Edinburgh Tour Operators: Bright Bus, Lothian (Majestic, Three Bridges) etc.

[Bedford OB]

I’m sure it was hourly for a few years during the Hall era before COVID. That was the big reason why a second bus was added to the pool from the sole one. It would’ve been the year 650 joined 651 that it started.

It ws indeed hourly at that time, for example in 2019, ex Waverley Bridge hourly 1005 to 1505, then at 1550, 1650, 1750.

 

[Stan Drews]

The Bus and Boat Tour was fine when it used to only run to actually meet the Boats. Then when they rebranded it to 3 Bridges Tour and made it hourly, it was empty a lot of the time. I’m a little surprised it’s gone completely though.

The Bus and Boat Tour will be returning for the summer, primarily to meet with the boats.

 

[Lothian285]

The Bus and Boat Tour will be returning for the summer, primarily to meet with the boats.

It’s not returning, it’s been withdrawn.

 

[Stan Drews]

It’s not returning, it’s been withdrawn.

The previous registration may have been withdrawn, but new registrations can be submitted.

 

[Bus9120UK]

The Bus and Boat Tour will be returning for the summer, primarily to meet with the boats.

Out of interest, if this is true, which vehicles will be used? The previous vehicles are being returned to the Edinburgh Tour (232 is still away at the moment) and 905/6 are white.

Edit: I realise now that you work for McGill's. Also, the 3 Bridges Tour did meet with the boats post-covid until it's cancellation, so this McGill's tour will be no different than what was already available.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

The Bus and Boat Tour will be returning for the summer, primarily to meet with the boats.

That wouldn’t align with what I have been told. It hasn’t gone, but as an Edinburgh Bus Tours service it should have ended.

It will return, but in a different capacity.

 

[LothianBusesPh]

That wouldn’t align with what I have been told. It hasn’t gone, but as an Edinburgh Bus Tours service it should have ended.

It will return, but in a different capacity.

I've been told similar, tried to keep it secret.

 

[greyman42]

The Bus and Boat Tour will be returning for the summer, primarily to meet with the boats.

Where do the boat trips go?

 

[Stan Drews]

Where do the boat trips go?

They do a few options, but primarily out to Inchcolm Island and/or the 3 bridges. More info on their website.

Our Cruises - Forth Boat Tours

Forth Boat Tours offers visitors the opportunity to experience the stunning Firth of Forth aboard one of our cruises. Book Direct.

www.forthtours.com

 

[LothianBusesPh]

232 is getting MOTd at Marine. It’s definitely electric with slight changes to the exterior, with Kleandrive logos over the diesel cap. Looking fine but the sound isn’t nice and it just sounds like a Wright Electroliner.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

224 is away home to Northern Ireland by the looks of it. Currently tracking at the Stena Line Terminal at Cairnryan. Presumably bound for Ballymena?

 

[muffy]

224 is away home to Northern Ireland by the looks of it. Currently tracking at the Stena Line Terminal at Cairnryan. Presumably bound for Ballymena?

And that appears to where it's ended up.

 

[DunsBus]

The heat is slowly being turned up...

 

[muffy]

The heat is slowly being turned up...

I think Stan Drews has already alluded to the fact that Bright Bus were taking over this.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

The heat is slowly being turned up...

This will be what 8951 is for then.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Presumably each year the commercial relationship between the operator of this and the operator of the boat cruise has to be really negotiated and I can assume from this that bright will offering something better than Lothian?

 

[overthewater]

Or maybe Lothian don't have the drivers to cover this operation.

 

[Bus9120UK]

Or maybe Lothian Don't have the drivers to cover this operations?

Or vehicles? Now the Edinburgh, Regal & Sightseeing tours are at pre-covid frequencies they may need all 30 open toppers to operate them, with no spares. This, alongside intended electric conversions.
I have also heard that the 3 Bridges' Tour was a loss maker. If so, I wonder what Bright Bus will do to make it profitable?

 

[buslad1988]

Or vehicles? Now the Edinburgh, Regal & Sightseeing tours are at pre-covid frequencies they may need all 30 open toppers to operate them, with no spares. This, alongside intended electric conversions.
I have also heard that the 3 Bridges' Tour was a loss maker. If so, I wonder what Bright Bus will do to make it profitable?

Indeed it carried fresh air most of the time. Bus/boat tour is a very niche market and it’s a trek out to Queensferry. Not to mention the price and the weather - also most people don’t mind sitting on a bus; the same cannot be said for boats!

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

I have also heard that the 3 Bridges' Tour was a loss maker. If so, I wonder what Bright Bus will do to make it profitable?

It definitely is an interesting move by Bright Bus to take this on. It doesn’t really seem like this fits into a budget operation at all. A niche market for sure and I think one that COVID might have killed off. Won’t cost Bright Bus to get it up and running, but let’s see how long it lasts. I’m not sure it’ll do too well.

 

[Stan Drews]

Presumably each year the commercial relationship between the operator of this and the operator of the boat cruise has to be really negotiated and I can assume from this that bright will offering something better than Lothian?

I understand the relationship between the owner of Forth Boat Tours (FBT) and Lothian soured, which led to Lothian withdrawing their service and FBT reaching out to Bright Bus.

 

[NorthClyde320]

I’ve just noticed that Bright Bus Tours have put their prices up. It used to be £10 for 1 tour and £16 for 2. Now it’s £18 for 1 and £25 for 2. That’s a steep increase. When did this go up?

It's now £16 for 1 tour and £20 for 2 for this year, unsure what the new boat & bridges tour will cost but should be announced soon I think

 

[Andyh82]

Indeed it carried fresh air most of the time. Bus/boat tour is a very niche market and it’s a trek out to Queensferry. Not to mention the price and the weather - also most people don’t mind sitting on a bus; the same cannot be said for boats!

When a street seller explains the tours to a tourist it’s complicated enough - three tours, 24 hour tickets, 48 hours, tickets that give you entry to the castle etc etc. the boat tour was rarely mentioned as that just introduced even more complexity

 

[Spsf3232]

When a street seller explains the tours to a tourist it’s complicated enough - three tours, 24 hour tickets, 48 hours, tickets that give you entry to the castle etc etc. the boat tour was rarely mentioned as that just introduced even more complexity

They get a percentage of attraction sales so that's why they want to push those

 

[Blindtraveler]

I understand the relationship between the owner of Forth Boat Tours (FBT) and Lothian soured, which led to Lothian withdrawing their service and FBT reaching out to Bright Bus.

Interesting, I wonder why?

 

[christopherrfc]

The bright bus bridges service starts on the 1st of June.

Bus registration details​

• Registration numberPM0000923/370
• Licence NumberPM0000923
• Variation number
• StatusNew
• Service number.Bright Bus Boat & Bridges Tour
• Service type
• Start pointEdinburgh, Waterloo Place
• Finish pointSouth Queensferry, Hawes Pier
• ViaQueensferry Road, Dean Bridge
• Date received19 Apr 2024
• Effective date01 Jun 2024
• End date
• Supported by subsidies?No
• Local authorities covered by route
• TAOs covered by route

Registration history

Reg No.	Var No.	Status	Application type	Date received	Date effective	End date	Action
PM0000923/370	0	New	Manual	19/04/2024	01/06/2024

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