Lothian Buses and ECB Discussion

[overthewater]

Why not just go to the bank and get coins? Its a shame there no longer sell tickets in the Bus shops.

 

[90019]

Is it really coins only?

Notes can be used, anyone who says they can't is talking rubbish.

 

[90019]

What concerns me is not being allowed on the bus if I don't have the right money in coins only, and the word 'probably' in your reply doesn't fill me with confidence. Is there a definitive answer, or is it up to individual drivers to accept what they want?

You can overpay, you just don't get any change.

 

[Fifescottish]

Notes can be used. Just best to show the driver it is a complete £5 note before you put it in the hopper

 

[Harbouring]

If you're getting the train there how about plusbus?

 

[Blindtraveler]

I was going to say the same. Any booking office in theory could issue this but if needing it still then Edinburgh definatly know how to do it.

I have in the past been given a load of wibble on night services about notes being a pain as they clog up the hoppers etc etc and my answer has always been take it or go without!

 

[BlueFox]

Why not just go to the bank and get coins?

I'd have to get the bus to go to the bank...

 

[BlueFox]

You can overpay, you just don't get any change.

I'm aware of that. The question was whether they accept notes, as some websites say it's coins only.

 

[Busaholic]

Oh dear:

Eight injured after bus hits walkway at Edinburgh hospital

As the walkway is obviously a permanent fixture, did the 113 take a wrong turn or is it not normally worked by a single decker? I note the bus seems to have the correct blinds for the route. Another photo on the BBC website shows the roof came off in one piece, to the rear of the bus.

 

[alexf380]

It's believed that the driver took a wrong turn. The normal route of the 113 (Sunday only) is the next left further up the road that should be taken.

I do hope that everyone who was injured makes a speedy recovery.

 

[Andyh82]

The 113 is generally run by Geminis as pictured, but only terminates at Western General on Sundays

You can also buy day tickets as an M ticket as well as paying money on the bus

 

[Hophead]

You can also visit a Lothian travel office and purchase scratch-off tickets using most payment methods, if there is one convenient for you

Edit..........

Now I'm off the train (a Southern 377/1 with wi-fi!), I need to say that this information may not be current - it worked for me 5 years ago)

 

[mark-h]

The Lothian buses website says day tickets cost £4, exact fare only. Which sounds fair enough.

But I've seen people say on other websites that they take coins only

The machines at the tram stops will accept debit/credit cards (above c.£3)- the £4 day tickets are valid on bus and tram.

 

[90019]

I'm aware of that. The question was whether they accept notes, as some websites say it's coins only.

The websites that say that are wrong, notes are accepted.

I have in the past been given a load of wibble on night services about notes being a pain as they clog up the hoppers etc etc and my answer has always been take it or go without!

The new plastic fivers are a nuisance, and usually get jammed in the hoppers. It doesnt help that most people fold them before putting them in, so they get wedged at the side trying to unfold.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Note to self, unfold them before inserting, thanks.

 

[route101]

I mind in Edinburgh there was ticket machines beside bus stops you could buy singles , they never lasted long .

 

[AngusH]

You can definitely still buy scratch off day tickets for lothian

I bought some only last week and used one on Saturday.

£4 per adult from the bus travel shop and you can pay and get change or use a credit card.

The bus travel shop just outside Waverley station sells them or see:
https://lothianbuses.co.uk/customer-services/travelshops


Edit: also available online, but only in packs of 10 or 20:
https://lothianbuses.myshopify.com

 

[SouthSub]

I'm probably going back a long time but there used to be notices on Lothian buses advising all notes were to be shown unfolded to the driver. Presumably to ensure that it was indeed a valid note.

 

[overthewater]

I like all the people complaining about the fare hike on the old 35, soon to be 300 service. Most have failed to understand its the Airport that doing it.

 

[berneyarms]

I like all the people complaining about the fare hike on the old 35, soon to be 300 service. Most have failed to understand its the Airport that doing it.

It's pretty unique in my experience to have an airport served by no bus route charging normal fares.

It's not a positive development - it's effectively extortion.

People are quite right to be annoyed about this.

 

[overthewater]

It's pretty unique in my experience to have an airport served by no bus route charging normal fares.

It's not a positive development - it's effectively extortion.

People are quite right to be annoyed about this.

There annoyed at the wrong people...

 

[berneyarms]

There annoyed at the wrong people...

How are they supposed to know that the airport is forcing the change?

Lothian have not publicised that.

Bear in mind that the vast majority of people would only be aware of the change from Lothian publicity - most people wouldn't be aware of that detail.

It doesn't detract from the fact that it is a very retrograde step.

 

[Blindtraveler]

No their not, the airport were quite happy for the 35 to continue as was from what I gather and whilst the trams and Skylink 200 are poor value for money this is even worse seeing as it will still be the same slow journey with the higher price only really applying for airport users. Another depressing example of Edinburgh becoming far to expensive and a poor value destination that only cares about those on expenses or loaded american tourists.

 

[overthewater]

No their not, the airport were quite happy for the 35 to continue as was from what I gather and whilst the trams and Skylink 200 are poor value for money this is even worse seeing as it will still be the same slow journey with the higher price only really applying for airport users. Another depressing example of Edinburgh becoming far to expensive and a poor value destination that only cares about those on expenses or loaded american tourists.

Alas not, the Airport has made it clear if the service terminates at the Airport, then there pay the higher departure fees. If the service is just passing by like First 21A it will not have these higher fees

 

[Blindtraveler]

A problem that could have been managed by registering the service to terminate at RBS or Ingliston but still pass the airport. In the days LB actually cared about passengers this would have happened.

 

[berneyarms]

Irrespective of who is to blame, expecting passengers to be aware of the minutiae of the source of the fare hike is daft. They will just see the bus company as the source.

It's pretty awful to be honest, making Edinburgh Airport unique in my experience in not having a standard fare city bus service.

 

[vicbury]

Irrespective of who is to blame, expecting passengers to be aware of the minutiae of the source of the fare hike is daft. They will just see the bus company as the source.

It's pretty awful to be honest, making Edinburgh Airport unique in my experience in not having a standard fare city bus service.

Same situation in Bristol unfortunately.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

The 900 will be going through the Airport on it's journey to & from Glasgow half hourly in the evenings & becoming becoming a 24 hour service from the 2nd of October. Wonder if they will have any fees because that's a passing by service

 

[overthewater]

The 900 will be going through the Airport on it's journey to & from Glasgow half hourly in the evenings & becoming becoming a 24 hour service from the 2nd of October. Wonder if they will have any fees because that's a passing by service

It's only after Midnight and 4am

 

[route101]

It's only after Midnight and 4am

Wonder how that will do ?

Think 35 going over to 300 and higher fares is silly , is a slow service