West Lothian buses

[TheEastCoaster]

*looks at watch*

So no LCB news again it seems

 

[SpeedbirdA350]

It will come... lol. I would assume something will be said soon, maybe with delivery of the ex Skylinks?

 

[scosutsut]

The ex Skylinks that will presumably going on the 43 to fulfil the timetable promise of usb charging? That frees some capacity for changes on other routes?

 

[SpeedbirdA350]

The ex Skylinks that will presumably going on the 43 to fulfil the timetable promise of usb charging? That frees some capacity for changes on other routes?

All timetables in LCB have USB charging on them.

 

[scosutsut]

All timetables in LCB have USB charging on them.

Scratch that theory then!

 

[alchemy]

Scratch that theory then!

The timetables do but what about the buses?
The 800 series used increasingly on the 43 dont have chargers and Im not sure the 930 batch have either

 

[TheEastCoaster]

The timetables do but what about the buses?
The 800 series used increasingly on the 43 dont have chargers and Im not sure the 930 batch have either

I think the comment was referred to the West Lothian fleet which don’t run on the 43 corridor

 

[overthewater]

Are we deffo sure service changes are coming? The reason I said this to the case is the changes within the council tenders. However No31 has yet to be re-registered, and if Ladywell west was coming out that someone must be covering the area.

 

[scosutsut]

The timetables do but what about the buses?
The 800 series used increasingly on the 43 dont have chargers and Im not sure the 930 batch have either

To my mind the ex London's, the Green Arrow coaches and the Gemini 3s will have them, the Ex Bullocks Hybrids, the 930 batch and the single deck fleet won't.

 

[Volvodart]

Deleted.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Deleted.

Deleted?

 

[Volvodart]

Bustimes says the forthcoming change to the 31S is for Sundays only, so it was not relevant. I have now found what I was looking for:-

Bus registration details
Registration number PM0003030/28
Licence Number PM0003030
Variation number 0
Status New
Service number. 31,
Service type Normal Stopping
Start point Livingston Centre (Stance D)
Finish point Bathgate Train Station
Via St Johns Hosptial, Uphall, Ecclesmachan, Threemiletown,
Date received 21 Aug 2019
Effective date 30 Sep 2019
End date
Supported by subsidies? No
Local authorities covered by route West Lothian Council
TAOs covered by route Scotland

https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/under-threat-west-lothian-bus-16797719

Under-threat West Lothian bus route saved - at a cost of £400k
But changes are still coming to the route of the 31 service

ByStuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter
12:02, 22 AUG 2019UPDATED14:02, 22 AUG 2019

A £400,000 plan to save an under-threat West Lothian bus service has now been agreed.

It is good news for Bridgend residents as the 31 service will now serve the village from September 30.

But the changed timetable means the 31 will no longer serve Wester Inch in Bathgate.

That has brought criticism from local councillor Charles Kennedy who said commuters were losing a direct service to the town’s railway station.

He moved an amendment at a meeting of West Lothian Council’s executive calling for consultation with Western Inch residents, but this was voted down.

The 31 provides the only direct link from the Bathgate and Livingston areas to Torphichen, Philpstoun and Linlithgow. It is also the only bus service available in both Torphichen and Philpstoun.

The council subsidises all of the route.

The council’s subsidy currently provides additional stops in Ladywell and Dechmont.

Funding for the additional stops expires at the end of September meaning that the 31 will no longer serve either Ladywell and Dechmont.

However E&M Horsburgh, who currently operate the 31 on a commercial contract, have cancelled their contract for the entire service, which is effective from September 29.

The council’s public transport team found that the original timetable proved difficult to stick to because of slow speeds on rural roads.

Like for like service changes would have meant providing additional buses at significant costs.

A re-jigged service route taking out Wester Inch but adding Bridgend, which has few services, was adopted as a best value option.

The council executive agreed to award the new contract to SD Travel. The new contract will shorten overall journey times for passengers.

Less than nine per cent of passenger journeys were taken to or from the Wester Inch area, research suggested, so the impact on passengers should be reduced.
Wester Inch has seen an improvement to overall bus services since Lothian Country introduced the 287 service last year.

The subsided 5A/B service also continues to operate through the village, providing approximately three buses per hour.

Executive councillor for development and transport, Cathy Muldoon, said: “We’re delighted to be able to provide a solution that will enhance the service in Bridgend and continue to serve areas within Bathgate, Livingston, Torphichen, Philpstoun and Linlithgow.

“The fact that the 31 serve is the only route within some of these villages highlights the importance of the route, and a lot of work has gone into looking at the best option available within the limited funding that we have available to us.

“Bus services often change and we’re satisfied that this option provides the best overall solution for those that use the service.

 

[overthewater]

Well something has clearly changed since the start of August! the plan was never to take it out of Wester inch but it seems A re-jigged has taken place to only use 3 buses on the route instead of 4. Why were E&M driving so slowly on rural roads? why does the paper incorrectly 3 instead of 4 buses an hour will still operate via Wester inch?

It's still unclear if Ladywell West is being taken out of the 31 because that could still be operated with this new time table. At least SD travel will be happy,

 

[overthewater]

I take it the contract is for six months only? SD travel has become neutral overall its horsburgh that the big loser again in these changes. Next march most of its council services will not be safe.

 

[Volvodart]

I take it the contract is for six months only? SD travel has become neutral overall its horsburgh that the big loser again in these changes. Next march most of its council services will not be safe.

The council press release says it is costing £400,000 per year, if this is any help.

 

[overthewater]

The council press release says it is costing £400,000 per year, if this is any help.

Partly,

First off the article does have mistakes in it. Secondly the council did say this was the start of wider scale review of all council contract with everything going out to tender next march. Of course if 31 is not going to do Wester inch anymore would it need to be re tender along with everything else next march?

 

[TheEastCoaster]

All Lothian Country services will be terminating at St Andrews Square for all of next week, should be interesting to say the least

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

All Lothian Country services will be terminating at St Andrews Square for all of next week, should be interesting to say the least

It’s gonna be much better in the mornings, I usually get stuck for 5 mins at Waverley on that 8.15 X27. Combination of too many vehicles trying to get through from North Bridge to Leith St plus too much traffic in general causes the delays, hopefully I’ll get to Sighthill on time for once, almost always 3 or 4 mins late which isn’t bad when you see the congestion (waiting for a fresh air comment). My bus is usually busier than the 23 if anyone cares to note. Usually 15 passengers by the time I’m off.

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

... almost always 3 or 4 mins late which isn’t bad ...

Which is, however, in line with the Traffic Commissioner's guidelines for on-time operation (-1 to +5)

 

[TheEastCoaster]

It’s gonna be much better in the mornings, I usually get stuck for 5 mins at Waverley on that 8.15 X27. Combination of too many vehicles trying to get through from North Bridge to Leith St plus too much traffic in general causes the delays, hopefully I’ll get to Sighthill on time for once, almost always 3 or 4 mins late which isn’t bad when you see the congestion (waiting for a fresh air comment). My bus is usually busier than the 23 if anyone cares to note. Usually 15 passengers by the time I’m off.

They are using the south side of St. Andrews Square as a layover point, which I believe has more room for buses than the north side! Should be interesting to say the least! even though it’s only for a week! Though of course I assume First will also be using St Andrews Square, which will be chaos with the amount of buses both companies have combined

 

[overthewater]

I take it we have to conclude the 31 will still operate via Ladywell West? Also this is the first proper test week for the Ex1 and Ex2, Festival is over, schools are back. So how is the services working out now? Its now when the service will need to come into their own to get somewhere. It looks like we could be heading for a November changes? is that even on the books? 43 is moving depots aswell soon.

 

[Bus Lightyear]

I take it we have to conclude the 31 will still operate via Ladywell West? Also this is the first proper test week for the Ex1 and Ex2, Festival is over, schools are back. So how is the services working out now? Its now when the service will need to come into their own to get somewhere. It looks like we could be heading for a November changes? is that even on the books? 43 is moving depots aswell soon.

But you said there's to be changes in September?

 

[overthewater]

There is Changes in September, just don't know if Lothian country is included in that, However the 43 are supposed to be moving to the depot this month. We're NEVER been able to hammer down what is going on with Ladywell west. Why would the council withdraw the only bus service for the area, unless something is replacing it?

No one not even the lothian on here want to confirm or deny what the deal with over Ladywell west...

 

[CM]

But you said there's to be changes in September?

Probably better to keep an eye out for official company announcements than the wibble on a forum.

 

[overthewater]

Its not vague, I keep making it clear what any change would be liked to IE Ladywell West.

 

[90019]

However the 43 are supposed to be moving to the depot this month.

I've been told it's moving on the 22nd.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

I've been told it's moving on the 22nd.

Suppose it was then I’m surprised they aren’t reworking the timetable to fit around the depot move.

 

[Bus Lightyear]

Its not vague, I keep making it clear what any change would be liked to IE Ladywell West.

But you said on a previous post, or maybe it was someone else for the benefit of doubt, that Lothian Country would be introducing another phase at the end of September yet nothing has been said officially by VOSA or the operator itself.

Being from the west of the country I cant say I'm clued up on the geography of the Lothian areas but perhaps Ladywell doesn't generate enough passengers to justify a good bus service. There's lots of areas like that.

 

[Bus Lightyear]

Probably better to keep an eye out for official company announcements than the wibble on a forum.

Exactly

 

[overthewater]

But you said on a previous post, or maybe it was someone else for the benefit of doubt, that Lothian Country would be introducing another phase at the end of September yet nothing has been said officially by VOSA or the operator itself.

Being from the west of the country I cant say I'm clued up on the geography of the Lothian areas but perhaps Ladywell doesn't generate enough passengers to justify a good bus service. There's lots of areas like that.

Your moving the goalposts. Someone has to operate a bus service to Ladywell west, no ifs or butts. The council would have to pays for it, that what been causing the trouble, and I've always said it would mainly be linked to that area. SPT pays for buses into area that a poorly served by buses, why would West Lothian council be any different?

For some unknown reason no one wants to confirm what going to serve Ladywell West, and the only reason the council would pull out is because a commercial service is coming. I do know 8 more coaches are coming to LCB but when that takes place is any gusse, and the move of depots for the 43 was on the ball.