Lothian Group discussion (Lothian City, Lothian Country Bus and East Coast Buses)

[CN04NRJ]

work has indeed started, a couple different systems are being tested. It's not quite en-masse, but a number of examples have been done.

Going back to this - are these different systems on the London B9TLs and native SN11XXX batch respectively?

The upgraded London ones seem to be improved performance wise (and alot more comfortable, the cab seat bases seem to have been mounted further back) whilst the 3XXs I've driven seem to be a little slower than they were before and move through the gears more quickly. Or perhaps they're the same systems just the remap/upgrade works better with the ZF gearboxes?

Of course, this could all be a figment of my imagination!

 

[Omnibi]

3hr wait in Livingston at night well that is something that just does not sound appealing

I've been trying to work this out for a while, what bus service is more direct to Livingston from Edinburgh (Pre Covid) was it the X17 or the X27?
I'm asking because I can't seem to find any timetable of the old service X17 (My initial thought was X17 but I'm not sure).
Thanks.

Just read your post . looking at a Lothian Country network guide from february 2020 the x17 had a running time of 1hr 11mins between Regent Road and livingston centre and the x27 had a running time of 1hr 6 mins between the same locations .
these where the running times leaving Regent Road around 9am .

 

[Graham Alexand]

Just read your post . looking at a Lothian Country network guide from february 2020 the x17 had a running time of 1hr 11mins between Regent Road and livingston centre and the x27 had a running time of 1hr 6 mins between the same locations .
these where the running times leaving Regent Road around 9am .

Okay thank you, you'd think it would be the X17 because its almost direct ti Livingston but then again both Broxburn and Craigshill are horrendous for traffic (well every stop is stopped at).

 

[Omnibi]

Okay thank you, you'd think it would be the X17 because its almost direct ti Livingston but then again both Broxburn and Craigshill are horrendous for traffic (well every stop is stopped at).

Pre covid the X17 could get caught at newbridge roundabout and then crawl through Broxburn/uphall stuck behind other buses where as the X27 mostly had a clear run once it was past sighthill .

 

[OmniCity999]

Going back to this - are these different systems on the London B9TLs and native SN11XXX batch respectively?

The upgraded London ones seem to be improved performance wise (and alot more comfortable, the cab seat bases seem to have been mounted further back) whilst the 3XXs I've driven seem to be a little slower than they were before and move through the gears more quickly. Or perhaps they're the same systems just the remap/upgrade works better with the ZF gearboxes?

Of course, this could all be a figment of my imagination!

Lothian natives are a little bit longer than the London examples, as such are a fraction heavier. That coupled to the differing gearboxes and remaps will make it feel like theres differences. More so now than when they were introduced.

Those that have been upgraded have been remapped for economy rather than performance, unfortunately...

Hardware is similar across the board.

Feedback has been taken on the London examples as feedback is always taken, regardless of microfleet! Where possible and if there was time, they received changes for comfort.

 

[CN04NRJ]

Lothian natives are a little bit longer than the London examples, as such are a fraction heavier. That coupled to the differing gearboxes and remaps will make it feel like theres differences. More so now than when they were introduced.

Those that have been upgraded have been remapped for economy rather than performance, unfortunately...

Hardware is similar across the board.

Feedback has been taken on the London examples as feedback is always taken, regardless of microfleet! Where possible and if there was time, they received changes for comfort.

In practice it makes no difference, as rarely get above 20mph and the timetables (at the moment!) are so lax we're mostly dawdling around the place. Definitely a noticeable difference between the native and London vehicles though.

It's extremely welcome that they're responding to driver feedback as an average build 6' driver I found the London B9TLs very uncomfortable prior to the seats being moved back (as posted before, this was due to them being specced with seat belts when new). For drivers of a larger build I know their issues were worse - as I said glad it's been sorted

------—---

According to posts on Facebook E400/Volvo B5TLs have been spotted in Lothian livery on test?

 

[OmniCity999]

In practice it makes no difference, as rarely get above 20mph and the timetables (at the moment!) are so lax we're mostly dawdling around the place. Definitely a noticeable difference between the native and London vehicles though.

It's extremely welcome that they're responding to driver feedback as an average build 6' driver I found the London B9TLs very uncomfortable prior to the seats being moved back (as posted before, this was due to them being specced with seat belts when new). For drivers of a larger build I know their issues were worse - as I said glad it's been sorted

------—---

According to posts on Facebook E400/Volvo B5TLs have been spotted in Lothian livery on test?

New order was changed some time ago apparently, dont know the ins and outs of it entirely unfortunately - will try to find out this week.

Though im led to believe most of the work is being done in England, development at least anyway.

 

[Graham Alexand]

According to posts on Facebook E400/Volvo B5TLs have been spotted in Lothian livery on test?

Well if it's Facebook chances it isn't true, unless there's a photo to confirm it.

Apart form the ex Airlink Enviro400XLB's are there any Lothian buses in allover white livery?

 

[OmniCity999]

Well if it's Facebook chances it isn't true, unless there's a photo to confirm it.

Apart form the ex Airlink Enviro400XLB's are there any Lothian buses in allover white livery?

The poster is an ex Lothian employee who is still a professional driver.

knowing the order was changed, its true.

I know theres definitely at least two new Enviro400 bodied Volvo's on test for Lothian so the chances its been seen are pretty high.

It's likely to be true, if you chose not to believe it, thats your prerogative.

Well if it's Facebook chances it isn't true, unless there's a photo to confirm it.

Apart form the ex Airlink Enviro400XLB's are there any Lothian buses in allover white livery?

None in service, no.

 

[Graham Alexand]

The poster is an ex Lothian employee who is still a professional driver.

knowing the order was changed, its true.

I know theres definitely at least two new Enviro400 bodied Volvo's on test for Lothian so the chances its been seen are pretty high.

It's likely to be true, if you chose not to believe it, thats your prerogative.

I didn't realise it was an employee of Lothian, so maybe this year we will see them enter service, my apologies being so quick to assume it was fake news, just Facebook has been very unreliable for the past few years.

Im guessing they'll look the same as the XLB's minus the back axl and glass stair case?

None in service, no.

Thank you.

 

[CN04NRJ]

The poster is an ex Lothian employee who is still a professional driver.

knowing the order was changed, its true.

I know theres definitely at least two new Enviro400 bodied Volvo's on test for Lothian so the chances its been seen are pretty high.

It's likely to be true, if you chose not to believe it, thats your prerogative.


None in service, no.

Hoping for Longstone!!

 

[OmniCity999]

I didn't realise it was an employee of Lothian, so maybe this year we will see them enter service, my apologies being so quick to assume it was fake news, just Facebook has been very unreliable for the past few years.

Im guessing they'll look the same as the XLB's minus the back axl and glass stair case?


Thank you.

Glass Staircase has been standard spec since 2014.

you'll just need to wait and see.

Hoping for Longstone!!

hoping for Longstone, Central and Marine! Marine deliveries are nice and easy!

 

[Graham Alexand]

Glass Staircase has been standard spec since 2014.

you'll just need to wait and see.


hoping for Longstone, Central and Marine! Marine deliveries are nice and easy!

Would some be going to Musselburgh for EastCoastBuses or is this still unknown?

 

[OmniCity999]

Would some be going to Musselburgh for EastCoastBuses or is this still unknown?

At this moment, some are destined for Musselburgh.

 

[Graham Alexand]

At this moment, some are destined for Musselburgh.

Okay, Thanks.

 

[CN04NRJ]

Glass Staircase has been standard spec since 2014.

you'll just need to wait and see.


hoping for Longstone, Central and Marine! Marine deliveries are nice and easy!

Ah so we could all be beneficiaries of the new toys?

 

[mb88]

Ah so we could all be beneficiaries of the new toys?

Not all of us

 

[OmniCity999]

Just spoken to the" right person" about this. Apparently the order has significantly changed and that's why we're starting to see vehicles already.

 

[CN04NRJ]

Not all of us

Longstone then?

 

[computerSaysNo]

Ah so we could all be beneficiaries of the new toys?

Not all of us

Longstone then?

I would expect the majority of any new vehicles to go to Longstone for the 3/25/44 as most of the existing 07/57/08-plate Gemini's are there, unless the fleet was shuffled around to put some slightly older vehicles to Longstone instead.

 

[OmniCity999]

I wouldn't be expecting the full order anymore...

 

[Graham Alexand]

Just out of curiosity has there ever been any EastCoastBuses on loan to LothianCountry in West Lothian?

Thanks .

 

[Graham Alexand]

According to bustimes.org service X38 and EX2 will be cancelled on March 7th.

Link below to service X38.

PM0002883/14 – bustimes.org

Link below to EX2.

PM0002883/9 – bustimes.org

 

[TheEastCoaster]

According to bustimes.org service X38 and EX2 will be cancelled on March 7th.

Link below to service X38.

PM0002883/14 – bustimes.org

Link below to EX2.

PM0002883/9 – bustimes.org

Well there we have it, official word and not even a chance to resurface one last time, what a shame for Linlithgow residents for a Lothian service

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Well there we have it, official word and not even a chance to resurface one last time, what a shame for Linlithgow residents for a Lothian service

There’s maybe potential for the 231 becoming permanent (depending on them winning the tender), shame they’ve gone but no surprise at all.

 

[Graham Alexand]

There’s maybe potential for the 231 becoming permanent (depending on them winning the tender), shame they’ve gone but no surprise at all.

There isn't any concrete evidence as of yet but it is possible because it's neither on expired or current (reffering to bustimes.org), there was talk about Lothian City buses taking over the 40 and X40 from Horsburgh, I don't know if there is any evidence if this is true but I think there may be a major change in bus services this year in West Lothian.

 

[Volvodart]

There’s maybe potential for the 231 becoming permanent (depending on them winning the tender), shame they’ve gone but no surprise at all.

As expected, there has been a further delay with West Lothian Council tenders not going out until November 2021 (currently) to start April 2022.

 

[DunsBus]

There’s maybe potential for the 231 becoming permanent (depending on them winning the tender), shame they’ve gone but no surprise at all.

Not really a shame, the passenger numbers simply weren't there to make these services sustainable. I remember saying some time back that LCB would struggle out Linlithgow way against First and ScotRail, and got scoffed at. Covid or not, these services would likely have gone anyway so, to those who scoffed, I can only say this: "Told you so".

 

[Jordan Adam]

There isn't any concrete evidence as of yet but it is possible because it's neither on expired or current (reffering to bustimes.org), there was talk about Lothian City buses taking over the 40 and X40 from Horsburgh, I don't know if there is any evidence if this is true but I think there may be a major change in bus services this year in West Lothian.

The data shown on that pages comes from the Traffic Commissioners office so will be fairly accurate.

The 231 was never registered, at least not on the databas, likely due to it just being a festive service. Hence it not appearing.

The 40/X40 are council supported services so Lothian taking over the service depends on if they win the service when the contract next comes up for renewal. We won't know until that happens. I'd imagine Horsburgh will be hoping to keep it so Lothian would likely have to drastically underbid them to win it which while possible i can't see Lothian doing, not now that he who shall not be named is gone.

 

[Graham Alexand]

The data shown on that pages comes from the Traffic Commissioners office so will be fairly accurate.

The 231 was never registered, at least not on the databas, likely due to it just being a festive service. Hence it not appearing.

The 40/X40 are council supported services so Lothian taking over the service depends on if they win the service when the contract next comes up for renewal. We won't know until that happens. I'd imagine Horsburgh will be hoping to keep it so Lothian would likely have to drastically underbid them to win it which while possible i can't see Lothian doing, not now that he who shall not be named is gone.

The 217 was registered away back in 2019/20 Festive period oddly broken into two but I think that is due to it being merged with the 275 (Gogar to Livingston portion which was essentially the full 275 route at the time minus Edinburgh Park and The Gyle Centre, I also think this was to incorporate Pumpherston and Uphall Station in the festive bus network) then between Livingston and Fauldhouse it was the same X17 route as well as the Edinburgh to Gogar part.

This was the registered 217 between Edinburgh and Livingston (Link Below).

PM0002883/17 – bustimes.org

bustimes.org

This was the registered 217 Between Livingston and Fauldhouse (Link Below).

PM0002883/12 – bustimes.org

bustimes.org

Then again it could have been a last minute thing and that may be why the 231 wasn't registered.

I sort of hope that Lothian don't get the 40/X40 and 231 because they would be taking away business from smaller companies but money would come first though.