Independent Operators in the Lothians

[scosutsut]

Good job Prentice! Finally a livery that works on the E200 MMC front!

 

[Avenger20]

Just managed a quick ride back from the shops on YX70OLV, a lovely ride and a much less jerky gearbox on these vehicles.

The ticket and cab displayed the number 411. Have Prentice adopted fleet numbers, or were they always there and I just never seen them?

 

[OmniCity999]

Just managed a quick ride back from the shops on YX70OLV, a lovely ride and a much less jerky gearbox on these vehicles.

The ticket and cab displayed the number 411. Have Prentice adopted fleet numbers, or were they always there and I just never seen them?

It's a recent change. Vehicles are numbered by capacity, so 41 seats, then that'll be the first of that batch. Think the two recent acquisitions are 411/412

 

[Avenger20]

It's a recent change. Vehicles are numbered by capacity, so 41 seats, then that'll be the first of that batch. Think the two recent acquisitions are 411/412

Better hope they don't end up having more than 9 41 seaters(!)

Would anyone happen to have a fleet list for Prentice of Haddington?

 

[Volvodart]

Prentice are evaluating an Enviro 200EV on route 111 from today for the next week.

 

[Kent Dreamer]

When companies trial electric buses, how do they charge as they wouldn’t have the charging infrastructure in place?

 

[OmniCity999]

When companies trial electric buses, how do they charge as they wouldn’t have the charging infrastructure in place?

A lot of charging (albeit slow charging) can be achieved through a 32 amp or 63 amp power supply. Most depots have machinery that runs off this supply type.

Short term loans and trials can utilise this, or if a company nearby has said power, companies my negotiate the use of this.

The other option being the temporary installation of heavy power.

 

[LiviCrazy]

Random question, I’m trying to remember what bus used to serve the Pyramids Business Park in Bathgate (not including the current temporary runs). It would have been about 10-12 years ago. I’m vaguely remembering it may have been morning/evening Horsburgh Council service? The 486?

 

[CN04NRJ]

When companies trial electric buses, how do they charge as they wouldn’t have the charging infrastructure in place?

On the same note when I worked at Cardiff Bus we had 2 gas (Scania and a MAN) demos and they come with a tanker on a trailer with the associated equipment and one of their staff would set it up for refueling.

I recall the first electric demo (Yutong) tripping the entire depots power supply - they managed to find an outlet in the paintshop in the end that was the correct ampage.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Random question, I’m trying to remember what bus used to serve the Pyramids Business Park in Bathgate (not including the current temporary runs). It would have been about 10-12 years ago. I’m vaguely remembering it may have been morning/evening Horsburgh Council service? The 486?

Indeed it was the 486 operated by Horsburgh. Pictured below is a timetable from 2007.

 

[LiviCrazy]

Indeed it was the 486 operated by Horsburgh. Pictured below is a timetable from 2007.

Thanks. Glad I wasn’t misremembering. Used to enjoy that journey.

 

[overthewater]

The services were renumbered 11/12

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Besides the partnership with the 69 till its withdrawal, what is Lothians current relationship with Prentice? I was on a 26 today in Musselburgh and noticed that the info board at the Musselburgh High Street stop has Prentice services up as connections.

I'm probably looking way too much into it, but I was just curious if someone had more information. It would be handy if you could use your bus pass on a few services like the 111 or 118

 

[OmniCity999]

Besides the partnership with the 69 till it’s withdrawel What is Lothians current relationship with Prentice? I was on a 26 today in Musselburgh and noticed on the info board that at the Musselburgh High Street stop it has Prentice services up as connections?

im probably looking way too into it but I was just curious if someone had more information, would of handy if you could use your bus pass on a few handy services like the 111 or 118

Lothian Ridacards are only valid on Lothian, Airlink, Skylink, East Coast Buses and Lothian Country, the latter two only valid in the appropriate zones.

The only connection was the 69. The fact Prentice services are shown as connections is nothing more than good planning.

Specifically, East Lothian has the bus partnership which was designed so that each company works together to create better services and information for passengers. Not sure if the partnership is still in place, but it's still advertised in some places.

 

[Volvodart]

When companies trial electric buses, how do they charge as they wouldn’t have the charging infrastructure in place?

From the article below, it appears Prentice already had a charger:-

https://cbwmagazine.com/prentice-of-haddington-switches-on-to-the-potential-of-electric-buses/

Prentice of Haddington switches on to the potential of electric buses​

09/06/2021

In a recent article about Prentice of Haddington, Managing Director Ross Prentice told Richard Walter he was considering electric vehicles. At the time Ross said: “I have been looking seriously at electric vehicles but I don’t think they are suitable for our needs yet.” However he recognised that the infrastructure was improving and considered that there might be charging points suitable for buses being installed at a ‘Journey Hub’ in East Lothian in the not too distant future. Subsequently the company has been evaluating electric bus LJ68 CYO, an BYD ADL Enviro200MMC EV demonstrator which has been trialled by various operators throughout the UK following its appearance at the Euro Bus Expo 2018 in Birmingham.
Ross said that while he was initially sceptical, he is now extremely impressed. “The bus is easy to drive and very quiet as you would expect.” he said. “It has completed a standard shift of three return journeys on the 111 service covering 162 miles and still has 33% charge left. I expected issues with the charger in our garage but those haven’t happened. The bus charged comfortably overnight even at the lowest setting. Last week I would have said I wouldn’t have thought it would be suitable for our needs, but my opinion has completely changed and I now think we could operate a few with ease. The cost differential is the big issue but with ‘Green Bus’ funding, I believe there would be a strong commercial case to purchase.”

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Long shot but this felt like the only appropriate forum to ask this question.

So I went on the X62 yesterday all the way to Peebles from Edinburgh (and yes I am aware Peebles is in the Borders and not Midlothian but hear me out)

So the £8.40 Borderless ticket was good value, The service is great wish they had later runs but one problem at a time, but on the way back I was just thinking about something.

Giving that the distance between Peebles and Penicuik is 22-30 mins (14 miles) I was wondering how much a single/return would be from Penicuik Centre to Peebles Centre! As I have a ridacard I could take a 37/47 to the centre and jump on a X62 from there?

Does anyone have any clue at all? like I said I know it’s a long shot but it felt like the only appropriate place to ask! Thank you.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Long shot but this felt like the only appropriate forum to ask this question.

So I went on the X62 yesterday all the way to Peebles from Edinburgh (and yes I am aware Peebles is in the Borders and not Midlothian but hear me out)

So the £8.40 Borderless ticket was good value, The service is great wish they had later runs but one problem at a time, but on the way back I was just thinking about something.

Giving that the distance between Peebles and Penicuik is 22-30 mins (14 miles) I was wondering how much a single/return would be from Penicuik Centre to Peebles Centre! As I have a ridacard I could take a 37/47 to the centre and jump on a X62 from there?

Does anyone have any clue at all? like I said I know it’s a long shot but it felt like the only appropriate place to ask! Thank you.

Borders Buses have a really handy page on their website which shows all the single fares, Edinburgh to Peebles is £5.90. - https://www.bordersbuses.co.uk/draft-cash-fares-bus-updated-fare-increase

 

[markymark2000]

Long shot but this felt like the only appropriate forum to ask this question.

So I went on the X62 yesterday all the way to Peebles from Edinburgh (and yes I am aware Peebles is in the Borders and not Midlothian but hear me out)

So the £8.40 Borderless ticket was good value, The service is great wish they had later runs but one problem at a time, but on the way back I was just thinking about something.

Giving that the distance between Peebles and Penicuik is 22-30 mins (14 miles) I was wondering how much a single/return would be from Penicuik Centre to Peebles Centre! As I have a ridacard I could take a 37/47 to the centre and jump on a X62 from there?

Does anyone have any clue at all? like I said I know it’s a long shot but it felt like the only appropriate place to ask! Thank you.

Borders Buses site shows up as £5.50 single, £9.90 return.

Cash fares on the bus

Our ticket options include single, return, weekly and 10 journey. Change is available.

www.bordersbuses.co.uk

 

[Siemens Trains]

Borders Buses site shows up as £5.50 single, £9.90 return.

Cash fares on the bus

Our ticket options include single, return, weekly and 10 journey. Change is available.

www.bordersbuses.co.uk

Yes, if a passenger is going from Edinburgh to Peebles and back on the same day they have nothing to gain from using an existing Ridacard on the Edinburgh - Penicuik journeys. The £8.40 Borderless day ticket is already cheaper than the discounted return from Penicuik to Peebles, and cheaper still than the Edinburgh to Peebles return fare.

 

[Lothianbus703]

I have been looking around Balerno on Google maps recently using the time travel feature to take me back to 2009 and on the bus stops it says there is a Horsburgh service 70 and a Prentice service 424. Could anybody tell me what services these were?.

 

[LiviCrazy]

I have been looking around Balerno on Google maps recently using the time travel feature to take me back to 2009 and on the bus stops it says there is a Horsburgh service 79 and a Prentice service 424. Could anybody tell me what services these were?.

424 was service Livingston to Juniper Green. If I remember rightly it ran via Pumpherston, Mid Calder, East Calder and Kirknewton. Horsburgh also ran it for a while, latterly as the 24 I think.
Not sure about the 79.

 

[Graham Alexand]

424 was service Livingston to Juniper Green. If I remember rightly it ran via Pumpherston, Mid Calder, East Calder and Kirknewton. Horsburgh also ran it for a while, latterly as the 24 I think.
Not sure about the 79.

That was the one that ran infrequently at one bus every two hours (the 24)?

 

[oldman]

The 70 was the Balerno - Gyle service.

 

[Avenger20]

The 70 was the Balerno - Gyle service.

Correct, only ran one return journey on a Wednesday I believe?

 

[GusB]

Do not discuss moderation decisions within the thread, please. If you have an issue with a post being deleted, contact us directly.

I'd like to remind everyone that if you are providing information about a service change, we require a link to and a quote from your source.

Thank you.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Prentice are now running a new service to Fort Kinnaird from Elphinstone

110A Elphinstone to Fort Kinnaird

www.prentice.info

A NEW EXTENDED ROUTE from Monday 5th July 2021​

An extension to Service 110 which will provide a new quick link for Tranent, Prestonpans and Wallyford to Fort Kinnaird.
The route starts Elphinstone travels down Elphinstone Road to Tranent via Caponhall Road and the Loch Centre continuing down Church Street past Blindwells and into Prestonpans at Schaw Road and along Preston Road. It then travels along Salters Road through Wallyford and onto the A1 to Fort Kinnaird.

 

[computerSaysNo]

Does anyone know what vehicle types are typically used on the E&M Horsburgh 40/X40 (or have a fleet list for that company)? Thanks

 

[scosutsut]

Does anyone know what vehicle types are typically used on the E&M Horsburgh 40/X40 (or have a fleet list for that company)? Thanks

Quack77 - E. & M. Horsburgh fleet list

quack77.uk

Unofficial/incomplete but here you go.

 

[Avenger20]

Does anyone know what vehicle types are typically used on the E&M Horsburgh 40/X40 (or have a fleet list for that company)? Thanks

I've seen a number of different vehicles operate the service, Including Darts, Solos and Eclipses - most recently I've seen a few of the ex ECB/LCB Eclipses.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Quack77 - E. & M. Horsburgh fleet list

quack77.uk

Unofficial/incomplete but here you go.

I wouldn't use that site as a source, the fleetlists can be edited on the spot by anyone and they're always inaccurate.

Does anyone know what vehicle types are typically used on the E&M Horsburgh 40/X40 (or have a fleet list for that company)? Thanks

At the moment it's usually the Ex-ECB/LCB B7RLEs, however virtually any PSVAR complaint bus in the fleet can turn up...