Edinburgh & the Lothians bus network speculations & ideas

[JKP]

I would suggest that the route number 52 would not be permitted as it would clash with Borders Buses 52 Kelso to Edinburgh which is suspended at present. First 29/30 had to be re numbered to 51/52 many years ago because passengers confused Lothian 29 with First 29!!

I also cannot see the reasoning for the introduction of short routes within Midlothian e.g 55 and 59. Unless you know passenger data, I doubt that these would be financially viable. This would also apply to your proposed revised 15 as I think it would require additional buses.

 

[CSB0241]

I would suggest that the route number 52 would not be permitted as it would clash with Borders Buses 52 Kelso to Edinburgh which is suspended at present. First 29/30 had to be re numbered to 51/52 many years ago because passengers confused Lothian 29 with First 29!!

That’s fair, but at this rate, borders buses would’ve reintroduced the 52 by now, so I think it’s safe to say that it’s probably not coming back.

 

[DunsBus]

That’s fair, but at this rate, borders buses would’ve reintroduced the 52 by now, so I think it’s safe to say that it’s probably not coming back.

I believe that the Borders Buses 52 has been "permanently suspended" (I e. withdrawn).

The renumbering of the Borders services 29 and 30 to 51 and 52 was under Munro's, not First. It is correct though to say that it was done to avoid confusion with Lothian's 29 and 30.

 

[stevenedin]

I believe that the Borders Buses 52 has been "permanently suspended" (I e. withdrawn).

The renumbering of the Borders services 29 and 30 to 51 and 52 was under Munro's, not First. It is correct though to say that it was done to avoid confusion with Lothian's 29 and 30.

They are still advertising it on bus stops in Edinburgh.

 

[ScotRail158725]

Some of this works, but I’d have concerns such as cutting the 3 and 26 back.

The 15 & 24 are the only changes here to get behind. Cutting the 3 & 26 is especially without an alternative would be unthibkable

I’m intrigued by your opinion, please could you explain further? I felt that the 21 & 3 are basically the same between Sighthill roundabout & Clovenstone (apart from the 3 terminating on Clovenstone Gardens & the 21 terminating on Clovenstone Road),

So because the 3 & 21 follow the same route for about 10 stops people in Mayfield and Dalkeith and along Gorgie road have to face cuts to the busiest route on the network? You’ve not really applied real world logic there

I feel that Lothian Buses should only make their services go as far east as Wallyford & no further, & the 26 is basically a glorified EastCoast 113.

Curtailing Lothian services at Musselburgh/Wallyford and Prestonpans/Tranent services being changed to ECB in a higher fare zone makes sense but removing the 26 rerouting the 113 on only 1/4 of the frequency to make up for it makes no sense.

 

[DunsBus]

They are still advertising it on bus stops in Edinburgh.

That needs to be corrected, as Borders Buses said some time ago that the 52 wouldn't be returning.

 

[InOban]

Re your suggested H50: the route from Market Street via St. Mary's Street is unsuitable for buses.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Re your suggested H50: the route from Market Street via St. Mary's Street is unsuitable for buses.

That’s not true. The 6 and 36 served it perfectly fine for years, and tour buses alongside tour coaches and rail replacement have managed perfectly fine to this day. The 8 also served that routing a number of times on a diversion last year too. I think even the majority of the North Bridge buses might have been sent that way once or twice as well.

Basically, it’s fine to use.

 

[Auld reekie]

I would like to see the 25 extended to Balerno.
Even every second one would be welcome.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

I would like to see the 25 extended to Balerno.

How many buses per hour though? Surely not them all?

 

[stevenedin]

I would like to see the 25 extended to Balerno.
Even every second one would be welcome.

I’m sure that this used to happen years ago I think there was a morning working to Balerno and then it turned into a 44?

 

[Auld reekie]

How many buses per hour though? Surely not them all?

As I said in my edit even every second one.

 

[DunsBus]

I’m sure that this used to happen years ago I think there was a morning working to Balerno and then it turned into a 44?

Other way round, worked out from Elm Row to Balerno AM as a 25 and returned as an X74. PM was the reverse of this.

 

[ScotRail158725]

Since a few others have had a bash at this, I've had a go at some changes. Based on the upcoming changes, the logic behind these ideas is trying to cost save yet provide a balance with still providing a similar level of service. I reckon all of these work and its not too fictitious using what resources there are.

Lothian:

Service 1: Monday-Friday frequency reduced to every 20 minutes, using double deckers to keep capacity
Service 2:
Service 3: Monday-Saturday daytime frequency increased to every 10 minutes
Service 4: Curtailed to The Jewel and revised to serve Bingham turning circle
Service 5: No Change
Service 7: Route withdrawn: Passengers can use service 11 & 14 between Newhaven and the City Centre, revised service 22 will serve the route between North Bridge and Royal Infirmary
Service 8: No Change
Service 9: No Change
Service 10: Route withdrawn: Replaced between Colinton and Ocean Terminal by revised service 45, Bonaly will be served by a revised service 16
Service 11: Monday-Saturday daytime frequency increased to every 10 minutes providing a combined 5 minute service between Morningside and Pilrig with service 16
Service 12: Evening journeys extended to the Gyle Centre
Service 14: No Change
Service 15: Extended from Waterloo Place to QMU via Meadowbank, Willowbrae, Milton Road West and The Jewel. Monday-Friday daytime frequency increased to every 20 minutes. Evening, Saturday and Sunday services operate every 30 minutes between Fairmilehead and The Jewel only
Service 16: Monday-Saturday daytime frequency increased to every 10 minutes providing a combined 5 minute service between Morningside and Pilrig. Every other journey will now terminate at Bonaly
Service 19: Service curtailed to King’s Road
Service 21: Sunday frequency increased to every 20 minutes
Service 22: Service extended to Royal Infirmary via Princes Street, Bridges, Cameron Toll, Liberton and Gracemount following route 7. Operating every 15 minutes Monday-Saturday daytime, 20 minutes on Sunday and evenings. City Centre-Granton Harbour replaced by service 113
Service 23: No Change
Service 24: No Change
Service 25: Monday-Saturday daytime frequency increased to every 10 minutes
Service 26/X26: No Change
Service 27: No Change
Service 29/X29: A later return journey to Gorebridge is introduced
Service 30: Service rerouted via A1 between Fort Kinnaird and QMU. Services re-extended to Musselburgh following the old 30 route. Reduced to every 12 minutes using double deckers
Service 31/32: Service revised - 31 will run half hourly between Bonnyrigg and East Craigs. Services to Polton Mill now run as service 32 and are extended to Rosewell. At Maybury service 32 will not serve East Craigs and will instead serve the new developments at Turnhouse. Both routes will run half hourly combining to maintin the current 15 minute frequency between Bonnyrigg Toll and Maybury
Service 33/X33: No Change
Service 34: No Change
Service 35: No Change
Service 36: Monday-Friday daytime frequency increased to every 20 minute
Service 37/X37: No Change
Service 38: Monday-Friday daytime frequency increased to every 20 minutes with later journeys introduced
Service 44: No Change
Service 45: Revised route: Route extended to Ocean Terminal via Elm Row, Bonnington and Great Junction Street replacing service 10. Frequency increased on Monday-Saturday to every 20 minutes with Sunday services introduced
Service 46: Service withdrawn. Dalkeith-Rosewell replaced by East Coast service 139
Service 47: No Change
Service 48: Revised route: Service 48 will now operate direct from Eskview Terrace to Musselburgh High Street via Olive Bank Rod
Service 49: No change
Service 100: Revised frequency, Increased to 7/8 minutes during the day and 15 minutes during the night
Service 200: Night service introduced. Frequency between midnight and 5am will be Every 1 hour 30 minutes
Service 400: Night service introduced. Will run hourly throughout the night

East Coast Buses:

Service 106: Curtailed to Musselburgh Tesco
Service 113: Extended to Granton Harbour replacing service 22
Service 124: No Change
Service 139: Extended to Rosewell replacing service 46
Service 140: No Change
Service 141: Route Revised to serve Auchendinny
Service X5: No Change
Service X6: No Change
Service X7: No Change

Lothian Country:

Service 43: Evening frequency increased to Half hourly
Service X18: No Change
Service X27: Revised to serve Dedridge West and Howden
Service X28: No Change

 

[stevenedin]

Since a few others have had a bash at this, I've had a go at some changes. Based on the upcoming changes, the logic behind these ideas is trying to cost save yet provide a balance with still providing a similar level of service. I reckon all of these work and its not too fictitious using what resources there are.

Lothian:

Service 1: Monday-Friday frequency reduced to every 20 minutes, using double deckers to keep capacity
Service 2:
Service 3: Monday-Saturday daytime frequency increased to every 10 minutes
Service 4: Curtailed to The Jewel and revised to serve Bingham turning circle
Service 5: No Change
Service 7: Route withdrawn: Passengers can use service 11 & 14 between Newhaven and the City Centre, revised service 22 will serve the route between North Bridge and Royal Infirmary
Service 8: No Change
Service 9: No Change
Service 10: Route withdrawn: Replaced between Colinton and Ocean Terminal by revised service 45, Bonaly will be served by a revised service 16
Service 11: Monday-Saturday daytime frequency increased to every 10 minutes providing a combined 5 minute service between Morningside and Pilrig with service 16
Service 12: Evening journeys extended to the Gyle Centre
Service 14: No Change
Service 15: Extended from Waterloo Place to QMU via Meadowbank, Willowbrae, Milton Road West and The Jewel. Monday-Friday daytime frequency increased to every 20 minutes. Evening, Saturday and Sunday services operate every 30 minutes between Fairmilehead and The Jewel only
Service 16: Monday-Saturday daytime frequency increased to every 10 minutes providing a combined 5 minute service between Morningside and Pilrig. Every other journey will now terminate at Bonaly
Service 19: Service curtailed to King’s Road
Service 21: Sunday frequency increased to every 20 minutes
Service 22: Service extended to Royal Infirmary via Princes Street, Bridges, Cameron Toll, Liberton and Gracemount following route 7. Operating every 15 minutes Monday-Saturday daytime, 20 minutes on Sunday and evenings. City Centre-Granton Harbour replaced by service 113
Service 23: No Change
Service 24: No Change
Service 25: Monday-Saturday daytime frequency increased to every 10 minutes
Service 26/X26: No Change
Service 27: No Change
Service 29/X29: A later return journey to Gorebridge is introduced
Service 30: Service rerouted via A1 between Fort Kinnaird and QMU. Services re-extended to Musselburgh following the old 30 route. Reduced to every 12 minutes using double deckers
Service 31/32: Service revised - 31 will run half hourly between Bonnyrigg and East Craigs. Services to Polton Mill now run as service 32 and are extended to Rosewell. At Maybury service 32 will not serve East Craigs and will instead serve the new developments at Turnhouse. Both routes will run half hourly combining to maintin the current 15 minute frequency between Bonnyrigg Toll and Maybury
Service 33/X33: No Change
Service 34: No Change
Service 35: No Change
Service 36: Monday-Friday daytime frequency increased to every 20 minute
Service 37/X37: No Change
Service 38: Monday-Friday daytime frequency increased to every 20 minutes with later journeys introduced
Service 44: No Change
Service 45: Revised route: Route extended to Ocean Terminal via Elm Row, Bonnington and Great Junction Street replacing service 10. Frequency increased on Monday-Saturday to every 20 minutes with Sunday services introduced
Service 46: Service withdrawn. Dalkeith-Rosewell replaced by East Coast service 139
Service 47: No Change
Service 48: Revised route: Service 48 will now operate direct from Eskview Terrace to Musselburgh High Street via Olive Bank Rod
Service 49: No change
Service 100: Revised frequency, Increased to 7/8 minutes during the day and 15 minutes during the night
Service 200: Night service introduced. Frequency between midnight and 5am will be Every 1 hour 30 minutes
Service 400: Night service introduced. Will run hourly throughout the night

East Coast Buses:

Service 106: Curtailed to Musselburgh Tesco
Service 113: Extended to Granton Harbour replacing service 22
Service 124: No Change
Service 139: Extended to Rosewell replacing service 46
Service 140: No Change
Service 141: Route Revised to serve Auchendinny
Service X5: No Change
Service X6: No Change
Service X7: No Change

Lothian Country:

Service 43: Evening frequency increased to Half hourly
Service X18: No Change
Service X27: Revised to serve Dedridge West and Howden
Service X28: No Change

Some very good suggestions there which seem workable.

 

[LothianBusesPh]

I thought I would have a go as well since everyone else seems to be doing it. This won't include frequencies, just the route itself.

Service 1 - No Changes.
Service 2 - Reintroduced to Gyle Centre at Peak Hours only.
Service 3 - New journeys to serve Dalkeith Campus, 2 services each way linking Dalkeith Campus with Mayfield.
Service 4 - Reintroduced to Bingham Turning Circle.
Service 5 - Extended to Bonaly.
Service 7 - No Changes.
Service 8 - No Changes.
Service 9 - No Changes.
Service 10 - Curtailed to Hunter's Tryst.
Service 11 - No Changes.
Service 12 - No Changes.
Service 14 - No Changes.
Service 15 - Extended to QMU via Portobello, similar to older variation of the 15.
Service 16 - No Changes.
Service 19 - No Changes.
Service 21 - Clovenstone Service renumbered to 28.
Service 22 - No Changes.
Service 23 - No Changes.
Service 24 - No Changes.
Service 25 - No Changes.
Service 26 - No Changes.
Service 27 - No Changes.
Service 28 - Exact same service as current 21 to Clovenstone. Gyle bound buses say Service 21.
Service 29 - No Changes.
Service 30 - Reintroduced to Musselburgh via A1 and QMU.
Service 31 - Extended to Rosewell at Peak Hours only.
Service 32 - New Peak Service between Clovenstone and West Granton, similar to old route.
Service 33 - No Changes.
Service 34 - No Changes.
Service 35 - No Changes.
Service 36 - Extended to Ratho on Mon-Fri Peak as a trial, if unsuccessful then curtailed to Gyle Centre.
Service 37 - No Changes.
Service 38 - No Changes.
Service 41 - Operates current 49 route but made a circular via The Wisp/Greendykes, will operate clockwise.
Service 42 - Operates current 49 route but made a circular via The Wisp/Greendykes, will operate anti-clockwise.
Service 43 - No Changes
Service 44 - No Changes
Service 45 - Extended to Ocean Terminal via Seafield as a trial.
Service 46 - Sunday Service extended to Musselburgh every hour.
Service 47 - No Changes.
Service 47B - No Changes
Service 48 - No Changes.
Service 49 - Service Withdrawn, replaced with new Services 41/42.
Service 106 - No Changes.
Service 113 - Extended to West Granton, even just for school months for students.
Service 124 - No Changes.
Service 125 - No Changes.
Service 126 - No Changes.
Service 127 - No Changes.
Service 128 - No Changes.
Service 139 - Extended to Royal Infirmary via Lasswade and Gilmerton as a trial.
Service 140 - No Changes.
Service 141 - No Changes.
Service 200 - No Changes.
Service 400 - No Changes.
Service X5 - Sunday Services introduced every hour until ~19:00.
Service X6 - No Changes.
Service X7 - No Changes.
Service X13 - New Peak Service from Pencaitland to Edinburgh via Windygoul and Wallyford, similar to current X44.
Service X17 - New Service between Fauldhouse and Edinburgh via Armadale
Service X18 - Rotates with new Service X17 at Edinburgh.
Service X24 - New Peak Non-Stop service from North Berwick to Semple Street via Portobello.
Service X25 - New Peak Service from Lochend to Heriot-Watt University. Morning Journeys to Uni & Vice-Versa.
Service X26 - No Changes.
Service X27 - Extended to Whitburn via Armadale, similar to current X18.
Service X28 - Extended to Whitburn via Armadale, similar to current X18.
Service X44 - Rerouted, now Balerno to Waterloo Place, for East Lothian Section, please see X13.
Service N11 - Reintroduced to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
Service N14 - Reintroduced to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
Service N200 - More journeys keeping a stable service.
Service N400 - Extended to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary with more journeys keeping a stable service.

Other Night Buses - No Changes.

 

[stevenedin]

I thought I would have a go as well since everyone else seems to be doing it. This won't include frequencies, just the route itself.

Service 1 - No Changes.
Service 2 - Reintroduced to Gyle Centre at Peak Hours only.
Service 3 - New journeys to serve Dalkeith Campus, 2 services each way linking Dalkeith Campus with Mayfield.
Service 4 - Reintroduced to Bingham Turning Circle.
Service 5 - Extended to Bonaly.
Service 7 - No Changes.
Service 8 - No Changes.
Service 9 - No Changes.
Service 10 - Curtailed to Hunter's Tryst.
Service 11 - No Changes.
Service 12 - No Changes.
Service 14 - No Changes.
Service 15 - Extended to QMU via Portobello, similar to older variation of the 15.
Service 16 - No Changes.
Service 19 - No Changes.
Service 21 - Clovenstone Service renumbered to 28.
Service 22 - No Changes.
Service 23 - No Changes.
Service 24 - No Changes.
Service 25 - No Changes.
Service 26 - No Changes.
Service 27 - No Changes.
Service 28 - Exact same service as current 21 to Clovenstone. Gyle bound buses say Service 21.
Service 29 - No Changes.
Service 30 - Reintroduced to Musselburgh via A1 and QMU.
Service 31 - Extended to Rosewell at Peak Hours only.
Service 32 - New Peak Service between Clovenstone and West Granton, similar to old route.
Service 33 - No Changes.
Service 34 - No Changes.
Service 35 - No Changes.
Service 36 - Extended to Ratho on Mon-Fri Peak as a trial, if unsuccessful then curtailed to Gyle Centre.
Service 37 - No Changes.
Service 38 - No Changes.
Service 41 - Operates current 49 route but made a circular via The Wisp/Greendykes, will operate clockwise.
Service 42 - Operates current 49 route but made a circular via The Wisp/Greendykes, will operate anti-clockwise.
Service 43 - No Changes
Service 44 - No Changes
Service 45 - Extended to Ocean Terminal via Seafield as a trial.
Service 46 - Sunday Service extended to Musselburgh every hour.
Service 47 - No Changes.
Service 47B - No Changes
Service 48 - No Changes.
Service 49 - Service Withdrawn, replaced with new Services 41/42.
Service 106 - No Changes.
Service 113 - Extended to West Granton, even just for school months for students.
Service 124 - No Changes.
Service 125 - No Changes.
Service 126 - No Changes.
Service 127 - No Changes.
Service 128 - No Changes.
Service 139 - Extended to Royal Infirmary via Lasswade and Gilmerton as a trial.
Service 140 - No Changes.
Service 141 - No Changes.
Service 200 - No Changes.
Service 400 - No Changes.
Service X5 - Sunday Services introduced every hour until ~19:00.
Service X6 - No Changes.
Service X7 - No Changes.
Service X13 - New Peak Service from Pencaitland to Edinburgh via Windygoul and Wallyford, similar to current X44.
Service X17 - New Service between Fauldhouse and Edinburgh via Armadale
Service X18 - Rotates with new Service X17 at Edinburgh.
Service X24 - New Peak Non-Stop service from North Berwick to Semple Street via Portobello.
Service X25 - New Peak Service from Lochend to Heriot-Watt University. Morning Journeys to Uni & Vice-Versa.
Service X26 - No Changes.
Service X27 - Extended to Whitburn via Armadale, similar to current X18.
Service X28 - Extended to Whitburn via Armadale, similar to current X18.
Service X44 - Rerouted, now Balerno to Waterloo Place, for East Lothian Section, please see X13.
Service N11 - Reintroduced to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
Service N14 - Reintroduced to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
Service N200 - More journeys keeping a stable service.
Service N400 - Extended to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary with more journeys keeping a stable service.

Other Night Buses - No Changes.

I like some of your changes but does Whitburn and Armadale require the X17, X18, X27 and X28?

I think the 36 would be interesting it is already a long route but I could see it working. It’s still a link to the city centre but west end (which they seem to be trying to get more people to that area recently).

I like the idea for the Clovenstone 21 being renumbered but could it possibly be numbered 21A to as it’s the same route mostly?

I think the same about other routes which have 2 terminus points. They should renumber journeys to make it easier to distinguish between the 2. I know that it tells you on the front of the bus but a lot of people only look at the number for some reason.

 

[Auld reekie]

I thought I would have a go as well since everyone else seems to be doing it. This won't include frequencies, just the route itself.

Service 1 - No Changes.
Service 2 - Reintroduced to Gyle Centre at Peak Hours only.
Service 3 - New journeys to serve Dalkeith Campus, 2 services each way linking Dalkeith Campus with Mayfield.
Service 4 - Reintroduced to Bingham Turning Circle.
Service 5 - Extended to Bonaly.
Service 7 - No Changes.
Service 8 - No Changes.
Service 9 - No Changes.
Service 10 - Curtailed to Hunter's Tryst.
Service 11 - No Changes.
Service 12 - No Changes.
Service 14 - No Changes.
Service 15 - Extended to QMU via Portobello, similar to older variation of the 15.
Service 16 - No Changes.
Service 19 - No Changes.
Service 21 - Clovenstone Service renumbered to 28.
Service 22 - No Changes.
Service 23 - No Changes.
Service 24 - No Changes.
Service 25 - No Changes.
Service 26 - No Changes.
Service 27 - No Changes.
Service 28 - Exact same service as current 21 to Clovenstone. Gyle bound buses say Service 21.
Service 29 - No Changes.
Service 30 - Reintroduced to Musselburgh via A1 and QMU.
Service 31 - Extended to Rosewell at Peak Hours only.
Service 32 - New Peak Service between Clovenstone and West Granton, similar to old route.
Service 33 - No Changes.
Service 34 - No Changes.
Service 35 - No Changes.
Service 36 - Extended to Ratho on Mon-Fri Peak as a trial, if unsuccessful then curtailed to Gyle Centre.
Service 37 - No Changes.
Service 38 - No Changes.
Service 41 - Operates current 49 route but made a circular via The Wisp/Greendykes, will operate clockwise.
Service 42 - Operates current 49 route but made a circular via The Wisp/Greendykes, will operate anti-clockwise.
Service 43 - No Changes
Service 44 - No Changes
Service 45 - Extended to Ocean Terminal via Seafield as a trial.
Service 46 - Sunday Service extended to Musselburgh every hour.
Service 47 - No Changes.
Service 47B - No Changes
Service 48 - No Changes.
Service 49 - Service Withdrawn, replaced with new Services 41/42.
Service 106 - No Changes.
Service 113 - Extended to West Granton, even just for school months for students.
Service 124 - No Changes.
Service 125 - No Changes.
Service 126 - No Changes.
Service 127 - No Changes.
Service 128 - No Changes.
Service 139 - Extended to Royal Infirmary via Lasswade and Gilmerton as a trial.
Service 140 - No Changes.
Service 141 - No Changes.
Service 200 - No Changes.
Service 400 - No Changes.
Service X5 - Sunday Services introduced every hour until ~19:00.
Service X6 - No Changes.
Service X7 - No Changes.
Service X13 - New Peak Service from Pencaitland to Edinburgh via Windygoul and Wallyford, similar to current X44.
Service X17 - New Service between Fauldhouse and Edinburgh via Armadale
Service X18 - Rotates with new Service X17 at Edinburgh.
Service X24 - New Peak Non-Stop service from North Berwick to Semple Street via Portobello.
Service X25 - New Peak Service from Lochend to Heriot-Watt University. Morning Journeys to Uni & Vice-Versa.
Service X26 - No Changes.
Service X27 - Extended to Whitburn via Armadale, similar to current X18.
Service X28 - Extended to Whitburn via Armadale, similar to current X18.
Service X44 - Rerouted, now Balerno to Waterloo Place, for East Lothian Section, please see X13.
Service N11 - Reintroduced to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
Service N14 - Reintroduced to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
Service N200 - More journeys keeping a stable service.
Service N400 - Extended to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary with more journeys keeping a stable service.

Other Night Buses - No Changes.

The 10 would have to change its route at Firrhill.

 

[LothianBusesPh]

The 10 would have to change its route at Firrhill.

That's true, but that would be included with the extension.

I like some of your changes but does Whitburn and Armadale require the X17, X18, X27 and X28?

I think the 36 would be interesting it is already a long route but I could see it working. It’s still a link to the city centre but west end (which they seem to be trying to get more people to that area recently).

I like the idea for the Clovenstone 21 being renumbered but could it possibly be numbered 21A to as it’s the same route mostly?

I think the same about other routes which have 2 terminus points. They should renumber journeys to make it easier to distinguish between the 2. I know that it tells you on the front of the bus but a lot of people only look at the number for some reason.

I suppose the X27/28 could go direct then? I was just thinking it would be beneficial because the X18 and X17 will essentially be running together just like the X27/28, so theoretically it's only 2 services. I did debate extending the X18 to Fauldhouse to compliment this change though.

Please note that the X17 would run via. Livingston so it wouldn't be the same route as the X17 nor the same route as its former self.

 

[stevenedin]

That's true, but that would be included with the extension.


I suppose the X27/28 could go direct then? I was just thinking it would be beneficial because the X18 and X17 will essentially be running together just like the X27/28, so theoretically it's only 2 services. I did debate extending the X18 to Fauldhouse to compliment this change though.

Please note that the X17 would run via. Livingston so it wouldn't be the same route as the X17 nor the same route as its former self.

It would be nice to have the X17 back again.

 

[CSB0241]

Ok, 2 Things;

Service 7: Route withdrawn: Passengers can use service 11 & 14 between Newhaven and the City Centre, revised service 22 will serve the route between North Bridge and Royal Infirmary
Service 10: Route withdrawn: Replaced between Colinton and Ocean Terminal by revised service 45, Bonaly will be served by a revised service 16
Service 46: Service withdrawn. Dalkeith-Rosewell replaced by East Coast service 139
Service 139: Extended to Rosewell replacing service 46

1. The 7 & 10 withdrawals baffle me, but I like it!

Service 139 - Extended to Royal Infirmary via Lasswade and Gilmerton as a trial.

2. I prefer this 139 change, as Lasswade desperately needs a new bus service & the combined 15 minute service the 46 & 48 (will) have between Dalkeith/Sherrifhall P&R/Royal Infirmary & Musselburgh seems to be pleasing many residents of places like Lugton, Danderhall, & Ferniehill!

 

[roadierway77]

Changing the topic over to West Lothian, I had a go at designing a new network for Livingston. This network centres around the withdrawal of all of McGill's express services to Edinburgh, leaving Lothian to focus on those links. While this would likely be somewhat unpopular, it would enable McGill's to build a more comprehensive local West Lothian network. I've attached a map of my proposed services.

To compensate for the withdrawn McGill's expresses, the frequency of the X27/X28 would return to every 15 minutes, Citylink's 902 would extend to Edinburgh city centre, and the local McGill's services would feed into rail stations where possible to allow easy transfer to and from train. Livingston North, Livingston South, St John's Hospital and The Centre would act as transport hubs.

As long as my calculations are correct, these services would all be possible with current resources, using less vehicles than is currently required.

Local services
21 | Blackridge - Livingston South | every hour - 3 buses required
22 | Deans - Murieston clockwise | every hour - 1.5 buses required (interworks with 22A)
22A | Deans - Murieston anti-clockwise | every hour - 1.5 buses required (interworks with 22)
23 | Shotts - Bangour Village | every hour - 4 buses required
23A | Whitburn - Uphall | every hour - 3 buses required
24 | Kirkliston - Livingston South | every 45 minutes - 3 buses required
25 | Deans - Kirknewton | every 20 minutes - 6 buses required
26 | Livingston North - Bathgate | every 30 minutes - 8 buses required
40 | St John's Hospital - Cramond | every 90 minutes - 2 buses required

 

[stevenedin]

Changing the topic over to West Lothian, I had a go at designing a new network for Livingston. This network centres around the withdrawal of all of McGill's express services to Edinburgh, leaving Lothian to focus on those links. While this would likely be somewhat unpopular, it would enable McGill's to build a more comprehensive local West Lothian network. I've attached a map of my proposed services.

To compensate for the withdrawn McGill's expresses, the frequency of the X27/X28 would return to every 15 minutes, Citylink's 902 would extend to Edinburgh city centre, and the local McGill's services would feed into rail stations where possible to allow easy transfer to and from train. Livingston North, Livingston South, St John's Hospital and The Centre would act as transport hubs.

As long as my calculations are correct, these services would all be possible with current resources, using less vehicles than is currently required.

Local services
21 | Blackridge - Livingston South | every hour - 3 buses required
22 | Deans - Murieston clockwise | every hour - 1.5 buses required (interworks with 22A)
22A | Deans - Murieston anti-clockwise | every hour - 1.5 buses required (interworks with 22)
23 | Shotts - Bangour Village | every hour - 4 buses required
23A | Whitburn - Uphall | every hour - 3 buses required
24 | Kirkliston - Livingston South | every 45 minutes - 3 buses required
25 | Deans - Kirknewton | every 20 minutes - 6 buses required
26 | Livingston North - Bathgate | every 30 minutes - 8 buses required
40 | St John's Hospital - Cramond | every 90 minutes - 2 buses required

It sounds like a good proposal. You should send to McGill’s. I think it would only work if they were reliable though. They would need to gain back some customers that have moved to other means of transport.

They could also offer a through ticket from Kirkliston to Edinburgh City Centre on the X38 if the 2 routes were timed right.

 

[jb66]

I think the 40 should go to the Western General hospital rather than Cramond to get the subsidy the 16 gets.

 

[roadierway77]

I think the 40 should go to the western general hospital rather than cramond to get rhe subsidy the 16 gets

I think the 16 should just stay as it is for now. The City of Edinburgh Council are putting out a tender for a new route between Cramond and the Gyle - as much as I'd rather it go to Lothian, it could potentially combine with a diverted 40 - that way Horsburgh takes advantage of the subsidy offered, especially as I would propose the 9A, 9B, 9C and X40 are cut.

 

[jb66]

This is fun

"The residents at deer park are upset at lack of bus service and have started a Facebook petition"

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

"The residents at deer park are upset at lack of bus service and have started a Facebook petition"

Is this the beginning of an interesting repetitive cycle? The simple solution I guess is to divert the X24, but because its predecessor the 600 didn’t offer much in the way of connections I suspect that’s not helped. To be fair, I have gone through Deer Park on a number of occasions to have simply come straight back out without stopping.

I’m not happy with my bus services, does that mean I can start a petition? To be fair the small issues I had have been fixed by the changes from Sunday anyway.

I do think this new idea for the Cramond to Gyle bus could be fairly easily combined into the 68 if it’s done properly. The current route is a bit of a mess if I’m honest and eventually Turnhouse will have a commercial service so that probably frees up the space needed in the timetable to do it.

 

[PaulMc7]

This is fun

"The residents at deer park are upset at lack of bus service and have started a Facebook petition"

I knew this was coming somewhere to be honest. I'm all for people wanting better services but they really need to use the ones that are there. There has been a lot of demanding aimed at McGill's and Lothian for a service back into Eliburn and Deans South again too.

From what I've seen on McGill's app and some online comments, a lot of the buses really aren't that busy outside of peak times. This is why I'm unsure what I'd change with the current West Lothian network. I don't see a world in which services would be successful unless they serve St John's Hospital and Livingston Town Centre. They seem to be the 2 key places holding the entire council area together.

I've previously said McGill's should probably focus more on West Lothian instead of the connections to Edinburgh but now that the recent changes seem to be working for reliability, I'm not sure what they'll do going forward.

 

[jb66]

Is this the beginning of an interesting repetitive cycle? The simple solution I guess is to divert the X24, but because its predecessor the 600 didn’t offer much in the way of connections I suspect that’s not helped. To be fair, I have gone through Deer Park on a number of occasions to have simply come straight back out without stopping.

I’m not happy with my bus services, does that mean I can start a petition? To be fair the small issues I had have been fixed by the changes from Sunday anyway.

I do think this new idea for the Cramond to Gyle bus could be fairly easily combined into the 68 if it’s done properly. The current route is a bit of a mess if I’m honest and eventually Turnhouse will have a commercial service so that probably frees up the space needed in the timetable to do it.

Perhaps the 31 could divert into deer park?

 

[stevenedin]

I thought I’d speculate about Lothian Buses.

I think that it can’t be long before there is a new Airlink bus order. I think that 1128-1140 could be moved into the normal fleet (possibly seats changed or not). These could move to Longstone for the 3, 25 and 44 to help with capacity.

Also with 1051-1062 potentially on the move, could these be meant for Lothiancountry instead of EastCoastbuses?

1033-1042 could move to EastCoastbuses to replace 841-850 and 1051-1060 join Lothiancountry

1061 and 1062 could either stay with Lothian or replace 935 and 936 or 935 and one of the 937-950 batch which hasn’t been repainted yet.

What do you think?