It's the end of an era as old Leyland buses reach last stop

THEY have been a familiar site on the streets of the Capital for the past 90 years.

But today marks the end of an era for Edinburgh's association with Leyland buses, which are being retired after ferrying passengers around the city since 1919.

The last of the Leylands, which are F-registered and were bought back in 1989, are now being sold off.

Lothian Buses said the vehicles, which currently operate on the 15 service between Penicuik and Portobello, would be followed out of service by the remaining buses which carry the traditional maroon and white livery, which will be phased out by the end of the year.

Driver Keith Lawson, who has worked for Lothian Buses since 1969, said he would be sad to see the Leylands taken out of service.

The 64-year-old said: "I've been on the buses for 40 years, and I'll be sad to see the Leylands go as they had plenty of character. But they're not really a patch on the new buses, which have power steering and all the mod cons."

There have been 1600 Leyland buses in operation in Edinburgh since they were first introduced in 1919, the year after the end of the First World War.

Local transport historian Gavin Booth said: "These buses represent an older generation of buses that were perhaps a little less user-friendly. Nevertheless, it's the passing of an era and the end of British-made buses in Edinburgh."

Edinburgh buses had traditionally been painted madder and white since their introduction in 1919.

However a new "harlequin" livery was introduced in 1999.

Lothian Buses currently has over 650 buses in service in and around the Lothians, as well as a further 60 for city tours and some specially branded Airlink services which serve Edinburgh Airport.

Many of the modern buses are made by Swedish firm Volvo.

Bill Campbell, Lothian Buses operations director said: "Edinburgh has had a long standing connection with Leyland buses and for 90 years their buses have operated across the Capital in all different guises. In a way this is the end of an era.

"However, as we say goodbye to them we know that they will continue to work elsewhere in the country, offering comfortable and reliable public transport."

Earlier this month, Lothian Buses turned to the internet to sell off 20 of its old buses, with a mix of single and double-decker buses being sold online.

The move came as the firm made space for 40 new buses it had bought to add to its Edinburgh fleet.

The company replaces ageing buses annually, but this was the first time it had offered surplus vehicles for sale online, meaning anyone could own their own bus if they liked.