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West Lothian buses

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overthewater

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It Seems They have brought some new stock. I also have a feeling the council tenders will go out from some point from Thursday onwards.
 

scosutsut

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scosutsut
For example ECB's B8RLEs (i believe) are certified as coaches, however it's pretty clear that in reality they're actually just buses with coach style (DP) seats.

Hang on, that might make sense, I've often wondered why they have the amber running lights down both sides - is that a coach requirement these days?
 

Jordan Adam

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Hang on, that might make sense, I've often wondered why they have the amber running lights down both sides - is that a coach requirement these days?

No that's been a requirement on all new buses built since 2012 (can't remember the exact date), i think for coaches the date goes further back.
 

Observer

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i know they’ve bought an ex lothian trident but thats about it
A B7TL more like. About time they went back to buying ex-Lothian stock.

Wouldn't be surprised if they bought more Solos for the service, a nice excuse they can plead to the TC that they are going to get rid of the older buses. Still plenty of ex-iGo SRs still without new homes for example.
 

ScotRail158725

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A B7TL more like. About time they went back to buying ex-Lothian stock.

Wouldn't be surprised if they bought more Solos for the service, a nice excuse they can plead to the TC that they are going to get rid of the older buses. Still plenty of ex-iGo SRs still without new homes for example.
just this moment seen that B7, they recently bought a trident from lothian in the last 3/4 months
 

ScotRail158725

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Are you sure you weren't confused with SD Travel? As they own a few Tridents.
nah Horsburgh have 630? i believe which was parked up in marine in july, the defiantely have one of the Lothian 53 plates which they bought recently
 

Observer

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nah Horsburgh have 630? i believe which was parked up in marine in july, the defiantely have one of the Lothian 53 plates which they bought recently
Okay fair enough, thanks for the explanation.

Honestly surprised they never went for more when the Tridents were initially for sale, but the problem really lies at the fact that West Lothian Council doesn't seem to enforce an age limit, but the other councils do.
 

Stopper

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11 Nov 2017
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Daily user of Linlithgow train station here; overcrowding has become less of an issue on the trains since the recent timetable changes. The trains can be bad still at peak times but it's much improved than even a year ago. I use the train mostly because of the time benefit and being able to get off at Park, if I so desire. I've used EX2 and while it is a fine service, especially for those who don't live near the station, anyone within a close enough distance will choose the train for the time advantage. I know lots of people from Linlithgow and most stick to the train for the benefit of time. The crowding is bad if you get on at the middle, because people love to just stand in the train and not move up to find a seat.

Overall the EX2 is not a bad service and it has it's uses, and I actually would use it more often if I went into the city centre more often. But for speed getting in and out, which is especially important to me when i'm leaving at 6pm and just want to get home, the train's gonna be favourable.

The part of your post that I've highlighted in the bold text where you clearly said that no improvements have been made. Best check what you say first before you start saying peoples posts are an "abomination"...

Any time I've used the E&G line since it was electrified I've always managed to get a seat because I'm actually willing to walk up the platforms at Queen Street/Edinburgh to the front end of the train, unlike the people who just cram on the rear 3 or 4 coaches because they can't be bothered to walk the length of themselves.

This happens every day I use the train. Nobody bothers to walk down the back. The only exception i've noticed is when one of the disabled/first class carts are at the back, and it's a rush to get that one seat on the train that's a single...

this is RailForums greatest myth...

If somebody complains of a full and standing train, they are just told to walk down the back. Sometimes you just have to accept that you are wrong, these services are entirely full at peak times. The improvements weren’t enough. EX2 at least gives me a seat.
 

CM

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this is RailForums greatest myth...

If somebody complains of a full and standing train, they are just told to walk down the back. Sometimes you just have to accept that you are wrong, these services are entirely full at peak times. The improvements weren’t enough. EX2 at least gives me a seat.

When you buy a ticket you are paying to travel on the train, regardless of whether you get a seat or not. The only time you are entitled to a seat is if you pre-book your ticket in advance and reserve a seat.

Also, if you don't walk down the back/front of the train then how do you know it's completely full. Use the entire platform instead of just crowding around the middle few coaches.
 

Volvodart

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Mr Jarvis has tweeted a photo of another ex Metroline open top Enviro400 which has arrived in Glasgow to get the Bright Bus Tours treatment.
 

Volvodart

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I know, but the expansion was mentioned above, which was why it was posted here. Nothing had been posted there for several months.
 

FlybeDash8Q400

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26 Jun 2018
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Edinburgh
Just a few observations I’ve noticed in the last few weeks now that LC fares and the First routes have changed.

The Wilkieston corridor as we all said now has way too many buses and it’s very much like Broxburn, whichever turns up first makes the dosh.

X27/X28 are definitely getting busier, average loads when I’m on it is usually at least 15 sometimes 20. Believe it or not the one this morning (9.20 from Regent Road) had 25 pax by the time it got to Sighthill.

X23 is a little busier but X22 has been mostly quiet so far, perhaps due to the fact people aren’t sure what it is? Difficult to say if chopping Kirknewton has been a ‘mistake’ at this stage. Only seen one X23 as a double since the changes and none elsewhere so far.

The X18 and X27 interworking for me has been a disaster, hopefully that gets scrapped at the next changes as they are frequently late starts out of Whitburn.

275 has been crushed by the changes, still dead, still goes to bits it doesn’t need to, what’s left of it will likely change on a large scale again imo.

I think both operators will pick up at least one contract from WLC, and one of them to get 40/X40 maybe? If LC did it would be a handy addition in terms of Ridacard etc
 

ScotRail158725

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The X18 and X27 interworking for me has been a disaster, hopefully that gets scrapped at the next changes as they are frequently late starts out of Whitburn.

275 has been crushed by the changes, still dead, still goes to bits it doesn’t need to, what’s left of it will likely change on a large scale again imo.
275 definately needs changed

i said after the first week of the changes that X18/X27 interworking at Whitburn is a terrible idea especially after morning peak X18s into town often get delayed causing them to pretty much fall behind all day
 

Baileygirl

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The X27/X18 interworking can be fixed anytime. Does not need wait till service changes only needs internal workings changed. Might mean extra buses so more cost to LCB
 

Edirim

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17 Nov 2016
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Extra bus in the AM and PM cycles would have fixed the X18/27 inter workings. Simple enough to do with just one extra driver who does a run in and back out then off and again same in the evening so every working shifts back one space.
 

etetetetet

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30 May 2019
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48
this is RailForums greatest myth...

If somebody complains of a full and standing train, they are just told to walk down the back. Sometimes you just have to accept that you are wrong, these services are entirely full at peak times. The improvements weren’t enough. EX2 at least gives me a seat.

Yes, because I am lying about the state of the trains that I use every day for a laugh, nah they're packed like a can of sardines 24/7 and moving up is a conspiracy theory coined by the forums in order to sell more train tickets and destroy Lothian's reputation.

I don't like the train service that much but one thing I do know is that people don't move up the platform to fill the carriages. Do you use the service daily? Weekly? at all? Because unless you do, you cannot tell me if the service is full or not.
 

Stopper

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Yes, because I am lying about the state of the trains that I use every day for a laugh, nah they're packed like a can of sardines 24/7 and moving up is a conspiracy theory coined by the forums in order to sell more train tickets and destroy Lothian's reputation.

I don't like the train service that much but one thing I do know is that people don't move up the platform to fill the carriages. Do you use the service daily? Weekly? at all? Because unless you do, you cannot tell me if the service is full or not.

I used it daily for over 10 years, so I know exactly what I’m talking about. I have switched to the EX2 recently but a family member still uses the train, and I use it quite regularly when I need to be in quickly.

Not everybody walks up the train but a lot of people, including myself, do. It’s a total forum myth that people are crammed into one end of the train while the other end is empty. No matter where you get on the E-G trains between Edinburgh and Linlithgow (in both directions) at peak times it’s full and standing.

I’m not sure why this would be destroying Lothian’s reputation.
 

CM

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667
Yes, because I am lying about the state of the trains that I use every day for a laugh, nah they're packed like a can of sardines 24/7 and moving up is a conspiracy theory coined by the forums in order to sell more train tickets and destroy Lothian's reputation.

I don't like the train service that much but one thing I do know is that people don't move up the platform to fill the carriages. Do you use the service daily? Weekly? at all? Because unless you do, you cannot tell me if the service is full or not.

Packed like sardines 24/7? I think not. The last few times I've used the service since conversion to 7 and 8 car services I've walked up to the leading car and the thing has been half empty. The line has gone from 3 or 6 car diesel units to 8 car electric trains which are quicker and have a lot more seats and yet people still moan.
 

ScotRail158725

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27 Nov 2018
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Packed like sardines 24/7? I think not. The last few times I've used the service since conversion to 7 and 8 car services I've walked up to the leading car and the thing has been half empty. The line has gone from 3 or 6 car diesel units to 8 car electric trains which are quicker and have a lot more seats and yet people still moan.
completely agree, off peak trains are only about half full, just because the platform enterance few are full doesnt mean the rest are
 

etetetetet

Member
Joined
30 May 2019
Messages
48
Packed like sardines 24/7? I think not. The last few times I've used the service since conversion to 7 and 8 car services I've walked up to the leading car and the thing has been half empty. The line has gone from 3 or 6 car diesel units to 8 car electric trains which are quicker and have a lot more seats and yet people still moan.

I think you missed the sarcasm in that post
 
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