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West Lothian buses

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TheEastCoaster

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View attachment 70509
Welcome aboard the X38! I'm on the first run into Edinburgh as we speak.

There were four people on board when I got on in Winchburgh, and we picked up several more in Kirkliston - not a bad load for early on a November Sunday, I reckon.

Nice smart vehicle - comfortable temperature, clean, smart and with USB chargers.

Given the state of First's fleet, this is vastly superior.

Thank you for this perspective, I knew for a fact Kirkliston residents were happy to see this today! Can’t wait to try it out myself one day

Interestingly for Lothian the X38 buses have route branding at the rear!

I’m not particularly knowledgeable about WL but with the X38 it seems like LCB have covered most corridors. Is this a more final version of the network with minor, rather than major, changes in future?

I think Linlithgow was the final nail in what they had to cover! I guess from what we can expect in the future from LCB is either a new night bus service in the next year (N18 or N38) or a new local link within West Lothian, Something to link Livingston with Linlithgow for X38 passengers who use LCB tickets

Or tenders like the 40/X40?

Harthill is still someplace they haven’t covered and given how it’s on the network map it seems they consider it West Lothian still, even though it’s 50/50
 
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Baileygirl

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Thank you for this perspective, I knew for a fact Kirkliston residents were happy to see this today! Can’t wait to try it out myself one day



I think Linlithgow was the final nail in what they had to cover! I guess from what we can expect in the future from LCB is either a new night bus service in the next year (N18 or N38) or a new local link within West Lothian, Something to link Livingston with Linlithgow for X38 passengers who use LCB tickets

Or tenders like the 40/X40?

Harthill is still someplace they haven’t covered and given how it’s on the network map it seems they consider it West Lothian still, even though it’s 50/50
They have cut services in livingston and bathgate areas I e. 281 EX1 and reduced there frequencies at night and Sundays to concentrate on the X38. Alfo noticed in the local paper that thet have applied for retrospective planning for the Desns depot.
 

scosutsut

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Stuart Robert Barber has tweeted about the X38. I like the branding but would prefer if the Lothian Country logo was underneath the X38 on the front. https://twitter.com/Barberstig/status/1196008294692872193 (Not my pictures)

God that is awful. Almost as bad as the motorcoach geminis with the LC display surrounds on them.

For a company known for pride of appearance I would say they've started to lose the plot a bit.
 

Jordan Adam

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Thank you for this perspective, I knew for a fact Kirkliston residents were happy to see this today! Can’t wait to try it out myself one day



I think Linlithgow was the final nail in what they had to cover! I guess from what we can expect in the future from LCB is either a new night bus service in the next year (N18 or N38) or a new local link within West Lothian, Something to link Livingston with Linlithgow for X38 passengers who use LCB tickets

Or tenders like the 40/X40?

Harthill is still someplace they haven’t covered and given how it’s on the network map it seems they consider it West Lothian still, even though it’s 50/50

This is not true, there's still loads of gaps in the network, especially the further west you go. Just compare the First and Lothian services west of Livingston and you'll see straight away. Plus they have made some cut backs in these changes. For example halving the number of buses to Knightsridge and the "West Calder Corridor"

Just so we can compare... It's fairly evident First still have much better coverage in these areas.
74889359_739649406551520_7416638612944453632_n.png
76280343_2175188599448219_2440274188498370560_n.png
 

Baileygirl

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God that is awful. Almost as bad as the motorcoach geminis with the LC display surrounds on them.

For a company known for pride of appearance I would say they've started to lose the plot a bit.
I take the motorcoaches hire business is not doing too well if they can afford to transfer these deckers to lothian country
 
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TheEastCoaster

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This is not true, there's still loads of gaps in the network, especially the further west you go. Just compare the First and Lothian services west of Livingston and you'll see straight away. Plus they have made some cut backs in these changes. For example halving the number of buses to Knightsridge and the "West Calder Corridor"

Just so we can compare... It's fairly evident First still have much better coverage in these areas.
74889359_739649406551520_7416638612944453632_n.png
76280343_2175188599448219_2440274188498370560_n.png

It wasn’t so much the cuts I was referring to in my first point, it was more the general area, since LCB started with the East Calder-Bathgate corridor then expanding to Armadale, West Calder, Fauldhouse and now Linlithgow! I won’t argue with the fact First have more services in the area since they have been around longer and have that advantage.

What I’m saying is now the X38 has finally come LCB can now focus on the smaller stuff, like the gaps that need covered within West Lothian or their ticketing choices which they did admit they would review!

Also for the likes of the West Calder corridor I personally think removing the 281 was a great idea, as it puts more emphasis and resources onto the X17, and rerouting the X27 to serve Whitburn is also interesting.

Maybe the 275 could of been extended to terminate at Kirkton since now they have no services there it seems like such a waste
 

Jordan Adam

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It wasn’t so much the cuts I was referring to in my first point, it was more the general area, since LCB started with the East Calder-Bathgate corridor then expanding to Armadale, West Calder, Fauldhouse and now Linlithgow! I won’t argue with the fact First have more services in the area since they have been around longer and have that advantage.

What I’m saying is now the X38 has finally come LCB can now focus on the smaller stuff, like the gaps that need covered within West Lothian or their ticketing choices which they did admit they would review!

Also for the likes of the West Calder corridor I personally think removing the 281 was a great idea, as it puts more emphasis and resources onto the X17, and rerouting the X27 to serve Whitburn is also interesting.

Maybe the 275 could of been extended to terminate at Kirkton since now they have no services there it seems like such a waste

Axing the 281 doesn't put more emphasis on the X17, all it does is make things easier for First who now offer double the number of buses along most of the corridor and extra direct links to Whitburn & Bathgate.

I agree the reroute of the X27 was smart, however again when it comes to Knightsride axing the 281 just makes things easier for First.
 

Observer

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Pretty much, around the time the 38 last got new vehicles the Streetlite was the standard Single Decker for First. The main issue with the Streetlite is the fact that it's effectively just a glorified minibus. Had the 38 got new vehicles in 2012 or 2013 they would've likely been B7RLEs or E300s, both more suitable vehicles imo.
It always baffles me why the StreetLites were approved. When there was talk about them going for the 38 it was widely agreed that they were not going to be suitable for such a long and demanding route.

We'll see if Lothian is what forces First to get a new order of buses for the 38, although they would very likely end up being long ADL E200MMCs.

And yes that X38 route branding is awful. But it's not like First wins there either, given the fact they never bothered to alter the branding on buses after the 38A was dropped.

For what it's worth, StreetLites with the new livery aren't branded at all, so clearly they must have some sort of plan to move them off that route, given that the X35/X36/X37s were branded.
 

scosutsut

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I take the motorcoaches hire business is not doing too well if they can afford to transfer these deckers to lothian country
I think converting 10 Geminis at the start was a little enthusiastic, not sure what work they thought was going to come their way? The flurry of the ScotRail rail replacement work died out as they sorted out some of their issues.

I'm hoping these are just to tide LC over until new stock arrives and then they go back again?
 

A330Alex

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It always baffles me why the StreetLites were approved. When there was talk about them going for the 38 it was widely agreed that they were not going to be suitable for such a long and demanding route.

We'll see if Lothian is what forces First to get a new order of buses for the 38, although they would very likely end up being long ADL E200MMCs.

And yes that X38 route branding is awful. But it's not like First wins there either, given the fact they never bothered to alter the branding on buses after the 38A was dropped.

For what it's worth, StreetLites with the new livery aren't branded at all, so clearly they must have some sort of plan to move them off that route, given that the X35/X36/X37s were branded.
Assuming LCB do alright with the X38, is it possible they just pull the plug on some of the 38 rather than get new vehicles? It's already a long route and loads to Edinburgh have never seemed amazing (even when it was just them).
 

Jordan Adam

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Assuming LCB do alright with the X38, is it possible they just pull the plug on some of the 38 rather than get new vehicles? It's already a long route and loads to Edinburgh have never seemed amazing (even when it was just them).

Thankfully not all of us believe in Lothian world domination. If the 38 was pulled then it would leave to many gaps in the service. While the 15 minute frequency isn't really needed at the Edinburgh end it was pretty evident that restoring it was just a defensive move and not done because it was necessarily, clearly First see value in the service otherwise they would've have done this.

It always baffles me why the StreetLites were approved. When there was talk about them going for the 38 it was widely agreed that they were not going to be suitable for such a long and demanding route.

We'll see if Lothian is what forces First to get a new order of buses for the 38, although they would very likely end up being long ADL E200MMCs.

And yes that X38 route branding is awful. But it's not like First wins there either, given the fact they never bothered to alter the branding on buses after the 38A was dropped.

For what it's worth, StreetLites with the new livery aren't branded at all, so clearly they must have some sort of plan to move them off that route, given that the X35/X36/X37s were branded.

It's a shame ADL still don't offer a body for the B8RLE, if they did then it would be perfect for services like the 38. If they don't plan to get new vehicles then perhaps the best route of action would be to move the Streetlites to the 51/52 etc and then get as many E300s and B7RLEs as possible refurbished and branded up for the 38, although this is still very unlikely. If the Ex-FSE B7RLEs in Aberdeen are anything to go by then they're showing their age mechanically now, especially compared to the native Aberdeen examples which seem in far better condition.

Quite honestly it seems E200MMCs are the only option at the moment.
 
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:oops::rolleyes::rolleyes::(:rolleyes::(
Assuming LCB do alright with the X38, is it possible they just pull the plug on some of the 38 rather than get new vehicles? It's already a long route and loads to Edinburgh have never seemed amazing (even when it was just them).

Full seated load on the 38 going into Edinburgh yesterday .about 6 between Falkirk and polmont going all the way and the rest from Linlithgow onwards picking up all the way in . A lot using the first mobile apps too .so it would be interesting to see how much shift there is to X38 and how much is new custom. Especially with first rezoning . If first can keep the buses on the rd and not breakdown that is .
 

overthewater

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38s are always busy on a Saturday, During the week there nothing to write home about. Can First keep the Linlithgow and Winchburgh passengers with Cheap tickets? Or will people make the switch and pay for more with no weekend travel.

There is no money for refurb which is a shame. Unless Jarvis can squish money from someone?
 

ScotRail158725

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for the LC network, i reckon and N18/N38 would be a the only major new route, as said earlier the west calder corridor first have double the services so an extension to the 275 to West Calder or Loganlea could be a good change. Extending the X18 or X27 to Harthill aswell however other than that theres nothing really major they could do
 

overthewater

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There could try again at the Ex1 with a better route? Try an Ex3 route? Have a new route from Boghall - Fauldhouse? Have a new route to Airport? Have livingston - Winchburgh route? If it really wanted to think out of the box, it could try a route direct to North Edinburgh like Granton ie the old 631.. Plenty more LCB could be doing.
 

CM

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for the LC network, i reckon and N18/N38 would be a the only major new route, as said earlier the west calder corridor first have double the services so an extension to the 275 to West Calder or Loganlea could be a good change. Extending the X18 or X27 to Harthill aswell however other than that theres nothing really major they could do

They wouldn't extend to Harthill as Harthill falls under North Lanarkshire.
 

ScotRail158725

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There could try again at the Ex1 with a better route? Try an Ex3 route? Have a new route from Boghall - Fauldhouse? Have a new route to Airport? Have livingston - Winchburgh route? If it really wanted to think out of the box, it could try a route direct to North Edinburgh like Granton ie the old 631.. Plenty more LCB could be doing.
i doubt theres a demand for WL - suburban Edinburgh though, also what would an airport service go under? Skylink or LC
 

wlbusser

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It seemed like the x38 was doing OK this morning not that I noticed how many people were on it but I'm going by the stops I seen it made.

On the other side the First 38 I got on just after the x38 passed was filled reasonably well, most seats (1 seat) taken by someone but not busy. Also noticed the two people at my stop let the x38 go by. One in front had a weekly paper ticket but I didn't see the other who was behind me.
 

Cartaker

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Seems like Lothian got their act together this time for the new timetable. They had a stall last week at Linlithgow Cross giving out timetables and they also left some at the Tesco and Sainbury stores. Makes a change from when the EX2 was launched as nobody knew anything about it. My journey this morning had 22 passengers when it left Linlithgow with another 3 being picked up before Maybury. What struck me was that there was people with cases going to the airport. A £9 ticket from Linlithgow to Gogarburn then the Tram to the Airport is far cheaper than a £25/£30 taxi even if there is two of you.
 

Cartaker

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Surely there must be a demand for an Airport bus to serve Linlithgow particularly when the fare charged by the Airport private hire mob is £38.40.
 

LiviCrazy

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Saw one of First’s old London Plaxton Presidents running through Dedridge over the weekend. Is that on loan or driver training? I hope we aren’t going to get them back again.
 
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First Scotland east new service


Bus registration details
  • Registration number
    PM0000923/348
  • Licence Number
    PM0000923
  • Variation number
    0
  • Status
    New
  • Service number.
    701,
  • Service type
    Normal Stopping
  • Start point
    Whitburn Cross
  • Finish point
    Shotts Springhill Road
  • Via
    Harthill
  • Date received
    14 Nov 2019
  • Effective date
    23 Dec 2019
  • End date
    25 Jan 2020
  • Supported by subsidies?
    No
  • Local authorities covered by route
    Strathclyde Partnership for Transport
  • West Lothian Council
  • TAOs covered by route
    Scotland
Registration history
PM0000923/348 0 New Manual 14 Nov 2019 23 Dec 2019 25 Jan 2020
 

wlbusser

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6 Jul 2019
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Just noticed that the x38 isn't showing up on on the bus and tram app unless I'm missing something?

Also, having seen the x38 branding, I find it tacky and doesn't fit in with lothian liveries
Screenshot_20191118-130949.png
Screenshot_20191118-131003.png
 

wlbusser

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Just reloaded the app a couple of times and now showing up, odd that it didn't at first.

On another note, had a 38 driver have a go at me. Waiting at Haymarket and along comes a 25 stopping with 38 behind it so I waited as a few drivers will point me to the actual stop and only let me on when they pull up to it. Said 38 driver didn't and just pulled out, then was like "I was at the stop".
 

Darklord8899

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6 Jul 2018
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Re LCB X38 branding....the orange stripe really doesn't go with the green/cream livery....not sure who thought that to be a great idea...... :s

..... maybe it was the same person that thought slapping some LCB green/cream round the front screens of the LMC deckers.... they just look ewwww o_O:| (seen two of those, one parked up at Longstone, one in service on an X28)
 

A330Alex

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Re LCB X38 branding....the orange stripe really doesn't go with the green/cream livery....not sure who thought that to be a great idea...... :s

..... maybe it was the same person that thought slapping some LCB green/cream round the front screens of the LMC deckers.... they just look ewwww o_O:| (seen two of those, one parked up at Longstone, one in service on an X28)
Still bemused as to why they did that. LMC colours looked fine!
 

Jordan Adam

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Re LCB X38 branding....the orange stripe really doesn't go with the green/cream livery....not sure who thought that to be a great idea...... :s

..... maybe it was the same person that thought slapping some LCB green/cream round the front screens of the LMC deckers.... they just look ewwww o_O:| (seen two of those, one parked up at Longstone, one in service on an X28)

Are there any photos of these Ex-LMC Geminis going about with the LCB vinyls on them?

Is it not my that finds it somewhat funny that the branding states "Reliable" on the side. This is very debatable given that another vehicle from the batch caught fire on it's second day of service post-refurb!
 
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overthewater

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i doubt theres a demand for WL - suburban Edinburgh though, also what would an airport service go under? Skylink or LC

Actually there was and I bet there still is. Peak buses were actually busy when Nordi and First operated the 631, unfortunately Off peak weren't. Before you ask the services was cut back in because there weren't able to have buses spare during the day. Its replacement 22A, the first 2 bus buses in the morning to livingston started at Kirkliston and were from AM peaks to Edinburgh.

Seems like Lothian got their act together this time for the new timetable. They had a stall last week at Linlithgow Cross giving out timetables and they also left some at the Tesco and Sainbury stores. Makes a change from when the EX2 was launched as nobody knew anything about it. My journey this morning had 22 passengers when it left Linlithgow with another 3 being picked up before Maybury. What struck me was that there was people with cases going to the airport. A £9 ticket from Linlithgow to Gogarburn then the Tram to the Airport is far cheaper than a £25/£30 taxi even if there is two of you.
It seemed like the x38 was doing OK this morning not that I noticed how many people were on it but I'm going by the stops I seen it made.
On the other side the First 38 I got on just after the x38 passed was filled reasonably well, most seats (1 seat) taken by someone but not busy. Also noticed the two people at my stop let the x38 go by. One in front had a weekly paper ticket but I didn't see the other who was behind me.

LCB got lots of Linlithgow Passengers then pick no one else up? going By Wlbusser, as expect the Winchburgh ppl are sticking with First for the cheaper/ better vaule tickets.


First Scotland east new service
Bus registration details
  • Registration number
    PM0000923/348
  • Licence Number
    PM0000923
  • Variation number
    0
  • Status
    New
  • Service number.
    701,
  • Service type
    Normal Stopping
  • Start point
    Whitburn Cross
  • Finish point
    Shotts Springhill Road
  • Via
    Harthill
  • Date received
    14 Nov 2019
  • Effective date
    23 Dec 2019
  • End date
    25 Jan 2020
  • Supported by subsidies?
    No
  • Local authorities covered by route
    Strathclyde Partnership for Transport
  • West Lothian Council
  • TAOs covered by route
    Scotland
Registration history
PM0000923/348 0 New Manual 14 Nov 2019 23 Dec 2019 25 Jan 2020

This is just odd, why is the route only running for one month? Are First planning more changes on the 25th January 2020? Also why is the bus only running from Shotts to Whitburn, surly it would have make more sense to extend the 22 down to shotts?



Just reloaded the app a couple of times and now showing up, odd that it didn't at first.

On another note, had a 38 driver have a go at me. Waiting at Haymarket and along comes a 25 stopping with 38 behind it so I waited as a few drivers will point me to the actual stop and only let me on when they pull up to it. Said 38 driver didn't and just pulled out, then was like "I was at the stop".

Its only in Edinburgh this awful rule appeals and slows down the buses.
 

Jordan Adam

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5,514
Location
Aberdeen
This is just odd, why is the route only running for one month? Are First planning more changes on the 25th January 2020? Also why is the bus only running from Shotts to Whitburn, surly it would have make more sense to extend the 22 down to shotts?

Perhaps because it's council funded and just an emergency contract until a new permanent operator can be awarded the tender?

I agree though it would be nice to see the 22 extended.
 
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