Lothian Buses and ECB Discussion

VioletEclipse · 23 Mar 2019

ScotRail158725 said:
Id like to see them tidied up aswell. Would even like to see some go to LC

well you never know these days. I wouldn't be too surprised if some went to LC (maybe 794-800 if ECB stop needing them?)

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ScotRail158725 · 23 Mar 2019

VioletEclipse said:
well you never know these days. I wouldn't be too surprised if some went to LC (maybe 794-800 if ECB stop needing them?)

Speaking of the ECB B7s wich were meant to be replaced by Ex-GAL WVLs what's happening with said B9s. Originally 10, 6 for ECB to replace their B7s and 4 to LCB to allow 591-594 to go to the main fleet. But now 571-576 are going to LCB to replace them and operate the new route, aswell as an addictional 3 B9s coming up, so im wondering what the script it with those?

NewcastleOne · 24 Mar 2019

Lothian are set to take on more B8Ls taking the fleet to 80. Some set to go on the Airlink

Gingerbus1991 · 24 Mar 2019

NewcastleOne said:
Lothian are set to take on more B8Ls taking the fleet to 80. Some set to go on the Airlink

Doesnt surprize me in the least, several years ago there was a Hongkong bound e500 trialed on the 100, even though it never came to anything then the 100 certainly merits some serious capacity, especially around christmas and annual holiday times.

SpeedbirdA350 · 24 Mar 2019

VioletEclipse said:
I'd say probs Lothian Country for them two.

Different, but Gemini Ones 751-825 (the 56 plate B7TLs) were all at Central about this time last year, now there's about a third at each depot (Central, Marine, Longstone) and in no particular order. It's rather annoying having such a large batch scattered around like that.

I wonder if they might renumber the buses again. They did a while ago if I remember correctly with the solos going from 35-40 to 278-283 and now the tridents are out of service so the 6xx range is free, might be worth them doing something to tidy it up but does it bug them like it does us? lol

VioletEclipse · 24 Mar 2019

SpeedbirdA350 said:
I wonder if they might renumber the buses again. They did a while ago if I remember correctly with the solos going from 35-40 to 278-283 and now the tridents are out of service so the 6xx range is free, might be worth them doing something to tidy it up but does it bug them like it does us? lol

I think Lothian have now developed an approach of just numbering buses upwards rather than using up free spaces. I agree it's rather annoying.

RomeoCharlie71 · 24 Mar 2019

A photo has appeared on Flickr of one of the Enviro 400XLBs negotiating the left turn off of Newhaven Road, on the 11, towards Ocean Terminal. It takes up half of opposing traffic lane in doing so, and there also appears to be road surface (tyre scrub?) and kerb damage (buses cutting the corner?). A quick look on Streetview suggests these were already there prior to the B8s entering service, however, it does not seem nearly as bad:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelst138/46528665005/

This poses the question - are these buses really suited to the 11?

Gingerbus1991 · 24 Mar 2019

ross4122 said:
A photo has appeared on Flickr of one of the Enviro 400XLBs negotiating the left turn off of Newhaven Road, on the 11, towards Ocean Terminal. It takes up half of opposing traffic lane in doing so, and there also appears to be road surface (tyre scrub?) and kerb damage (buses cutting the corner?). A quick look on Streetview suggests these were already there prior to the B8s entering service, however, it does not seem nearly as bad:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelst138/46528665005/

This poses the question - are these buses really suited to the 11?

They wouldve been even more suitable if they had steered-tags.

Busy route though, justified on that basis alone.

kje7812 · 24 Mar 2019

ross4122 said:
A photo has appeared on Flickr of one of the Enviro 400XLBs negotiating the left turn off of Newhaven Road, on the 11, towards Ocean Terminal. It takes up half of opposing traffic lane in doing so, and there also appears to be road surface (tyre scrub?) and kerb damage (buses cutting the corner?). A quick look on Streetview suggests these were already there prior to the B8s entering service, however, it does not seem nearly as bad:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelst138/46528665005/

This poses the question - are these buses really suited to the 11?

That turning is an awkward one anyway. I've been on quite a few normal buses that have struggled around that bend.
I took the 11 from ocean terminal to bruntsfield on one of the 400XLBs yesterday and didn't notice it struggling much more than a normal double.

OmniCity999 · 24 Mar 2019

NewcastleOne said:
Lothian are set to take on more B8Ls taking the fleet to 80. Some set to go on the Airlink

Im told the follow on order will take our Enivro 400XLB count well into the 80's, and that's before the Airlink batch, apparently. I'm led to believe theres an order for a number of Enviro 400 Bodied B5TL's too (11.4m) standard Lothian long wheelbase. Weather these will be dual door or not time will tell.

Meanwhile it looks like the order with Wrightbus has been cancelled.

ScotRail158725 · 24 Mar 2019

OmniCity999 said:
Im told the follow on order will take our Enivro 400XLB count well into the 80's, and that's before the Airlink batch, apparently. I'm led to believe theres an order for a number of Enviro 400 Bodied B5TL's too (11.4m) standard Lothian long wheelbase. Weather these will be dual door or not time will tell.

Meanwhile it looks like the order with Wrightbus has been cancelled.

I hope the 11.4m will get standard E400 MMC specs such as framed glazing, No glass staircase etc.. I really think the XLBs look terrible, i much prefer the standard E400 MMC

OmniCity999 · 24 Mar 2019

ScotRail158725 said:
I hope the 11.4m will get standard E400 MMC specs such as framed glazing, No glass staircase etc.. I really think the XLBs look terrible, i much prefer the standard E400 MMC

They will be to Lothian spec as Lothian are buying them. Bonded glazing, glass staircase, standard enviro front end. This is a premium product. Lothian dont do cheap.

The "standard spec" you speak of is the cheaper option with the pop out windows (ADL's QRG), and lack of options such as glass staircase. Although i agree the QRG system makes a lot more sense as it means quick repairs. Although the bonded glazing allows for a more premium product and less water/air ingress.

This QRG product that ADL developed is the same as the pop out windows on older Lothian buses and is known to let in water and a slight draft.

Tom1791 · 24 Mar 2019

According to finlaysmith.co.uk all the B8s are now at Central (excluding 1091) so it looked like they will all be out next week sometime.

OmniCity999 · 24 Mar 2019

Tom1791 said:
According to finlaysmith.co.uk all the B8s are now at Central (excluding 1091) so it looked like they will all be out next week sometime.

The B8Ls are to see service on the 7,11,16 this week.

ScotRail158725 · 24 Mar 2019

B7 update as more have been withdrawn following the arrival of the last XLBs
Longstone: 702-725, 732, 739, 771, 775, 780-781, 784, 811, 825
Central: 769-770, 773-774, 776, 782-783, 785, 792-793, 819, 823-824
Marine: 740-741, 746-767, 786-787, 815
Withdrawn (atm): 726-731, 768, 772, 777-779, 789-791, 801-804, 806-810, 812-814, 816-818, 820-822

alchemy · 24 Mar 2019

Is it just moving buses to Marine as there is more space there to allow the new buses into Central?
Last time the 800s at least were reallocated shortly afterwards.

ScotRail158725 · 24 Mar 2019

alchemy said:
Is it just moving buses to Marine as there is more space there to allow the new buses into Central?
Last time the 800s at least were reallocated shortly afterwards.

I reckon some will head elsewhere but the rest will stay withdrawn as there still 5 or 6 from when the XLBs initally started. But i dont know why IF theyre getting put to another depot, likely Longstone, why on Saturday they didnt move the out of service B7s to Marine and today move the 56 plates to Longstone. As i say i reckon it will be a 50/50 Longstone & Marine/Withdrawn that will happen.

Jordan Adam · 25 Mar 2019

OmniCity999 said:
They will be to Lothian spec as Lothian are buying them. Bonded glazing, glass staircase, standard enviro front end. This is a premium product. Lothian dont do cheap.

The "standard spec" you speak of is the cheaper option with the pop out windows (ADL's QRG), and lack of options such as glass staircase. Although i agree the QRG system makes a lot more sense as it means quick repairs. Although the bonded glazing allows for a more premium product and less water/air ingress.

This QRG product that ADL developed is the same as the pop out windows on older Lothian buses and is known to let in water and a slight draft.

The QRG system is nothing like the gasket glazing on Lothians older vehicles, which in my view is rancid. Can't say i've ever noticed any issues with water ingress on buses with QRG windows, i say this as someone who has had Enviro200MMCs on my local route for over 3 years. Specifying QRG windows is a no brainier in my opinion, it looks just as premium as bonded glazing.

Lothian_Bus · 25 Mar 2019

OmniCity999 said:
The B8Ls are to see service on the 7,11,16 this week.

I see almost a full complement on the 16 today. 1090 is on service 7.

SpeedbirdA350 · 25 Mar 2019

Why is the 63 part of Lothian but the 43 is part of LCB?

A330Alex · 25 Mar 2019

SpeedbirdA350 said:
Why is the 63 part of Lothian but the 43 is part of LCB?

The 63 is a council tender that was applied for under Lothian so it can't be switched. Lothian Country might apply for it when it comes up for tendering next time

Lothian_Bus · 25 Mar 2019

The x44 has some of the new buses this evening.

kje7812 · 25 Mar 2019

There was a B8L on a Bush-bound 15 this morning.

sam120 · 25 Mar 2019

Lothian_Bus said:
I see almost a full complement on the 16 today. 1090 is on service 7.

fail to see why, the 7 is never busy?

Lothian_Bus · 25 Mar 2019

kje7812 said:
There was a B8L on a Bush-bound 15 this morning.

Yes there is a Central run 15 each morning which ends up on the 11. Suspect that is what you saw.

oldman · 25 Mar 2019

Lothian_Bus said:
Yes there is a Central run 15 each morning which ends up on the 11. Suspect that is what you saw.

It is probably better to say there are two 11s from Ocean Terminal which turn into 15s to the Bush then resume as 11s inward from Kaimes, leaving some 20 minute gaps to and from Hyvots Bank.

Lothian_Bus · 25 Mar 2019

oldman said:
It is probably better to say there are two 11s from Ocean Terminal which turn into 15s to the Bush then resume as 11s inward from Kaimes, leaving some 20 minute gaps to and from Hyvots Bank.

I agree. Thanks.

ScotRail158725 · 25 Mar 2019

A330Alex said:
The 63 is a council tender that was applied for under Lothian so it can't be switched. Lothian Country might apply for it when it comes up for tendering next time

I could definately see LC going for it

SpeedbirdA350 · 25 Mar 2019

A330Alex said:
The 63 is a council tender that was applied for under Lothian so it can't be switched. Lothian Country might apply for it when it comes up for tendering next time

I completely forgot about that part lol. I assume once that tender is up, LCB will get it.

Big Ralphie · 25 Mar 2019

Should just be able to get contract now as effectively it's the same bus company who would be running the service

Lothian Buses and ECB Discussion

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