First Scotland East
First Scotland East is operating name for FirstGroup bus operations in the south east and central Scotland. Currently branded as First Scotland East
and Midland Bluebird and was created by the merger of three companies: Lowland Scottish, Eastern Scottish and Midland Scottish to form a single company in 1997.
In 2000 the company was split into two licences, First Edinburgh and Midland Bluebird, although both licences function as one entity under one name, but in 2012 the operates were demerged back to two sperate entity of each other.
The main depots are at Bannockburn, Galashiels, Larbert, Livingston and Musselburgh, with sub-depots at North Berwick and Balfron. Vehicles are also outstationed at Hawick, Kelso and Peebles.
History
During 1998, First decided to reorganise their operations within the area and to merge three subsidiaries: Lowland Scottish, Eastern Scottish and Midland Scottish. By doing so helped simplify the operations, as areas such as West Lothian or Mid Lothian were covered by at least two out of the three companies. The start of the process came into effect in 1999, with many back-office functions being transferred to Larbert and a new single livery introduced. By 2002 all of the companies' operations were controlled by Larbert.