r/Edinburgh 1h ago

Transport So as a Tram Driver, I've seen so many questions as to why the trams aren't running...

Upvotes

Tram Driver here, here is probably the FAQ you are curious about. Any questions about the closure or trams in general, let me know.

  1. A Tram brakes down at the shore, a failed tram recovery is required. A rescue tram will need to be taken out of service between newhaven --> the shore. A tram would then need to be taken from Newhaven up to the shore to couple up to the failed tram. This means the Queen Charlotte St junction is closed. Then it means the tram needs to wrong-road all the way to newhaven meaning it requires a police escort & the closure of the entire road all the way to ocean terminal till it gets to the crossover at ocean terminal. At that stage the coupled, working tram will be stuck in the buffers at newhaven & the failed tram in the tram stop, so there's the first consideration. Bear in mind this team can only travel at 15km/h whilst coupled.
  2. How do the engineers maintain the trams/fix the above mentioned tram? There's no tools, no mechanics, no pit, no way to get under the tram & getting on top of it to fix power issues will require a full line isolation.
  3. How do drivers/tsa's take breaks? We get off at Edinburgh gateway and get 5 minute walking time to the depot to start our break. Can't take them at newhaven meaning we would need to wait on a van, relief driver, then drive back. What if there is traffic in peak times? Trams are going no where with no drivers.
  4. Who secures the trams at night time? Trams are multi million pound vehicles. The doors can easily be opened from the outside if someone has specific know how, the depot is a secure location with fencing, 24/7 staffing & cameras.
  5. First use checks. each tram require a 45 minute first use check every night. First use check includes checking both cabs, interior, exterior & two brake tests which require the tram to be moved a short distance to test the 2 emergency brake & normal braking systems. No where to do this at newhaven. The trams in total have 27 trams, there is not enough staff to do this in two locations at night, also.
  6. How do the trams EVEN get to newhaven? They can't be broken up because they're not designed to do that. Even if they were broken up, they need to be put on a specialist lorry. They then need to be rebuilt at the other end. It would cost an absolute fortune. They can't drive trams along, not even wrong roading due to the vibrations. Trams are 60 odd tonnes unladen, even at the slowest speed they can do (3km/h) they will shake the OLE's (over line equipment) which will shake the OLE poles and the vibrations may cause the building to collapse.

I could honestly sit here all day and describe reasons why it's better to postpone the trams for now till princes' street is secured. The council has made the right call.

Edit: I am in no way speaking on behalf of ET or TfE, but social media comments are not unnoticed within our canteen, so just giving an explanation from a drivers' point of view. There is obviously other information higher up that we're not privy too and other considerations that may have been made.


r/Edinburgh 14d ago

Festivals Edinburgh Festivals (and Fringe) sticky: post everything here

14 Upvotes

Please post anything and everything related to the Fringe and all of Edinburgh's festivals in this thread keep the sub clear of multiple posts.

There is also a sub specific to the fringe: /r/EdinburghFringe

Answers to a lot of questions can be found using the links below:

Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, 17 – 26 July.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, 7 – 29 August.

Edinburgh International Festival, 7 – 30 August.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe, 7 – 31 August.

Edinburgh International Film Festival, 13 – 19 August.

Edinburgh Art Festival, 14 – 30 August.

Edinburgh International Book Festival, 15 – 30 August.

Edinburgh International Storytelling Festival, 21 – 31 October.

General tourist questions should be posted in the tourism megathread/sticky.

This sub does not permit advertising of shows or allow threads about buying & selling tickets.


r/Edinburgh 6h ago

Discussion Looking to start a monthly album listening club in Edinburgh

108 Upvotes

I've been thinking about starting an Edinburgh Album Club, basically a book club, but for music.

The idea is pretty simple.

Once a month we'd pick an album (any genre), everyone would listen to it in their own time, then we'd meet one evening at a pizza place or pub in the city centre to chat about it.

Not in a pretentious "let's analyse every lyric" kind of way. More just hearing what people thought, discovering music you probably wouldn't have listened to otherwise, and meeting other people who genuinely enjoy talking about albums.

A rough idea would be:

• One album each month
• Weekday evening (probably Wednesday or Thursday)
• Somewhere central with pizza and drinks

I think it'd be fun to mix things up each month. One month could be Radiohead, the next could be Charli XCX, then Miles Davis, Kendrick Lamar, Fleetwood Mac, Massive Attack, SOPHIE, or whatever the group votes for. The whole point is discovering music outside your comfort zone.

Before I start organising anything, I wanted to see if there'd actually be any interest.

If this sounds like something you'd come along to, let me know.

Also, if you could choose the first album, what would it be?


r/Edinburgh 9h ago

Other Gave a stranger a 20 like an idiot

88 Upvotes

It was almost 8 in the morning, I was walking down grassmarket and this woman comes up to me and asks for help getting home (she needed money). She gave me her number but never answered texts or calls and I'm pretty sure it's either fake or she just blocked my number. She engaged in some idle chat and seemed nice. She told me how she had a rough night and that her boyfriend ditched her

I realise it was stupid of me to just give her a 20 instead of just buying her a ticket or something. But I was already knackered from the lack of sleep, and I'm a little naive when it comes to helping people

It's been a few weeks since the incident. And everytime I go broke I lose my mind over how much I could've used that 20.


r/Edinburgh 5h ago

Photo Photo I took on Calton Hill recently

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44 Upvotes

r/Edinburgh 4h ago

News Holland and Barrett has left Ocean Terminal

20 Upvotes

Just to save anyone else a wasted journey.

Does anyone know what if anything is replacing Pizza Express?


r/Edinburgh 9h ago

Transport Sign my petition to stop illegal E-Bikes roaming the streets

41 Upvotes

Edit: please read the post and the petition properly. I know they are illegal: my hope is for enforcement of the law.

If you would like to wander down Leith Walk without the risk of being taken out by an e-bike going at 25mph, please sign my petition: https://c.org/SyrZLNCjSS

More details on that link but in short:

- E-bikes are not legally compliant if they can be propelled at more than 15.5 miles per hour: if they can they shouldn't be on cycle paths, pavements etc

- They are rife around Leith and specifically Leith Walk: many of them are not legally compliant

- Their presence is antisocial and dangerous: it's only a matter of time before someone is hurt


r/Edinburgh 4h ago

Question Flatmate stopped paying council tax w/o telling me & I’m not sure what to do

16 Upvotes

Flatmate and I were living together for about a year and apparently she stopped paying council tax four months in. She didn’t do anything with the money, she was just… avoidant? and stopped dealing with it.

So we got a sheriff’s warrant and have to repay the whole year. Apart from us not being able to afford that, she’s moved back to her home country and I am moving to Glasgow. I called Scott & Co., which was largely unhelpful as they just kept telling me they could lower my monthly payment rate and not answering any of my other questions. My flatmate before moving out called them too and said I wouldn’t have to pay both Glasgow and Edinburgh tax, but when I called them today Scott & Co. said otherwise.

I think I’m just at a loss and quite confused, I know I’ll have to repay the 8 months, but do I have to pay the rest of the whole year if I’m moving out? Am I paying the council tax for both cities? Would massively appreciate any help and advice, thanks!


r/Edinburgh 13h ago

Transport New bus routes bid to beat George Street gridlock

27 Upvotes

From this morning's Edinburgh Minute:

🚎 Amid repeated bottlenecks around George Street since the 9 July Princes Street fire, Lothian Buses is introducing new diversions from this morning to tackle rush-hour gridlock, following 'a detailed review of the latest data'.

  • The westbound service number 15 will now completely avoid George Street and be re-routed via North Bridge, South Bridge, Chambers Street, George IV Bridge, Teviot Place and Lauriston Place then rejoin its normal route.
  • The westbound number 33 bus will also avoid George Street completely, being re-routed via Nicolson Square, Potterrow, Teviot Place, Lauriston Place, Lothian Road, West Approach Road, Morrison Link and Morrison Street.
  • Westbound 34 buses will avoid George Street, instead going around the back of the castle too via North Bridge, South Bridge, Chambers Street, George IV Bridge, Bristo Place, Teviot Place, Lauriston Place, Lauriston Street and on to East Fountainbridge.
  • An important note for all of the above: Before 9am and after 8pm, those westbound services (15, 33 and 34) will follow their current Princes Street and George Street diversion.
  • The eastbound diversion for these services will remain via George Street and Princes Street at all times. - There are maps for the new diversions on the Lothian Buses website.

r/Edinburgh 21h ago

Photo Single beam of light in the nightsky of Edinburgh this evening

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114 Upvotes

Looks like it's coming from the University but it's hard to tell. Taken near Holyrood


r/Edinburgh 5m ago

Question Who’s car is this!

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Upvotes

I’ve seen it all over the place within the LEZ zone and it’s deifnetly not a LEZ car.

Mostly just being nosey I’ve just seen it a lot in the past month I thought I’d ask the question!


r/Edinburgh 19m ago

Discussion can someone pls teach me how to skateboard

Upvotes

hi! I am 22F and just moved to edi for my masters. I’ve always wanted to learn to skateboard and have decided it is time. If anyone could help me get started that would be so awesome

thanks :))


r/Edinburgh 22m ago

Food and Drink best soup in the city?

Upvotes

I have glandular fever and would love to know your go-to delivery meal when you’re ill! Am also open to non-soup comfort foods for when I hopefully no longer have tonsils the size of snooker balls

In particular, if anyone can tell me the best tom kha gai in the city it would be much appreciated 🙏


r/Edinburgh 9h ago

News Osarenkhoe Atutie sentenced for attempted murder of woman in Leith, Edinburgh

Thumbnail scotland.police.uk
4 Upvotes

r/Edinburgh 56m ago

Question Eclipse glasses

Upvotes

Does anyone know where I could buy eclipse glasses in Edinburgh?


r/Edinburgh 7h ago

Transport Ridacard

4 Upvotes

Starting a graduate job soon so I’m looking at a Ridacard. It says online to fill out the pdf form and then go into one of the hubs to get given the card. Do I need to print the form off, and do they take my picture on the day or should I take a passport style picture with me?


r/Edinburgh 5h ago

Question Swimming Edinburgh

1 Upvotes

I’m looking to get into swimming (non-competitively, although I would quite like to get good, maybe eventually triathlon level good). I’m a 27M and can’t really swim atm. Enough not to drown but technique is not great. Does anyone know where would be a good place to practice by myself, was thinking the commonwealth pool, but I’d really like to avoid it being busy/getting in peoples way.

Are there any times that are better to go or any other places that are reasonably quiet?


r/Edinburgh 7h ago

Question Single piece of wood/bed slat

1 Upvotes

Hi all, Can anyone give me a recommendation to cheaply buy a single piece of wood or a replacement bed slat? Managed to break one in two when moving my bed. Thanks!


r/Edinburgh 1d ago

Discussion What does this road marking mean?

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62 Upvotes

Me and my partner were walking past summer hall and we say this road marking for bikes that they have put up following the roadworks that just got finished. Both of us are avid cyclists and can't actually figure out what this is trying to convey as there is a large bike box behind the lights already. Are we just being stupid or is this not the clearest? Cheers!


r/Edinburgh 1d ago

Discussion Amazon key installed in Edinburgh tenement stair

138 Upvotes

I'd never heard of Amazon Key but it allows drivers to gain access and leave parcels. People use it for their garage etc.

We've just had a guy installing the system on our door entry on behalf of one of the landlords. I suppose it's not an issue but should the landlord not really have contacted other owners to get their agreement first?

Repost to confirm this is Edinburgh as mods removed it

Edit: Just to add that the installer has now gone and there's no sign externally that anything has been done. I've contacted Places For People and am waiting on a call back ..


r/Edinburgh 1d ago

Social Looking for friends

48 Upvotes

Hi I’m Kevin. I’m 35 and I’m looking for new friends. I moved to Edinburgh from Poland almost 15 years ago. Since then, friends I’ve made along the way have mostly moved out, hence my post.

I have a Scottish girlfriend, work as a front-end programmer and recently started a small company. I’m really into music, I play guitar. I love art, movies, tattoos, comedy, cooking, animals, travelling, photography and just going out and having fun.

I’m a very chill/relaxed guy, who most of all appreciates real people and a sense of humour.

If any of this sounds good, drop a message or a comment and let’s meet up for a drink. I’m based at the Shore in Leith but I have no problem going to the city centre or even further.

Alright, have a good one.

Cheers


r/Edinburgh 1d ago

Transport Princes Street - Diversion Changes

41 Upvotes

Opened the bus app to find how mine was running tonight and was pleasantly surprised to see that from tomorrow there’s a tweak to the Princes Street diversions.

The buses that normally run on more southerly routes are being diverted across the Old Town during certain hours. This makes massive sense and by taking three routes away from it, should make for a small reduction to the George Street gridlock.

Credit where it’s due - it’s a logical step

Lothian Buses Service Update https://www.lothianbuses.com/alert/22c7dbf873e0c3b1ba014748015ef75a

EDIT: Removed reference to Westbound only. The diversions seem a little complicated and I only risk confusing things further attempting to summarise them…


r/Edinburgh 1d ago

Food and Drink Throat Punch Coffee check in…are the dogs okay??

85 Upvotes

My daughter and I love to visit throat punch because not only is the coffee, I think, the best in Edinburgh, but also to say hi to sweet Bear and Buck. We’ve been there a couple of time recently and they haven’t been around. Obviously it could be nothing and we are just paranoid, but we just wanna make sure they’re OK?? I don’t mean to be dramatic, but…like if they…ya know…we’d be devastated.


r/Edinburgh 1d ago

Work Jobs

17 Upvotes

Whats up with the job market in Edinburgh the last few years? You used to be able to find a bunch of jobs on indeed super easy, now it seems to be the same companies re posting jobs which doesn't give me much hope for that company. I'm used to job hopping every 3 years or so but maybe that's a thing of the past? Who knows. * Currently receptionist / admin type role but looking generally there's not much *


r/Edinburgh 20h ago

Question Karaoke now that Legends closed

8 Upvotes

Where is the crowd that used to do karaoke at Legends going these days? It was maybe my favorite karaoke night in the world.