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

[Siemens Trains]

I noticed a lot of errors as well. The 43 good be under the ‘West Edinburgh Services’ section and the 72 should be in the ‘to and from Edinburgh’ section as it goes to Kirkliston.

Ah, do you mean in Lothian Country's main network booklet?

Had to laugh because applying a 'To And From Edinburgh' label to the 43 epitomises the love-hate relationship that Queensferry enjoys! Or should I say South Queensferry?
In some ways I wish the 43's eastbound destination blinds would show a local destination in Edinburgh like Regent Road but I can understand if they wish to keep things consistent across the brand. Can't remember if they make an exception for the odd night-time Leith Street journeys -from (non-sober) memory I believe they do.

With the 72, I suppose West Lothian Council are their true customer. Terminating the 72 service at Kirkliston (encroaching into present-day Edinburgh Council area) is almost accidental.

 

[stevenedin]

Ah, do you mean in Lothian Country's main network booklet?

Had to laugh because applying a 'To And From Edinburgh' label to the 43 epitomises the love-hate relationship that Queensferry enjoys! Or should I say South Queensferry?
In some ways I wish the 43's eastbound destination blinds would show a local destination in Edinburgh like Regent Road but I can understand if they wish to keep things consistent across the brand. Can't remember if they make an exception for the odd night-time Leith Street journeys -from (non-sober) memory I believe they do.

With the 72, I suppose West Lothian Council are their true customer. Terminating the 72 service at Kirkliston (encroaching into present-day Edinburgh Council area) is almost accidental.

Yeah that’s the one sorry. I picked it up the other day from the bus.

I agree, it should say Waterloo Place on the front. Even the 15 used to say this and that goes out to Midlothian. The destinations in my opinion should be updated for routes that come from outside Edinburgh. For example on the 26 they could easily have it show

Edinburgh
Clerwood

Tranent
Windygoul

Seton Stands
Caravan Park

That’s true about the 72. It’s barely in Edinburgh and then back to West Lothian again.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

I do agree that they should use updated blinds for certain routes, even including the old Via subtext underneath the destination, not like the clunky ones on the East Coast and Lothian Country services.

The 43 used to say Edinburgh Regent Road when it first got rerouted, but then it got quickly changed to just say Edinburgh, the 31 to Bonnyrigg has Hopefield underneath, so it is possible for them to do it, it's just the case of if they will bother.

 

[LBObserver]

I do agree that they should use updated blinds for certain routes, even including the old Via subtext underneath the destination, not like the clunky ones on the East Coast and Lothian Country services.

The 43 used to say Edinburgh Regent Road when it first got rerouted, but then it got quickly changed to just say Edinburgh, the 31 to Bonnyrigg has Hopefield underneath, so it is possible for them to do it, it's just the case of if they will bother.

Yesterday they were displaying "via Murrayfield" at the front on the 30 (and presumably other routes) which seems to be the standard when big rugby matches or concerts are on. I have also noted that the side screen on the 30 usually displays "Queen Margaret University" over two rows but the front only shows "Queen Margaret". Similar with buses going to Heriot Watt University.

No reason why a via point can't be a standard on all routes (for example "via Leith Walk" on the almost circular 49). Similar with the meaningless squiggly arrow used for diversions. The side screens alternate with "Route Diverted" so why not on the front? Even if it is a fixed display on a second row in a contrasting layout (like "part route"). Once the diversion has been passed it automatically reverts to the final destination. That may be a step too far though!

 

[Siemens Trains]

Similar with the meaningless squiggly arrow used for diversions. The side screens alternate with "Route Diverted" so why not on the front? Even if it is a fixed display on a second row in a contrasting layout (like "part route"). Once the diversion has been passed it automatically reverts to the final destination. That may be a step too far though!

The squiggly arrow's meaning is "Route Diverted", avoiding a need for text which may compromise clarity of the true destination, which seems to happen with the side screens. Plus some passengers might struggle to absorb info on the main screen at a glance or translate into their native language. I'm old enough to remember the derision surrounding "Circle" being shown as a destination.

While I think the arrow itself is sensible, I do wish it would be consistently cancelled after passing the diversion so passengers don't waste time asking drivers about the route unnecessarily.

 

[VioletEclipse]

While I think the arrow itself is sensible, I do wish it would be consistently cancelled after passing the diversion so passengers don't waste time asking drivers about the route unnecessarily.

It is something that I believe should be possible to implement without all too much trouble, as it could well avoid confusion.

Wondering when the next service changes will be, although there's only so much in terms of improved services that can be done with a fleet shortage and the extremely slow delivery of the new buses.

 

[Bus9120UK]

The majority of Hogmanay diversions will not go ahead tomorrow, but the H routes will continue. All the routes which are meant to split tomorrow evening will stay this way, even though the closures are not going ahead, as it is simply too late to change this now.
With these diversions being built into the timetable, I imagine there will be confusion on the app/journey planner tomorrow.

 

[VioletEclipse]

The majority of Hogmanay diversions will not go ahead tomorrow, but the H routes will continue. All the routes which are meant to split tomorrow evening will stay this way, even though the closures are not going ahead, as it is simply too late to change this now.
With these diversions being built into the timetable, I imagine there will be confusion on the app/journey planner tomorrow.

very glad to hear that the H services will still run, I imagine a lot of folk are intending to take them despite the official hogmanay celebrations being cancelled, as after all there's no other buses running then and loads of parties and events will be on into the wee hours despite the weather.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

very glad to hear that the H services will still run, I imagine a lot of folk are intending to take them despite the official hogmanay celebrations being cancelled, as after all there's no other buses running then and loads of parties and events will be on into the wee hours despite the weather.

I’d also imagine the drivers who are meant to be working these specials wouldn’t be too happy if they got taken off as well. From what I’m lead to believe they normally (rightly) receive enhancements for working them, similar to Christmas Day.

 

[Graeme Duncan]

Happy new year to you. Is it possible that further new buses will enter once normal service is resumed after the festive period.

 

[VioletEclipse]

Happy new year to you. Is it possible that further new buses will enter once normal service is resumed after the festive period.

Happy new year to all!

As today is the first day in a while with real winter temperatures, I'm wondering wether it will effect the range of the BZLs to the point where some leave service early, or if they'll manage perfectly fine.

 

[route101]

Sampled the 72 and X19 today from Livingston with a stop at Winchburgh.

Google Maps has the 72 terminating at Kirklands Park St without running through the centre of Kirkliston, is tis right?

Not many takers for X19 into Edinburgh today.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Google Maps has the 72 terminating at Kirklands Park St without running through the centre of Kirkliston, is tis right?

That’s correct. It serves the main part of Kirkliston on the next journey towards Fauldhouse after it terminates. To be honest it rarely ends up having a layover there anyway so they can just about get away with it. In an ideal world the one way loop wouldn’t exist and it would serve the main part first, then Kirklands Park, u-turn at the roundabout and terminate where it does now before returning in reverse.

 

[DunsBus]

That’s correct. It serves the main part of Kirkliston on the next journey towards Fauldhouse after it terminates. To be honest it rarely ends up having a layover there anyway so they can just about get away with it. In an ideal world the one way loop wouldn’t exist and it would serve the main part first, then Kirklands Park, u-turn at the roundabout and terminate where it does now before returning in reverse.

Returning in reverse?

I hope I'm not behind it, then!

 

[route101]

That’s correct. It serves the main part of Kirkliston on the next journey towards Fauldhouse after it terminates. To be honest it rarely ends up having a layover there anyway so they can just about get away with it. In an ideal world the one way loop wouldn’t exist and it would serve the main part first, then Kirklands Park, u-turn at the roundabout and terminate where it does now before returning in reverse.

Ok, I see. That's why I got off at Winchburgh to change to the X19.

 

[computerSaysNo]

Returning in reverse?

I hope I'm not behind it, then!

I had heard (probably from here but I really don't remember) that Lothian drivers aren't/weren't allowed to reverse a bus without a banksperson, which to me would be understandable for vehicles which have a huge blind area behind them, but I'm sure all buses now have a camera on the back which I would assume lets the driver see the blind area; does the above policy still apply here and if so why?

 

[Vectron383]

I remember a few months ago taking a Skylink back from the airport after the A8 had been closed for repairs… the bus was diverting via Turnhouse road when the driver made a wrong turn into some of the houses being built there. He reversed without anyone behind, the back wheels bounced off the kerb and then he asked a passenger to get out and watch the vehicle reverse. This was successful and we were on our way again shortly after.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I assume we've had another day of bzl breaking down all over the place in the cold weather

 

[alexf380]

It's still very much company policy that drivers are required to use a banksperson when reversing a bus. I'm sure Lothian aren't the only company to have this policy in place.

 

[CN04NRJ]

It's still very much company policy that drivers are required to use a banksperson when reversing a bus. I'm sure Lothian aren't the only company to have this policy in place.

Only in the garage, in reality.

 

[alexf380]

I think it is meant to be everywhere but yes, in practice the rule often gets left behind once out on the road.

 

[Spsf3232]

I think it is meant to be everywhere but yes, in practice the rule often gets left behind once out on the road.

It's only company policy at the larger companies. When your on the road if you need to reverse, you need to reverse. I can happily reverse an artic on my own in tight spots, I think I can handle the same with a bus and have had instances of having to do 3 point turns and reversing into side roads to get turned, even in a bendy bus.

 

[JKP]

It's still very much company policy that drivers are required to use a banksperson when reversing a bus. I'm sure Lothian aren't the only company to have this policy in place.

Borders Buses like many operators in rural areas do not. Buses reverse at Oxton on services 51 and 61 and at Coldingham School on their 235.

 

[NorthEastern]

It's only company policy at the larger companies. When your on the road if you need to reverse, you need to reverse. I can happily reverse an artic on my own in tight spots, I think I can handle the same with a bus and have had instances of having to do 3 point turns and reversing into side roads to get turned, even in a bendy bus.

Out of interest, is reversing a bendy bus like reversing an artic?

 

[Metal Mickey]

I had heard (probably from here but I really don't remember) that Lothian drivers aren't/weren't allowed to reverse a bus without a banksperson, which to me would be understandable for vehicles which have a huge blind area behind them, but I'm sure all buses now have a camera on the back which I would assume lets the driver see the blind area; does the above policy still apply here and if so why?

I don’t know if this is still the case but I seem to remember the Lothian 3 reversing at Keir Hardie Drive terminus in Mayfield.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Does the 43 and X19 interchange in Edinburgh? I was tracking an X19 and it showed it in Blackhall earlier.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Does the 43 and X19 interchange in Edinburgh? I was tracking an X19 and it showed it in Blackhall earlier.

Nothing interesting, just a swapped bus.

 

[stevenedin]

1145 covering for a breakdown of 406 on the 21 today.

 

[jb66]

I don’t know if this is still the case but I seem to remember the Lothian 3 reversing at Keir Hardie Drive terminus in Mayfield.

I've seen that too

 

[Jordan1296]

417 was moved from Marine to Ferrymill Motors earlier this morning.