Lothian ‘half-bus’ features at The Risk FactoryLothian bus highlights how to stay safe when out and about

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School children beside the Risk Bus in the Risk Factory.
The old, now-outdated Risk Factory bus.
The newly-designed, double-deck Risk Factory bus.

The Risk Factory – which has operated in the west of Edinburgh since 2007 – has recently taken ownership of a new, specially-designed Lothian bus designed to help children, young people and those with special needs how to deal with or avoid everyday risks.

The Risk Factory is an interactive safety centre that manufactures everyday risks in a safe environment with the goal of teaching children and vulnerable groups about proactive citizenship and how to keep themselves and others safe when out and about in their communities.

Lothian had gifted a single-deck Dennis Dart bus to the factory several years ago to highlight safe, responsible bus travel and other road safety considerations. The business was invited to look at refreshing the bus for the new year and after concluding that the current vehicle was now outdated and not truly reflective of the majority of the Lothian fleet (both in terms of the exterior and interior fittings), it was felt that this would be a good opportunity to approach the project a little differently.

A double-deck Enviro400XLB, fitted with the latest technology and modern features, had recently become redundant and Lothian felt there was an opportunity to convert this structure for this project. Our engineering team at Seafield, supported by colleagues from Central, redesigned the bus and fitted it with brand new messaging (in the form of creative vinyls and an animation which could be shown on the bus’s digital screens).

A representative from the Risk Factory said: “The bus provides a fantastic focal point in our programme to discuss public transport, it’s environmental benefits, safe and independent travel and the dangers and consequences of antisocial behaviour; and the chance to sit in the drivers cab and experience that is very popular – we often struggled to get groups off the bus as they all want to drive!”

Gaynor Marshall, Lothian Buses’ Communication Director, said: “The safety of our people and our customers is our priority and we are delighted to continue our relationship with The Risk Factory to help to educate the next generation and other vulnerable groups on safe bus travel.
 

“Our teams worked together to redesign the bus exhibit to bring it up to date and align it with Lothian’s wider accessibility and sustainability strategies.

“We hope that our continued presence at The Risk Factory will help to inform, educate and improve the overall experience for all of our customers and inspire the next generation to consider bus travel as a safe, sustainable and reliable travel option.”