First Scotland East#FifeFirst

In 1997, the merger of three subsidiaries took place, with Eastern Scottish, Lowland Scottish and Midland Scottish becoming First Edinburgh, which broadly aligns with the original Scottish Motor Traction area. Following the merger, operations were simplified. Some areas, including Midlothian and West Lothian, were formerly served by at least two out of the three subsidiaries. Despite the name, the company served a much larger area, covering much of Central Scotland and the Scottish Borders, as well as Cumbria and Northumberland, England. In 2008, the company was renamed First Scotland East – better reflecting the operating area.

In 1999, some operations were transferred to the company's Larbert depot, with a new corporate livery introduced across the fleet. By 2002, all of the company's operations were controlled by Larbert.

In 2000, the company was split into two, operating as First Edinburgh and First Midland Bluebird.

In June 1997, the company launched the FifeFirst brand, in order to compete with Stagecoach Fife, who had recently started competing with First's Glasgow operations. Competition took place, with service 56 from Edinburgh to Dunfermline, Cowdenbeath and Ballingry using a combination of 12 new Wright Axcess-Ultralow bodied Scania L113s alongside examples transferred from Lowland Scottish, Midland Scottish and Rider York, all painted in an allover red livery.{{cite magazine |author= |url=https://archive.org/details/busesmag-pre2010/page/n7/mode/1up |title=FirstBus gets going in Fife |magazine=Buses |issue=508 |location=Shepperton |publisher=Ian Allan Publishing |page=8 |date=July 1997 |access-date=2 April 2024}} A sub-depot was established in Dunfermline, with Westfield providing most of the vehicles used. FifeFirst ceased in July 2000 when the service was axed, with the low-floor buses used being transferred to the Falkirk area.

In June 2004, the ScotRail franchise was awarded to First, with the services transferring to First ScotRail in October 2004.[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2887785/FirstGroup-clinches-Scottish-rail-franchise.html FirstGroup clinches Scottish rail franchise] The Daily Telegraph 12 June 2004 The Competition Commission placed a number of controls and undertakings, which had an effect on the company's ability to raise fares and alter a selected number of services.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3845973.stm Watchdog agrees ScotRail merger] BBC News 28 June 2004[http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140402141250/http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/assets/competitioncommission/docs/pdf/non-inquiry/rep_pub/reports/2004/fulltext/490.pdf FirstGroup plc and the Scottish Passenger Rail franchise] Competition Commission June 2004 In 2009 and 2012, First were released from a number of routes which were controlled.

In June 2012, the company closed their depot in Dalkeith, whilst scaling back Musselburgh-based operations. In November 2012, the company's Linlithgow depot was closed, with operations transferred to Larbert and Livingston depots.[http://www.linlithgowgazette.co.uk/news/local-news/bus-depot-moves-out-1-2611833 Bus depot moves out] Linlithgow Gazette[https://archive.today/20130123013902/http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/scotland_east/travel_news/news_initiatives/?item=5451&conf=0 Changes to Services in the East Lothian and Mid Lothian Regions of Scotland] FirstGroup 2 April 2012[http://www.midlothian.gov.uk/info/200179/buses/1075/changes_to_services_after_closure_of_first_dalkeith_depot Changes to services after closure of First Dalkeith depot] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054341/http://www.midlothian.gov.uk/info/200179/buses/1075/changes_to_services_after_closure_of_first_dalkeith_depot |date=21 September 2013 }} Midlothian Council

In June 2013, route X38 (from Edinburgh to Falkirk and Stirling) was re-branded as First Bluebird, with buses painted in a dedicated blue livery.[http://thebuspeople.co.uk/?p=2436 First brings back the Bluebird name for East Scotland bus operation] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054000/http://thebuspeople.co.uk/?p=2436 |date=21 September 2013 }} The Bus People 28 June 2013 Within a year, most of the buses operating in the Forth Valley area were also re-branded as First Bluebird.

First tried to improve passenger growth, with a number of revised networks in Falkirk and West Lothian, during 2012.[http://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/news/local-news/upset-on-falkirk-buses-after-timetable-changes-1-2620972 Upset on Falkirk buses after timetable changes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129025159/http://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/news/local-news/upset-on-falkirk-buses-after-timetable-changes-1-2620972 |date=29 November 2014 }} Falkirk Herald 9 November 2012[https://archive.today/20121020045511/http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/scotland_east/travel_news/service_updates/?item=5951&conf=0 Forthcoming Network Alterations - Falkirk area - Monday 29 October 2012] FirstGroup In January 2015, First withdrew over a dozen bus routes in and around Falkirk, citing that routes had been operating at a "considerable loss" for many years.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-30097472 |title= Three bus services to be withdrawn in West Lothian |work=BBC News |date=18 November 2014}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20141119220359/http://www.centralfm.co.uk/posts/falkirk-bus-services-to-end-in-new-year Falkirk bus services to end in new year] Central 103.1 FM 17 November 2014{{cite news |url=http://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/news/business/business-news/big-changes-on-falkirk-s-buses-as-routes-are-cut-1-3611111 |title=Big changes on Falkirk's buses as routes are cut |first=Stuart |last=Barber |date=23 November 2014 |access-date=25 May 2016}}

In October 2015, the company made a request to the Competition and Markets Authority to review the undertakings given in 2002 following the Monopolies & Mergers Commission's conclusion that the completed acquisition by First of SB Holdings Limited, which took place in 1996, created a merger situation which may be expected to operate against the public interest. As part of the undertakings, the company had a mileage floor which required to them to operate a specific number of miles, regardless of the circumstances. In April 2016, the company was released from the undertakings with all requirements dropped.[https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/56e7f779e5274a036b000020/FirstGroup_-_Notice_of_intention_to_release_undertakings.pdf Notice of intention to release undertakings] Competition & Markets Authority 15 March 2016[https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/firstgroup-undertakings-review FirstGroup undertakings review] Competition & Markets Authority

In May 2016, the company announced that it would cease operations in East Lothian, with the closure of Musselburgh and North Berwick depots – affecting a total of 88 jobs.{{Cite web |date=24 May 2016 |title=Bus company First set to end ALL bus services in East Lothian this summer |url=https://www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/14512760.bus-company-first-set-to-end-all-bus-services-in-east-lothian-this-summer/ |access-date=2022-06-01 |website=East Lothian Courier |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2016-05-25 |title=First plans to cease operations in East Lothian |url=https://www.route-one.net/operations/first_proposes_to_cease_operations_in_west_lothian/ |access-date=2022-06-01 |website=Routeone |language=en-US}} In August 2016, staff and operations were transferred to Lothian Buses.{{Cite web |date=2016-07-05 |title=Lothian Buses saves First services |url=https://www.route-one.net/news/lothian_buses_saves_first_services/ |access-date=2022-06-01 |website=Routeone |language=en-US}}{{Efn|Services in East Lothian are operated under the East Coast Buses brand.}}

In 2016, Borders Buses took over several services from First Scotland East.{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=15 July 2016 |title=Perryman's set to take over threatened Borders bus routes |url=https://www.bordertelegraph.com/news/14621610.perrymans-set-to-take-over-threatened-borders-bus-routes/ |access-date=9 March 2020 |website=Border Telegraph}} The company's remaining operations in Scottish Borders, including the depot at Galashiels, as well as outstations at Hawick, Kelso and Peebles, were sold to the company in March 2017.{{Cite web |date=3 April 2017 |title=Takeover deal secures future of Borders bus routes |url=https://www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk/news/takeover-deal-secures-future-borders-bus-routes-852163 |access-date=11 March 2020 |website=The Southern Reporter |language=en}} The 2015 reopening of the Borders Railway between Edinburgh and Tweedbank was cited as one of the main reasons for the sale.

In May 2017, the company announced plans to bring "significant improvements" to their services. This resulted in the introduction of 7,000 miles of additional journeys and six vehicles to the network in West Lothian, as well as the reintroduction of a direct link between Bathgate and Gyle Centre via Livingston and Edinburgh Airport.{{Cite web |last=O'Neil |first=Sean |date=2017-04-25 |title=New bus routes to be rolled out next month |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/new-west-lothian-bus-routes-10291203 |access-date=2022-06-01 |website=Daily Record |language=en}}

On 6 September 2022, it was announced that First Scotland East had been acquired by McGill's Bus Services. First Scotland East was rebranded McGill's Scotland East, also trading as McGill's Midland Bluebird and McGill's Eastern Scottish. Its four depots, 550 employees and 257 buses, as well as the Bright Bus Tours open top bus operation in Edinburgh, were all transferred under McGill's ownership.{{cite web|author= |url=https://www.route-one.net/news/mcgills-to-purchase-first-scotland-east-operation/ |title=McGill's to purchase First Scotland East operation |work=routeone |date=7 September 2022 |access-date=7 September 2022}}

Between March 2000 and July 2002, First Scotland East sought to increase their market share of local bus services in and around the city of Edinburgh. As a result, a bus war sparked between FirstGroup and Lothian Buses, with fares cut, additional vehicles drafted in, routes diverted and timetables altered.{{Cite news |date=2001-08-15 |title=Bus firm hits back over 'fares war' |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/1492381.stm |access-date=2022-05-31}}

Lothian Buses complained to the Office of Fair Trading, claiming that FirstGroup was engaging in anti-competitive behaviour, in an effort to become the dominant operator in Edinburgh.{{Cite news |date=2001-09-27 |title=Bus wars to be investigated |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/1565988.stm |access-date=2022-06-01}} However, it was later ruled by the Office of Fair Trading that FirstGroup's conduct represented "legitimate competition".{{Cite web |date=9 June 2004 |title=First Edinburgh/Lothian |url=http://www.oft.gov.uk/OFTwork/competition-act-and-cartels/ca98/decisions/lothian#.UjxdMoaTgpY |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921060055/http://www.oft.gov.uk/OFTwork/competition-act-and-cartels/ca98/decisions/lothian#.UjxdMoaTgpY |archive-date=21 September 2013 |access-date=2022-06-01 |website=Office of Fair Trading |series=CA98/05/2004}}

Despite this, following the ruling, First Scotland East curtailed their network of services in Edinburgh, bringing an end to the bus war. Heavy losses were made, which resulted in cutbacks in many parts of their operations.

First Scotland East had appeared before the Traffic Commissioner on five occasions. Public inquiries were held regarding vehicle maintenance (2004, 2005 & 2008) and timekeeping (2008 & 2010).

In November 2011, a formal warning was issued regarding vehicle maintenance. In August 2012, the company appeared for the fifth time in front of the Traffic Commissioner, due to further issues regarding services in and around Falkirk.[http://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/news/local-headlines/falkirk-bus-bosses-say-sorry-for-failing-1-2471831 Falikirk bus bosses say sorry for failing] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120826064453/http://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/news/local-headlines/falkirk-bus-bosses-say-sorry-for-failing-1-2471831 |date=26 August 2012 }} Falkirk Herald 19 August 2012{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20111006181625/http://www.gov-news.org/gov/uk/news/decision_of_the_traffic_commissioner_against/99662.html Decision of the Traffic Commissioner Against First Bus]}} Traffic Commissioner 1 April 2008[http://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/news/local-headlines/tell_us_what_s_going_on_1_289293 Tell us what's going on!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721110919/http://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/news/local-headlines/tell_us_what_s_going_on_1_289293 |date=21 July 2011 }} Falkirk Herald 21 June 2007[http://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/news/local-headlines/buses_in_chaos_1_289771 Buses in chaos] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721110935/http://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/news/local-headlines/buses_in_chaos_1_289771 |date=21 July 2011 }} Falkirk Herald 4 October 2007

In November 2013, a further hearing took place in front of the Deputy Traffic Commissioner, following an incident in March that year in which a vehicle lost its wheel in Edinburgh.{{Cite web |last=Dalton |first=Alastair |date=7 November 2013 |title=First faces Princes Street bus 'wheel loss' probe |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/first-faces-princes-street-bus-wheel-loss-probe-1553954 |access-date=2022-05-31 |website=The Scotsman |language=en}}

The company operated from four depots across the region: Balfron, Bannockburn, Larbert and Livingston.

As of the company's takeover in September 2022, the First Scotland East fleet consisted of 257 buses. The fleet consisted mainly of diesel-powered single and double-deck buses manufactured by Alexander Dennis, Scania, Volvo and Wrightbus.

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• {{Commons-inline}}
• [https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/SC091923 First Scotland East Limited] on Companies House
• {{URL| https://web.archive.org/web/20220901104334/https://www.firstbus.co.uk/south-east-and-central-scotland|First South East & Central Scotland website}}

{{Defunct British Bus Companies}}

{{FirstGroup}}

{{Transport in Edinburgh}}

Category:Former bus operators in Scotland

Category:FirstGroup companies

Category:Transport in Edinburgh

Category:1997 establishments in Scotland

Category:2022 disestablishments in Scotland