Lothian Buses Plc is the largest municipal bus company in the United Kingdom and the largest provider of bus services in Edinburgh, Scotland. It also serves parts of East Lothian and Midlothian. On 7 November 2007 Lothian was voted Bus Operator of the Year in the 2007 UK Bus Awards, and has subsequently been voted Public Transport Operator of the Year (Bus) at the 2008 National Transport Awards. The company was cited for its substantial route development, 32 percent growth in passenger numbers since 1998 and £100 million investment in low-floor buses since 2000.
Lothian Buses plc operates the majority of daytime bus services in Edinburgh, extending to outlying suburbs, towns and villages.The company also operates several limited stop express routes, an Airport service, Park and Ride services and a comprehensive night bus network. The company also operates several tourist services. The company has 4 travel shops (three in the city centre and one in Dalkeith), and operates buses from three depot locations. The company also maintains a driver training school and an engineering depot. The central depot is located on Annandale Street.
Lothian Buses is the only municipally owned bus company in Scotland, being 91% owned by the City of Edinburgh council and the remainder by the councils in East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian, giving rise to the slogan your locally owned buses , although there are currently [update] no services to West Lothian. It is registered in Annandale Street, Edinburgh as company number SC096849
Many aspects of the Lothian operation are different to the standard practice employed elsewhere in the UK bus industry. This can mainly be attributed to a local history, strong council support, and long standing independent identity.
