Residents of Rosewell, Poltonhall and Bonnyrigg are angered by Lothian Buses decision to reduce by a half the frequency of the popular 49 bus service.

From the 5th October the 49 bus will now run every 30 minutes Monday to Friday instead of the current frequency of every 15 minutes between Sheriffhall, Dalkeith, Bonnyrigg, Poltonhall and Rosewell.

The 49 bus service is regularly used by the elderly, pupils at Lasswade High School, commuters in and around Edinburgh and many people in the area. Employees at the SQA in Sheriffhall and the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh say that this will have a large impact on them.

Local people who use the bus say it is always a busy bus during rush hour periods and that Lothian Bus had changed from a single decker bus to a double decker to cope with the demand for the service.

One parent at Lasswade High School is now concerned that in the dark winter afternoons her daughter may have to wait 30 minutes for the bus.

Rosewell residents are particularly impacted as they are already have a poor bus service.

Given the outcry by residents to Lothian Buses decision Midlothian View has started an online petition to urge the bus company to change their mind.

Please sign the petition.