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

[aswilliamsuk]

712-750 are due at some point. I’m not sure why it’s taking so long.

A number were photographed, registered (SF74YOJ/O/P) by David Beardmore at MCV's premises in Cambridgeshire last week: https://www.flickr.com/photos/45726467@N02/54069673800/in/datetaken/

 

[stevenedin]

A number were photographed, registered (SF74YOJ/O/P) by David Beardmore at MCV's premises in Cambridgeshire last week: https://www.flickr.com/photos/45726467@N02/54069673800/in/datetaken/

Thanks, is that some for Bee Network as well? (Sorry I know off topic).

 

[aswilliamsuk]

Thanks, is that some for Bee Network as well? (Sorry I know off topic).

No, they are for Warrington (their shade of yellow is this paler shade), as part of the large batch of 105 Volvo BZL/MCV trickling into service there (there are 33 'deckers in that lot).

 

[stevenedin]

No, they are for Warrington (their shade of yellow is this paler shade), as part of the large batch of 105 Volvo BZL/MCV trickling into service there (there are 33 'deckers in that lot).

Thanks.

Looking forward to seeing what happens to the existing Lothian fleet once all of the new electrics arrive.

Has anyone heard of 841-850 are still getting withdrawn?

 

[LothianBusesPh]

Has anyone heard of 841-850 are still getting withdrawn?

It will start when more BZLs enter service, again taking longer than anticipated.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

I just checked the map on the bus app—have they finally added a bus stop on Gilmerton Station Road for the X40, along with an additional stop on Maybury Road for the 32?

 

[VioletEclipse]

I just checked the map on the bus app—have they finally added a bus stop on Gilmerton Station Road for the X40, along with an additional stop on Maybury Road for the 32?

The GSR X40 seems to only be in one direction which seems bizzare, and I would think having at least 2 stops (in each direction) would be better, but still its something if they have actually physically put it in.
Also noticed that the bus stops that were shown on the tracker for service 32 where The Avenue meets The Freeway seem to have gone from the app.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

The GSR X40 seems to only be in one direction which seems bizzare, and I would think having at least 2 stops (in each direction) would be better, but still its something if they have actually physically put it in.

It is one in each direction. There’s still not enough houses to justify more than one in each direction in my view.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Also noticed that the bus stops that were shown on the tracker for service 32 where The Avenue meets The Freeway seem to have gone from the app.

When I've boarded the 32 twice between Currie and The Avenue, the drivers have been treating it as a Hail and Ride system, with no actual bus stops in place for that area, not sure if it works out better this way or not.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

When I've boarded the 32 twice between Currie and The Avenue, the drivers have been treating it as a Hail and Ride system, with no actual bus stops in place for that area, not sure if it works out better this way or not.

That was my thoughts as well. I remember the N25 previously running to the Halls of Residence and from memory it was Hail and Ride back then.

 

[VioletEclipse]

When I've boarded the 32 twice between Currie and The Avenue, the drivers have been treating it as a Hail and Ride system, with no actual bus stops in place for that area, not sure if it works out better this way or not.

In my opinion a hail and ride system needs to be communicated effectively if it's used. Not helped by the fact that on service 32 there are at least 2 places on the current route going southbound where it passes old bus stops without serving them or being shown on the tracker, despite the bus stops still being there. If I remember correctly then one is the Cammo Gardens stop outside the Cammo terminus on Maybury Road, and the second is on The Avenue opposite Robert Bryson Hall.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

the second is on The Avenue opposite Robert Bryson Hall.

I’m sure they were removed. They’re not even proper bus stops!

 

[TheEastCoaster]

In my opinion a hail and ride system needs to be communicated effectively if it's used. Not helped by the fact that on service 32 there are at least 2 places on the current route going southbound where it passes old bus stops without serving them or being shown on the tracker, despite the bus stops still being there. If I remember correctly then one is the Cammo Gardens stop outside the Cammo terminus on Maybury Road, and the second is on The Avenue opposite Robert Bryson Hall.

I'm surprised they didn't reinstate the bus stop outside Cammo Terminus just for the 32. Even though there's now a stop further down, closer to East Craig's, it would still be convenient to put the original stop to good use. As for the Heriot-Watt situation, until they integrate a proper bus stop, they should consider introducing a hail-and-ride system for that area. That part of the route is quite slow and awkward, and given how tight the road beyond Curriehill is, it's surprising they chose this direction for the 32 route.

As for the X40, while I'm glad there's finally a bus stop on Gilmerton Station Road, I'm surprised they didn’t place it closer to Lasswade Road for better connections with the 31. It’s a minor issue, but it would have been handy for further travel.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

I'm surprised they didn't reinstate the bus stop outside Cammo Terminus just for the 32. Even though there's now a stop further down, closer to East Craig's, it would still be convenient to put the original stop to good use.

I’m not sure how you would use it, as it’s on the main road parallel to the terminus.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

I’m not sure how you would use it, as it’s on the main road parallel to the terminus.

My bad, I was thinking of the bus stop further down the road!

Also, upon looking I have also noticed that Elbe Street has a bus stop too for the 34.

 

[ScotRail158725]

The GSR X40 seems to only be in one direction which seems bizzare, and I would think having at least 2 stops (in each direction) would be better, but still its something if they have actually physically put it in.
Also noticed that the bus stops that were shown on the tracker for service 32 where The Avenue meets The Freeway seem to have gone from the app.

Theres one on each side on Gilmerton Station road

 

[stevenedin]

436 is on the 14 has it transferred back to Central?

 

[Bus9120UK]

436 is on the 14 has it transferred back to Central?

It was taken off a 35 earlier and taken to Central for some sort of maintenance. Occasionally buses do go out on a route if required in these situations, it'll return to Longstone overnight.

 

[stevenedin]

It was taken off a 35 earlier and taken to Central for some sort of maintenance. Occasionally buses do go out on a route if required in these situations, it'll return to Longstone overnight.

Thanks

 

[overthewater]

Lothian Country service change to take effect from Sunday 1 December - Lothian Buses

On Sunday 1 December, a service change will take effect on Lothian Country’s network to help support growth in the region, providing better access and greater journey opportunities for customers in West Lothian and west Edinburgh. With new developments in Winchburgh and increasing customer...

www.lothianbuses.com

On Sunday 1 December, a service change will take effect on Lothian Country’s network to help support growth in the region, providing better access and greater journey opportunities for customers in West Lothian and west Edinburgh.

With new developments in Winchburgh and increasing customer demand in Kirkliston due to significant growth in recent years, a new express service X19 will be introduced to provide direct links to the city 7 days a week.

Adult customers will benefit from £3.00 single fares between Winchburgh and the city centre. For regular travellers, DAYticket bundles of 5 and 20 tickets will provide best-value, and are available for the countryWEST and lothianWEST zones.

For those travelling on Service X19 from Kirkliston to the city centre, a £2.00 adult single fare will apply. Daily and weekly contactless capping and Ridacard provide full access to the city’s bus network.

A new night bus service will also be introduced between Edinburgh, Kirkliston and Winchburgh, operating 7 days a week.

See below for a full outline of the service change, including links to timetables.

If you need any assistance, please reach out on our social media channels, pop into one of our TravelHubs to speak to a member of the team. Alternatively, you can give our 24/7 phone bus information line a call on 0131 555 6363.

No proper improvements around Livingston YET there seem to want to start a new bus war? I'm starting to think the management are clueless? The X19 SHOUDLN'T have been started right now and resources which seems to be 5 buses should have been used to make improves to the likes for 72,73 and 74.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

Lothian Country service change to take effect from Sunday 1 December - Lothian Buses

On Sunday 1 December, a service change will take effect on Lothian Country’s network to help support growth in the region, providing better access and greater journey opportunities for customers in West Lothian and west Edinburgh. With new developments in Winchburgh and increasing customer...

www.lothianbuses.com

No proper improvements around Livingston YET there seem to want to start a new bus war? I'm starting to think the management are clueless? The X19 SHOUDLN'T have been started right now and resources which seems to be 5 buses should have been used to make improves to the likes for 72,73 and 74.

Putting all their resources into a new express bus when they could have added extra buses to the hourly timetabled services is a head scratcher, This will be because McGill's are offering a £1 single from Maybury to the City Centre no doubt

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Lothian Country service change to take effect from Sunday 1 December - Lothian Buses

On Sunday 1 December, a service change will take effect on Lothian Country’s network to help support growth in the region, providing better access and greater journey opportunities for customers in West Lothian and west Edinburgh. With new developments in Winchburgh and increasing customer...

www.lothianbuses.com

No proper improvements around Livingston YET there seem to want to start a new bus war? I'm starting to think the management are clueless? The X19 SHOUDLN'T have been started right now and resources which seems to be 5 buses should have been used to make improves to the likes for 72,73 and 74.

Yeah I'm not gonna lie, this seems bizarre considering the 73/74 are almost a year old and have not seen any improvements since launch, are they really that underused to not justify additional journeys? They have no excuse with buses if they are introducing a new Express service.

I'm not against this X19 idea however, but i feel like this shouldn't of been Lothian Country's priority.

 

[overthewater]

Yeah I'm not gonna lie, this seems bizarre considering the 73/74 are almost a year old and have not seen any improvements since launch, are they really that underused to not justify additional journeys? They have no excuse with buses if they are introducing a new Express service.

I'm not against this X19 idea however, but i feel like this shouldn't of been Lothian Country's priority.

Livingston is busier than ever, and first were able to operate 4ph to broxburn, 4ph to Blackburn and even have a service to Blackridge. I think the truth is the bus war has destroy a lot of confidence in the bus network and many people no longer use the buses, its's a shame.

Worse still the X19 offers nothing new, they would have been better off bring back Ex1 Linlithgow - Winchburgh - down M9 to Edinburgh.

 

[LothianLover88]

What's the point of the X19? To continue contest along the A8 corridor?

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Yeah I'm not gonna lie, this seems bizarre considering the 73/74 are almost a year old and have not seen any improvements since launch, are they really that underused to not justify additional journeys? They have no excuse with buses if they are introducing a new Express service.

I'm not against this X19 idea however, but i feel like this shouldn't have been Lothian Country's priority.

It’s a healthy requirement as well, 5 buses. Completely unnecessary at the moment in my view. Priority should’ve been improvements to the 72 and 74.

What's the point of the X19? To continue contest along the A8 corridor?

It’ll be partly to boost that corridor to every 15 minutes, but more so to compete with McGill’s through Winchburgh and Kirkliston which as there’s no station yet, is still a decent market, but not to the levels being provided.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

It’s a healthy requirement as well, 5 buses. Completely unnecessary at the moment in my view. Priority should’ve been improvements to the 72 and 74.

Agreed 100%, if they at least made an effort to add some additional journeys in the evenings for these services, I would of maybe given them a pass, but a comment on Facebook indicate they still have a driver shortage, but how do you explain introducing a new service?

It’ll be partly to boost that corridor to every 15 minutes, but more so to compete with McGill’s through Winchburgh and Kirkliston which as there’s no station yet, is still a decent market, but not to the levels being provided.

I'll give the X19 the benefit of the doubt, if the people of Kirkliston and Winchburgh make good use of it and the new N43 proves popular, than maybe I could see pass the baffling situation here, but again.. that is if they do make use of the buses.

 

[LothianLover88]

Okay, how does this happen?

X28 to Calderwood and X28 to Kirknewton. Amazing job, graphic designers.

(only a small error, its fine at Bathgate)

 

[ScotRail158725]

The X19 is reminiscent of the Richard Hall vanity projects, it brings nothing to the table just duplicating the competitions already well established service. I dont see the point when the X38 will always exist for the Falkirk-Linlithgow-Edinburgh links

 

[Blindtraveler]

How reliable are McGills on that corridor these days? I know that they're offering cheap tickets within Edinburgh, but if the buses are late or don't turn up or are full then it's not much help. And if Lothian can see a demand from kirkliston and winchbra because passengers are being left behind then this does sort of make sense. Although I agree, not at the expense of improving the local network within West lothian

 

[VioletEclipse]

Lothian Country service change to take effect from Sunday 1 December - Lothian Buses

On Sunday 1 December, a service change will take effect on Lothian Country’s network to help support growth in the region, providing better access and greater journey opportunities for customers in West Lothian and west Edinburgh. With new developments in Winchburgh and increasing customer...

www.lothianbuses.com

No proper improvements around Livingston YET there seem to want to start a new bus war? I'm starting to think the management are clueless? The X19 SHOUDLN'T have been started right now and resources which seems to be 5 buses should have been used to make improves to the likes for 72,73 and 74.

While Winchburgh is indeed expanding, and increased capacity from there into town is overall good, I agree with others that increased capacity and frequencies on existing services (espescially 72, 73 and 74) should absolutely be the priority.