Under-fire shuttle service driving on
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1738152007
TRANSPORT REPORTER (
apicken@edinburghnews.com)
A MINIBUS "shuttle" service between the city centre and Edinburgh Airport that has come under fire from cabbies for stealing their trade is to be expanded.
The Edinburgh Shuttle has proved so popular since it was launched by Lothian Buses in December that the firm has taken on more vehicles to reach the city's suburbs.
People in Newington, Bruntsfield, Leith, Newhaven, Inverleith and Stockbridge will benefit from the expanded service.
But taxi drivers, infuriated by the move, claim that the Edinburgh Shuttle is muscling in on their businesses because the minibuses offer trips between destinations within the city, in addition to airport journeys.
Lothian Buses says its shuttle service operates within the law and it is entitled to run it.
Council chiefs are currently investigating whether the service requires a private hire licence instead of, or in addition to, its existing public bus licence.
The Scottish Taxi Federation has reported Lothian Buses to Scotland's Traffic Commissioner. The federation's Edinburgh representative, Jim Muldoon, said: "Our view has not changed, they are operating illegally - it is effectively a private hire operation.
"I am appalled to discover they are expanding their service when there is a serious question mark over the legality of what they are doing.
"It is in the hands of our lawyers but this is a matter we will be pursuing vigorously."
However, Lothian Buses argues that it has a statutory duty to have a fare structure in place, because the shuttles are registered bus services.
Although customers are not allowed to pre-book journeys within the city, they are allowed to travel on the shuttle service if they want to because they are registered public buses, the company says.
Lesley Parsons, head of sales and marketing for the firm, said: "Edinburgh Shuttle has experienced exceptional passenger growth since commencing last December. It has proved popular with visitors, residents, business travellers and conference delegates. Our reservations centre and sales kiosk at Edinburgh Airport frequently receive requests for travel to areas outside our city centre operating zone.
"That is why we have decided to expand our area to include more accommodation, business and residential addresses."
The Edinburgh Shuttle is based on the popular American "shared van" operations that can be seen doing business at most major US airports.
The service is now operating with 15 vehicles, having started with nine.
The scheme has won the backing of Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson.
He said: "This service has been a great success so far, and I hope it will continue to be a success in the future. It will encourage more people to leave their cars at home, meaning fewer cars on our roads, and less congestion in and around the Edinburgh area."
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