Friday March 13th 2026
Scottish Labour candidate for Midlothian North, Caitlin Stott
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Scottish Labour candidate Caitlin Stott has confirmed further action to challenge the withdrawal of the 46 bus service following a major public meeting on the issue held recently in Rosewell.
Around 150 residents packed into the public meeting to share their concerns about the changes to local bus services and the impact they are having on daily life.
Residents described journeys that previously took around 20–25 minutes now taking more than an hour due to poorly coordinated connections and long waiting times. Others highlighted the loss of direct links to key destinations such as the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, meaning passengers must now take multiple buses to reach hospital appointments, workplaces and essential services.
Following the meeting, Caitlin Stott submitted a Freedom of Information request to Lothian Buses seeking full details of the reasons behind the service changes, including any consultation carried out with residents or local authorities. She has also written to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport raising concerns about the impact on growing communities in Midlothian.
Caitlin Stott has also lodged a petition with the Scottish Parliament calling for the reinstatement of Service 46, or the introduction of a direct and frequent equivalent service.
Midlothian North MSP Colin Beattie attended the meeting and indicated he would support a joint letter raising residents’ concerns with the Scottish Government. He has since declined to co-sign the letter.
Responding, Caitlin Stott said:
“Residents were very clear about the impact these bus cuts are having. People spoke about losing direct routes to hospital appointments and facing journeys of more than an hour for short trips.
“Communities like ours depend on reliable bus services. Where routes are withdrawn for commercial reasons, we should also be exploring alternatives — including cooperative or community-led bus services — and treating key routes as community assets.
“I have submitted an FOI to Lothian Buses, written to the Transport Secretary and lodged a petition with the Scottish Parliament so residents’ concerns can be heard directly.”
Once responses are received from Lothian Buses and the Scottish Government, Caitlin Stott intends to compile a briefing outlining the impact of the changes on residents and present it to both the bus operator and government ministers.
“These cuts are having a real impact on people’s lives,” she added. “I will keep pressing Lothian Buses and the Scottish Government until residents get the answers — and the bus services — they deserve.”
An update was provided by Colin Beattie MSP at 15:30:
Colin Beattie MSP said:
“I received a copy of the letter Ms Stott planned on sending to the Scottish Government regarding changes to Lothian Bus services. I had intended on adding my support, as these changes are having a detrimental impact to many of my constituents and it’s important that a solution is found. However, on reading the letter, it was clear that Ms Stott was unaware of the powers made available to City of Edinburgh Council under the current Transport Scotland Act. This omission is key in finding a workable solution, and as such I have written to the Scottish Government to seek clarification on how existing bus powers can be used immediately to restore direct, frequent and properly coordinated services in Midlothian.”
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