Lothian Buses and ECB Discussion

[Gingerbus1991]

I for one walked out in February before they could even attempt to sack me, and yes it was a problem over social media use, there current social media policy more or less states that you shouldn't say anything bad about the company(which is understandable despite it perhaps being the truth) or even connecting yourself too the company through these outlets.

The odd thing is you don't need to go far into the land of twitter to understand that many of there drivers have blatant photos of themselves in uniform(thus connecting them to the company), those that work for ECB, LB, LMC, LCB and Tours ALL have these same policies in place. Most bus company's do of course have these, I do think this is a slightly outdated concept when social media is such a big part of many life's.

Its not Sunshine and Fresh daisies at LRT, its just the external and clever PR that makes the company look the way it does.

Indoors though there is a major clique amongst the drivers with DD drivers gaining a superiority over SD guys as there on different contract getting payed differently, it essentially means DD drivers do an 8hr shift and get payed through including payment for breaks, the SD guys have to do a 10hr shift for the same pay, as the SD's don't get payed for breaks, essentially coming away with less money for more hours being at work, there is also a heavy sense that this will never change as all union pay deals are collectively voted for but the DD driver outweigh the SD guys by a decent margin, not to mention that most of the union guy are voted for to there position by there DD clique friends.

On a personal note, I am soooo glad I've moved to HGVs, its like night and day, whilst I get more of my weekends off, starting at 6am and finished for 6pm, 4 days on, 4 days off, I highly recommend it.

 

[OmniCity999]

Led to believe wendy's are to be trialled next year on the 30.

 

[Darklord8899]

Led to believe wendy's are to be trialled next year on the 30.

Wendy's?? Aren't they an American fast food retailer??

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Led to believe wendy's are to be trialled next year on the 30.

Well the current Allocation can barely cope with Stoneybank as it is, Bendy's WILL NOT work. We've tried them here before and they just aren't practical for this city. All the routes they could be used on practically are fine with Doubles, I'd rather the 30 was split into two than this stupid idea. Just leave it until a proper solution is found, this isn't it

Residents in East Lothian want seats though but not that many! 13.2m B8RLE's are the best solution. 7900's are not liked, might offer more capacity overall but the seats are compromised

 

[Jordan Adam]

Well the current Allocation can barely cope with Stoneybank as it is, Bendy's WILL NOT work. We've tried them here before and they just aren't practical for this city. All the routes they could be used on practically are fine with Doubles, I'd rather the 30 was split into two than this stupid idea. Just leave it until a proper solution is found, this isn't it

Residents in East Lothian want seats though but not that many! 13.2m B8RLE's are the best solution. 7900's are not liked, might offer more capacity overall but the seats are compromised

Considering what Lothian have just bought 42 of do you think they care what is actually practical.

Artics would be far more suited to Edinburgh's Streets than these E400XLBs.

 

[Darklord8899]

....I'd hate to see either an artic or E400XLB try to negotiate some of Musselburgh's streets

 

[VioletEclipse]

By this time next year it could be Artics that everyone's complaining about, what kind though? Mercedes Benz Citaro 530 G Electrics? as the Wright Eclipse Fusion isn't built anymore.

 

[Auld reekie]

Tracker has been down since about 09:20 this morning

The tracker today is still crap.

 

[VioletEclipse]

The tracker today is still crap.

yup, but lvf.io is working now if that helps

 

[Darklord8899]

The bus stop trackers were patchy this morning, but seem to be working fine this afternoon, but the TfE app was still showing estimated times based on timetables .

 

[OmniCity999]

By this time next year it could be Artics that everyone's complaining about, what kind though? Mercedes Benz Citaro 530 G Electrics? as the Wright Eclipse Fusion isn't built anymore.

If they put in a decent order Volvo will build a chassis. Again, with a decent order Wright or more likely ADL will build a body. It may even be an integral Volvo. If they splash the cash, manufacturers will be interested.

 

[Jordan Adam]

....I'd hate to see either an artic or E400XLB try to negotiate some of Musselburgh's streets

I can't comment on the Streets there myself, but you'd be very surprised by how manoeuvrable Artics are, the only downside is when it comes to reversing but at the same time you shouldn't be reversing a bus on the Public Highway anyway!.

By this time next year it could be Artics that everyone's complaining about, what kind though? Mercedes Benz Citaro 530 G Electrics? as the Wright Eclipse Fusion isn't built anymore.

If they put in a decent order Volvo will build a chassis. Again, with a decent order Wright or more likely ADL will build a body. It may even be an integral Volvo. If they splash the cash, manufacturers will be interested.

Volvo already offer a B8RLEA in the Australasia market, so the chassis is already there, it wouldn't take much for Wright to adapt a body for it. Even ADL possibly would if a big enough order was put forward, given that deckers can't operate the 30. Artics seem to get a poor rep in the UK, but it's interesting to note that with most of the issues certain types had, it was rarely to do with them being articulated. Aberdeen is probably one of the best examples in the UK Artics working, we've had constant Artic operation since 1992.

 

[VioletEclipse]

Artics seem to get a poor rep in the UK

I am always amused how in so many places in mainland Europe (where I often go) have artics literally everywhere and double deckers are considered a weird and very British design, while in the UK deckers are commonplace with artics being hard to come by.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

I can't comment on the Streets there myself, but you'd be very surprised by how manoeuvrable Artics are, the only downside is when it comes to reversing but at the same time you shouldn't be reversing a bus on the Public Highway anyway!

Put it this way the 7900's frequently get stuck in Stoneybank with the traffic and the roads are in places extremely tight, especially at the start of Monktonhall

 

[Jordan Adam]

Put it this way the 7900's frequently get stuck in Stoneybank with the traffic and the roads are in places extremely tight, especially at the start of Monktonhall

Just had a look around that end of the 30 on maps, I don't think it would be much of an issue in Artics. Either way i think it would be a smart ideal if Wright created a demonstrator B8RLEA for operators to try out. The only Artic on the UK Market at the moment is the Citaro and most operators don't want to be wasting money on such overpriced buses. This is reflected by the lower sales of even their rigid products.

I am always amused how in so many places in mainland Europe (where I often go) have artics literally everywhere and double deckers are considered a weird and very British design, while in the UK deckers are commonplace with artics being hard to come by.

Indeed, There's applications where deckers are better, but there's applications where Artics are better. It's all about having the best vehicle suited for the route. Deckers offer better seating capacity (60 vs 75), but Artics offer massively superior overall capacity (90 vs 140-160).

 

[156478]

The 30 has always been an odd service for me. The overcrowding is well documented-I’ve experienced it myself but still it’s weekday frequency persists at every 12 minutes. It also bucks the traditional trend of a Slightly less frequent Saturday service from the Monday to Friday. Surely this should be a 10/9 or 8 minute service by now Monday to Saturday? Can anyone explain the logic?

 

[SpeedbirdA350]

It does not help that the 7900s have 3 single seats in a row on left side. Why is this? It can't be for wheelchairs to turn as this is not a problem on any other bus. I don't think tinkering with the route would be welcomed by pax though but they could increase frequency of the service. If the bus is busy on an every 10 min pattern, perhaps every 7 minutes is needed with peak being every 5 minutes and put some larger singles on too.

So much wasted space on some of the buses. Even some of the ex skylinks have the luggage racks there and I know this won't be popular (please don't hate me for this) but LB should think again about having a buggy spot. 1 wheelchair is enough, but to have a buggy one too is just wasted space where seats could go. Buggys do fold down unless it is a tank...

 

[Gingerbus1991]

Another way round this Bendy vs Decker issue would be to create a 30/30A route scenario where the 30 travels via Newcraighall with singles and the 30A via QMUH/A1 with Deckers, generally I think many would take the 30A to town as it may be fractionally quicker, at peaks and at the weekends though the A1 slip road to Fort Kinnaird is very busy.

Turning left from Newbigging onto Musselburgh/High St is a problem as cars are occasionally parked far to close to the traffic lights as you turn onto the high st or Left from Bridge St onto the High Street is problematic as it is with 12m buses atm as you would certainly need to take it wider with artics, not to mention many others hold the 12m buses up that are turning right from the these traffic lights onto dalrymple loan.

Two 12m buses waiting at Musselburgh grammer school terminus takes up enough room as it is, adding in an extra 12m of more bus is not a good idea, potentially even blocking the entrances to the school if drivers are not savy enough.

 

[Jordan Adam]

It does not help that the 7900s have 3 single seats in a row on left side. Why is this? It can't be for wheelchairs to turn as this is not a problem on any other bus. I don't think tinkering with the route would be welcomed by pax though but they could increase frequency of the service. If the bus is busy on an every 10 min pattern, perhaps every 7 minutes is needed with peak being every 5 minutes and put some larger singles on too.

So much wasted space on some of the buses. Even some of the ex skylinks have the luggage racks there and I know this won't be popular (please don't hate me for this) but LB should think again about having a buggy spot. 1 wheelchair is enough, but to have a buggy one too is just wasted space where seats could go. Buggys do fold down unless it is a tank...

It's for extra standing capacity, but as has been mentioned already the extra standee's just makes the overcrowding even worse. Further to the case for Artics and/or a frequency imo.

 

[Gingerbus1991]

The 30 has always been an odd service for me. The overcrowding is well documented-I’ve experienced it myself but still it’s weekday frequency persists at every 12 minutes. It also bucks the traditional trend of a Slightly less frequent Saturday service from the Monday to Friday. Surely this should be a 10/9 or 8 minute service by now Monday to Saturday? Can anyone explain the logic?

I think the logic behind its current form is that the 7900h have impressive standing capacity dispersing the need for a larger vehicles, most journeys cope fine with these vehicles, the biggest downside to these are late at night, 10pm+, especially at the weekends where the service gets cut back even though many are using the bus in edinburgh at the time to get home, makes a change I suppose from the weegies idea that the taxi is best.

I recall one night on the 7900h going to Musselburgh I had to keep driving and radio'd a fail to clear simply because people were packed down to the front doors.

 

[Darklord8899]

The 30 has always been an odd service for me. The overcrowding is well documented-I’ve experienced it myself but still it’s weekday frequency persists at every 12 minutes. It also bucks the traditional trend of a Slightly less frequent Saturday service from the Monday to Friday. Surely this should be a 10/9 or 8 minute service by now Monday to Saturday? Can anyone explain the logic?

In fact, the Saturday service is MORE frequent than rest of the week.... the main day service runs
Sunday to Friday - every 12 minutes
Saturday - every 10 minutes or less

 

[Auld reekie]

I think the logic behind its current form is that the 7900h have impressive standing capacity dispersing the need for a larger vehicles, most journeys cope fine with these vehicles, the biggest downside to these are late at night, 10pm+, especially at the weekends where the service gets cut back even though many are using the bus in edinburgh at the time to get home, makes a change I suppose from the weegies idea that the taxi is best.

I recall one night on the 7900h going to Musselburgh I had to keep driving and radio'd a fail to clear simply because people were packed down to the front doors.

Your last paragraph is interesting. At busy periods the number of simpletons who pack at the front doors is unbelievable. They don’t seem to have common sense that they are blocking passengers trying to get off the bus.

 

[sannox]

Turning left from Newbigging onto Musselburgh/High St is a problem as cars are occasionally parked far to close to the traffic lights as you turn onto the high st or Left from Bridge St onto the High Street is problematic as it is with 12m buses atm as you would certainly need to take it wider with artics, not to mention many others hold the 12m buses up that are turning right from the these traffic lights onto dalrymple loan.

I'd say the left from Bridge St to High Street would be the worst due to cars waiting to turn right at the next junction. Others might be bad through parking, but that can be managed (whether it would...).

In saying that the 9 in Glasgow was the route the bendies spent a lot of time on and I don't remember the drivers finding them less maneuverable than the regular full size buses. Indeed the full size single decks used to clip the corners at times in Paisley, but the bendies rarely did so.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Another way round this Bendy vs Decker issue would be to create a 30/30A route scenario where the 30 travels via Newcraighall with singles and the 30A via QMUH/A1 with Deckers, generally soeaking I think many would take the 30A to town as it may be fractionally quicker, at peaks and at the weekends though the A1 slip road to Fort Kinnaird is very busy.

Turning left from Newbigging onto Musselburgh/High St is a problem as cars are occasionally parked far to close to the traffic lights as you turn onto the high st or Left from Bridge St onto the High Street is problematic as it is with 12m buses atm a you would certainly need to take it wider with artics, not to mention many others hold the 12m buses up that are turning right from the these traffic lights onto dalrymple loan.

Two 12m buses waiting at Musselburgh grammer school terminus takes up enough room as it is, adding in an extra 12m of more bus is not a good idea, potentially even blocking the entrances to the school if drivers are not savy enough.

The taking a corner wider argument is not particularly true. It's all about approach, generally if a normal 12M single can get round a junction then so can a Artic. Again looking at the junction you mention it really wouldn't be much more of an issue with an Artic over a 12M single, how you take it.

 

[Gingerbus1991]

The taking a corner wider argument is not particularly true. It's all about approach, generally if a normal 12M single can get round a junction then so can a Artic. Again looking at the junction you mention it really wouldn't be much more of an issue with an Artic over a 12M single, how you take it.

When you say "approach", so that the turn can be taken wider?

Traveling into town should be OK, I'd agree, going to Musselburgh terminus is by far a problem.

 

[bb21]

Led to believe wendy's are to be trialled next year on the 30.

Any chance of clarification what "wendy's" are please?

Do you mean bendy's? I suspect such given subsequent discussions but would be good to know for definite.

 

[OmniCity999]

Any chance of clarification what "wendy's" are please?

Do you mean bendy's? I suspect such given subsequent discussions but would be good to know for definite.

Bendy's

Samsung's autocorrect is awful.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

ECB is bringing out Contactless tommorow, almost 3 weeks after LCB rolled it out in West Lothian

 

[stantheman]

I wonder if Trident operation is now finished , on Friday there were just the usual two on the UNi shuttle , which finished yesterday till the new term
Anyone confirm ?

 

[stantheman]

I believe the plan is for some sort of electric-powered bendy buses on rails, though a metro underground would be better. Wouldn't cost much, would it?

George Street is often blocked for events (like now) and the Council wants to keep it that way so everything has to go via Princes Street. This causes problems with slow-boarding Stagecoaches sharing stops with Lothian. In the past I think country buses mostly went via George Street.

The council sees George St as a symbol of car owning , middle class ,traditional EDinburgh and hates it , will take any excuse to close it to cars