Edinburgh Tour Operators: Bright Bus, Lothian (Majestic, Three Bridges) etc.

[overthewater]

What it should have said: I dont believe LCB isn't providing a better service than the incumbent, because if that's not the case, then why has public stayed loyal to a bus company never everyone hates.

A great man once said, I have all the right words just not necessary in the right order.

 

[winston270twm]

Ok: in the short period of summer, passengers have lost out, if that changes that fine. The point I rasing about First copy V lothian copying is I have seen it all over the place hence why I highlighted this fact. that is all.

Lcb routes are pretty carbon copies
* X27/ X28 Copy of old First X27/28
* 280 copy of 25 bar St john H grounds
* 281 copy of 26, but goes via Craigshill aswell

The rest are just old route First used to operate but were never well liked. LCB isn't providing a better service than the incumbent.

I dont believe LCB isn't providing a better service than the incumbent, because it's the case, why the public has stayed loyal to a bus company never everyone hates. P

How can the X27/X28 & other 'old First services' be classed as copies when First no longer operate them?

I don't see anything wrong with LCB re-instating former First services.

 

[Bus Lightyear]

What it should have said: I dont believe LCB isn't providing a better service than the incumbent, because if that's not the case, then why has public stayed loyal to a bus company never everyone hates.

A great man once said, I have all the right words just not necessary in the right order.

Sorry, what do you mean by ''never everyone hates''?

 

[Bus Lightyear]

How can the X27/X28 & other 'old First services' be classed as copies when First no longer operate them?

I don't see anything wrong with LCB re-instating former First services.

I think what OTW is saying if it couldn't work for First how could Lothian Buses get it to work.

 

[winston270twm]

I think what OTW is saying if it couldn't work for First how could Lothian Buses get it to work.

As pointed out a bit further up the thread, different operators, different styles, different results.

I just don't agree with the statement that LCB are copying 'old' First routes. That's LCB's problem if they turn out to still not to be viable, but they can't be copying something which no longer exists.

 

[overthewater]

Sorry, what do you mean by ''never everyone hates''?

If you had read the local papers etc etc public discorde and all the bad comments over the year, First has a poor PR problem with in the central belt. Some people have complained about the routes and overpriced tickets. It's rather weird Lothian who would be well knowledged with this the unhappiness, knowingly have a business case where it's believe the public would pay a higher premium for the current network. The fact is a good wack of the public don't agree with LCB idea and have stayed with First because of the price.

LCB re-instating former First services are not done at the higher frequency: First had 4ph on the X27/28 Lothian only has 2ph. Its rather telling even after 11 months the demand to increase the service has never happened. * note 281 cover the livingston area just in case anyone wish to rebute this mark, it more to do with East calder - Edinburgh section.

 

[Jordan Adam]

I just don't agree with the statement that LCB are copying 'old' First routes. That's LCB's problem if they turn out to still not to be viable, but they can't be copying something which no longer exists.

Edit: I'll post this reply in the Lothian Country thread

 

[Driver362]

Bridgend is slim pickings, though - I'm guessing First calculated that cutting that mileage has made them a saving, even if they've lost custom over it. I'm sure First putting the Linlithgow - Edinburgh section of the 38 back to four buses an hour is a defensive move against a Lothian incursion. The 38 is also far too long for Lothian to consider taking on in its entirety, and presumably the EX2 is their effort to extract custom from Linlithgow. Don't know if there's much scope for them to serve Winchburgh, where I live, but I'd certainly be happy if they did.

The ex 2 is stand alone, the 38 clone may be phase 6.

 

[KendalKing]

I also think it's strange that LCB copied First 25 route but that's fine, First coping a tour route that bad...

So you are saying that it's OK for Lothian to attack First, but it's NOT OK for First to attack back.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

So you are saying that it's OK for Lothian to attack First, but it's NOT OK for First to attack back.

I know it’s not exactly clear in terms of spelling and punctuation but think he’s saying the opposite. In his opinion, people are not criticising LCB for running a service akin to First’s 25 but are critical of First running a tour operation.

 

[90sWereBetter]

It's not entirely surprising. You only have to look at the main FirstGroup thread on here to see the glee and froth from several regular posters whenever something bad happens to the group or there's another divestment, which never seems to happen with other bus operators.

It's almost as if they have a vested interest in FirstGroup failing and being split up...

 

[Driver362]

On the contrary, credit where due seen a few BBT buses in town yesterday and had good numbers. Good on them its a deregulated world we live in and like us a providi g an alternative

 

[smtglasgow]

I’m wary of most things First do these days (and still wouldn’t bet the farm on BBT having a long-term future), but I think First have stumbled on a decent idea with BBT. Lothian’s tour offerings are excellent, but priced at the top end of the market. That’s fine for wealthier tourists – and there’s plenty of them – but Edinburgh is packed out these days with all sorts of visitors, including many who are staying at the budget hotels and hostels. So a cheaper offering with less frills and older vehicles makes sense and is tapping into an unserved market. Of course if I can see this then so can Lothian, so I’m sure we’ll see some sort of Magicbus-style tour operation in no time at all, but someone at First deserves credit for spotting the opportunity.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I’m sure we’ll see some sort of Magicbus-style tour operation in no time at all

I wonder will Uncle Brian stick his oar in as well? He's done exactly that in London...

 

[winston270twm]

It's not entirely surprising. You only have to look at the main FirstGroup thread on here to see the glee and froth from several regular posters whenever something bad happens to the group or there's another divestment, which never seems to happen with other bus operators.

It's almost as if they have a vested interest in FirstGroup failing and being split up...

First as a Group has run it's course, it doesn't work, it needs to be put of its misery. Shareholders have put up with 6 years of non turnaround & constant excuses.

 

[Driver362]

Absaloutley like I said credit where due they seem to be doing well. For what it's worth I personally don't have an issue with it at all it's fair compatition. Just like West Lothian!

 

[Davie1973]

At least some of them are ex city sightseeing buses from down south. Been in Caledonia for a couple of months.

Think lothian buses will be laughing at this as they have one of their old fleet that they sold many years ago v523esc

 

[Davie1973]

Seen one heading into Larbert depot . V528ESC I think it was ,all over red .

Yes. This vehicle is actually a old lothian buses fleet that they sold of years ago. Makes you laugh that they buy old bangers that went out of date many moons ago lol

 

[Jordan Adam]

Ohh dear... Another Lothian fanboy? The reason for buying the older vehicles has been explained in here countless times. You don't seriously expect them to buy brand new vehicles for a "Low cost" start up venture...

 

[Driver362]

Ohh dear... Another Lothian fanboy? The reason for buying the older vehicles has been explained in here countless times. You don't seriously expect them to buy brand new vehicles for a "Low cost" start up venture...

Again what it's worh they sound bloody lovely. Think it was the bus mentioned. Was definitely a trident. There only so much B9 tl noise I can put up with in a day!, a Cummins on the other hand is just music to my ears!

 

[tbtc]

Ohh dear... Another Lothian fanboy? The reason for buying the older vehicles has been explained in here countless times. You don't seriously expect them to buy brand new vehicles for a "Low cost" start up venture...

Can you imagine the clutched pearls on the Forum is Lothian's assault on West Lothian had been with V-reg buses?

 

[Observer]

Not that it was entirely a new vehicle but LK55KKT was bought, which was not previously a tour bus, it was bought from Ensignbus and then converted.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Again what it's worh they sound bloody lovely. Think it was the bus mentioned. Was definitely a trident. There only so much B9 tl noise I can put up with in a day!, a Cummins on the other hand is just music to my ears!

Yeah they do sound good, even the Ex-Stagecoach examples with the smaller ISB units sound quite nice. Predictably it's the 4 Daf's causing any of the problems.

Can you imagine the clutched pearls on the Forum is Lothian's assault on West Lothian had been with V-reg buses?

That's true, Well i mean those battered 04 reg B7RLE's are close enough! (Sarcasm...). Imo there's a difference between normal service work and a tour, personally i find it more acceptable to use older vehicles on tours.

Not that it was entirely a new vehicle but LK55KKT was bought, which was not previously a tour bus, it was bought from Ensignbus and then converted.

It seems they went after the cheapest vehicles they could get, hence LK55KKT being bought as it was probably fairly cheap. It makes sense given the idea of BBT is to be low cost.

 

[Driver362]

Ohh I know just 2010 spec deckers and lowley 04 b7rle's. But we had a cunning plan and wasted tax payers money on a vanity project and bought those dastardly Irish plate thingys.

 

[Driver362]

Yeah they do sound good, even the Ex-Stagecoach examples with the smaller ISB units sound quite nice. Predictably it's the 4 Daf's causing any of the problems.



That's true, Well i mean those battered 04 reg B7RLE's are close enough! (Sarcasm...). Imo there's a difference between normal service work and a tour, personally i find it more acceptable to use older vehicles on tours.



It seems they went after the cheapest vehicles they could get, hence LK55KKT being bought as it was probably fairly cheap. It makes sense given the idea of BBT is to be low cost.

I personally haven't seen any of them broken down. If there looked after OK they should be fine. Many moons ago we had 2 Leyland tigers that were fast approaching their 20th birthday and they could still do a day's work if required!. Granted less tech on them to even say the trident but still.....

 

[Jordan Adam]

I personally haven't seen any of them broken down. If there looked after OK they should be fine. Many moons ago we had 2 Leyland tigers that were fast approaching their 20th birthday and they could still do a day's work if required!. Granted less tech on them to even say the trident but still.....

Agreed, If any vehicles is looked after it'll continue to provide reliable service, perhaps a good example of that is First Aberdeen's remaining B10BLE's which are not too far off 20 years old all pretty much run like they've just came out the box.

In terms of actual breakdowns at BBT i believe it was just one DAF on Waverly bridge so far. Although there has been false claims that two of the Trident's broke down when they didn't.

 

[alangla]

Buying DAFs did surprise me a bit, I thought they were more an Arriva specialty, though I realise some of the smaller Scottish groups like McGills and West Coast have reasonable numbers. First didn’t strike me as a group with a lot of expertise with them, would have thought Dennis or Volvo, even Scania, would have been more preferred.

 

[AlexanderPS]

Not that it was entirely a new vehicle but LK55KKT was bought, which was not previously a tour bus, it was bought from Ensignbus and then converted.

Noted else where that LK55KKT is Cronins Coaches, Cork, Eire, converted to half open top. http://www.atvbf.co.uk/index.php?PHPSESSID=jqscmfm9b3hgohql3j0jbit190&topic=9130.0

 

[Jordan Adam]

Buying DAFs did surprise me a bit, I thought they were more an Arriva specialty, though I realise some of the smaller Scottish groups like McGills and West Coast have reasonable numbers. First didn’t strike me as a group with a lot of expertise with them, would have thought Dennis or Volvo, even Scania, would have been more preferred.

The DAFs have had Cummins ISB units retrofitted too iirc.

Noted else where that LK55KKT is Cronins Coaches, Cork, Eire, converted to half open top. http://www.atvbf.co.uk/index.php?PHPSESSID=jqscmfm9b3hgohql3j0jbit190&topic=9130.0

It's already entered service with BBT.

https://flic.kr/p/2gvDG6F

 

[AlexanderPS]

It's already entered service with BBT.

https://flic.kr/p/2gvDG6F

Answers that one