Bus operator, First Borders, today revealed a series of customer friendly improvements for two services which link the Borders with Edinburgh.
Firstly buses operating on Service X95, which runs on the famous ‘Waverley’ route between Edinburgh and Carlisle via the Borders, are receiving a facelift. Since the beginning of the 16th Century the ‘Common Ridings’ have formed an integral part of Borders tradition. In order to reflect the annual celebrations where hundreds of locals ride their horses through Borders’ towns protecting their territory, First has re-named the route, ‘X95 The Ridings’. In addition, all ten buses will sport bespoke and striking new liveries – there are three new designs in total, one each for Galashiels, Selkirk and Hawick.
Secondly, building on the recent improvements to Service X62 frequency (buses now operate every 20 minutes instead of every 30), all buses on the route are set to benefit from the installation of free wi-fi while six double deckers will feature a distinct eye-catching new tartan livery based on the Borders’ local heritage. The strapline, ‘Connect with the Real Scotland’ complements the new tartan and the tourist friendly concept.
And to help promote the improvements all First Borders Bus Drivers have the option of wearing a kilt to work on June 28 to mark the end of the Common Ridings celebrations.
In order to encourage more people to try the improved bus services, First has posted leaflets, which feature bus discount vouchers totalling more than £185k to more than 15,000 households on the routes.
First officially revealed the improvements to X62 and X95 at a media opportunity in Galashiels this morning at the Kingsknowes Hotel. To mark the improvements Gavin Young and Alice Mackay, Galashiels’ ‘Braw Lad’ and ‘Braw Lass’ and Greg McDougall, Selkirk’s Common Ridings ‘Standard Bearer’ came along and were accompanied by star of the show, a horse named Matty.
Managing Director of First Borders, Paul McGowan, said: “Our X62 and X95 buses have undergone a makeover and I’m delighted with the final results – they look fantastic. I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to introduce a new look and feel to the buses that I’m confident will be welcomed by customers. I’m pleased too that passengers will benefit from free wi-fi on Service X62. Having seen the success and popularity of the free wi-fi on our service X95 services over the last 12 months, it was an easy decision to give X62 customers the same benefits.
“We want more people to travel by bus, and to travel by bus more often. At First Borders, we are working hard to improve our services so that we can attract more customers. We’re confident that these improvements to X62 and X95 services will prove popular with customers and help attract more people out of their cars and onto the bus.”
Gavin Young, Galashiels’ ‘Braw Lad’ said: “The Common Ridings is a huge event in the Borders and it’s fantastic that First’s X95 buses will help raise our profile along the Edinburgh to Carlisle route.”
Roxanne Gillies and Terri Mitchell are two of many Drivers who will wear kilts whilst driving buses on 28 June marking the end of the Common Ridings celebrations. Terri (23 years old from Coldstream) started driving for First in February and said: “I love driving buses and to be able to do so in my kilt and help promote the new look X62 and X95 buses is brilliant. It’s a great idea and I’m sure it will go down well with customers.”