West Lothian buses

[In Focus]

Odd question, And apologies if it has been discussed, but why are Lothian running some of their buses in White? Are they going to switch them or route brand them? White seems an odd choice otherwise.

Those white buses are only on loan from Lothian Region and don't belong to Lothian Country.

 

[SpeedbirdA350]

551 (usually seen on the 34/35) runs in white as it often has special livery on for things such as poppy day, and a christmas theme. I also know there is a couple of ex bullocks buses from Manchester, 591 is one of them, and they were put straight in to service before they could even be sent to the paintshop for lcb colours.

 

[Darklord8899]

Odd question, And apologies if it has been discussed, but why are Lothian running some of their buses in White? Are they going to switch them or route brand them? White seems an odd choice otherwise.

551 was left white after being used as the poppy bus, as for the others I think they are so they can be used as floating vehicles between LB, LCB and ECB, but I'm sure someone will have more knowledge on this than I do.....

 

[TheEastCoaster]

So after trying the X28 for the first time a week ago I can safely say it was a very enjoyable and fast journey to Livingston, getting from the city to Hermiston in under 10 minutes. and figuring out the whole ridacard discount was just the case of simply placing it on the wayfarer and saying my destination both ways. £1.70 for ridacard users to Livi (£2.70 for Bathgate/Whitburn) is very good. just a shame they don’t make it more public, had I not read about it on twitter and enquired about it on here ages ago I could of been spending more money without realising. Definitely see myself traveling to West Lothian more often than I did before now with first!

Also noticing plenty of folk using the service locally between Kirknewton to the centre, glad to see Lothian are doing better, though this is only from my perspective anyway, must of just been a good day!

 

[In Focus]

So after trying the X28 for the first time a week ago I can safely say it was a very enjoyable and fast journey to Livingston, getting from the city to Hermiston in under 10 minutes. and figuring out the whole ridacard discount was just the case of simply placing it on the wayfarer and saying my destination both ways. £1.70 for ridacard users to Livi (£2.70 for Bathgate/Whitburn) is very good. just a shame they don’t make it more public, had I not read about it on twitter and enquired about it on here ages ago I could of been spending more money without realising. Definitely see myself traveling to West Lothian more often than I did before now with first!

Also noticing plenty of folk using the service locally between Kirknewton to the centre, glad to see Lothian are doing better, though this is only from my perspective anyway, must of just been a good day!

Now I know you may have enjoyed your trip but seriously under 10 minutes from City to Hermiston ? If that was the case I'd keep quiet for drivers sake lol Speeding and running around 20 + minutes early !!! Oops

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Now I know you may have enjoyed your trip but seriously under 10 minutes from City to Hermiston ? If that was the case I'd keep quiet for drivers sake lol Speeding and running around 20 + minutes early !!! Oops

That may of been a slight exaduration on my part haha, since the route is limited stop it felt like 10 minutes, maybe i’ll try the service around peak time and see if it’s still as fast

 

[livi man]

I didn't think it was £1.70 to Livingstone.

 

[Darklord8899]

don't think it was £1.70to livi

It is if you have a Ridacard, that takes you from city centre and includes City West Zone, which means you only pay £1.70 one zone fare to Livi (or two zones £2.70 For Bathgate/Whitburn)

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

280 and 287 are now on the app. You can tell that the 287 is quite a bit shorter than the other routes. I do wonder what impact Wester Inch will have seeing as everyone thinks it's a logistical nightmare. The primary school is the only problem from what I can see. The 23/X23 are certainly quieter into Edinburgh but they still have the upper hand within WL. Looking forward to trying both the new ones on Sunday.

Hearing rumours of a scaleback to the 22, Couldn't see that as a surprise. Phase 3 may well see the 275 extend to Harthill if the former does happen. I think they may go after Fauldhouse area as the 26 is a poor route perhaps finally serving Bathgate Morrisons and also maybe Armadale ASDA. Phase 3 is a little harder to predict

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

you go for it first don't need you

In all honesty though why would a Lothian ridacard holder use First in the example EastCoaster provided. LC is quicker and cheaper in this case. If I go to Livi these days I always take the 275 as it's cheapest. First is not a viable option for me to Livi now

 

[livi man]

275 from city don't think so you stay with them to

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

275 from city don't think so you stay with them to

Where you getting that from? I live in the north of the city so why wouldn't I use the 275. 200 takes me straight to it. The passenger usually takes the cheapest option and for me along with every other ridacard holder this is. Unless first wanna start charging £1.50 fares and get a hefty fine from the TC then I'll stick to LC thanks, Prefer to get there in one piece anyway

 

[In Focus]

Where you getting that from? I live in the north of the city so why wouldn't I use the 275. 200 takes me straight to it. The passenger usually takes the cheapest option and for me along with every other ridacard holder this is. Unless first wanna start charging £1.50 fares and get a hefty fine from the TC like all those years back

Why would you sit on 2 buses that take far longer than the 1 bus 25 or 24 which are far quicker from North of Edinburgh to Livingston? You must be taking at least 30 minutes more ,quite bizarre logic based on nothing except a ride on LC bus id say

 

[In Focus]

280 and 287 are now on the app. You can tell that the 287 is quite a bit shorter than the other routes. I do wonder what impact Wester Inch will have seeing as everyone thinks it's a logistical nightmare. The primary school is the only problem from what I can see. The 23/X23 are certainly quieter into Edinburgh but they still have the upper hand within WL. Looking forward to trying both the new ones on Sunday.

Hearing rumours of a scaleback to the 22, Couldn't see that as a surprise. Phase 3 may well see the 275 extend to Harthill if the former does happen. I think they may go after Fauldhouse area as the 26 is a poor route perhaps finally serving Bathgate Morrisons and also maybe Armadale ASDA. Phase 3 is a little harder to predict

Phase 2 will only add to the quite considerable losses being experienced by LC after 2 months running buses light to West Lothian and shuttles for drivers will only add to losses, going to Harthill will add nothing as again very loyal to Blue Bus as LC have found in Whitburn .
You will also be aware First are about to add 20 + buses from Livingston depot to redress the issues being experienced with LC unexpected arrival , expect a very quick almost shuttle service from Armadale/ Bathgate to Livingston via Starlaw Road around 25 minutes(Armadale) 18 minutes (Bathgate) to livingston ,and the 26 route becoming a circular to service the Hospital ,Ladywell ,Knightsridge ,Deans South to Bathgate part. Excellent for Passengers and competition very welcome in West Lothian, wonder who will blink !!

 

[overthewater]

I hope what the above is correct, which means we have to til the end of October to see it in service. But again Weekly and monthly customers are staying with First. Its clear why the 275 hasnt gone to city, because 24/25 are just dead...

 

[In Focus]

I hope what the above is correct, which means we have to til the end of October to see it in service. But again Weekly and monthly customers are staying with First. Its clear why the 275 hasnt gone to city, because 24/25 are just dead...

The 275 is dead full stop . Passed 2 ,1 at newbridge and one at East mains the other morning and I counted 5 passengers , that's at around 0830 !!.

 

[Gingerbus1991]

The 275 is dead full stop . Passed 2 ,1 at newbridge and one at East mains the other morning and I counted 5 passengers , that's at around 0830 !!.

Bottom line, commuters are still gonna use there cars to edinburgh park, aren’t they?
Not only that but I suspect that many people who work at edinburgh park offices etc dont all stay in livi.

Lothian will have to learn the hard lesson that cleanliness and reputation can’t win back people lossed to the motor car!

Bottom line, livi is a slowly dying fish out of water, very slowly though.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Why would you sit on 2 buses that take far longer than the 1 bus 25 or 24 which are far quicker from North of Edinburgh to Livingston? You must be taking at least 30 minutes more ,quite bizarre logic based on nothing except a ride on LC bus id say

It's cheaper basically, 24/25 are only 15 mins faster anyway. So for the sake of 15 mins the 275 is the best option for value for me as I have a ridacard

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

If a 24/25 and a 275 came at once, I'd take the 24/25 mainly because it's cheaper.

In other cases, probably whichever one came first (providing I had sufficient funds to cover the fare)

 

[overthewater]

A good amount of West lothian people who work in Edinburgh park and north Edinburgh area but either take the train or as said use there cars.... If you can get out of Hermiston gait its only 10mins away. I can see the 275 getting merged with the 287..

 

[smtglasgow]

Lothian will have to start picking off the weekly/monthly ticket buyers if they are to succeed. Most passengers are creatures of habit, so getting them to move won’t be easy. Do Lothian have a decent offer for students in West Lothian? First’s m-ticket offer always seems good value and popular. This stuff matters – students (at college, not just uni) are a big part of the bus market.

Still think that if Lothian are simply on a land grab they would have been better forgetting about being innovative and just registering copies of First’s best routes. Suspect that if they are serious about their West Lothian adventure, this is what they’ll end up doing.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Lothian will have to start picking off the weekly/monthly ticket buyers if they are to succeed. Most passengers are creatures of habit, so getting them to move won’t be easy. Do Lothian have a decent offer for students in West Lothian? First’s m-ticket offer always seems good value and popular. This stuff matters – students (at college, not just uni) are a big part of the bus market.

Still think that if Lothian are simply on a land grab they would have been better forgetting about being innovative and just registering copies of First’s best routes. Suspect that if they are serious about their West Lothian adventure, this is what they’ll end up doing.

I honestly have no idea why they never considered student discounts since the X27/X28 serves Edinburgh College, Napier and Riccarton (side enterance), it’s sure fine for city users but other than that I’m not sure, perhaps they expect students to get the Lothian ridacard and pay a 1.70 fare back and forth? I hope they up their game in the foreseeable future.

Let’s see how phase 2 phases out, on the plus side being that the two new services are local services it’ll be mostly 1.70 for wherever you need to go within Livingston area, or Bathgate to Armadale (except blackridge) so I hope they do well, then maybe Kirkliston, Harthill, Fauldhouse and Linlithgow get considered for phase 3?

 

[herb21]

551 was left white after being used as the poppy bus, as for the others I think they are so they can be used as floating vehicles between LB, LCB and ECB, but I'm sure someone will have more knowledge on this than I do.....

Thanks for the responses. The ones I was thinking of are odd because they have LCB vinyls beneath the destination blinds but nothing else.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Lothian Country have updated the network map, looks like Linlithgow will be in zone B if they tackle that next with Winchburgh to Bridgend being Zone A

 

[In Focus]

Be very interesting to see the accounts for this venture and how much it is being propped up financially and resources wise by Lothian Region ?
Buses running in West Lothian 90% empty and about to launch phase for more empty buses .
Even with no competition it's a hard place to make profits with competition I'd say it's an impossible mission and havimg seen the amouny using LCB in its first 2 months I'd say they've had a reality shock and I'm intrigued to view the accounts when published .

 

[Lothian_Bus]

I certainly wouldn't want them losing money on this venture that could have an adverse impact on the excellent service in Edinburgh.

They need to offer the ridacard option to West Lothian passengers and then review it after a few more months. No point wasting money but also no point pulling out without giving it their best shot (i.e. Offering West Lothian passengers a ridacard).

 

[smtglasgow]

Did they maybe get some duff gen about First being prepared to pull out? Definitely not enough business for two big operators.

 

[overthewater]

Introductory offer extended until end of December 2018,

I don't think we will get a proper monthly tickets this side of xmas.

 

[In Focus]

Did they maybe get some duff gen about First being prepared to pull out? Definitely not enough business for two big operators.

Without doubt they have underestimated and thought Social media was a good guide as to how First were operating in West Lothian. They will have been taken aback at the very small numbers they are lifting and phase 2 will in no way compensate or have any effect on turning this venture around.

 

[overthewater]

Without doubt they have underestimated and thought Social media was a good guide as to how First were operating in West Lothian. They will have been taken aback at the very small numbers they are lifting and phase 2 will in no way compensate or have any effect on turning this venture around.

Writing was on the wall, when people made it clear they couldn't make the switch because First was cheaper. Other point is Buses on all front going in and out of Edinburgh off peak is dire, Im still surprised First brought back the 15min headway on the Broxburn - City route. I did say 275 with 5 people on it to the gyle Whoooooo.....