Will this be the bendy/articulated ones? I know said a few months ago that they were on their way for a city route. 30 needs more capacity for sure though.
Volvo still offer the 7900 hybrid integral, I thought those perform well at Lothian yet they never ordered any more, why was that, cost?
Thanks for reply omnicity999. I am/have been a LCB driver from the start up of opco, just thought with a bridge strike they would have reverted to singles. A colleague recently suggested the roof in the case of a bridge strike is meant to detach as this one did,not detracting from seriousness of situation .is this the case or has it went under so quick the roof has come right off? As always appreciate your insight
The 30 is the one route in the Lothian network which needs artics, and I've been saying it for years. Would be brilliant if the new singles were actually artics for service 30.
I'm no expert on the 30 route or vehicle deployment. But you'd think there would be more conventional ways of solving problems on the 30. Is the bus full of passengers when it goes under the low bridge or is it other sections of the route where crowding occurs? Buying a dedicated bus type for just one route must surely be rather inefficient, unless there's a plan to use articulated buses more widely.The 30 is the one route in the Lothian network which needs artics, and I've been saying it for years. Would be brilliant if the new singles were actually artics for service 30.
The 30 is the one route in the Lothian network which needs artics, and I've been saying it for years. Would be brilliant if the new singles were actually artics for service 30.
Could they terminate the 30 at Newcraighall, and covert to double deckers.I just had a thought, considering Lothian did this recently with the 33, what if they make a snappy decision to curtail the 30 so it runs Clovenstone to Newcraighal station so they can introduce deckers and introduce another service to cover the Musselburgh section to Niddrie? maybe extend it down the Royal? Call it the 48A??
east section of the 30 is pretty much almost always full.
Yes it can become full around Surgeons' Hall going out of the city centre, but is it full of passengers going beneath the low bridge every 12 minutes each way? Or could other services be reorganised as double deckers to alleviate most of the pressure leaving a single deck non city centre route like the 2 traversing the bridge as suggested up thread? Just a thought - sounds like something is planned and no doubt all will be revealed in time.
HR official to oversee 'bullying' investigations
Lothian Buses drivers will vote on mesures to avert strike action
DAVID BOL
Published: 18:55Monday 05 August 2019
A city council official will be drafted into Lothian Buses to oversee complaints of “behaviours and trust” with management, if drivers back a new deal to avert strike action on Friday.
Last week, union leaders and Lothian Buses management brokered a deal, which led to continuous strike action being suspended. The agreement, which features 13 bullet points, will be voted on by Unite members on Friday after being unanimously backed by union stewards. If approved, strike action is set to be halted – but drivers could reject the deal, leading the way for a walkout.
The strike action was initially tabled amid allegations of a “toxic management culture” within Lothian Buses’ management.
Included in the new offer is “a high level of review of all cases received from the union in respect of bullying and harassment”, while “an independent HR officer” from the city council will be brought in to supervise the issues being tackled.
The updated offer includes better shift patterns and working conditions for staff – particularly for single decker drivers. If agreed by Unite member on Friday, the five-day single decker shift will be capped at nine hours and 15 minutes from the current 12-hour limit. Also touted is a “staggered progression rate” for single decker drivers after two years of service.
A Lothian spokesperson said: “Following positive talks, proposals were agreed between Unite officials and Lothian which led to the suspension of last Friday’s proposed strike action.
“The proposals include the option to appoint an external independent consultant who has extensive experience of change management programmes at a public sector level and who has worked with Unite representatives previously.
“The proposals as tabled were then approved at a full Unite committee meeting where union representatives agreed to recommend the deal for acceptance in a workplace ballot on Friday 9 August.”
Conservative transport spokesperson Cllr Nick Cook, said that drafting a taxpayer-funding HR officer would “raise a few eyebrows”.
He added: “Potential costs aside, this does appear to show that Lothian Buses’ top brass feel they have nothing to hide in respect of the company’s management culture or treatment of staff. Other aspects of the deal range from fair, to generous, in my estimation. It remains the case that the Edinburgh public will suffer most from any strike.”
Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson Cllr Kevin Lang added: “It is clear a major effort is needed to rebuild the trust and confidence which drivers have in the management at Lothian Buses.
“If more direct involvement from the council can assist and is acceptable to all sides then we need to make sure the appropriate resources are provided. The people of this city depends on bus services to get about so all of us have an interest in ensuring those issues that very nearly led to strike action are properly addressed.”
The council's transport and environment convener, Cllr Lesley Macinnes, said: “Colleagues from the council’s HR team, with extensive change management experience, have already met with Lothian and will continue to provide support, working closely with both Unite and Lothian representatives.
“In addition, the council has noted Unite’s views on these matters and has made it clear to all parties we expect to see rapid progress to improve the current position.”
Yeah there are a lot of journeys from Musselburgh to the Fort which are rammed full - not every single journey, but a high proportion are. Just like a lot of journeys from the city centre are rammed full - but not every journey.
Just passed about 5 of them when I was heading into town, impressive machines.
Thanks omnicity999
They are struggling with Waverley Bridge, some buses if they take it wide enough and slowly get round but most need to reverse at some point.
Just needs that section of George Street to open again in a month and should be good. Surprised they aren’t going down Queen Street then up the mound if it’s that bad.
I’d have thought they’d keep a few at the airport to balance things out but they’re all on their way back now - due at West End in 14, 14, 17 and 18 minutes...
