Easter Bush bus campaign gets under way

The Edinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) is proposing a campaign to stop veterinary students having to pay to attend their lectures at the Easter Bush campus on the outskirts of the capital.

Situated around eight miles to the south of Edinburgh near Penicuik, The Easter Bush campus has undergone some major changes and transformations in the last few years, and is now host to The Roslin Institute as well as the new veterinary school.

Originally located in the Summerhall campus next to George Square, the decision to move the veterinary school to Easter Bush over a year ago has caused some controversial debate over transport costs for vet students, and was a major topic of discussion in the last student elections.

For campuses outside of Edinburgh City Centre, such as the Kings Buildings, free buses are run from the city centre at certain times for students. This is, however, not the case with the Easter Bush bus, which students are obliged to pay for in order to reach their lectures. Lothian buses run a specific service to Easter Bush at certain times of the day and a day ticket costs around £3.90, taking the students a considerable distance away from the city centre.

Although many students buy a bus pass the sum takes a reasonable amount of students' loans and EUSA are planning on lobbying the University on the principle that students should not have to pay to attend their lectures, in addition to living and tuition costs.

A first year vet student commented, saying: “I think it is unfair that we have to pay,” and that the bus fares take “a big chunk out of our money that we have for that month." Although the vet school was previously conveniently located in the centre of Edinburgh, The University made the decision to move it to Easter Bush due to specialised and improved facilities that had been set up there, and has defended the move on these grounds.