What confuses me is that I’m unsure if Harthill is even in West Lothian or just on the boundary, (same with Bo’Ness) I couldn’t imagine Lothian stepping out their region on normal services, Though having it named on the zonal map might indicate it’s a thought, maybe once the X18 hits off they could extend that to Whitburn to connect the two services.
Harthill is technocally in North Lanarkshire (only about a mile from the end of the 275 route and within about quarter of a mile from the border to WL), but I would not think that would make much of a difference? It's always been a big question if it would as if not, then it makes sense to extend it. As for Bo'ness, that is tricky as it's in Falkirk Council zone, with an EH51 postal code, and historically was part of WL. Given the postal code being Edinburgh based...
I agree with that, though do you think maybe the X27/X28 would benefit with another stop inbetween Saughton and Sainsbury’s? it’s much faster which is a great benefit but maybe having it stop at Saughton Park or Chesser Avenue might add a few more passengers/help connect to other services easier from West Lothian.
I think the X27/X28 could add another stop on Gorgie Road near Chesser Avenue, but I still think they should go via the park and ride at Riccarton (I know the road layout is not ideal for the return in to Edinburgh, but it's doable). It picks up people who might want to park there instead of driving in to roundabout city aka Livingston, etc..
I think the X18 will be a good service, while some folk may prefer the train from Bathgate/Armadale, it looks to be a very smooth journey to Edinburgh in an hour which will move people from the X27/X28 to the X18 in a heartbeat, plus Wester Inch will get a direct city service which will be nice, though I can’t comment if it will be popular or not! I remain optimistic on this service, plus the Corstorphine corridor will be more popular with commuters compared to the Sighthill corridor, especially with it serving plenty of stops along the way so I can see more folk using this service, time will tell
The only thing that concerns me about this X18 route, is that Corstorphine corridor. At certain times of the day, that road becomes like a carpark, often when people are going to and from work, not shockingly! That is why more people prefer the train to the bus, however I think it also depends on how the council act over the bus lanes and in making them 7/7/7, but also in keeping them clear of parked vehicles. No point in having a bus lane even 24/7 if there is no enforcement on parking, and if you look around the St Johns road area, it's a nightmare sometimes for rogue parking. However, some parts of that corridor have no bus lane.