THE City of Edinburgh Council is set to decide whether or not to subsidise two Lothian Bus services currently losing money with nearly £650,000.
The two services provide vital connection routes across the city but don’t bring in enough money to support themselves.
The council will consider whether or not to award a £646,000 subsidy to support the 38 and the 400 services on Thursday.
Support for the two services was paused in 2023 after years of council support which has led to massive losses for the routes.
The £646,000 is intended to cover the losses from 2023 when the council stopped support to seek legal advice.
The finance and resources committee will make the decision on whether to fund the routes in the aouth of the city.
The 400 service will soon be renamed to the 200 as part of upcoming changes to the Lothian Buses network.
Both routes are known as “orbital routes” bypassing the city centre and have been called “vital” by Edinburgh Bus Users Group.
The 400 service goes from the airport to Fort Kinnaird via Sighthill, Colinton, Oxgangs, Gilmerton and the Royal Infirmary.
The 38 route links Granton to the Royal Infirmary via the Western General Hospital, Murrayfield, Polwarth, Morningside, and Cameron Toll.
Fares across the city’s bus network are due to rise in April and several services will be renamed following an announcement by Lothian Buses.
The subsidy is intended to cover the losses incurred by the routes since it was withdrawn by the council and cover operating costs.
The total amount to be awarded, if approved by the committee, is £646,817 which will be given to Lothian Buses.
