Highland050261
On Moderation
Think they are at Newbridge with 664 there was a photo showing inside.
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Lothian Group discussion (Lothian City, Lothian Country Bus and East Coast Buses)
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317 forever
Established Member
I had my day out in Edinburgh last Sunday as planned. My tram ride to Newhaven was from West End.
There were ad-hoc more modern vehicles on different routes, such as an Evora on route 36. Most notable was route 33 run by Volvo B5LHs instead of ex-London Volvo B9TLs, with route 34 covered by Volvo B5TL-MMCs instead. I rode 1 of each. I also rode a Volvo B8L on route 47, which I thought used shorter MMCs the rest of the week. Anyway, my vehicles with route in brackets being as follows :-
28 (36)
85 (30)
261 (Tram)
413 (49)
457 (22)
503 (200)
557 (33)
619 (34)
1024 (4)
1090 (47)
There were ad-hoc more modern vehicles on different routes, such as an Evora on route 36. Most notable was route 33 run by Volvo B5LHs instead of ex-London Volvo B9TLs, with route 34 covered by Volvo B5TL-MMCs instead. I rode 1 of each. I also rode a Volvo B8L on route 47, which I thought used shorter MMCs the rest of the week. Anyway, my vehicles with route in brackets being as follows :-
28 (36)
85 (30)
261 (Tram)
413 (49)
457 (22)
503 (200)
557 (33)
619 (34)
1024 (4)
1090 (47)
CSB0241
On Moderation
On Sundays, the 33 uses B5LHs, & the 34/35 use MMCs.
CSB0241
On Moderation
Currently;
The 33 is running on 554, 559, 561, 565, 566, & 570.
The 34 is running on 605, 612, 621, 637, 659, & 663.
The 35 is running on 615, 618, 635, 651, & 657.
The 36 will normally have 1 or 2 Evoras on top of the 4 or 5 7900Hs, but not always (the 36 is currently running on 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, & 26)
317 forever
Established Member
In that case, what does route 35 have on Mon-Sat?
It was in part the Sunday variations that were of interest, as well as the recent tram extension.
This route uses XLBs all week, part of the reason why the north end of the route was changed in May to the one of the former 41 as that stretch was rather busy. Unsure if it worked though as it doesn't serve Princes Street.
The 441-465 batch only appears on the 22 on a Sunday. On Mon-Fri it's 426-437.
FlybeDash8Q400
Established Member
Can definitely tell this is a Sunday to be fair as the 22, 33 and 34 normally receive different allocations Monday to Saturday. The others are normal for any day of the week.
LothianBusesPh
Member
The 22 normally gets 426-437 on weekdays, the 33 normally gets 1141-1151 on weekdays, the 34/35 normally receives 551-570 on weekdays. Something interesting to note is that 441-465 are venturing on the 44 a lot on Mon-Fri Central runs, although some other Gemini 3s from Central are making appearances too.
317 forever
Established Member
Thank you for your additional feedback regarding my trip last Sunday.
I was familiar with the B5LHs on route 34 but hadn't seen route 35 much if at all on recent visits to know it used the same batch of buses.
I wouldn't have known that route 22 had also used slightly newer buses. I am pleased as mine would have had a more distinctive interior, rather than matching my route 33 ride.
I was familiar with the B5LHs on route 34 but hadn't seen route 35 much if at all on recent visits to know it used the same batch of buses.
I wouldn't have known that route 22 had also used slightly newer buses. I am pleased as mine would have had a more distinctive interior, rather than matching my route 33 ride.
Those buses (441-465) were the ones that were bought specifically for the 22, but changes over the last few years meant the allocations ended up working out having the older 426-437 fleet on both the 15 and 22. The change last month saw them return to the 22 on a Sunday which is nice.
317 forever
Established Member
Although the changes are likely to have been detailed in this thread without me having really observed them all, I was quite shocked by the significant reduction in frequency of route 22. I knew it had been diverted to Granton, probably as people were predicted/known to switch to the tram for journeys to Ocean Terminal. I can only suppose quite a few passengers heading to Gyle Centre have also switched from route 22 to the tram.
Graeme Duncan
Member
- Joined
- 3 Mar 2018
- Messages
- 152
How many years will it be before 466-495 have their zoo branding removed?
ScotRail158725
Established Member
- Joined
- 27 Nov 2018
- Messages
- 2,182
Dont think the management even know when they will. Thats a question only someone with a crystal ball will know
stevenedin
Member
Maybe as more electric buses get delivered to Central then some XLBs could possibly move or maybe even the 26 could become electric who knows.
LothianBusesPh
Member
But the 26 is based at Marine?
stevenedin
Member
Once Central gets their new electric buses it will free up buses to be transferred to another depot. Also Marine is mentioned for electric buses on their net zero plan on the Lothian Buses website although not until 2031
Driving towards Net Zero - Lothian Buses
Driving towards Net Zero An exciting next chapter in Lothian’s journey to reduce emissions and achieve ambitious net zero goals has begun with the launch of Lothian: Driving towards Net Zero. Our Fleet Our Facilities Latest News Our Fleet We have a fleet of over 700 buses which run day and...www.lothianbuses.com
LothianBusesPh
Member
We could get a fully electric Service 26 but it will be 466-495 repowered, as those are mentioned to start next year in the page too.
FlybeDash8Q400
Established Member
To me it makes more sense to repower the tour buses, but we’ll see what that may end up being. 232 could be an early candidate.
LothianBusesPh
Member
I was thinking that, the tour buses being electric could give a good marketing point too, I have been thinking for a long time that 232 could be getting converted as I've not seen it anywhere near Marine and it is SORN at the moment.
I believe that is the case, I've heard that's the reason 232 is away.
I really doubt XLBs will be moved from Central. Marine is due some electrics next year but I'm not sure of the split.
LothianBusesPh
Member
This will most likely be tour buses though due to the nature of them.
I just realised I accidentally solved my theory about the tour buses, thanks!
Blindtraveler
Established Member
Can't see them buying new for the tours of fleet again any time soon but could certainly be a useful test bed of re-powered Gemini 3 as presumably wrights offer a full supply fit and maintenance solution for this
Indeed, I know that Marine is getting charging infrastructure - the B5TL conversions would explain that with the 50 BZLs probably going to Central.
CSB0241
On Moderation
33; dual-door B9TLs Mon-Sat, B5LHs Sunday
34/35; B5LHs Mon-Sat, MMCs Sunday
CSB0241
On Moderation
What if 466-495 were electrified like everyone is suggesting for the tour buses? If that’s possible, then perhaps they could get new branding, like “Get to the zoo without any emissions!”
fife_circle
Member
I’m assuming that the new BZLs aren’t going to be dual door going off the demonstrator. Why aren’t Lothian investing further into dual doors? Surely they speed up loading times which is what they want. Does the BZL even offer a dual door variant?
Blindtraveler
Established Member
I'm definitely an advocate for jewelled or and there is a dual door variant of this available as London operators are introducing them at some point as far as I understand
FlybeDash8Q400
Established Member
I suspect we’re going to go back to the days pre Richard Hall where everything ordered will be single doored.
Let’s not lie, Richard Hall and his team went a bit mad on dual doors even fitting them to coaches. I agree with your point though in an ever congested city it’s odd that there’s not been much progress on it.
Then again there are still some drivers who do one door at a time and this defeats the whole point in having the dual door! I will admit this is far less common than it was though.