Lothian Buses and ECB Discussion

[VioletEclipse]

Preserved 701 has been refitted with blinds

Which were displaying '3 Muirhouse' on the front and '141 Royal Infirmary' on the back at one point.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Preserved 701 has been refitted with blinds

I hear it also failed to start when leaving Lathalmond... Does look good however.

 

[OmniCity999]

Has anyone heard anything more on the new batch of XLB’s being 96 seats with a buggy space? Would give Lothian some much needed good PR!

It could well still be 100 seats, take out 4 for a buggy space and install 4 flip ups.

This would allow them to introduce new buses and send the initial batch off for retrofitting. Their under warranty, we wouldn't do the work in house.

 

[Jordan Adam]

It could well still be 100 seats, take out 4 for a buggy space and install 4 flip ups.

This would allow them to introduce new buses and send the initial batch off for retrofitting. Their under warranty, we wouldn't do the work in house.

In the space of 4 normal seats (2 rows of 2) you can only fit 3 side facing tip ups.

 

[A330Alex]

Seems the two-door Geminis are getting a rather snug buggy space. Would be surprised if the XLB didn't now

 

[Jordan Adam]

Seems the two-door Geminis are getting a rather snug buggy space. Would be surprised if the XLB didn't now

I'm pretty sure that tip up is an original feature, they've just added an extra pair of seats in what used to be the wheelchair bay. Leg room will be poor on the inside seat on the first row and i doubt you could get a buggy in without it slightly sticking in to the isle.

 

[ejstubbs]

I know some will disagree with me but I think some feel entitled.

I don't disagree with you. AFAIK the timeline was:

• In the beginning there were no buggy or wheelchair spaces - buggies had to be folded, wheelchair users were SOOL;
• 1995 DDA required bus companies to provide wheelchair spaces and ramps;
• Parents with buggies started using wheelchair spaces;
• Multiple "outrage" stories appeared in local and national press when parents with buggies were asked to vacate the wheelchair space for a wheelchair user, and refused/went bleating to the press (spun both ways, pro and con the buggy users);
• Court case ended up with ruling that bus companies must give wheelchair users priority (2017 I think);
• Further outrage from buggy users;
• Bus companies decided it was easier to provide buggy spaces as well as wheelchair spaces (at the expense of ordinary passengers who would quite like a seat).

 

[Jordan Adam]

I don't disagree with you. AFAIK the timeline was:

• In the beginning there were no buggy or wheelchair spaces - buggies had to be folded, wheelchair users were SOOL;
• 1995 DDA required bus companies to provide wheelchair spaces and ramps;
• Parents with buggies started using wheelchair spaces;
• Multiple "outrage" stories appeared in local and national press when parents with buggies were asked to vacate the wheelchair space for a wheelchair user, and refused/went bleating to the press (spun both ways, pro and con the buggy users);
• Court case ended up with ruling that bus companies must give wheelchair users priority (2017 I think);
• Further outrage from buggy users;
• Bus companies decided it was easier to provide buggy spaces as well as wheelchair spaces (at the expense of ordinary passengers who would quite like a seat).

It wasn't until January 2001 (May 2005 for coaches) when the PSVAR act came in to force that it was a requirement for all new buses to have wheelchair accessibility (among other disability related requirements).

I don't really see the issue with having both seats, however i think it's most logical to still fit 3 tip ups in each space, that way when the space is not in use it can provide 6 extra seats. The W-RFS batch of Alexander300 bodied Volvo B10BLE's new to Glasgow (later moved to Aberdeen) were great in this regard as you could actually quite easily fit 5 buggies in them, while there was still 12 forward facing step free seats ahead of the rear axle.

 

[ALADOU47]

On another note Lothian are spending all this money upgrading the decker fleet surely they should be thinking about upgrading the singles ?

 

[90019]

Court case ended up with ruling that bus companies must give wheelchair users priority (2017 I think).

Though for the sake of this thread, I feel it should be pointed out that the ruling of that particular case only applies to England and Wales.

 

[OmniCity999]

On another note Lothian are spending all this money upgrading the decker fleet surely they should be thinking about upgrading the singles ?

It's in the works. Deckers make up the majority of the fleet and thus they need to make a headstart with this.

The single deck fleet work largely out of town so when it comes to the low emission zone issue, they can shift the newer singles into the city if need be in the short term as newer singles become available.

 

[Lothian285]

Is it now confirmed that Lothian Motorcoaches are operating the Citylink 913 (Edinburgh-Fort William)? I've been unable to find any photos of it. According to Scottish Citylink's twitter account (https://twitter.com/ScotCitylink), it appears to have broken down on both the days it's been operating, yesterday in Perth on the return journey and today in Glencoe on the way to Fort William.

 

[route101]

Is it now confirmed that Lothian Motorcoaches are operating the Citylink 913 (Edinburgh-Fort William)? I've been unable to find any photos of it. According to Scottish Citylink's twitter account (https://twitter.com/ScotCitylink), it appears to have broken down on both the days it's been operating, yesterday in Perth on the return journey and today in Glencoe on the way to Fort William.

Interesting , this route used to go via the A84

 

[route101]

It wasn't until January 2001 (May 2005 for coaches) when the PSVAR act came in to force that it was a requirement for all new buses to have wheelchair accessibility (among other disability related requirements).

I don't really see the issue with having both seats, however i think it's most logical to still fit 3 tip ups in each space, that way when the space is not in use it can provide 6 extra seats. The W-RFS batch of Alexander300 bodied Volvo B10BLE's new to Glasgow (later moved to Aberdeen) were great in this regard as you could actually quite easily fit 5 buggies in them, while there was still 12 forward facing step free seats ahead of the rear axle.

The alx 400s are odd , they have quite a big space for buggys and wheelchairs but not any seats , theres a partition between the sppace and first row of seats ,

 

[Graham19862104]

Was on service 10 this afternoon bus 215 decided to have power steering problem as we trying to turn into St. Andrews sq ended on wrong side of road

 

[Darklord8899]

Was on service 10 this afternoon bus 215 decided to have power steering problem as we trying to turn into St. Andrews sq ended on wrong side of road

...McPhees had to rescue 210 (iirc) few weeks back from Gilmore Place...

 

[Auld reekie]

...McPhees had to rescue 210 (iirc) few weeks back from Gilmore Place...

McPhees must make a few quid from LB.

 

[lastbus]

Is it now confirmed that Lothian Motorcoaches are operating the Citylink 913 (Edinburgh-Fort William)? I've been unable to find any photos of it. According to Scottish Citylink's twitter account (https://twitter.com/ScotCitylink), it appears to have broken down on both the days it's been operating, yesterday in Perth on the return journey and today in Glencoe on the way to Fort William.

Not a very good start then

 

[overthewater]

Get even better, it somehow ended up running an hour late back this afternoon. No idea why....

 

[Weemidi135]

I hear it also failed to start when leaving Lathalmond... Does look good however.

Whoever told you that is talking rubbish

 

[Jordan Adam]

Whoever told you that is talking rubbish

They most certainly are not, it had to receive attention from the road side assistance van to get moving as it wouldn't start.

 

[Weemidi135]

They most certainly are not, it had to receive attention from the road side assistance van to get moving as it wouldn't start.

Not going to call you a liar because your information is second hand

 

[Jordan Adam]

Not going to call you a liar because your information is second hand

I see i've pulled a nerve, perhaps i should have said "see" rather than "hear", given that i've seen evidence that it require assistance to get going.

Never mind, let's not pointlessly drag the thread on. Have a good day.

 

[SpeedbirdA350]

@OmniCity999 Is there any updates on your amazing fleetlist?

 

[OmniCity999]

@OmniCity999 Is there any updates on your amazing fleetlist?

Doing a lot of overtime just now.

It'll be back... eventually!

 

[SpeedbirdA350]

Glad to hear. Fleetlists won't put food on the table either

Does anyone know how bad the damage to 133 is? It did not look too bad from initial images.

 

[ScotRail158725]

Glad to hear. Fleetlists won't put food on the table either

Does anyone know how bad the damage to 133 is? It did not look too bad from initial images.

Not bad at all its very minor, as ive said its full rear advert wasnt even burnt off so clearly not bad. Mechanical fix, new rear window and engine cover would see it out in few months. will likely go to scrap as its 14 year old

 

[OmniCity999]

Not bad at all its very minor, as ive said its full rear advert wasnt even burnt off so clearly not bad. Mechanical fix, new rear window and engine cover would see it out in few months. will likely go to scrap as its 14 year old

Likely it will be more a case of repair then sale. Or sold for spares.

 

[kje7812]

Spotted two B8Ls on the 25 this morning, they look good this route.

 

[route101]

Is it now confirmed that Lothian Motorcoaches are operating the Citylink 913 (Edinburgh-Fort William)? I've been unable to find any photos of it. According to Scottish Citylink's twitter account (https://twitter.com/ScotCitylink), it appears to have broken down on both the days it's been operating, yesterday in Perth on the return journey and today in Glencoe on the way to Fort William.

What kind of bus is operating this ?