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Lothian Buses and ECB Discussion

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alexf380

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Well if it is extended to Edinburgh (big if there) then it will need to be rerouted from Newcraighall as extending to Edinburgh will need one, probably two more buses. East Coast don't really have that spare capacity sitting around, unless they perhaps make a couple of duties on the 140 double deckers to free up singles?
 
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sam120

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Well if it is extended to Edinburgh (big if there) then it will need to be rerouted from Newcraighall as extending to Edinburgh will need one, probably two more buses. East Coast don't really have that spare capacity sitting around, unless they perhaps make a couple of duties on the 140 double deckers to free up singles?

well the 140 does need them, rarely do i get a seat on one
 

OmniCity999

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Well if it is extended to Edinburgh (big if there) then it will need to be rerouted from Newcraighall as extending to Edinburgh will need one, probably two more buses. East Coast don't really have that spare capacity sitting around, unless they perhaps make a couple of duties on the 140 double deckers to free up singles?
well the 140 does need them, rarely do i get a seat on one

There's said to be newer doubles joining the fleet soon with 20794-20800 departing. Meaning more double duties all round. Freeing up other stock. More singles can be procured if need be. It's depot space they'll be needing next.

A nice wee outstation in the likes of Macmerry, Haddington or Dunbar would be suitable. Macmerry Industrial Estate probably being the best bet. More depot space is required, the dead mileage between Musselburgh and Marine will sure add up. Extend Musselburgh, buy a wee chunk of land from the developer or Drymaple Loan car park, that would be ideal.
 
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Andyh82

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Do they still have a depot in North Berwick, and if they do, how many buses operate out of there?
 

TheEastCoaster

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A new depot would go down well, especially with the future of ECB, at this point I’m surprised they aren’t considering extending to areas in East Lothian they don’t service.

(Elphinstone, New winton, East Saulton, Gifford, Garvald, Stenton, Tyninghame, East Fortune, Athelstaneford)

There’s so much more cover in East Lothian in comparison to both Midlothian and West Lothian that if the rate ECB are going should no doubt be able to cover, would be great if they could take over the North Berwick to Dunbar service 120
 

Darklord8899

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Do they still have a depot in North Berwick, and if they do, how many buses operate out of there?

As far as i am aware, they still have North Berwick, (as i see no reason to get rid of it. I would also assume, that like First did, it is run as an outstation of Musselburgh)

I'm not sure how many vehicles it can hold or how many are stationed there.
 

cnjb8

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As far as i am aware, they still have North Berwick, (as i see no reason to get rid of it. I would also assume, that like First did, it is run as an outstation of Musselburgh)

I'm not sure how many vehicles it can hold or how many are stationed there.
UK Bus fleet lists are your answer.
 

sam120

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As far as i am aware, they still have North Berwick, (as i see no reason to get rid of it. I would also assume, that like First did, it is run as an outstation of Musselburgh)

I'm not sure how many vehicles it can hold or how many are stationed there.

the inside part can take 2 or 3 buses, and i’m not sure about round the back, maybe about 5 give or take.
 
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I'm currently standing on the N22, which today is one of the single-decker hybrids (bus 38) and is almost crush loaded. Is it usual for Lothian to put a single-deck bus onto a route that really should be using double-deckers?
 

scotrail158713

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It will be interesting to see the exact route but as you say a number of options are possible. Personally I’m hoping it’s just not the extension rather than the reroute as well. It could favour better against the 108/118 if it did that.

With regards to the 30 in the future I hope the bus isn’t gonna need to use Old Craighall roundabout heading to town, that would be a bit of a nightmare.

Anyone aware of any other proposed changes not previously discussed?
The Old Craighall roundabout is much better now that there’s traffic lights. It’s still slow at busy times but it’s quicker, and safer, than it was previously.
A new depot would go down well, especially with the future of ECB, at this point I’m surprised they aren’t considering extending to areas in East Lothian they don’t service.

(Elphinstone, New winton, East Saulton, Gifford, Garvald, Stenton, Tyninghame, East Fortune, Athelstaneford)

There’s so much more cover in East Lothian in comparison to both Midlothian and West Lothian that if the rate ECB are going should no doubt be able to cover, would be great if they could take over the North Berwick to Dunbar service 120
I personally quite like Eve and Prentice Coaches so I would prefer ECB to not take routes through these places. ECB’s current ticket prices are currently fairly affordable for the area that East Lothian is but if they get a monopoly on routes throughout the county then I can see ticket prices within East Lothian increasing drastically.
 

SpeedbirdA350

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I'm currently standing on the N22, which today is one of the single-decker hybrids (bus 38) and is almost crush loaded. Is it usual for Lothian to put a single-deck bus onto a route that really should be using double-deckers?
Usually, they put on deckers but that particular bus had been running N30 before, and as such, needs to be a single. They did have decker N22s out too but you must have just been unlucky with timing.
 

SpeedbirdA350

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if they get a monopoly on routes throughout the county then I can see ticket prices within East Lothian increasing drastically.
Lothian has a monopoly in the city, and has kept prices at £1.70 for a while and not raised them drasticly so I am not sure if that would happen out there.
 

OmniCity999

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A new depot would go down well, especially with the future of ECB, at this point I’m surprised they aren’t considering extending to areas in East Lothian they don’t service.

(Elphinstone, New winton, East Saulton, Gifford, Garvald, Stenton, Tyninghame, East Fortune, Athelstaneford)

There’s so much more cover in East Lothian in comparison to both Midlothian and West Lothian that if the rate ECB are going should no doubt be able to cover, would be great if they could take over the North Berwick to Dunbar service 120

North Berwick depot still exists, although it can only hold 5 inside (at a push) and three out back comfortably. Only 5 are stored on site and these have to be washed by hand. Refuelling can be difficult so that's why only 5 are kept there. No doubles are stored there as they'd need to be stored outside and refuelled locally (wouldnt happen) or refuelled in Musselburgh which is pointless.

There are no services to the above places due to extremely low demand. Any services that do call there are those that are council funded and run by Eve or Prentice. East coast are currently not in a position to take on any contract or funded work.
 
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Darklord8899

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North Berwick depot still exists, although it can only hold 5 inside (at a push) and there out back comfortably. Only 5 are stored on site and these have to be washed by hand. Refuelling can be difficult so that's why only 5 are kept there. No doubles are stored there as they'd need to be stored outside and refuelled locally (wouldnt happen) or refuelled in Musselburgh which is pointless.
Aye, gathered it was more a storage space than anything else, also knew it wasn't big, so thanks for the info!
 

DunsBus

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Aye, gathered it was more a storage space than anything else, also knew it wasn't big, so thanks for the info!

Originally built for Stark's of Dunbar, I believe. It's changed hands quite a number of times since then - Eastern Scottish, Lowland, First and currently East Coast.

During Eastern and Lowland days, North Berwick was run as an outstation of Dunbar, then Haddington when Dunbar closed, before becoming a depot in its own right under First. The perimeter fence round the back was installed in the early noughties after a Scania single-deck was stolen from the yard by joyriders and then burnt out.
 

OmniCity999

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Double decks are allocated to north berwick and park in the back yard.
As far as I was aware they often park there in layover and the odd decker travels late from Musselburgh washed and fueled and parks there over night. But it's not a regular set of buses and nor is it in multiple. Simply for the first run in the morning. By which time others have travelled off service in the early AM.
 

Andyh82

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Looking at the 124/X24 timetable, it looks like 4 buses start from North Berwick with no inbound journey in service, it looks like 5 buses do on the X5. I’m guessing some must run dead from Musselburgh
 

OmniCity999

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Looking at the 124/X24 timetable, it looks like 4 buses start from North Berwick with no inbound journey in service, it looks like 5 buses do on the X5. I’m guessing some must run dead from Musselburgh

There used to be at least one single deck duty 124 that started in North Berwick and changed to a decker in Musselburgh, the single would then be topped up with fuel and used elsewhere until late evening where it would swap with the decker and head to North Berwick.
 

Tom B

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Does North Berwick have its own contingent of local drivers, or are ones sent down from Musselburgh as part of their rota?

Usually, they put on deckers but that particular bus had been running N30 before, and as such, needs to be a single. They did have decker N22s out too but you must have just been unlucky with timing.

Is the normal practice with nightbuses still to use a decker but with the upstairs locked off unless busy?
 

90019

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None of the new buses since 2011 have been fitted with a night door, and the rest of the fleet are having them removed (I think most have already been done), so that can't be done anymore.
 

SpeedbirdA350

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Is the normal practice with nightbuses still to use a decker but with the upstairs locked off unless busy?
It's driver dependant. If a bus is fitted with a door, then usually it will be closed off due to upstairs being usually the place trouble starts if it does. Some like it closed, others don't care.

None of the new buses since 2011 have been fitted with a night door, and the rest of the fleet are having them removed (I think most have already been done), so that can't be done anymore.
Yes, however some drivers when they have a bus without door, will often use ticket roll to "tape off" the access way to the stairs if they wish for upstairs to be closed off.
 

ScotRail158725

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Anyone know how 302 is coming along and if 1029 was actually written off? 302 should be nearly done by now
 

OmniCity999

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Anyone know how 302 is coming along and if 1029 was actually written off? 302 should be nearly done by now

Should it?

Needs a new front end... the price around the windscreen is one peice - this needs to come from a specialist. It needs a lower front bumper, both light clusters, battery box and support, battery door, front reinforcing, entire lower offside paneling, dashboard, cab glazing, offside steering rack... the list goes on.

Enthusiasts just think a bus goes into Seafield one day and is pushed out the next - that isnt the case.

1029 is receiving many inspections.
 

CM

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Should it?

Needs a new front end... the price around the windscreen is one peice - this needs to come from a specialist. It needs a lower front bumper, both light clusters, battery box and support, battery door, front reinforcing, entire lower offside paneling, dashboard, cab glazing, offside steering rack... the list goes on.

Enthusiasts just think a bus goes into Seafield one day and is pushed out the next - that isnt the case.

1029 is receiving many inspections.

It puzzles me, one minute you say you can't divulge information on vehicle repairs and yet all of a sudden, here you are, spewing out details willy nilly....make yer mind up.....
 
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