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West Lothian buses

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overthewater

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Lothian can also point to all the people that demanded a service back. However Could West/Mid/East Lothian demand the shareholding be changed? ie why does Edinburgh council get X% of shares which is higher than % of business that operates within the capital?
 
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Stopper

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Not surprised the EX2 is being kept on but can’t comment on EX1. The negative comments by some on here early on were never a reflection on the actual situation. The first week or two was slow (as expected) due to many factors including lack of advertisment and simply just being a new bus. Since then it’s been all upwards and it’s really popular.
 

overthewater

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The money was always on Ex2 having a chance over the Ex1 for the reason given. Some negative comments are completely justifiably, including the lack of a proper weekly ticket which would be a game changer.
 

Jordan Adam

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The "negative" comments are clearly justified given that they're thinking of axing the EX1 already! Further more only "12-20" passengers on the EX2 on a peak time runs given all the rail disruption is poor.

As i've always said the EX2 has potential, but it needs extended to cover more area as Linlithgow alone cannot sustain a direct bus service. The EX1 is pointless as it's just a copy+paste of the X18 with higher fares and a slightly faster route that misses the bulk of the city centre.
 

Andyh82

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I’m sure the same people predict doom and impending disaster in this thread most weeks. Why not wait instead of just going round in circles.
 

overthewater

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Why do people who complain about " same people predicting doom and impending disaster" continue to ignore bread and butter issues like the complete lack or weekly tickets?

After a whole year LCB has had to keep its introductory price on its awful Mobile tickets, in place. I think the whole situation is rather telling.
 

OmniCity999

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Not surprised the EX2 is being kept on but can’t comment on EX1. The negative comments by some on here early on were never a reflection on the actual situation. The first week or two was slow (as expected) due to many factors including lack of advertisment and simply just being a new bus. Since then it’s been all upwards and it’s really popular.

My prediction come the next changes is that in further retaliation to First the EX1 will be scrapped. The X17 and X18 may see some changes to tighten them up and possibly something going via Kirkliston. The EX2 possibly being extended to Falkirk or even Stirling (uni in the peaks), starting from Regent Road, St Andrew Square, George Street, Charlotte Square, Lothian Road and The Exchange, then back on to normal route.

Read online that apparently there are more of those daft interurbans on order, not sure if this is the case but it wouldn't surprise me. If this is the case we may even see interurbans on off-peak and extra X17's / X18's.

If the LC network is tightened up and weekly, monthly and possibly even yearly ticketing options are available then the West Lothian area could start getting interesting.

Once the management and union issues begin to calm down, driver morale and driver count across the brands picks up the company could see themselves in a better position.

I dont personally think the 43 moving to Livingston is a good idea, if possible it would be best based at Central or Longstone with facilities for LC drivers in these positions. If the 43 was based at Longstone, so could the 275, meaning early/late duties could be managed easier.
 

TheEastCoaster

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My prediction come the next changes is that in further retaliation to First the EX1 will be scrapped. The X17 and X18 may see some changes to tighten them up and possibly something going via Kirkliston. The EX2 possibly being extended to Falkirk or even Stirling (uni in the peaks), starting from Regent Road, St Andrew Square, George Street, Charlotte Square, Lothian Road and The Exchange, then back on to normal route.

Read online that apparently there are more of those daft interurbans on order, not sure if this is the case but it wouldn't surprise me. If this is the case we may even see interurbans on off-peak and extra X17's / X18's.

If the LC network is tightened up and weekly, monthly and possibly even yearly ticketing options are available then the West Lothian area could start getting interesting.

Once the management and union issues begin to calm down, driver morale and driver count across the brands picks up the company could see themselves in a better position.

I dont personally think the 43 moving to Livingston is a good idea, if possible it would be best based at Central or Longstone with facilities for LC drivers in these positions. If the 43 was based at Longstone, so could the 275, meaning early/late duties could be managed easier.

The Ex1 would of worked better if it was extended and had local fares within the CountryWest zone, perhaps extended from Bathgate to Harthill, the Ex2 would also benefit from that too.

Perhap more X18 are due, along with later evening/Sunday service for the X17.

Honestly I don’t even see the 43 moving to Longstone due to mileage, the 275 makes more sense especially if they extended the Broxburn journeys back to Edinburgh’s Park, I have to imagine how many buses the LCB depot must hold? Though I know they still have some buses at Longstone, like how ECB have some buses at Marine, probably due to capacity.

Its starting to look like LCB changes are penciled in for the 30th September. Touch wood

Honestly 6 weeks ahead of time is so like Lothian, but no doubt we should be heading something soon, especially since it’s almost the 1 year anniversary of LCB extending to West Lothian
 

TheEastCoaster

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If LCB are to get the former airlink batch, maybe they will put some on the X27/X28 route too, perhaps a 30 minute frequency
 

OmniCity999

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If LCB are to get the former airlink batch, maybe they will put some on the X27/X28 route too, perhaps a 30 minute frequency

495-510 are going to Skylink. 431-437 and the remaining Skylink Hybrids are apparently being split between the two subsidiaries.

It would make more sense for some Hybrids to go to East Coast for the 113 due to their Eco credentials with the remainder and 431-437 going to LC for the 43 and express services. Musselburgh is a high emission zone.

That way 20794-20800 could be withdrawn leaving East Coast with a +Euro5 Fleet. Members of the 20937-20950 fleet would cover schools. As well as being used on other routes and 10101/10102 could be withdrawn, potentially being sent to LC.
 
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Edirim

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I think 431 - 437 will go ECB as 7 would directly replace 7. I agree though with you that it would be better for the Hybrids to go the ECB and boost eco profile of the 113 but also give it some positive news given ECB seem to not have changed much with the freq / route in donkeys...the forgotten child almost of the subsidary.

Members of the 20937 - 20950 already cover schools along with the 10051-10065 lot.

Had ECB not extended the Haddington peak extras on the X7 I'd have seen it possible to loose 10101 & 10102 but as they need singles for these now, and the 139/140, they might hang on for a bit longer although deckers have been noted on the 140 so...

I assume that 928 - 936 will just be mixed into the pool at LV so any decker could operate the 43 when it moves to LV.
 

SpeedbirdA350

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495-510 are going to Skylink. 431-437 and the remaining Skylink Hybrids are apparently being split between the two subsidiaries.

It would make more sense for some Hybrids to go to East Coast for the 113 due to their Eco credentials with the remainder and 431-437 going to LC for the 43 and express services. Musselburgh is a high emission zone.

That way 20794-20800 could be withdrawn leaving East Coast with a +Euro5 Fleet. Members of the 20937-20950 fleet would cover schools. As well as being used on other routes and 10101/10102 could be withdrawn, potentially being sent to LC.
You mean 496-510 or is 495 coming as well?

If they remove all skylinks, then thats 22 out to be replaced with 15 ex airlink? I had said before that I can see them removing 431-7 as they are 15 plate, and the rest of the skylink are 67. Can Skylink take such a cut given there is 3 routes? 17 Skylinks on the road right now, so I can't see how they could remove all 67 plates too and replace with the 17 plate ex airlinks as only 15. If that IS to happen, then there has to be service cuts?
 

Edirim

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If anything the Skylinks need additional capacity / frequency to end the 25 mins peak time stuff on service 300 and 400 so I would imagine a few hybrids woudl remain skylink but then they'd need painted? (What a karfuffle...)
 

SpeedbirdA350

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If anything the Skylinks need additional capacity / frequency to end the 25 mins peak time stuff on service 300 and 400 so I would imagine a few hybrids woudl remain skylink but then they'd need painted? (What a karfuffle...)
|I can see them keeping 584-590 as well as 496-510 so they keep the same 22 in the fleet. 584 has just been put in to LGBT colours so best to keep within the city I'd have thought. However I fully agree they need to increase the times of the 300 especially in peak hours.
 

OmniCity999

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Called it!
I think 431 - 437 will go ECB as 7 would directly replace 7. I agree though with you that it would be better for the Hybrids to go the ECB and boost eco profile of the 113 but also give it some positive news given ECB seem to not have changed much with the freq / route in donkeys...the forgotten child almost of the subsidary.

Members of the 20937 - 20950 already cover schools along with the 10051-10065 lot.

Had ECB not extended the Haddington peak extras on the X7 I'd have seen it possible to loose 10101 & 10102 but as they need singles for these now, and the 139/140, they might hang on for a bit longer although deckers have been noted on the 140 so...

I assume that 928 - 936 will just be mixed into the pool at LV so any decker could operate the 43 when it moves to LV.

10196-10199 plus doubles could run the 139/140 and 10051-10065 can run the X5, 106 and 107, any left overs can run the 139/140 too. i really dont know the PVR of every route, i just work on buses, i dont get overly fanatical about them. Its better to have too much capacity than not enough if possible, especially considering that only the Dunbar route requires singles. Although when it comes down to weather issues i.e high winds etc, its good to have singles in the fleet too.

I'd love to tell you what the actual plan is re fleet movements are service changes, but i cant because i just dont know yet.
 

OmniCity999

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In the world of the acountaints, having to much Capacity is a waste of money..

In the words of common sense and versatility, it makes more sense. Deckers take up slightly less space than singles, require little more training and hold more people (comfortably).

Have you not realised yet that LB management dont listen to the accountants, they recently had a stern talking to about it.
 

overthewater

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I know that, because of all the money it losing on in West Lothian ;0) Also its been reported x7 needs bigger buses, so what stopping that?
 

OmniCity999

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I know that, because of all the money it losing on in West Lothian ;0) Also its been reported x7 needs bigger buses, so what stopping that?

The low bridge at East Linton stops doubles on the Dunbar corridor, they wont reroute the service as it gets decent patronage.
 

overthewater

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Why can't there just do a few journeys that only operate to Haddington? Tech the bridge is 13.9 which is the same at Busby? First Glasgow brought low height deckers why can't Lothian?

Do you know how many artics have been ordered for the 30? I wonder if the X7 could be another candidate for them.
Is the 30 deffo getting them?
 

SpeedbirdA350

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Didnt know it was official...
ADL had said something about it but it was removed very fast. Did they jump the gun? I don't know. However at same time, issues at Lothian were happening more public

Why can't there just do a few journeys that only operate to Haddington? Tech the bridge is 13.9 which is the same at Busby? First Glasgow brought low height deckers why can't Lothian?


Is the 30 deffo getting them?
From what I have heard, yes, but as you know yourself, anything can change when it comes down to d day.

I have wondered why the SuperLo can't be used here. It's common in the USA. https://www.alexander-dennis.com/products/double-deck-3-axle/enviro500-superlo-north-america/ with height being 12'10"
 

Lothian_Bus

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You mean 496-510 or is 495 coming as well?

If they remove all skylinks, then thats 22 out to be replaced with 15 ex airlink? I had said before that I can see them removing 431-7 as they are 15 plate, and the rest of the skylink are 67. Can Skylink take such a cut given there is 3 routes? 17 Skylinks on the road right now, so I can't see how they could remove all 67 plates too and replace with the 17 plate ex airlinks as only 15. If that IS to happen, then there has to be service cuts?
That will have been a typo. 495 will stay at Marine.
 

OmniCity999

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Why can't there just do a few journeys that only operate to Haddington? Tech the bridge is 13.9 which is the same at Busby? First Glasgow brought low height deckers why can't Lothian?


Is the 30 deffo getting them?

The bridge is actually lower than the sign as the road has been resurfaced a few times and it hasnt been updated.
 

overthewater

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That is illegal, tech anything that is lower than the sign and hits the bridge would not be liable.
 

SpeedbirdA350

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Often bridges show their height as say 16' 3" but are really 16' 9" so to give that extra little clearance. Could this be the reason the sign has not been changed? I don't quite know the road out there as hardly out there.
 
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