We’re helping Edinburgh Charities make the most of this years Edinburgh Festival Fringe

We’re delighted to be working with The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society again this year on the Fringe Days Out initiative, to help local people who have never experience the Fringe see some of the fantastic shows on offer and get there on our bus services.

Gaynor Marshall, Communications Director for Lothian, said:

We are delighted to be partnering Edinburgh Festival Fringe to support Fringe Days Out again this year. Lothian is proud to be a part of the community and this joint project allows families to enjoy all the festivities of the Fringe with free travel to and from festival venues.”

The Fringe Days Out initiative continues the strong partnership between the Fringe Society and Lothian, which began in 2014. This summer will also see four Fringe-branded buses making their way around Edinburgh, as well as Fringe venues being added to the Lothian bus and tram app – all helping make the Fringe as accessible as possible to Edinburgh residents and Fringe visitors alike.

Twenty nine Edinburgh charities and community groups will benfit from in the initiative this year, including Stepping Stones North Edinburgh, Dads Rock, LGBT Youth Scotland, Lothian Autistic Society and Young Scot.

Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said:

We are thrilled to announce that the Fringe Days Out scheme will continue in 2018. Removing barriers to attending the Fringe is one of the Fringe Society’s key priorities and this initiative is a crucial step towards achieving that goal. Fringe Days Out provide an opportunity for communities across Edinburgh to connect with the festival, enabling families and individuals to experience all that the Fringe has to offer at no cost to themselves.

In 2017, an estimated 1,800 people benefitted from Fringe Days Out, with many experiencing the Fringe for the first time. I look forward to working with Lothian and the 29 fantastic charities from across the city to enable more people to engage with the festival and encourage the next generation of Fringe performers and audiences.

Kirsten Law, Youth Development Worker at Citadel Youth Centre in Leith, said:

The Fringe Days Out scheme has made a positive difference to so many of the families and children that we work with. Last year, none of the parents or children that received vouchers had attended the Fringe before, despite living in Edinburgh. The bus tickets also made it much easier for families to get around the city and were very gratefully received.