Drive to boost public transport

Just the ticket: the holiday will be marked by free bus journeys

The biggest free public transport drive in Edinburgh has been launched to coincide with Monday's holiday in the Scottish capital.

All bus rides are free as part of a campaign aimed at converting more people to using public transport.

Edinburgh City Council said even though there has been a big rise in people choosing the bus, many still have not experienced recent improvements.

The council said it has made major investments in the service.

The local authority wants to showcase what it claims are the best services outside London.

'Hop on'

Council leader Donald Anderson said the move would give people the chance to discover what the city had to offer.

Mr Anderson said: "Hopefully people will take the opportunity and enjoy some of the best shopping and visitor attractions in the country.

"Buses are more modern and accessible. We have 500 new bus shelters and soon you will be able to get bus times texted to your mobile phone.

"It is also an opportunity to say a big thank you to existing users for making bus services in Edinburgh so successful."

All Lothian Buses, First, Waverley Travel, Scottish Citylink, MacTours (services 60 and 69) and Stagecoach buses within Edinburgh, including Ratho and Queensferry, will be free until 1900 BST.

Any passengers looking to use the bus services will not need a token or voucher, instead, the scheme's organisers are urging people just to "turn up and hop on".