Lothian Buses Reviews 

I came from Middle East to visit Scotland, hoping to have a good impression of the bus service. Unfortunately, I experienced racism and rude language from some bus drivers, which made me feel embarrassed in front of my family. As an NHS worker living and working in the UK, facing such situations was very upsetting and ruined part of my holiday. I hope Lothian Buses takes this seriously and addresses such behaviour to ensure all visitors are treated with respect.

Did not accept an electronic ticket, so i had to buy a second one. Rip off. Never again. Next time i take a cab.

Stopped at Seton Sands, so got the bus a few time into Edinburgh, miserable rude drivers. I always say hi or good morning they can't even be bothered to say hello.

Really expensive, rude drivers, and the tickets are not honoured even if you have proof of payment and evidence such as photograph with all necessary information. You cannot load it on app or store in any other way than a flimsy receipt.

Driver of the bus 100, bus number 1135 at 11:20 am, you're a star, I saw people asking for directions and you gave them detailed instructions on what the best way to travel was, you didn't have to, yet you did, I salute you my friend

The guy took money of me and would not let me on as I was far away from my house and he took money of me!I showed him my bank and that money has came out and he still said get off absolutely fuming😡

Fantastic driver- Mark 473- on the number 26 to Clerwood on evening of 26th June. So friendly with all passengers. Was my 60th birthday and his lovely attitude with everyone made my day. Thanks Mark 😊

I was taking the bus 35 today (23 June) at 13:00 hour from the Royal Mile,Edinburgh. Some passengers in the front were having problems with payment and they stepped to the side inside the bus for a while. I did not know this, assumed they already paid, and started to go inside the bus to tap my card. The female driver started shouting at me to wait instead of just politely asking.

You can educate your drivers to talk like a normal human being rather than shouting like a rabies-infected dog at passengers. They are quite well paid. No need to be so entitled if they don’t like their job . Please hire more civil people with good etiquette and basic human decency for public service jobs like this. Edinburgh is turning into London 2.0 thanks to hare-brained folks like this.

This is a review of Lothian Country, the more rural part of Lothian Buses, specifically service 72, Fauldhouse to Kirkliston.
This is an hourly service, taking almost 2 hours from end to end. The drivers are great, however it is such a busy service picking up and setting down along the whole route, including schools, that the buses never run to time. There doesn't appear to be any catchup time available to the drivers.
Routinely miss my connections due to the late running. I contacted Lothian Buses and this is their non-reply :-

"It is imperative that the timetables we create are realistic and can be met by our drivers at any time, unfortunately there can be a multitude of issues which can adversely impact on bus journey times such as diversions and traffic congestion.
Our drivers and operational control team will continue to work hard to run services as advertised.
I understand this has not been an isolated incident and will pass your comments on to our Schedules team."

The service really needs to be revamped, or increased to 2 per hour, which would reduce the number of passengers waiting, but given the reply, I doubt anything will bve done.

Yup, usual crap, no signs at the most busy locations, buses speeding all through town. The busted suspension and bone shattered ride, that is Lothian Bus.

I was waiting for the bus but it was 47 minutes late

Due to an accident, I am disabled and required the assistance of a mobility aid in the form of a 4 wheel zimmer. The relatively new 100 seater (route 11) buses are totally impractical, apart from a wheelchair user. The disabled seats are far too narrow, front to back, to get a zimmer in. If someone is on with a pram and a wheelchair user gets on, the pram has to get off the bus and aren't even granted a day ticket for another bus! LRT prides itself with its inclusive policy. I think not.
Also you always, without fail need to ask the driver to put the ramp down, sometimes done with good grace but more often not with good grace.
The drivers rarely wait for someone with a disability to be seated until they drive off. I understand that timetables require, where possible to be adhered to but safety is paramount.
LRT, please review your training and policy for drivers.

Passengers were not informed until 2137 that buses would not be turning up at bus stops on Princes Street or South Bridge. This effected
MANY passengers!!

This company can be improved by keeping all passengers informed when bus stops are effected regarding picking up passengers.

The drivers are usually pretty friendly, but today the driver I encountered was absolutely disgusting. I was trying to ask him if he's going to a particular stop and started off by saying I'm going to.. and he cut me off and said " I don't care where you're going, just tap your card!" Then I reached into my bag, grabbed the wrong card and it got declined then he said it declined and I said I used the wrong one, then he replied, "I don't care." Completely disgusting and uncalled for. Not sure if he was having a bad day but it shouldn't have been taken out on me! People aren't going to be encouraged to use public transport if they have to deal with rude, nasty drivers!! Not interested in boarding a bus anytime soon at this rate!

Sort out the x28 to bathgate always deleyed in livingston tty fet to work for 6am and the bus gets deleyed 3 times and happens all the time joke

Terrabile service, the connection was so good. 26 bus tranent everyone being able to use the bus. Even high schoolers. My child used it almost every day not due of laziness, due of having a bad knee. Myself I cannot go up the 10mins hill walk with a heavy wheelchair to get to Tranent now have to use 2 buses, doubled paying. Times are terrible now. The 26 runs to Seton sands and it's not 10 Minutes it is sometimes 5 minutes apart. Costumer service just put you off telling me up the hill is just around the corner. Well not for everyone. Bottom to top Prestonpans. Elderly, disabled left out completely. Hope 2026 the new bus sign saying worst, non reliable bus of the year--- the new costumer conduct follows - Sorry needs Correcting ..... Our buses are not for everyone Those with accessibility requirements, regular commuters, tourists and visitors, the elderly, the very young, and everyone in between. Just walk a hill up round the corner top pans is the next bus stop. We know how unimportant our services are for those who rely on them, we change times and bus journeys and it is therefore vital that both our colleagues and vehicles are respected by those who travel with us for the benefit of everyone apart from few we have to cut out.

The worst! Simply the worst bus driver did not even lower the bus for a disabled person, and was late as always ,shocking for a company that holds some titles and awards!

On the x28 1033 bus and the driver doesn’t even wait till you’ve got you’re ticket before slamming his foot on the pedal and sending you flying I fully believe that most of the 28 drivers couldn’t drive a scooter nevermind a bloody bus

Utterly disgusted with this company, removing a much needed service from East Lothian. The 26 bus route is an essential service for workers and the elderly alike. Big business putting profit before people yet again. We definitely need an alternative to this company, judging by the other reviews here. We definitely need a change!

Tald bwat, wouldn’t let me on his bus outside a hospital cause I forgot my young Scot’s and don’t carry money, you could already tell I was sick and I told him I just wanted to go home
if ur a x27 driver that arrives at the hospital at about 7 on Saturday 22, I HATE YOU!!!