charging much higher prices if you buy onboard the coach. You can pay onboard (with contactless only) but it is so much higher (always over double) which means that Stagecoach and Citylink and Scotrail are normally cheaper. Ember sound cheaper but a lot of people fail to realise it is only online that is cheaper.

For some examples. Edinburgh to Aberdeen (E1) is £16.80 online or £41.10 onboard. Aberdeen to Inverness (E7) is £13.70 online or £33.10 onboard. Inverness to Scrabster (E6) is £15.00 online or £36.40 onboard.

So the Stagecoach service will actually continue to be cheaper for walk up passengers. I imagine Stagecoach will still get business from people wanting to just walk up and pay onboard rather than going online. A lot of people do not like doing online purchases and some people want to pay with cash.

 

[Glasgowbusguy]

It is worth pointing out that Ember have the extremely discrimatory policy of not accepting cash and charging much higher prices if you buy onboard the coach. You can pay onboard (with contactless only) but it is so much higher (always over double) which means that Stagecoach and Citylink and Scotrail are normally cheaper. Ember sound cheaper but a lot of people fail to realise it is only online that is cheaper.

For some examples. Edinburgh to Aberdeen (E1) is £16.80 online or £41.10 onboard. Aberdeen to Inverness (E7) is £13.70 online or £33.10 onboard. Inverness to Scrabster (E6) is £15.00 online or £36.40 onboard.

So the Stagecoach service will actually continue to be cheaper for walk up passengers. I imagine Stagecoach will still get business from people wanting to just walk up and pay onboard rather than going online. A lot of people do not like doing online purchases and some people want to pay with cash.

Bring cash or card only is not discrimination it's a company choice . More expensive fares on walk up is due to how concessions are reimbursed.

 

[Spsf3232]

It is worth pointing out that Ember have the extremely discrimatory policy of not accepting cash and charging much higher prices if you buy onboard the coach. You can pay onboard (with contactless only) but it is so much higher (always over double) which means that Stagecoach and Citylink and Scotrail are normally cheaper. Ember sound cheaper but a lot of people fail to realise it is only online that is cheaper.

For some examples. Edinburgh to Aberdeen (E1) is £16.80 online or £41.10 onboard. Aberdeen to Inverness (E7) is £13.70 online or £33.10 onboard. Inverness to Scrabster (E6) is £15.00 online or £36.40 onboard.

So the Stagecoach service will actually continue to be cheaper for walk up passengers. I imagine Stagecoach will still get business from people wanting to just walk up and pay onboard rather than going online. A lot of people do not like doing online purchases and some people want to pay with cash.

Thank the Scottish government for that with the reimbursement rates for concession cards!

You will find notices at stops informing you to pre-book online and also drivers will encourage you to book online even when your boarding.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

It is worth pointing out that Ember have the extremely discrimatory policy of not accepting cash and charging much higher prices if you buy onboard the coach. You can pay onboard (with contactless only) but it is so much higher (always over double) which means that Stagecoach and Citylink and Scotrail are normally cheaper. Ember sound cheaper but a lot of people fail to realise it is only online that is cheaper.

For some examples. Edinburgh to Aberdeen (E1) is £16.80 online or £41.10 onboard. Aberdeen to Inverness (E7) is £13.70 online or £33.10 onboard. Inverness to Scrabster (E6) is £15.00 online or £36.40 onboard.

So the Stagecoach service will actually continue to be cheaper for walk up passengers. I imagine Stagecoach will still get business from people wanting to just walk up and pay onboard rather than going online. A lot of people do not like doing online purchases and some people want to pay with cash.

They are providing a product and have a pricing strategy to reflect that. They don't want the hassle and cost of handling money.
If people want to pay cash, that's their decision but Ember are happy to leave that to other people.

As has been said above, the advance/on-board is shaped by the concessionary pass issue and, as you point out, people have alternatives.