West Coast Motors & Borders Buses

[LothianBusesPh]

Surely the X62 is an ideal candidate for pantograph charging EVs? It has generous layovers at both Galashiels and Edinbugh Bus Station which I'd assume would allow 3 round trips a lot more comfortably.

That wouldn’t be up to Borders Buses.

 

[Strathclyder]

Didn't get a pic, but I spotted a EV (ADL I think) demo vehicle in Faifley on the 17 to Duntocher eariler this evening (23rd December). Didn't get a good enough look at the reg plate as it was dark, but I think it was a 72 plate. This follows on from the 24-plate EV decker that was trialled on the 17 eariler this month (only the 4th seperate time a decker has appeared on the route by my count).

42403 AD24BEV West Coast Motors

Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV demonstrator AD24 BEV is seen here being used by Glasgow Citybus on their service 17 linking Duntocher with Glasgow Central Station. It’s numbered 42403 for its duration with the Craig of Campbeltown Group.

www.flickr.com

(full copyright goes to Flickr's busmanscotland)

 

[LothianBusesPh]

Didn't get a pic, but I spotted a EV (ADL I think) demo vehicle in Faifley on the 17 to Duntocher eariler this evening (23rd December). Didn't get a good enough look at the reg plate as it was dark, but I think it was a 72 plate.

It will be 42301, plate BV72KPF. It is a Volvo BZL demonstrator rather than an ADL but close enough.

 

[Strathclyder]

It will be 42401, plate BV72KPF. It is a Volvo BZL demonstrator rather than an ADL but close enough.

Cheers for the correction, the EVs all tend to blur together for me these days, particularly in the dark. The Volvo badge on the front really should've clued me in though lol

 

[YorkRailFan]

Some new fares have been announced for Borders Buses, in collaboration with North East Combined Authority, which will be implemented from 13 January:

Great news! In collaboration with the North East Combined Authority (NECA), Borders Buses is launching brand-new discounted tickets for all English-only Berwick services starting Monday, 13 January.

This fantastic offer, includes services B1, 266, 267, 418, 464, 477, and 918, provides an excellent opportunity for convenient and affordable travel across the region. These multi-operator tickets, valid on services operated by Arriva North East and other local operators, ensure greater flexibility and ease of travel.

Customers can enjoy a Northumberland Day Rover ticket for just £5, offering unlimited travel across the Northumberland area, or opt for the TNE Day Saver ticket at £6.80, providing even broader coverage across the North East region. For those under 22, there are special fares: an Under 22 Single for just £1, or an Under 22 Day ticket for £3.

The tickets are funded by the North East Combined Authority (NECA) as part of the UK Government’s BSIP Fund.

Customers can also purchase a £3 adult capped single fare for all English services. Service B1 offers a £2.10 flat single ticket.

Please note, the tickets are not valid on any services starting or ending in Scotland.

New discounted tickets announced for Berwick

Great news! In collaboration with the North East Combined Authority (NECA), Borders Buses is launching brand-new discounted tickets.

www.bordersbuses.co.uk

£5 Day Rover for Northumberland is amazing, especially considering that fares in Northumberland have been capped at £2.50, instead of £3. Meaning for just 2 journeys, a Northumberland Day Rover is a great ticket. £6.80 for a TNE Day Saver is also fantastic, as is the U22 £3 Day Ticket.

 

[CSB0241]

Some new fares have been announced for Borders Buses, in collaboration with North East Combined Authority, which will be implemented from 13 January:

New discounted tickets announced for Berwick

Great news! In collaboration with the North East Combined Authority (NECA), Borders Buses is launching brand-new discounted tickets.

www.bordersbuses.co.uk

£5 Day Rover for Northumberland is amazing, especially considering that fares in Northumberland have been capped at £2.50, instead of £3. Meaning for just 2 journeys, a Northumberland Day Rover is a great ticket. £6.80 for a TNE Day Saver is also fantastic, as is the U22 £3 Day Ticket.

Is this valid for all services in Berwick (as long as you don’t enter Scotland) or just the ones that don’t leave England?

 

[YorkRailFan]

Is this valid for all services in Berwick (as long as you don’t enter Scotland) or just the ones that don’t leave England?

At the end of the press release:

Please note, the tickets are not valid on any services starting or ending in Scotland.

So only services that operate entirely within England.

 

[DunsBus]

Borders Buses Optare Solo SR 11103 (YJ11EJY) has been damaged after catching fire in Berwick town centre this lunchtime, 10th February, whilst on cross-town service B1. Fortunately, all on board managed to evacuate the bus safely and there were no injuries.

 

[YorkRailFan]

Borders Buses is introducing fare changes from 6 April:

Single

East Lothian/Edinburgh

£3.95

£4.39

Day*



£7.39

Single

Full Network

£6.10

£6.79

Day

£10.70

£11.79

Week

£53.35

£58.99

3 Day

£28.65

£31.99

5 Day

£46.20

£50.99

24H (2 People)

£21.35

£23.99

Day

Berwick/Galashiels/Hawick Town/Galashiels Town*



£4.39

Week



£17.29

3 Day



£11.29

5 Day



£19.69

Day

Galashiels to Melrose/Selkirk &Peebles

to Cardrona/Eddleston*



£7.59

Week



£30.09

3 Day



£19.59

5 Day



£34.29

Day

Berwick to Eyemouth/Duns*



£10.29

Week



£40.59

3 Day



£26.39

5 Day



£46.19

Northumberland Day Rover

TNE tickets (English services only)

£5

£6

TNE Day Saver

£6.80

£7.50

Under 22 Day £3£2.50

Fares review with new local app tickets

We will be implementing a fare review across our Borders Buses network, effective Sunday, 06 April.

www.bordersbuses.co.uk

Seeing a fare (U22 Day) actually go down feels surreal!

 

[CSB0241]

Seeing a fare (U22 Day) actually go down feels surreal!

It is really weird, especially in the current economy. I assume that the U22 Day is the same as one of the town daytickets but for children/young adults, correct?

 

[JKP]

It is really weird, especially in the current economy. I assume that the U22 Day is the same as one of the town daytickets but for children/young adults, correct?

For under 22 travel in Northumberland. Scottish residents aged under 22s are eligible for free travel on Scottish routes.

 

[YorkRailFan]

Scottish Borders Council is taking over Peebles and Galashiels Town Services from Borders Buses from 11 May:

From Sunday, 11 May 2025, we will be saying goodbye to services 54, 74, 90, 91, and 93 as Scottish Borders Council (SBC) takes over these routes from Monday, 12 May.
In Galashiels, SBC is introducing a new service 75, which combines services 54 and 74 to connect Galashiels Interchange, Borders General Hospital, and Netherdale. Our service 51 will be updated to include Melrose Gait, offering more frequent trips, later evening rides, and extra seats, while continuing to serve Galashiels, Melrose, and Edinburgh.

Other details relating to service that will be operated by SBC from 13 may include:

Service 90: Eight daily journeys in Peebles town centre, simplified fares, 08:15 start, two afternoon trips, six times to Hamilton View.

Service 91: Four daily journeys between Peebles and Biggar; no service to Peebles High School. Existing school transport for affected pupils.

Service 93: Four daily journeys between Peebles and West Linton, later 17:45 departure from Peebles.

We're working closely with SBC to ensure a smooth transition for you. Starting 12 May, you can buy tickets on SBC buses, and previous Borders Buses tickets, app and ob bus, will be accepted on services 75, 90, 91, and 93.

We thank all our customers for travelling with us on service 54,74, 90, 01 and 93.

Peebles and Galashiels town services

We're saying goodbye to services 54, 74, 90, 91, and 93

www.bordersbuses.co.uk

Well the 51 serving Melrose Gait will be welcomed by those in Melrose Gait.

 

[DunsBus]

12411 (SK24XPO), one of the two E200MMCs bought by Borders Buses from ADL stock last spring, now has an interior information screen.

 

[mb88]

What’s with the weird fares ending in 9p? Never seen anything like that in my life. Why not just round it up to the nearest 10?

 

[RELL6L]

Scottish Borders Council is taking over Peebles and Galashiels Town Services from Borders Buses from 11 May:

Peebles and Galashiels town services

We're saying goodbye to services 54, 74, 90, 91, and 93

www.bordersbuses.co.uk

Well the 51 serving Melrose Gait will be welcomed by those in Melrose Gait.

What a balanced, informative and useful notice from Borders, with a link to the SBC website showing the new timetables. A refreshing change from some grudging notices of lost tenders!

So the first 93 will arrive in West Linton at 9.18, but the connecting service to Edinburgh will have left at 9.16. The previous service connected better. Does anyone make this connection?

 

[DunsBus]

Optare Solo 11103 (YJ11EJY), out of use after catching fire in service in Berwick earlier this year, has been sighted being winched aboard a low-loader at Berwick depot this morning, 23/06/2025. I suspect that it may be off for scrap.

 

[YorkRailFan]

Borders Buses has announced new zonal fares that will be available for purchase on their app:

Berwick Town
Day £4.39, Week £17.29, 3 Day £11.29, 5 Day £19.69
Valid on all services within Berwick-upon-Tweed town boundaries within the A1 (32, 60, 67, 235, 253, 266, 267, 464, 477, B1).

Berwick to Eyemouth & Duns
Day £10.29, Week £40.59, 3 Day £26.39, 5 Day £46.19
Valid between Berwick-upon-Tweed, Eyemouth, and Duns (32, 60, 67, 235, 253, 266, 267, 464, 477, B1).

Galashiels Town
Day £4.39, Week £17.29, 3 Day £11.29, 5 Day £19.69
Valid on all services between Bristol Terrace, Wood Street, Langlee, and Kingsknowes (51, 60, 67, 68, 70, 73, 313, 314, G01, X62, X95).

Galashiels to Melrose & Selkirk
Day £7.59, Week £30.09, 3 Day £19.59, 5 Day £34.29
Valid between Clovenfords, Bristol Terrace, Melrose, and Selkirk (51, 60, 67, 68, 70, 73, 313, 314, G01, X62, X95).

Hawick Town
Day £4.39, Week £17.29, 3 Day £11.29, 5 Day £19.69
Valid on all services within Hawick town boundaries (H1, H2, H3, X95).

Peebles to Cardrona & Eddleston
Day £7.59, Week £30.09, 3 Day £19.59, 5 Day £34.29
Valid from Peebles town boundary to Cardrona and Eddleston (P03, P06, P12, X62).

East Lothian & Edinburgh
Single £4.39, Day £7.39
Single Ticket valid on 253 only. Day Ticket valid from Dunbar to Edinburgh and within the Edinburgh city boundary (51, 253, X62, X95).

Introducing New Zonal Tickets

Save up to 20% on your local journey with our new zonal tickets.

www.bordersbuses.co.uk

 

[markymark2000]

I really don't understand why they choose to go for fares ending in 9 pence. I know shops do it sometimes but the bus industry has tended to steer away from this and passengers seemed to be happy with it. I'm noticing more and more products in big name retailers being priced at multiples of 5p too so presumably consumers have clicked onto it all and the psychology stopped working as everyone just rounds up the price.

 

[DunsBus]

A driver shortage at Borders Buses this afternoon saw Scottish Borders Council step in to run a roundtrip on service 60 (Galashiels - Duns - Berwick), a service run by Borders Buses on behalf of SBC, on its behalf.

Thevehicle used by SBC was Mercedes-Benz Sprinter RJ24DMO, which operated the 1443 Galashiels - Tweedmouth and the return from Tweedmouth at 1715; it is seen on the eastbound journey at a very wet Duns at 1553, having picked up six passengers.

 

[Bus9120UK]

The 253 will no longer operate between Edinburgh and Dunbar from the 20th of October. The new timetable is on the Borders Buses website: https://passenger-line-assets.s3.eu...uses/BORD/253-timetable-20251020-d8b94a60.pdf

 

[stevenedin]

The 253 will no longer operate between Edinburgh and Dunbar from the 20th of October. The new timetable is on the Borders Buses website: https://passenger-line-assets.s3.eu...uses/BORD/253-timetable-20251020-d8b94a60.pdf

That's such a shame although passengers can get the X7 to Dunbar and change there.

 

[overthewater]

I remember around 25 years ago when some company started to operate the route with ford minibuses. Then Perryman come along and did do a good job and by mid 00's were carrying decent loads but It looks like Lothian X7 has killed off most of it's trade and since covid the buses have been empty. I have to say I think West coast buses might be thinking it was a bad idea to buy the border operations.

 

[DunsBus]

That's such a shame although passengers can get the X7 to Dunbar and change there.

The 253 had its funding pulled by Scottish Borders Council back in 2020 and since then it's been run entirely commercially. I'm surprised that the Dunbar-Edinburgh section hasn't been cut sooner.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Oct 2025 ==

I remember around 25 years ago when some company started to operate the route with ford minibuses. Then Perryman come along and did do a good job and by mid 00's were carrying decent loads but It looks like Lothian X7 has killed off most of it's trade and since covid the buses have been empty. I have to say I think West coast buses might be thinking it was a bad idea to buy the border operations.

The problem is funding. Scottish Borders Council don't see bus services as being of importance and, where they are subsidised, it will only fund the bare minimum. Hence why most services finish in the early evening (in the case of one service - the 60 - late-afternoon) and there is a complete shutdown of services on December 25/26 and January 1/2.

 

[JKP]

This appears to be a bold move by Borders Buses given the sparse number of passengers over the Dunbar to Eyemouth section. Does anyone know whether East Lothian Council still make a small contribution to route via Innerwick rather than straight along the A1?

Interesting that the last journey of the day will serve Coldingham then Reston along a road the company withdrew from citing too much accident damage. Perhaps a minibus is to be used.

There is also a subtle change at Berwick from Station Forecourt to Station Street!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Oct 2025 ==

I remember around 25 years ago when some company started to operate the route with ford minibuses. Then Perryman come along and did do a good job and by mid 00's were carrying decent loads but It looks like Lothian X7 has killed off most of it's trade and since covid the buses have been empty. I have to say I think West coast buses might be thinking it was a bad idea to buy the border operations.

It was 40 years ago pre deregulation that Taxibus Services later becoming Cross Country Connexions first ran north of Berwick using Mercedes and Ford Transit 8 seat minibuses.

 

[DunsBus]

This appears to be a bold move by Borders Buses given the sparse number of passengers over the Dunbar to Eyemouth section. Does anyone know whether East Lothian Council still make a small contribution to route via Innerwick rather than straight along the A1?

Interesting that the last journey of the day will serve Coldingham then Reston along a road the company withdrew from citing too much accident damage. Perhaps a minibus is to be used.

There is also a subtle change at Berwick from Station Forecourt to Station Street!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Oct 2025 ==


It was 40 years ago pre deregulation that Taxibus Services later becoming Cross Country Connexions first ran north of Berwick using Mercedes and Ford Transit 8 seat minibuses.

Service 67 between Berwick, Kelso and Galashiels reverts to being a through service, having been split in two halves at lockdown.

It's interesting to note that later last journeys have been introduced from Berwick on service 67 (1815 to Galashiels) and 253 (the aforementioned 1910 to Reston) but the last journey of the day from Berwick on service 60 to Duns and Galashiels remains at 1715. I can't see this going down at all well in Duns.

 

[Scotrail88]

It looks like 253 doesn’t save anything and just using vehicles more locally or missing something.

Anything more changing across patch?

 

[Metal Mickey]

I thought the 253 directly replaced the Lowland Scottish 104 or was there a break in the timeline?

 

[Porty]

It looks like 253 doesn’t save anything and just using vehicles more locally or missing something.

Anything more changing across patch?

Sorry, don't understand why it "doesn't save anything" when 70 mins of journey time will be cut by roughly halving the length of the route. Surely, the resources saved either reduces costs or get redeployed into improvement elsewhere?

 

[Edirim]

It reduces it from a 3 bus route to a 2 bus route I think hence the strategic turning point

It looks like 253 doesn’t save anything and just using vehicles more locally or missing something.

Anything more changing across patch?

 

[Porty]

It reduces it from a 3 bus route to a 2 bus route I think hence the strategic turning point

I see what you mean. But I think it's exactly the opposite of "not saving anything" by saving one third of the costs!