First to pull out of East Lothian

[Metroline1511]

RE: First to pull out of East Lothian
First already pulled out of Dalkeith and cut back at Musselburgh in 2012. This was also a rare example of an ongoing operation without any vehicles to 2012 spec. Lothian may well register replacement services from Edinburgh to Noth Berwick or even Dunbar. I doubt they would operate any more local services not serving Edinburgh though.

Ironically, in January 1997 First had been instructed to divest Midland Bluebird - including SMT depots west of Edinburgh city centre - and 1 Glasgow depot, following their acquisition of Strathclyde Buses. In August 1997 they got this decision overturned by Trade Secretary Margaret Beckett. Ironically, had this decision been upheld First would have run buses from Edinburgh to East but not West Lothian - the reverse of what will now happen!