West Coast Motors & Borders Buses

[DunsBus]

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

It was an indirect replacement for the 104. Lowland cut the 104 to run between Berwick and Dunbar at the start of 1992. The Cross-Country ConneXions 201 began the following year and became the 253 in summer 1995. When the contract for the 104 came up for renewal during 1995, CCC offered to run the 253 on a commercial basis, so the 104 contract was not re-let.

 

[stevenedin]

I also remember in the 2010s that First operated a duplicate 253 route at the same time as Perryman's.

 

[Metal Mickey]

I also remember in the 2010s that First operated a duplicate 253 route at the same time as Perryman's.

That’s correct using ex-London dual door Mercs of all things.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Oct 2025 ==

It was an indirect replacement for the 104. Lowland cut the 104 to run between Berwick and Dunbar at the start of 1992. The Cross-Country ConneXions 201 began the following year and became the 253 in summer 1995. When the contract for the 104 came up for renewal during 1995, CCC offered to run the 253 on a commercial basis, so the 104 contract was not re-let.

Thanks, I couldn’t recall there being a period when the through link south of Dunbar to Edinburgh was broken.

 

[DunsBus]

I also remember in the 2010s that First operated a duplicate 253 route at the same time as Perryman's.

First's 253 ran during the summer of 2011. Unreliablility (not helped by the poor choice of vehicle used, ex-London Citaros), it being exact-fare, and passenger loyalty to Perryman's were the reasons for its short existence.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Oct 2025 ==

That’s correct using ex-London dual door Mercs of all things.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Oct 2025 ==

The Mercs were the wrong choice of vehicle. They were not built for thrashing up and down the A1 six days a week; needless to say, there were frequent breakdowns.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

A shame to lose the 253 as we know it. I presume its MMC’s will be repurposed, possibly joining the others at Galashiels? With the 253 likely switching to minibuses?

 

[stevenedin]

That’s correct using ex-London dual door Mercs of all things.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Oct 2025 ==


Thanks, I couldn’t recall there being a period when the through link south of Dunbar to Edinburgh was broken.

I think I must've been lucky and got 61225 on the route one day.

 

[DunsBus]

A shame to lose the 253 as we know it. I presume its MMC’s will be repurposed, possibly joining the others at Galashiels? With the 253 likely switching to minibuses?

I can't see Berwick's four MMCs remaining there once the 253 gets cut back. Their main use will have gone and as the service will no longer run into Edinburgh it doesn't need to be run by them to comply with the LEZ. What's left of the 253 can easily be run by Versas and MetroCitys. My money's on them being transferred, either to Galashiels or even through to West Coast Motors itself.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

I can't see Berwick's four MMCs remaining there once the 253 gets cut back. Their main use will have gone and as the service will no longer run into Edinburgh it doesn't need to be run by them to comply with the LEZ. What's left of the 253 can easily be run by Versas and MetroCitys. My money's on them being transferred, either to Galashiels or even through to West Coast Motors itself.

That’s fair. You could argue that the X95, with it about to be effectively split in half, no longer needs MMC’s on the Carlisle end.

Personally I reckon 12104-106 will run the 32 and 253 between them, with the evening 918 runs coming off something else.

 

[Metal Mickey]

I think I must've been lucky and got 61225 on the route one day.

Oh my word, that was one absolute heap along with the majority of that batch. 61229 was slightly better as it didn’t have the back breaking seats.

 

[stevenedin]

Oh my word, that was one absolute heap along with the majority of that batch. 61229 was slightly better as it didn’t have the back breaking seats.

I do remember the hard seats

 

[ian1944]

I remember when Cross Country Connexions ran the service (maybe some journeys only) with a luggage trailer.

And in the opposite of a reduction, some years back First Edinburgh (remember them?) ran a competing Edinburgh - Berwick service.

 

[Observer]

I do remember the hard seats

They really should have taken seats out of withdrawn buses to replace the things that were in that batch. Those hard seats only deserved to be in the scrapyard.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

They really should have taken seats out of withdrawn buses to replace the things that were in that batch. Those hard seats only deserved to be in the scrapyard.

YM52 L94UBs remember them vividly

 

[Jordan Adam]

I do remember the hard seats

They really should have taken seats out of withdrawn buses to replace the things that were in that batch. Those hard seats only deserved to be in the scrapyard.

Those Linea 200 seats aren't actually that bad, its just when they become worn that they're uncomfortable. For a city bus doing short journeys they're perfectly fine.

That said it probably didn't help that the vehicles were Scania so the suspension would've made any Enviro feel like a Rolls Royce.

 

[computerSaysNo]

Evora 12314 looks to have moved from Glasgow Citybus to Galashiels, it last tracked in Glasgow on the 4th and since then has been on X62s.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

Evora 12314 looks to have moved from Glasgow Citybus to Galashiels, it last tracked in Glasgow on the 4th and since then has been on X62s.

On loan

 

[NorthOxonian]

That’s fair. You could argue that the X95, with it about to be effectively split in half, no longer needs MMC’s on the Carlisle end.

Yes, I noticed this change too. It does revert the situation back to how it was a couple of years back, and given where the main flows are on this route makes some sense if it'll improve reliability. There will still be a couple of morning through journeys from Carlisle to Edinburgh (but only in that direction), but vastly reduced numbers compared to now.

 

[DunsBus]

On loan

I believe a Gala MMC, 11918, has gone west in exchange. 12314 is on loan at Gala for the next few weeks.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Yes, I noticed this change too. It does revert the situation back to how it was a couple of years back, and given where the main flows are on this route makes some sense if it'll improve reliability. There will still be a couple of morning through journeys from Carlisle to Edinburgh (but only in that direction), but vastly reduced numbers compared to now.

Good spot. I can’t see the Carlisle journeys lasting in the long run to be honest. For obvious reasons, the X95 will never be what it once was. It carries very mixed loads through to Edinburgh these days too.

 

[computerSaysNo]

I believe a Gala MMC, 11918, has gone west in exchange. 12314 is on loan at Gala for the next few weeks.

Thanks, do you know why the swaps have occurred? It does strike me that the Evoras would give a substantial comfort increase over the MMCs which would be more appreciated on the longer distance and higher speed Borders routes versus the Glasgow Citybus routes.

 

[DunsBus]

Thanks, do you know why the swaps have occurred? It does strike me that the Evoras would give a substantial comfort increase over the MMCs which would be more appreciated on the longer distance and higher speed Borders routes versus the Glasgow Citybus routes.

It's to test the Evoras' suitability for rural routes. 12314 is on loan for three weeks - this week it's on the X62, next week it'll be on the X95 and its final week in the Borders will be spent on the 51.

 

[scosutsut]

It's to test the Evoras' suitability for rural routes. 12314 is on loan for three weeks - this week it's on the X62, next week it'll be on the X95 and its final week in the Borders will be spent on the 51.

I'm struggling to think of a criteria in which they could be considered less suitable!

I'm seem to remember there was an English operator that concluded B8RLEs were actually more economical than Enviros on rural routes (presumably because they wouldn't need to be thrashed to keep up with traffic flows!)

 

[YorkRailFan]

Borders Buses has published the full list of service changes from 20 October on their website, including the changes to the 253:

• Service X62: New stops at Burdiehouse Square and St Katherine’s Brae, plus an extra Sunday journey for smoother travel.
• Service X95: Timetable revised for better reliability during busy periods.
• Service 253: The service will now operate exclusively between Berwick-Upon-Tweed and Dunbar, with the Dunbar to Edinburgh section removed.
  - Customers can purchase a through ticket for onward travel to Edinburgh via East Coast Buses (Service X7). Tickets will be available on the Borders Buses app, tickets include 253 Day at £8.80 and a 253 Day plus ECB X7 at £11.33.
  - The route will now serve Broxburn and Dunbar Grammar School. A revised timetable with earlier first buses and later last buses will improve connections, including a new 19:10 journey from Berwick to Reston via Ayton, Eyemouth, and Coldingham, enhancing train connections at Reston.
• Service 51: Improved Sunday links and reinstated journeys to Newstead.
• Service 60: Ten new journeys to Knoll Hospital in Duns and a more direct link to Eyemouth in both directions.
• Service 67: Through service now available—no more changing buses at Kelso—and later journeys from Kelso to Galashiels.
• Service 68: Timetables synchronised with Service 67, maintaining a reliable 30-minute frequency.
• Other updates: Earlier start times and improved reliability on school services, plus a new stop at West Linton Primary School on Service P12.

Exciting bus network enhancements

Improved connections, enhanced hospital access, and new journey options across the Borders Buses network.

www.bordersbuses.co.uk

As a result of the 253 being axed between Dunbar & Edinburgh, Borders Buses has announced a partnership with Lothian's East Coast Buses for connections in Dunbar onwards to Edinburgh. Full details:

We're implementing essential adjustments to service 253 (Berwick-Upon-Tweed – Edinburgh) to address growing congestion issues and a lack of demand for direct travel between Dunbar and Edinburgh, both of which have been impacting the reliability of the service. These proactive changes will allow us to offer a more dependable local service and seamless onward travel to the capital.

What's changing?

From Monday, 20 October, the 253 service will be revised as follows:

• To improve reliability and to serve demand, the service will now operate exclusively between Berwick-Upon-Tweed and Dunbar. The section between Dunbar and Edinburgh will be removed from this service.
• We have established a partnership with East Coast Buses (ECB) to deliver a smooth and reliable connection for your journey to Edinburgh.
• In Dunbar, customers can easily switch to the East Coast Buses Service X7 for guaranteed onward travel to the capital.
• The revised route will now serve Broxburn and Dunbar Grammar School.
• We're introducing a revised timetable featuring earlier first buses and later last buses to better meet your travel needs throughout the day.
• A new 19:10 journey from Berwick will be introduced, serving Reston via Ayton, Eyemouth, and Coldingham. This new journey is specifically designed to enhance connections with train services at Reston station.

Seamless Ticketing Options

To make your through journey to Edinburgh as straightforward as possible via our partnership with East Coast Buses, we're offering a convenient through-ticketing option:

Ticket Type	Price	Details
253 Day	£8.80	Valid for unlimited travel on the revised Service 253 (Berwick-Upon-Tweed to Dunbar) for one day.
253 Day plus ECB X7	£11.33	Through-ticket valid for travel on the revised Service 253 and the connecting East Coast Buses Service X7 to Edinburgh for one day.

Changes to service 253

We're implementing essential adjustments to service 253 (Berwick-Upon-Tweed – Edinburgh)

www.bordersbuses.co.uk

 

[Steddenm]

Borders Buses has published the full list of service changes from 20 October on their website, including the changes to the 253:

Exciting bus network enhancements

Improved connections, enhanced hospital access, and new journey options across the Borders Buses network.

www.bordersbuses.co.uk

As a result of the 253 being axed between Dunbar & Edinburgh, Borders Buses has announced a partnership with Lothian's East Coast Buses for connections in Dunbar onwards to Edinburgh. Full details:

Changes to service 253

We're implementing essential adjustments to service 253 (Berwick-Upon-Tweed – Edinburgh)

www.bordersbuses.co.uk

£11.33? Seems a very odd fare.

 

[RELL6L]

£11.33? Seems a very odd fare.

It’s an extra £2.53, perhaps not a coincidence!

I think the 253 changes are sensible. The route is too long and lacks resilience to any delays. When I took the 253 from Dunbar to Berwick in 2022 it was about half an hour late, no particular reason. Also the new timetable is much better for morning journeys into Berwick and later journeys out.

 

[Porty]

It’s an extra £2.53, perhaps not a coincidence!

I think the 253 changes are sensible. The route is too long and lacks resilience to any delays. When I took the 253 from Dunbar to Berwick in 2022 it was about half an hour late, no particular reason. Also the new timetable is much better for morning journeys into Berwick and later journeys out.

Agree. The delays out of Edinburgh (in particular getting out of the bus station at peak shopping times on Saturdays or in December, or when Hibs are at home) can impact journeys 40 or 50 miles away. Now that the X7 is every 20 mins the 253 would likely to get even less casual usage and revenue for intermediate journeys Edinburgh to Dunbar.

I've travelled Haddington to Eyemouth a few times in the last couple of years and usage on the western half of the route is modest. I've never seen anyone get on or off in Innerwick, but the Thurston Manor caravan park seems to generate some business in the summer. One positive thing of the new service is the earlier and later services. It's a big improvement on the current situation as the last bus back from Eyemouth to Haddington is currently at 1521. A later service, albeit with a change at Dunbar, will be most welcome.

 

[Metal Mickey]

Borders Buses has published the full list of service changes from 20 October on their website, including the changes to the 253:

Exciting bus network enhancements

Improved connections, enhanced hospital access, and new journey options across the Borders Buses network.

www.bordersbuses.co.uk

As a result of the 253 being axed between Dunbar & Edinburgh, Borders Buses has announced a partnership with Lothian's East Coast Buses for connections in Dunbar onwards to Edinburgh. Full details:

Changes to service 253

We're implementing essential adjustments to service 253 (Berwick-Upon-Tweed – Edinburgh)

www.bordersbuses.co.uk

I understand there will be some disappointment regarding the 253 retrenchment at Dunbar but good to see two operators working in partnership and offering a viable alternative.

The coms for these changes are very good and similar to the way Stagecoach East Scotland do theirs.

 

[Steddenm]

What are the rules for disabled/pensioner passes on buses that cross the border? I'm guessing you can't use it between Dunbar and Edinburgh anymore but you could when it was one route from Berwick to Edinburgh?

 

[Porty]

What are the rules for disabled/pensioner passes on buses that cross the border? I'm guessing you can't use it between Dunbar and Edinburgh anymore but you could when it was one route from Berwick to Edinburgh?

Scottish or English? Won't make any difference to Scottish passes as they'll still be valid to/ from Berwick and obviously on any separate service west of Dunbar .

 

[Steddenm]

Scottish or English? Won't make any difference to Scottish passes as they'll still be valid to/ from Berwick and obviously on any separate service west of Dunbar .

English