Lothian Buses chief quits

THE man in charge of Edinburgh's bus company and tram project is to leave his post, the Evening News has learned.

Neil Renilson, who is chief executive of Transport Edinburgh Limited and Lothian Buses, will retire at the end of the year.

The 52-year-old's departure was expected to be confirmed at a board meeting of Lothian Buses today.

Mr Renilson said he was retiring early to give his replacement plenty time to prepare for dealing with the new tram line.

But council sources have told the Evening News that Mr Renilson was going amid frustration at the Lib Dem/SNP administration's dealings with its bus company over the last year.

Lothian Buses has seen passenger numbers fall dramatically this year amid big delays on the city's roads caused by the tram project.

This peaked earlier this month when botched traffic management arrangements for tram works at The Mound gridlocked the city centre.

Lothian Buses and city council chiefs today paid tribute to the work he has done at the company over the last decade.

Mr Renilson insisted he was only retiring slightly ahead of schedule, in order to leave plenty of time for his replacement to prepare for the introduction of trams to the city's streets.

However, a senior council source said: "This last year has proved really difficult for him and he just felt he was getting no support from the council.

"It has been coming for a while but I think when Jenny Dawe and Phil Wheeler said senior heads should roll after The Mound problems, he decided enough was enough. He will be sorely missed and very difficult to replace."

A colourful character in the city's transport world, Mr Renilson took control of Lothian Buses in 1998 and has seen passenger numbers grow from 82 million to 114 million during his tenure.

However, the last year has seen the council-owned bus firm contend with unplanned fare increases, the axing of 16 loss-making services and an unprecedented level of roadworks across the city.

In addition, there have been spats over veiled passengers and allowing prams on buses. Mr Renilson said: "It has always been my intention to retire at 55, and I am happy to be able to take the opportunity to retire a little early, which will allow the company time to adjust to my departure well in advance of the introduction of the tram.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my ten years at Lothian Buses, and wish to thank all the staff for their support."

Mr Renilson's annual salary, currently £250,000 a year, makes him one of Scotland's highest-paid civil servants.

The city's transport leader Phil Wheeler said: "I really respect Neil for what he has achieved at Lothian Buses and I think the city's public transport users should be grateful for what he has done at Lothian Buses, turning it into the UK's best bus operator.

"I am sorry if he does feel frustrated or feel that he has done all he can with the company but I have not had any direct contact with him on the matter so couldn't comment any further."

Pilmar Smith, Lothian Buses chairman said: "I am sorry that Neil will be leaving us, and would like to express my gratitude to him for his sterling efforts over the past ten years in modernising and reshaping the company.

"Ian Craig, managing director, has been with us for two years, and we have every confidence in Ian, the team of directors and managers will continue to drive the company forward as we enter a challenging and exciting time with the construction of the tram moving into top gear from early next year."

LIFE'S JOURNEY
BORN and bred in Edinburgh, transport has been in Neil Renilson's blood throughout his working life.

The former George Heriot's pupil started as a trainee with the City and Royal Burgh of Edinburgh Corporation Transport Department before going to Loughborough University to take a degree in public transport.

His career saw him manage a number of English bus companies, as well as stints overseas including Hong Kong, before eventually returning to Scotland in 1987 to become managing director of Strathtay Buses in Dundee.

Two years later, he was appointed managing director of Stagecoach Scotland before taking over the running of Lothian Buses in 1998.

More than £100m has been spent on new buses and the firm has won countless awards.

Trams facing further delays as costs rise
EDINBURGH'S tram scheme is set for a further delay and another rise in cost as transport chiefs cancel plans to shut Princes Street to all traffic for seven months.

The street was due to close completely from January until the start of the Festival next summer.

However, after the botched attempt to close the section of the stret near The Mound earlier this month, the city council and its transport firm TIE are expected to scrap the plan.

Now buses, cycles and taxis will be allowed to travel westbound along Princes Street throughout next year.

But the change of plan is expected to mean the date when the trams start running – which has already slipped from February to July 2011 – will be delayed again and the £512 million price tag is almost certain to rise.