Lothian Buses and ECB Discussion

[alexf380]

The 61 had a 7900 Hybrid working it the other day (photo on Flickr) so it can be done with something that isn't an Optare in the short term once the solos are sold.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

The 61 had a 7900 Hybrid working it the other day (photo on Flickr) so it can be done with something that isn't an Optare in the short term once the solos are sold.

61 is going as Standard Life have moved out of the office at the West End after the sale to Phoenix meaning the route is essentially pointless

 

[TheEastCoaster]

End of the road for the 69, Prentice to run from October 29th, I expect 61 to go soon too. Means the solo's are all surplus. Prentice also have a new 118 starting the same date that is to run Longniddry-Musselburgh-Fort Kinnaird to perhaps offer more links to there

That’s very bizarre, I thought the 69 was very popular with the oaps, are Lothian just fed up with the service?

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

That’s very bizarre, I thought the 69 was very popular with the oaps, are Lothian just fed up with the service?

Lothian may well have been outbid by Prentice rather than just not bidding for it

 

[OmniCity999]

Lothian may well have been outbid by Prentice rather than just not bidding for it

Sure the 69 is commercial (not supported by the council) and as such not bid for? Lothian have probably given it up and approached others rather than continue it.

They dont seem too fussed when it comes to 'shopper routes' also saves them the hassle of buying something small enough to run it. Whats the point in having something so small and unstandard in the main fleet. Volvo dont do a chassis small enough and it seems the company are keen to stick to the same drive train and chassis manufacturers.

Theres bigger, more important routes to worry about. The 69 will no doubt work off the 118 or 108 from Prentice.

 

[Bungle965]

The Solo's were also a bit of an anomaly due to the fact that they had MAN engines also.
Sam

 

[SpeedbirdA350]

Volvo dont do a chassis small enough and it seems the company are keen to stick to the same drive train and chassis manufacturers.

Correct me if I am wrong but Volvo do a 10M B7RLE which is only 0.4m longer than the solo. There is also the Streetlite WF which is 8.5m and 9.5m so smaller than the solo which is 9.6m, and of course, there is the streetair which we have 6 of already, and start I think at 8.8/8.9m and 9.5m.

However a route like the 69 which only needs I think just 1 bus to cover it, makes it i assume impractical for LB to order something for it and be a waste to use something already in the fleet to cover it too.

 

[Darklord8899]

IIRC the 69 was originally operated under the Mac Tours licence, later transferred to LB proper. I'm not sure that the service was ever run commercially though.

 

[Lothian_Bus]

A significant number of 201-215 back operating on service 10. I wonder if this is due to a recent local news article which reported on how these buses were no longer on service 10.

 

[CM]

Correct me if I am wrong but Volvo do a 10M B7RLE which is only 0.4m longer than the solo. There is also the Streetlite WF which is 8.5m and 9.5m so smaller than the solo which is 9.6m, and of course, there is the streetair which we have 6 of already, and start I think at 8.8/8.9m and 9.5m.

However a route like the 69 which only needs I think just 1 bus to cover it, makes it i assume impractical for LB to order something for it and be a waste to use something already in the fleet to cover it too.

Volvo don't do a B7RLE in any shape or form, it's the B8RLE. As for the Solo, the Solo is available in lengths from 7.1m right up to 9.9m IIRC and they also come in two widths.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

A significant number of 201-215 back operating on service 10. I wonder if this is due to a recent local news article which reported on how these buses were no longer on service 10.

I was thinking exactly the same thing when I seen 213 today. As a resident on the 14 I'm glad they're back on the 10 for now as the B7's and B9's are better at the 14 anyway

 

[oldman]

Does anyone know what has happened to the TFE app. It's disappeared from playstore, and the one on my phone keeps crashing. This is on top of the m-ticket problems.

 

[mark-h]

Still in the Play Store with recent reviews stating that it does not work.

Google maps has access to live bus information (select a bus stop and it will give you a live departures board). Not as convenient as the app when it worked but a useful alternative.

 

[overthewater]

This is better: https://tfeapp.com/live/

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

And this is the best one www.finlaysmith.co.uk

 

[overthewater]

That one tells you where the new depot is

 

[Route26]

Hi all,
I will be visiting Edinburgh next weekend and I fancy a ride on one of the LXZs, is the 41 mostly run by them now?
Thanks

 

[90019]

You're most likely to find them on the 29, but they can turn up on anything operated out of Central.

 

[route101]

Hi all,
I will be visiting Edinburgh next weekend and I fancy a ride on one of the LXZs, is the 41 mostly run by them now?
Thanks

X27 or X28 too .

 

[OmniCity999]

Two brand new high spec Mercedes Sprinter mini coaches have been added to the Lothian Motorcoaches fleet. These are in silver with grey Lothian fleetnames. They feature leather seats, tables and private plates.

 

[oldman]

Still in the Play Store with recent reviews stating that it does not work.

Wierd. Definitely not there around 1400 this afternoon, just the m-tickets one.

 

[Route26]

X27 or X28 too .

Thanks all, I will have a look for one after the Doors Open Day.

 

[mark-h]

The app has now been updated to a version that works (it loads and gives information).

This is better: https://tfeapp.com/live/

And this is the best one www.finlaysmith.co.uk

These are fascinating but not as practical as the app (when working) or google maps to use on a phone to find out when your bus is due.

 

[SpeedbirdA350]

I noticed yesterday that either 557 or 559 had the new Wayfarer6 machine, so I assume the rollout has started on non skylink buses which means that contactless payment should be coming soon I hope!

 

[Darklord8899]

Over the last week all the buses I've been on have had the new machines (14s, 30s, 300s) the 300s had them the week before as well.

 

[90019]

They're currently being rolled out at Longstone this month, then Central next month and Marine in November.

Contactless payment should be coming in January, from what I've been told.

 

[Auld reekie]

The 44 I was on yesterday had one of the new machines.

 

[Darklord8899]

Noticed that the new Newbridge depot being registered on Mondays N&P:

Section 2.4 – Variation Applications Granted

PM1064276 SN CITY SIGHTSEEING EDINBURGH LTD
Director(s): RICHARD JOHN HALL 55 ANNANDALE STREET, EDINBURGH, EH7 4AZ New operating centre: UNIT 3 EDINBURGH DISTRIBUTION PARK, NEWBRIDGE, EDINBURGH, EH28 8PJ New authorisation at this operating centre will be: 1 vehicle(s) Decrease at existing operating centre: 21 SEAFIELD ROAD EAST, EDINBURGH, EH15 1EJ New authorisation at this operating centre will be: 1 vehicle(s) Decrease at existing operating centre: CENTRAL GARAGE, 55 ANNANDALE STREET, EDINBURGH, EH7 4AZ New authorisation at this operating centre will be: 1 vehicle(s) Decrease at existing operating centre: LONGSTONE GARAGE, 3 MURRYBURN ROAD, EDINBURGH, EH14 2BB New authorisation at this operating centre will be: 1 vehicle(s) Decrease at existing operating centre: 18 SEAFIELD ROAD EAST, EDINBURGH, EH15 1EB New authorisation at this operating centre will be: 1 vehicle(s)

PM1064277 SN MAJESTIC TOURS EDINBURGH LTD
Director(s): RICHARD JOHN HALL 55 ANNANDALE STREET, EDINBURGH, EH7 4AZ New operating centre: UNIT 3 EDINBURGH DISTRIBUTION PARK, NEWBRIDGE, EDINBURGH, EH28 8PJ New authorisation at this operating centre will be: 1 vehicle(s) Decrease at existing operating centre: 21 SEAFIELD ROAD EAST, EDINBURGH, EH15 1EJ New authorisation at this operating centre will be: 1 vehicle(s) Decrease at existing operating centre: 55 ANNANDALE STREET, EDINBURGH, EH7 4AZ New authorisation at this operating centre will be: 1 vehicle(s) Decrease at existing operating centre: LONGSTONEGARAGE, 3 MURRYBURN ROAD, EDINBURGH, EH14 2BB New authorisation at this operating centre will be: 1 vehicle(s) Decrease at existing operating centre: 18 SEAFIELD ROAD EAST, EDINBURGH, EH15 1EB New authorisation at this operating centre will be: 1 vehicle(s)

PM1004999 SN MAC TOURS LTD
Director(s): RICHARD JOHN HALL 55 ANNANDALE STREET, EDINBURGH, EH7 4AZ New operating centre: UNIT 3 EDINBURGH DISTRIBUTION PARK, NEWBRIDGE, EDINBURGH, EH28 8PJ New authorisation at this operating centre will be: 1 vehicle(s) Decrease at existing operating centre: 55 ANNANDALE STREET, EDINBURGH, EH7 4AZ New authorisation at this operating centre will be: 1 vehicle(s) Decrease at existing operating centre: 21 SEAFIELD ROAD EAST, EDINBURGH, EH15 1EJ New authorisation at this operating centre will be: 1 vehicle(s) Decrease at existing operating centre: 3, MURRYBURN ROAD, EDINBURGH, EH14 2BB New authorisation at this operating centre will be: 1 vehicle(s) Decrease at existing operating centre: 18, SEAFIELD ROAD EAST, EDINBURGH, EH15 1EB New authorisation at this operating centre will be: 1 vehicle(s)

Also spotted a change to service 21 has been registered:

Section 3.4 – Applications to Vary Existing Services Granted Under Short Notice

PM0000002/160 LOTHIAN BUSES LIMITED, 55 ANNANDALE STREET, EDINBURGH, EH7 4AZ Operating between Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh and Gyle Centre or Clovenstone given service number 21 effective from 30 September 2018. To amend Route, Stopping Places and Timetable.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

21 is because of Brighton Place

 

[Darklord8899]

21 is because of Brighton Place

But no changes for 42 or 49 though? They both use Brighton Place as well....