I’m wary of most things First do these days (and still wouldn’t bet the farm on BBT having a long-term future), but I think First have stumbled on a decent idea with BBT. Lothian’s tour offerings are excellent, but priced at the top end of the market. That’s fine for wealthier tourists – and there’s plenty of them – but Edinburgh is packed out these days with all sorts of visitors, including many who are staying at the budget hotels and hostels. So a cheaper offering with less frills and older vehicles makes sense and is tapping into an unserved market. Of course if I can see this then so can Lothian, so I’m sure we’ll see some sort of Magicbus-style tour operation in no time at all, but someone at First deserves credit for spotting the opportunity.
