Lothian Buses managing director Richard Hall stepped down from heading the UK’s largest surviving council-owned operator on 5 March
Hall (48) took up the post at Edinburgh-based Lothian in April 2016 after a career that began in the coach industry, then Stagecoach, Veolia Transport Cymru and Arriva (Scotland West, 2012 London Olympics and Malta) before becoming MD at RATP London.
Announcing his appointment, Lothian chair Jim McFarlane, said then: ‘We are delighted to be able to appoint Richard, who has vast experience and excellent leadership credentials, to lead the whole Lothian Buses team to further success.’
Thanking him for his service when his departure was announced on 24 February, McFarlane said: ‘Under his leadership Lothian has seen significant geographic expansion of the business in addition to growth in customer numbers, revenues and profit. We would like to take this opportunity to wish Richard all the very best in his future endeavours.’
Hall says: ‘It has been a tremendous privilege to serve as Lothian’s managing director and I am incredibly proud of all that we have achieved as a team. I would like to thank all the people that I have worked with at Lothian for their commitment, assistance and support over the years.’
Under Hall’s leadership, Lothian has invested heavily in new and refurbished mid-life vehicles as it has reduced vehicle emissions. This included the introduction last year of tri-axle Volvo B8L double-deckers with Alexander Dennis Enviro400XLB bodies, most of which have 100 seats. This also marked a break with previous bodybuilding partner Wrightbus, in part meeting a political desire for the buses in Scotland’s capital to be built in Scotland.…
