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

[ScotRail158725]

A photo has been posted on Flickr of Olympian 667: https://flic.kr/p/2qFdXUB

First time it has been seen since 2019 I think.

Wonder what it was out for. Still think Lothian owning them is a waste they dont even bring much if any of the heritage fleet out on the open days

 

[Auld reekie]

I’m surprised the 25 diversion at Lochend isn’t being made permanent.
Can’t see it going back down that street.

 

[oldman]

indeed, however I doubt it meets the emissions criteria for the LEZ.

Historic vehicles can be exempt.

 

[FP transport v]

Wonder what it was out for. Still think Lothian owning them is a waste they dont even bring much if any of the heritage fleet out on the open days

Quick check on the DVLA shows it has a valid MOT and valid tax, next due in January 2026 so I imagine it was there getting these things done at the facilities at Longstone as we have seen buses from the Heritage fleet do in previous years

Historic vehicles can be exempt.

As far as I'm aware, the criteria for "historic vehicles" is 30 years+ which 572 isn't yet.

 

[route101]

I remember one year they used some of older fleet in normal service on some routes. What was the reason?

 

[FP transport v]

Just to add to this, as well as GSC 667X, LFS 480, ESF 801C (definitely an Atlantean, not confirmed if it's 801 or not but looks to be) and W572 RSG have been photographed inside Longstone

 

[percycranky]

I’m surprised the 25 diversion at Lochend isn’t being made permanent.
Can’t see it going back down that street.

I suspect it may be because Lothian wants to wait until the next service change to make route alterations; one must be coming soon! The diversion has been in effect for around a year...

 

[VioletEclipse]

I suspect it may be because Lothian wants to wait until the next service change to make route alterations; one must be coming soon! The diversion has been in effect for around a year...

Ideally the approach would be to make sure that the street can't be blocked to buses by parked cars, rather than having to reroute buses away from it.

 

[stevenedin]

Ideally the approach would be to make sure that the street can't be blocked to buses by parked cars, rather than having to reroute buses away from it.

I never understand why they don’t just put double yellow lines down one side of the road. The same with Restalrig Road. It’s a city not the countryside we live in. There is no need for all of those cars.

 

[retro.kid]

Wonder what it was out for. Still think Lothian owning them is a waste they dont even bring much if any of the heritage fleet out on the open days

Interestingly, a new V5C for 667 was issued yesterday. Change of registered keeper?

EDIT - Following on from post #13,836, LFS480 and ESF801C also had their V5C reissued yesterday.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

I never understand why they don’t just put double yellow lines down one side of the road. The same with Restalrig Road. It’s a city not the countryside we live in. There is no need for all of those cars.

Try telling that to the people that live there. I can tell you that you’ll be met with a rather angry response. Lochend for its size amazes me that it has no nightbus whatsoever though. For me that’s a massive dealbreaker when it comes to restricting cars. If you’re going to do it, the public transport has to be round the clock.

That aside, Lochend Drive has been a mess for well over a year, similarly with Pennywell Gardens. Something will have to give.

 

[LeylandA806]

Interestingly, a new V5C for 667 was issued yesterday. Change of registered keeper?

EDIT - Following on from post #13,836, LFS480 and ESF801C also had their V5C reissued yesterday.

View attachment 172821

Does that mean they are sold? Keeper change to who bought them?

 

[VioletEclipse]

a Lohtian directional sign seems to have appeared at the Turnhouse Road/Craigs Road junction, unless it's somehow an old one that's been there for a while?

 

[Edirim]

a Lohtian directional sign seems to have appeared at the Turnhouse Road/Craigs Road junction, unless it's somehow an old one that's been there for a while?

Likely new as 31 due to be routed along there shortly i believe

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Likely new as 31 due to be routed along there shortly i believe

A slow but fairly predictable diversion if it does indeed happen. I wonder if we might see the 47/47B/X47 extended to East Craigs to help with the increased journey length on the 31?

 

[overthewater]

If the 47 goes down to Western craigs they might aswell extend to the gyle and replace the 32 on that section. It might be better if there spilt the 31 so 31 goes direct to East craigs while 31A goes via Western Craigs then East Craigs.

Does Anyone remember the old 82? East Craig to the Barton then to the city centre that way.

 

[Auld reekie]

I suspect it may be because Lothian wants to wait until the next service change to make route alterations; one must be coming soon! The diversion has been in effect for around a year...

That sounds feasible.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

If the 47 goes down to Western craigs they might aswell extend to the gyle and replace the 32 on that section. It might be better if there spilt the 31 so 31 goes direct to East craigs while 31A goes via Western Craigs then East Craigs.

Does Anyone remember the old 82? East Craig to the Barton then to the city centre that way.

I can’t see the 47 picking up West Craigs personally.

 

[mb88]

a Lohtian directional sign seems to have appeared at the Turnhouse Road/Craigs Road junction, unless it's somehow an old one that's been there for a while?

A similar one has appeared recently in Dalmeny Village.

 

[FP transport v]

Interestingly, a new V5C for 667 was issued yesterday. Change of registered keeper?

EDIT - Following on from post #13,836, LFS480 and ESF801C also had their V5C reissued yesterday.

View attachment 172821

(This information hasn't been officially announced but I've seen it discussed on other public platforms by members of the SVBM so as far as I'm concerned I can say this) They are being moved to Lathalmond for storage there and by the looks of things ownership too.

 

[SilentWatcher]

a Lohtian directional sign seems to have appeared at the Turnhouse Road/Craigs Road junction, unless it's somehow an old one that's been there for a while?

Without seeing exactly where it is, could this be for when the A8 resurfacing starts up again and westbound traffic is diverted past the back of the airport overnight?

 

[DunsBus]

If the 47 goes down to Western craigs they might aswell extend to the gyle and replace the 32 on that section. It might be better if there spilt the 31 so 31 goes direct to East craigs while 31A goes via Western Craigs then East Craigs.

Does Anyone remember the old 82? East Craig to the Barton then to the city centre that way.

Not the first time that the 31 will have served Turnhouse Road. Pre-deregulation, the evening and Sunday service, the times when the 85 was off, was split between East Craigs (2bph) and Turnhouse (1bph).

I remember the 82. It was extended to East Craigs from the West End via Blackhall and Barnton in autumn 1988 when the 80 was diverted to Silverknowes.

 

[Dave2105]

Does ECB still use the small depot at North Berwick?

 

[Siemens Trains]

A similar one has appeared recently in Dalmeny Village.

Given the alarming number of bridge strikes recently I wondered if that one was to do with a low bridge being ahead at Dalmeny. The turnoff from Main Street to Bankhead Road is getting towards the last opportunity to conveniently turn a bus around before arriving at the railway bridge. Not sure about the situation around Craigs Road but maybe some sections of it are unsuitable for buses.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

If the 47 goes down to Western craigs they might aswell extend to the gyle and replace the 32 on that section. It might be better if there spilt the 31 so 31 goes direct to East craigs while 31A goes via Western Craigs then East Craigs.

Does Anyone remember the old 82? East Craig to the Barton then to the city centre that way.

Is that section even busy? Most 32's I see are only busy up till 5pm, and if so is there no reason why both services couldn't connect to the gyle?

 

[H00V3R]

Does ECB still use the small depot at North Berwick?

I believe they still do. There are 4 single deck spaces inside (3 for X5 and 1 spare) with 3 spaces for doubles round the back for the early morning 124 departures (04:57, 05:22 and 05:47 on weekdays)

 

[LothianBusesPh]

I believe they still do. There are 4 single deck spaces inside (3 for X5 and 1 spare) with 3 spaces for doubles round the back for the early morning 124 departures (04:57, 05:22 and 05:47 on weekdays)

Yes, they do.

 

[alexf380]

I believe they still do. There are 4 single deck spaces inside (3 for X5 and 1 spare) with 3 spaces for doubles round the back for the early morning 124 departures (04:57, 05:22 and 05:47 on weekdays)

It is still used, all 8 buses are used Monday to Friday. 3 singles on the X5, one for an X7 that starts and finishes in Dunbar, and four doubles for 124s. The 06:57 departure is also a NB turn. On Saturdays the X7 board doesn't run so there is one spare, and on Sundays none of the singles are out.

 

[mb88]

Given the alarming number of bridge strikes recently I wondered if that one was to do with a low bridge being ahead at Dalmeny. The turnoff from Main Street to Bankhead Road is getting towards the last opportunity to conveniently turn a bus around before arriving at the railway bridge. Not sure about the situation around Craigs Road but maybe some sections of it are unsuitable for buses.

Perhaps a more substantial version with bells, whistles and a megaphone attached can be installed in Fauldhouse to allow the railway station to be served again!

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Perhaps a more substantial version with bells, whistles and a megaphone attached can be installed in Fauldhouse to allow the railway station to be served again!

That’ll never happen haha! Forgive the pun but I think Lothian have burnt their bridges with this one.