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Lothian Buses and ECB Discussion

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Kent Dreamer

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https://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/lothian-launches-tourist-coach-market/

Spearheading Lothian Coaches’ fleet of 18 vehicles are five new 14-metre tri-axle Plaxton Panther 3’s, liveried in charcoal grey. The bespoke coaches have 61 seats in a charcoal version of Lothian’s unique moquette.

They are backed by three fully refurbished Van Hool Acrons in the same livery and specification, and for shorter transfers from, for example, cruise ships, ten Wrights Gemini double-deck buses have been brought up to coach specification, including a refit with high-back, seatbelted seats....

This was apparently an exclusive article that Richard Hall gave during the coach show at Blackpool. Includes photos of the interior and explains how they have redesigned the internal staircases etc. Interesting to note that they are getting ten Gemini’s as well. I’m guessing this will be some of the ex London buses. Be interesting to see which livery they put them in but I’m assuming these will be used on the X99 cruise link services.
 
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alexf380

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1051 onwards are fitted with alcohol interlock systems, requiring a breath sample every time the bus is started and during changeovers.

Should be fun when they fail, especially if there's a false positive.
Changeover took over 10 minutes one one bus today, driver couldn't get a sample into the machine despite trying many times. I decided to cut my losses and walk from the changeover point at Bellevue up to York Place and by the time I was on my next bus it still hadn't moved. The future looks bright!
 

SpeedbirdA350

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Given Lothian will stick with Volvo/Wrightbus for the forseeable (which IMO is a good thing), do you think they will have any more demonstrator buses? More so from other companies than volvo/wrightbus but them too.
 

overthewater

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Another money making scheme is east coast tours... Two have been registered on vosa already today.
 

overthewater

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  • PM1050765/34 Registered
    EAST COAST BUSES LIMITED
    Route: Waverly Bridge, Edinburgh to Church Road, North Berwick via Seton Sands, Aberlady, Gullane,
    Service number: East Coast Tour
    Service type: Normal Stopping
    Effective date: 30 Jun 2018

  • PM1050765/33 Registered
    EAST COAST BUSES LIMITED
    Route: Church Road, North Berwick to Church Road, North Berwick via East Linton, Drem, Dirleton
    Service number: East Coast Tour
    Service type: Normal Stopping
    Effective date: 30 Jun 2018
 

OmniCity999

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Another money making scheme is east coast tours... Two have been registered on vosa already today.

"East Coast Tours" doesnt exist - East Coast Tour is just the "service number". The above services are the same service over two registrations. I believe this has been submitted to add capacity to the North Berwick corridor with a couple open toppers running the service, this is suited to summer days and fringe by the sea.
 

oldman

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The second looks like a hop-on circuit to include Tantallon Castle and the Flight Museum. Could one bus do it in an hour? It would take some business from Eve coaches if they accept bus passes.
 

OmniCity999

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The second looks like a hop-on circuit to include Tantallon Castle and the Flight Museum. Could one bus do it in an hour? It would take some business from Eve coaches if they accept bus passes.

It may well be two separate services - but i was of the belief this was being set up to support extra workings on the 124's and for the open toppers to run out east. If it is to take in the NMoF, Tantallon and other landmarks (i hadnt really paid attention, apologies), then i cant imagine it will get much patronage at first - business may be slow. But it may be a nice little niche for the company. If it does well, it would be nice to see a branded bus for the route - possibly 20942 which is being rebuilt. Maybe even 249/250 or one or two of the tridents wrapped in ECB branding/local landmarks.
 

OmniCity999

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I'm led to believe 992/994 have had their roofs chopped and refurbished by Thorntons for East Coast Buses. One of them has been seen in green and grey...
 

Volvodart

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https://www.lothianbuses.com/news/2018/05/lothian-motorcoaches/

Lothian Motorcoaches
Lothian launch coach operations
May 31, 2018
We are excited to be expanding further and widening our portfolio with the launch of Lothian Motorcoaches, creating further jobs and boosting tourism in the Scottish economy.

From June, Lothian Motorcoaches will sit alongside and complement our Edinburgh Bus Tours operation by offering bespoke day tours to both resident and tourism markets across Scotland, as well as associated private hire services specialising in high-end corporate events and weddings.

We have acquired five executive coaches for this operation, working in close partnership with Plaxton, a subsidiary of Alexander Dennis, on both build and design. The upmarket Plaxton Panther executive coaches have been fitted to a superior standard offering customers a high quality, luxury experience featuring WI-FI, USB charging points, reclining seats with leather headrests and unique LED lighting, accented in a mild red effect to add to the interior ambience.

Richard Hall, Managing Director for Lothian said:

We are delighted to launch Lothian Motorcoaches, offering coach tours and private hire services for the residents and visitors of Edinburgh, the Lothians and beyond.

Working in close partnership with Plaxton, we have designed a high quality fleet of custom-built luxury executive coaches, fitted with the latest technology and premium customer focused features.

Our specially trained drivers and guides aim to deliver an unrivalled customer experience, which combined with outstanding vehicles proudly built in Britain, offer a unique package for both the residents of Edinburgh and the Lothians and the important incoming tourism market that Scotland is lucky enough to enjoy. We look forward to commencing operations and welcoming the first of many customers aboard.

Paula Ward, Regional Leadership Director, VisitScotland said:

Scotland’s reputation as a quality destination relies on continued investment and innovation to ensure that current provision meets future demand. The launch of Lothian Motorcoaches demonstrates a real commitment to further enhancing the tourism offering in Edinburgh and beyond.

The new tours will encourage visitors to our capital city to visit some of the beautiful surrounding countryside and world-class attractions that can be enjoyed in Scotland. Tourism is more than a holiday experience – it is integral to sustaining communities across Scotland by generating income, creating jobs and stimulating social change.

The live-guided coach tours will take customers to various historic and picturesque locations across Scotland, including Loch Lomond, Stirling and St Andrews. Linking in with Lothian’s subsidiary Edinburgh Bus Tours, visitors and residents will be spoilt for choice as to ways to explore all that Scotland has to offer.
 

ANWP Tom

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10** series latest deliveries have been rolled out on 8s with the ex 26 zoo buses still making up the mainstay of 31s.

Any idea on fleet numbers for the coaches yet?

Had noticed 2 of the stored scanias from marine had disappeared since I took these shots

Open top theory would seem a good one especially with the 21* open toppers seeing weekend use on 26s from last weekend
 

Lothian_Bus

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10** series latest deliveries have been rolled out on 8s with the ex 26 zoo buses still making up the mainstay of 31s.

Any idea on fleet numbers for the coaches yet?

Had noticed 2 of the stored scanias from marine had disappeared since I took these shots

Open top theory would seem a good one especially with the 21* open toppers seeing weekend use on 26s from last weekend
It will be interesting to see what happens when the remaining 13 B5TL's arrive at Central. I wonder if they will get transferred to the 31 at that point.
 

OmniCity999

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10** series latest deliveries have been rolled out on 8s with the ex 26 zoo buses still making up the mainstay of 31s.

Any idea on fleet numbers for the coaches yet?

Had noticed 2 of the stored scanias from marine had disappeared since I took these shots

Open top theory would seem a good one especially with the 21* open toppers seeing weekend use on 26s from last weekend

Four open toppers were used on the 26.

Coaches are 9001-9005 so far. Coach trackers will be hidden to tracking websites and only available to Lothian. its not clear weather the Gemini's joining Lothian Coaches will retain their trackers or current fleet numbers.
 

ANWP Tom

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Is it confirmed Geminis, 2 Omnicities in white, one with reconditioned front blinds one not, outside the works this morning. Seems all bar 1 of the Scanias that were stored at marine have moved
 

317 forever

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I went to Edinburgh last weekend. I saw a handful of 18-reg Volvo B5TLs on route 8 and one on route 31.

The only Tridents I saw were an open-top example on route 26 and a few on route 21 (including 700 which I rode). I spent Sunday with friends but spotted an Eclipse on route 21 as they drove me to the station. I therefore reckon Tridents no longer see mainstream service on Sundays.

I have heard talk of the 50 ex-London Volvo B9TLs and 25 new Volvo B5TLs replacing Tridents and some early Volvo B7TLs and Eclipses. I reckon it would be 04-reg Eclipses withdrawn and route 49 reverting to double-deck.

I rode no fewer than 6 different Volvo - Wright combinations, even without a B8RLE! These were B7TL, B9TL, B5TL - Gemini 3 classic, B5TL - Gemini new-style, B5LH - Gemini new style and B7RLE - Eclipse.
 

Lothian_Bus

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I went to Edinburgh last weekend. I saw a handful of 18-reg Volvo B5TLs on route 8 and one on route 31.

The only Tridents I saw were an open-top example on route 26 and a few on route 21 (including 700 which I rode). I spent Sunday with friends but spotted an Eclipse on route 21 as they drove me to the station. I therefore reckon Tridents no longer see mainstream service on Sundays.

I have heard talk of the 50 ex-London Volvo B9TLs and 25 new Volvo B5TLs replacing Tridents and some early Volvo B7TLs and Eclipses. I reckon it would be 04-reg Eclipses withdrawn and route 49 reverting to double-deck.

I rode no fewer than 6 different Volvo - Wright combinations, even without a B8RLE! These were B7TL, B9TL, B5TL - Gemini 3 classic, B5TL - Gemini new-style, B5LH - Gemini new style and B7RLE - Eclipse.
You are correct in that tridents are unlikely to be seen at the weekends. Monday to Friday you would also see a few of these appearing on routes 25 and 44.
 

ANWP Tom

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21, 44 and peak X services are also regular mind week also see tridents. 18s seem to alternate between them and older geminis. plus 650/651 on the bridges tour runs

Noted on 4s and 26s rarely midweek. Around 20 stored at Marine against the fence the ECB liveried one is among them. Quick glance yesterday 630, 632, 634 are on the outer end
 

OmniCity999

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The latest fleetlist is available here to view:

https://goo.gl/ES1eEG

The pocket guide is out of date, this will be updated in the near future.

Feel free to share this as much as you'd like. I'm no longer in some forums so it would be nice to see it there and being used in my absence.
 

SpeedbirdA350

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I don't know if it is just me but on the coaches page it has text over the top of the information so it's unreadable.

Do you mean you're no longer going to be on hobbyist?
Thanks for adding the size of the buses in :)
 

OmniCity999

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I don't know if it is just me but on the coaches page it has text over the top of the information so it's unreadable.

Do you mean you're no longer going to be on hobbyist?
Thanks for adding the size of the buses in :)


Yeah i only noticed that after i uploaded... this version is a bit rough if im fair. Ill upload an amendment tomorrow!

No not Hobbyist, other forums. :)
 

SpeedbirdA350

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Rough or not, it's extremly welcomed information. To be fair the website said the next update would be at the END of June, so to get one so quick was a nice suprise. :)

I'm glad it was not just me as I was getting a tad worried something was wrong with my PC lol.
 

Lothian_Bus

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The latest fleetlist is available here to view:

https://goo.gl/ES1eEG

The pocket guide is out of date, this will be updated in the near future.

Feel free to share this as much as you'd like. I'm no longer in some forums so it would be nice to see it there and being used in my absence.
Thanks as ever. I had noticed 711 on service 44 today so assume there will be more buses moving soon to Longstone.
 

OmniCity999

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Unexpected news from Lothian today is that at least 42 Alexander Dennis (Volvo Chassis - Euro 6) vehicles are on order. No word on which models they will be or if they are destined for any of the subsidiaries.

Some are in build now. I think Wright may be struggling with demand.
 
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Jordan Adam

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Could probably assume they'd be Volvo B5LH's with Enviro400 bodies since that's the only bus product Volvo and ADL have together.
 

goldisgood

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Any idea as to why they've turned away from Wright for this? I thought that they had a 5 year partnership - has this expired now?
 

Hophead

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Unexpected news from Lothian today is that at least 42 Alexander Dennis (Volvo Chassis - Euro 6) vehicles are on order. No word on which models they will be or if they are destined for any of the subsidiaries.

Some are in build now. I think Wright may be struggling with demand.

I thought it was lack of demand which the company was struggling with? Hence stories such as the following in Bus And Coach Buyer:

Additional cuts to Wrights Group’s workforce could be made.

Against the backdrop of continuing low levels of demand in the UK bus market, the manufacturer starting a consultation process that could lead to a further reduction in its workforce in Northern Ireland. Up to 95 roles could potentially be affected within the company’s Wrightbus, Customcare and EN-Drive subsidiaries based at Ballymena. This workforce reduction is in addition to the roles made redundant following a similar consultation process in February this year.

“There is a good deal of continuing uncertainty – specifically in the UK market – at present, which is causing private and public bus operators alike to delay or postpone their vehicle investment programmes” said Mark Nodder OBE, Chairman of Wrights Group.

“This has a direct impact on production levels at our Ballymena facilities and the announcement that we are making today – difficult and regrettable as it is – is nonetheless necessary to align workforce requirements with our near term order book.”

He added, “We are naturally working proactively with the union, employee representatives and other stakeholders to mitigate both the scale and the impact of job cuts within our business. With existing contracts in build or in the pipeline, and a number of potential projects yet to come to fruition, the company continues to be well positioned for when the market demand for new buses returns to more normal levels.

“As ever, given the sensitivities around this announcement, the company will not be making any further statement until the consultation process is concluded.”

ADL have similar concerns (though perhaps slightly alleviated thanks to Lothian).
 

OmniCity999

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Any idea as to why they've turned away from Wright for this? I thought that they had a 5 year partnership - has this expired now?

This is on top of the BUS2020 partnership. Lothian are trying to get rid of as many euro 3/4 buses as possible and getting rid of all E3/4 models by 2020. So 701-825 and the remaining tridents... Lothian have (441-510, 571-590, the streetairs and 1051-1065) 111 (i think) of the 320 odd new buses from Wright out of the deal so far. This 42 from ADL are on top of that.
 

ANWP Tom

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Low 1** numbered singles to go as well, maybe linked with the order probably around that many older ones
 
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