Thursday August 21st 2025
Straiton Park and Ride
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
All Lothian Bus services that currently serve Straiton Park and Ride will no longer do so after the 7th of September this year.
The Park and Ride in Midlothian is a 620-car space facility but checks have shown a low volume of usage with only an average of 70 to 105 vehicles parked on weekdays. Across the whole Straiton area, including the Park and Ride site, the numbers of passenger tickets sold and the concession card taps indicate that boarding passenger numbers are lower, suggesting that the Park and Ride is also used by members of the public not boarding buses.
A spokesperson for Lothian Buses told Midlothian View: “In consultation with Midlothian and The City of Edinburgh Council, journeys will no longer serve Straiton Park and Ride due to low volume of customers using the facility.”
“This will reduce journeys times for most customers travelling on this corridor and alternative stops continue to be provided on the A701.”
The journey times will reduce for passengers on the 37 and 47 routes from Bilston and Penicuik though savings may vary depending on the day of the week and time of the day.
Car parking will still remain available at the site, allowing bus passengers and other users to park their cars, in effect making the site a Park, ‘Stride’ and Ride.
A Midlothian Council spokesperson confirmed the changes with Midlothian View, saying: “We were consulted on Lothian Buses’ decision to stop serving Straiton Park and Ride because of low passenger numbers.”
“People can still park at the site, and new paths are being built so it is easier to reach nearby bus stops on the A701. A new real-time bus information sign is also being installed at the nearby bus stop on the west side of the A701 to help passengers.”
Currently the closest bus stop on the A701 heading towards the city is 514 metres away from the Park and Ride with the stop heading south being 312 metres away, which has raised concerns for passengers with mobility issues. The new paths for will make the closest bus stop 154 metres away.
The City of Edinburgh Council leases the Straiton Park and Ride site with the current lease coming to an end in 2027. Midlothian Council says that it is working in with the site owner, City of Edinburgh Council and Lothian Buses to discuss lease options, and medium and longer-term options for parking and riding. They say their aim is to provide continuity for those who need to access buses and park cars. Reports will be brought forward to Midlothian Council regarding the future of the park and ride sites and Community Councils will be made aware of these.
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