OmniCity999
Established Member
I agree too, thanks a lot to them for creating it and updating it
Thanks all. It's a labour of love. March 20th we'll push an update and cosmetic enhancement.
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Lothian Buses and ECB Discussion
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Thanks all. It's a labour of love. March 20th we'll push an update and cosmetic enhancement.
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SpeedbirdA350
Member
Given Lothian are now working with ADL, I wonder if Lothian have been looking at or even enquired about the Enviro500 SuperLo. I'd not expect them to take the 500 but use the 400 if ADL could make that a SuperLo. The SuperLo is built for (and in) North America but I see no reason why it could not be built for the UK market too over here. I'd argue it would be more suited here too given we have many low bridges. It is 12' 10" in height (vs 14' 5" of the B5) and looking at the 30 route in particular, which is often busy, while Cameron Toll is 14' 9" the one to Newcraighall is 13'. Sure, it's a 2 inch clearance (vs 4" on other bridges) but it would fit, and bridges often shave a couple of inches off for safety anyway. While the 30 would be the ideal candidate for the bus, it could be used on other routes too as it would be flexible, something you can't say about the XLB.
The only negative I can see is the fact the upper saloon headlight being 5' 7" but even if Lothian were to work with ADL on lowering the lower by 2 inches to add to the top, it might make a difference?
US version can sit 79-81 with a ton of luggage space which is accessed from outside, but by going from the 500 to the 400, you'd remove that luggage part and still have 78+ seats when right now, you have just 34 on the 7900.
Doing this, might mean Lothian can extend the time between the buses by a couple of minutes, meaning they can take 2 or so buses out of the sequence, but increasing capacity at the same time and not touching the route at all, PLUS finding a solution to the problem of the low bridge.
Or am I missing something...
The only negative I can see is the fact the upper saloon headlight being 5' 7" but even if Lothian were to work with ADL on lowering the lower by 2 inches to add to the top, it might make a difference?
US version can sit 79-81 with a ton of luggage space which is accessed from outside, but by going from the 500 to the 400, you'd remove that luggage part and still have 78+ seats when right now, you have just 34 on the 7900.
Doing this, might mean Lothian can extend the time between the buses by a couple of minutes, meaning they can take 2 or so buses out of the sequence, but increasing capacity at the same time and not touching the route at all, PLUS finding a solution to the problem of the low bridge.
Or am I missing something...
OmniCity999
Established Member
Preservation works are often used to teach apprentices their trade, or at least has been the case at Lothian for a while now.
VioletEclipse
Member
I would definitely visit a Lothian museum quite regularly, along with many others I presume. Off topic ik but they are running out of space for storing withdrawn buses and new deliveries alongside the current fleet at their depots (Marine for example) so it's no a bad idea!
Didnt they use them a few years as extras on some services?
ScotRail158725
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They used 322 & 285 on 25/X25 Peak extras in 2016
Lothian285
Member
Most of the vintage fleet can be hired through Lothian Motorcoaches:
https://lothianmotorcoaches.com/vintage-hire/
https://lothianmotorcoaches.com/vintage-hire/
kje7812
Member
You can now use contactless on Skylink.
https://www.lothianbuses.com/news/2...is-now-available-on-our-skylink-bus-services/
https://www.lothianbuses.com/news/2...is-now-available-on-our-skylink-bus-services/
VioletEclipse
Member
That's good to see, what are the chances of it being introduced across the Lothian City fleet along with the Enviro 400XLBs?
Jordan Adam
Established Member
It's good to see it now on Skylink.
However! For a company which likes to be ahead of everyone they're being rather slow with offering contactless. This is something they should have had network wide last year.
However! For a company which likes to be ahead of everyone they're being rather slow with offering contactless. This is something they should have had network wide last year.
Yeah , Lothian are usually ahead of everyone and the other behind but unusual Lothian have not got contactless.
TheEastCoaster
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You know the saying, better late than never! I guess with LCB, East Coast, Skylink it was easier to roll out as the amount of routes they have are minimal compared to LB, it will come! I think it’ll start with the new buses to be launched in February and whenever the next service change commences.
Lothian_Bus
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Yes. One small gap (before the whole of Lothian) is the 43. Wonder if it will get it soon.
VioletEclipse
Member
I would say before February
This is good and welcome news.
However, it is just a fare payment method where you still get a paper ticket. Hopefully, when contactless is rolled out amongst the whole fleet it will be truly electronic with daily capping like it is in London.
TheEastCoaster
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I would hope so, since Lothian country launched first with Contactless alot of 43 users feel left out, it’ll probably roll out along with the rest of the Lothian services most likely because at this point the 43 is treated more like a city services compared to the West Lothian services
It'd be nice if Lothian removed the £10 minimum spend on their ticketing app for smartphones. Having a £10 minimum spend basically renders the whole thing pointless unless you actually live in their operating area and use their services daily. They really don't seem to have figured out the whole point of ticketing apps at all it seems.
SpeedbirdA350
Member
I think once they roll out contactless payments on all services, I suspect the m ticket usage will fall and they will remove it as an option, unless they give a better deal to use m tickets over contactless as to use m ticket you need a card and all cards today issued are contactless.
The only thing which M ticketing gives which contactless does is to have a virtual day ticket... which a paper ticket v digital, I can't see that being a big enough swing to save M tickets.
Correct me if I am wrong though but the m ticketing that Lothian use, is a third party company and not owned nor operated by Lothian?
Spent the last few days in Edinburgh on business, did have a ride around on one of my off days. Some observations:
1) Still no Contactless on City routes (understand it is coming eventually)
2) Why do I have to spend at least £10 to use the M-ticketing app? (Rhetorical question)
3) Why can't I buy the full range TfE day tickets from Tram TVM's? If I land in Edinburgh Airport and need to travel to North Berwick- I can't buy a Network day ticket at the TVM (Again, rhetorical)
These are barriers to use when you have an exact fare system. Surprised at that given how good Lothian are portrayed.
4) Impressed by ECB and the quality of the seating/interiors. Far far better than First were.
5) Genuinely don't see the point in the 275 service. Everyone one I witnessed was empty. May have a future as a local Livingston service?
1) Still no Contactless on City routes (understand it is coming eventually)
2) Why do I have to spend at least £10 to use the M-ticketing app? (Rhetorical question)
3) Why can't I buy the full range TfE day tickets from Tram TVM's? If I land in Edinburgh Airport and need to travel to North Berwick- I can't buy a Network day ticket at the TVM (Again, rhetorical)
These are barriers to use when you have an exact fare system. Surprised at that given how good Lothian are portrayed.
4) Impressed by ECB and the quality of the seating/interiors. Far far better than First were.
5) Genuinely don't see the point in the 275 service. Everyone one I witnessed was empty. May have a future as a local Livingston service?
overthewater
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Brief reply
* No3 Lothian does have a ticket both which should allow you to buy a network day ticket.
I have never seen any problems with Fare dodgers, and if there is a problem there just phone the police straight away.
* No5, its a mix bag over the whole route, It seems to get passengers for the Gyle but it has its ups and downs.
* No3 Lothian does have a ticket both which should allow you to buy a network day ticket.
I have never seen any problems with Fare dodgers, and if there is a problem there just phone the police straight away.
* No5, its a mix bag over the whole route, It seems to get passengers for the Gyle but it has its ups and downs.
From what I've observed in Glasgow, people seem to use M-Tickets alot more than contactless cards, so I'd imagine it'd be the same for Lothian etc etc but having a idiotic £10 minimum spend for M-tickets just defys the whole point of the M-ticket app! What if people who are visiting Edinburgh for the day want to purchase their day ticket before boarding but don't want to have to run around like **** looking for a ticket machine at a tram stop?
EVERY time I go to use the buses In Glasgow, I always buy my ticket via my phone, usually before I even leave the house thus saving all the time and hassle of having to carry change and wander around with pockets full of bits of paper.
If i recall the Edinburgh tram ticket machines are coin or card only .
I had a plus bus other day and the airport is within the area of validity , is is valid on airport buses or tram past ingliston
Noticed a lot more using M tickets in Glasgow over last 2 years . I had for a month but the thing ould never load up in time or freeze
I was staying at the Ratho Travelodge and was watching these LCB x18 and 275 deckers go by empty in the evening .
Earlier in the day i took the 275 from Edinburgh Park station to Ratho Station with my plusbus . A smattering of pax got on at the Gyle
Not valid between Ingliston and the Airport, bus or tram.
Yes it appears to be made by Corethree, they provide many other companies mobile ticket platform.
They don't exactly have a great reputation either.
Sam
I see , didnt see any mention of that
Aictos
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Just quickly but the last time I was in the Edinburgh area in 2014, I had 3 options of getting to the Waverley:
1. Airlink Bus
2. Local Bus
3. Tram
Now looking at Google Maps and it only gives me 2 options:
1. Airlink Bus
2. Tram to Gateway then Train
What happened to that local bus which was far cheaper then Airlink but took longer?
Also the last time I used the Airlink it had USB sockets and wifi etc, has there been other investment in the route other then that such as new buses or are they still using the same buses as they did in 2014?
Also what's the difference between Skylink and Airlink?
1. Airlink Bus
2. Local Bus
3. Tram
Now looking at Google Maps and it only gives me 2 options:
1. Airlink Bus
2. Tram to Gateway then Train
What happened to that local bus which was far cheaper then Airlink but took longer?
Also the last time I used the Airlink it had USB sockets and wifi etc, has there been other investment in the route other then that such as new buses or are they still using the same buses as they did in 2014?
Also what's the difference between Skylink and Airlink?
TheEastCoaster
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The 35 became the 300 in late 2017 and charged Airlink fare rates to/from the airport! the 300 was changed last summer when they changed the terminus from Ocean Terminal to Cameron Toll giving links to Southside to the Airport.
The 35 was also brought back but it was changed from Ocean Terminal to Riccarton. (The 200/N22 still connect the Airport to Ocean Terminal)
The Skylink buses serve all the stops en route and accept Daytickets so if your not going to the Airport it’s essentially another day service, i’e travelling from Clermiston to Granton, Airlink however is Limited Stop and do not accept daytickets
FlybeDash8Q400
Established Member
Yea the Airlink can get really complicated at times, I'm sure at Night a discounted ticket is available in the City, still not the £1.70 fare but defo cheaper. Network DayTicket still valid tho
The new route for the 300 initially sounds terrible but it actually works. Does the 600 or 747 charge premium for the Airport out of curiosity?
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