Many local people got behind the “use it or lose it” message and used the 2024 East L Go 131 trial. Now we have a chance to build on that experience and explore how a reliable, lasting bus service could connect more of our farms, villages and steadings with Dunbar.
East Lammermuir Community Council commissioned transport specialists Liftango to explore how this could work. The study looks at serving the whole of East Lammermuir, including Spott and Stenton, and a wider option that also includes Cockburnspath and Cove and West Barns.
The study’s wider option includes West Barns for journeys to Dunbar. We would welcome West Barns residents at the meeting to discuss whether this option would meet their travel needs.
Our next step is a public meeting to hear Kevin Orr from Liftango explain the findings, answer questions and discuss what could work best for our communities. We also want to start discussing who would take responsibility for the service, how it would be managed and how residents would have a say.
A new meeting date will be announced shortly. Everyone is welcome, whether you used the previous service or would like to use one in future.
The study was jointly funded by Cockburnspath and Cove Community Fund and Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) Community Fund.
Building on the previous trial
The 2024 East L Go 131 trial provided 750 trips for 66 riders. Liftango used information from those bookings to explore how a service could reach more people.
The study looked at a bookable, door-to-door service, with routes planned around passengers’ journeys.
Where could it run?
The study explored two options:
- East Lammermuir to Dunbar: covering the whole East Lammermuir area, including Spott, Stenton and the hills to the south.
- A wider service to Dunbar: also covering Cockburnspath and Cove and West Barns.
Destinations in Dunbar included Asda, the railway station and the medical practice. The study did not include journeys entirely within Dunbar.
The areas explored in Liftango’s study. East Lammermuir is pale orange, Cockburnspath and Cove darker orange, West Barns grey and Dunbar black. The dashed line marks the earlier trial area. Final coverage still needs to be agreed. Source: Liftango.
What did the study find?
The modelling suggests that one vehicle could meet most journey requests on an average weekday. A second vehicle at busy times would help more people get the journeys they need.
The study recommends starting with one full-time vehicle and considering additional cover depending on demand and commuter needs. It also recommends asking operators to price one full-time vehicle plus a part-time vehicle, so the cost of extra cover is understood.
Some passengers may need to accept a different pickup time from the one they first request. How this would work for appointments, work and train connections will be an important part of the discussion.
These findings show what might be possible. They are not a confirmed timetable or a guarantee that every journey could be provided.
Help shape the next steps
Where would you need to travel, and at what times? Would either of these options meet your needs?
We want to hear from residents across East Lammermuir, Cockburnspath and Cove and West Barns.
For Spott and Stenton residents, the study also asks whether people mainly travel towards Dunbar or East Linton. Connections to East Linton were not tested in this study.
There are still details to work through, including where passengers could be picked up and dropped off, and which journeys the service would offer.
Alongside this, we need to discuss which organisation could oversee the service and how the participating communities would be represented.
Come along to hear Kevin explain the findings, ask questions and share your experience. You do not need to have used the trial or attended earlier meetings to take part. November 24th The Old School House, Innerwick starting at 7pm