Lothian Buses and ECB Discussion

[CN04NRJ]

Can we not get our B5’s back at longstone?
Also, Never thought I’d say it but will be nice for some B7RLE’s to be back on the road before the new single decks arrive!

I'm wondering how the vehicle allocations will work out, whether it'll be what's at Central staying there until things fully return to normal or buses gradually being swapped back to their original garages.

Same with routes given that Marine is staying closed for the time being, I'll miss doing the 24/48 if they stay at Central but either way I'll not miss the extra travelling from Bathgate to central once we're back!

 

[Jordan Adam]

I'd assume the new B8RLEs will probably be a longer wheelbase like the ECB examples? Albeit on a ADL body.

 

[BobScott]

Same as the ECB buses but with different bodywork.

 

[CN04NRJ]

Same as the ECB buses but with different bodywork.

I assume they'll also be around 13/13.2m like the ECB Eclipse 3s?

 

[Jordan Adam]

Same as the ECB buses but with different bodywork.

Thought so. Thanks.

I assume they'll also be around 13/13.2m like the ECB Eclipse 3s?

Indeed 13.2M if they are the same length.

 

[BobScott]

I assume they'll also be around 13/13.2m like the ECB Eclipse 3s?

13.2

 

[CN04NRJ]

13.2

Excellent, hopefully it won't be too long before they're delivered now as the 30 could sure do with the extra capacity (even if it is only a few extra seats).

 

[CN04NRJ]

Can we not get our B5’s back at longstone?
Also, Never thought I’d say it but will be nice for some B7RLE’s to be back on the road before the new single decks arrive!

Looking at the Edinburgh Transport Visualiser most of 132-170 are now at Newbridge. More 11 plate B9s are back on the road with none of 441-459 out today I guess they're off back to Longstone.

 

[Lothiangem22]

Excellent, hopefully it won't be too long before they're delivered now as the 30 could sure do with the extra capacity (even if it is only a few extra seats).

So correct me if I’m wrong but that’s not far off the length of an XLB which are 13.4m?

the current 7900h are only 12m in length so maybe a couple of extra rows squeezed in

 

[CN04NRJ]

So correct me if I’m wrong but that’s not far off the length of an XLB which are 13.4m?

the current 7900h are only 12m in length so maybe a couple of extra rows squeezed in

I believe the 7900Hs seat 34 - I know the 13.2m MAN 18.240s that Stagecoach South Wales had sat 47 so hopefully these new B8RLEs will have a similar capacity.

 

[OmniCity999]

I believe the 7900Hs seat 34 - I know the 13.2m MAN 18.240s that Stagecoach South Wales had sat 47 so hopefully these new B8RLEs will have a similar capacity.

Lothian have a bit of distaste towards tip up seats as of late though. Would be nice to see tip ups return as it means even in buggy and wheelchair spaces, we can squeeze in three more seats in each. Not entirely sure on how that will work with regulations regarding access for all, but would be good if it was possible. Could mean the average capacity going up from 45 to 51 seated, then standees on top of that. They'd be excellent.

Its difficult to add tip ups after market as you need to add the structure into the walls unfortunately. But an entire fleet of "people munchers" would be ideal. Have heard that new additions to the fleet will have two full wheelchair spaces fitted where possible, instead of a buggy space and a wheelchair space.

 

[scosutsut]

I believe the 7900Hs seat 34 - I know the 13.2m MAN 18.240s that Stagecoach South Wales had sat 47 so hopefully these new B8RLEs will have a similar capacity.

The B8RLE Eclipse 3s only seat 40, that's with the rather chunky dual purpose seating which seems far chunkier than the high back now standard on other purchases.

Comfortable yes, but makes it harder to spot free seats I find!

 

[computerSaysNo]

The B8RLE Eclipse 3s only seat 40, that's with the rather chunky dual purpose seating which seems far chunkier than the high back now standard on other purchases.

Comfortable yes, but makes it harder to spot free seats I find!

The "chunky" seating is ideal for longer journeys (to be honest, I'm surprised some of those buses weren't used on the X38, at least to begin with, to provide superior comfort to the First offering), but I'd say they're not particularly suitable for city operation, mainly for the points you make above (chunky so less seats per bus, and tall so you can't really see where the free seats are).
I would assume any new vehicles for City operation would have the standard medium-back seat Lothian use.

 

[A330Alex]

Changes from 12/07: https://www.lothianbuses.com/news/2020/07/service-changes-from-sunday-12-july/

Frequencies generally up to every 15/20min. 10/X26/X29/X31/X33/36/X37/42/X44, Skylink 200/300, LCB 275/280 & ECB X7/104 reintroduced.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Changes from 12/07: https://www.lothianbuses.com/news/2020/07/service-changes-from-sunday-12-july/

Frequencies generally up to every 15/20min. 10/X26/X29/X31/X33/36/X37/42/X44, Skylink 200/300, LCB 275/280 & ECB X7/104 reintroduced.

this was quite a surprise but glad certain services are making a comeback like the 36/42/200/275 and X7

 

[CN04NRJ]

Changes from 12/07: https://www.lothianbuses.com/news/2020/07/service-changes-from-sunday-12-july/

Frequencies generally up to every 15/20min. 10/X26/X29/X31/X33/36/X37/42/X44, Skylink 200/300, LCB 275/280 & ECB X7/104 reintroduced.

30 up to every 10 minutes too, which is better than a normal service I believe? That'll require quite a few buses so assume more 7900s will be going to Longstone assuming that the 2/36 will be double decks.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

2 is going back to Gyle Centre and all the Skylinks are going back to the Airport! Plus the 43 is also now running from Regent Road

hopefully they can reinstate the X15, X17 and X38 at some point if possible

 

[Bus9120UK]

Main Route Changes

Route 2 now goes up to Gyle Centre (except Sundays)
Route 4 now goes up to Hillend
Route 10 reinstated
Route 19 now goes up to Marine Depot (during the day)
Route 21 now goes to Gyle Centre (at times)
Route 23 reinstated
Route 26 now goes to Tranent (at times)
Route 31 now goes to Bonnyrigg (at times)
Route 35 now goes to Riccarton
Route 36 reinstated
Route 42 reinstated
Route 44 now goes up to Wallyford
Route 48 now goes up to Fort Kinnaird
Route 49 now goes up to Rosewell
Route 100 City Centre terminus moved to South St David Street (outside TK Max).
Routes 200, 300 reinstated
Route 400 now goes to Airport
Some express routes reinstated.

Other routes get timetable changes.
Bus Stop changes in the city centre: Services X26 and X44 will no longer serve stop [PK] at Princes Street Scott Monument.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Wonder when the night services/nighthawks will get reinstated

 

[overthewater]

Is the full Daytime service back in operation?

 

[SpeedbirdA350]

Is the full Daytime service back in operation?

No, some are only going part route ie 300 going Surgeons' Hall to Airport, not Cameron Toll and hourly. Some other services are not at full schedule either.

 

[CN04NRJ]

No, some are only going part route ie 300 going Surgeons' Hall to Airport, not Cameron Toll and hourly. Some other services are not at full schedule either.

It's certainly very encouraging news that they're increasing the service so substantially, in comparison to what it has been for the last few months. You only have to look at what's happening in other parts of the country to feel a sense of relief at what's happening here.

 

[SpeedbirdA350]

It's certainly very encouraging news that they're increasing the service so substantially, in comparison to what it has been for the last few months. You only have to look at what's happening in other parts of the country to feel a sense of relief at what's happening here.

I do expect there will be 2 more changes - first will be the full schedule for day and the second will include nighthawk although I expect the night buses to be later on in the year.

It is very encouraging though.

 

[Volvodart]

The 2019 accounts have now been filed. It says in it 4 electric double deckers are coming funded by the Green Economy fund, hopefully by the end of 2020.

 

[Jordan Adam]

The accounts are not very promising. They've went from a £7.3M profit in 2017 to a £8M loss in 2019.

You can view the full financial statement here: https://www.lothianbuses.com/mdocs-posts/lothian-group-consolidated-financial-statement-2019

 

[317 forever]

I wonder whether the 11-reg ex-Go-Ahead London Volvo B9TLs are in regular service on route 4 now?

 

[CN04NRJ]

I wonder whether the 11-reg ex-Go-Ahead London Volvo B9TLs are in regular service on route 4 now?

Most of them are at Longstone, and the 4 will be running from Longstone from the 12th.


Routes operated from Central as of the 12th, 1, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14, 16, 19, 24, 26, 27, 29, 31, 37, 41, 42, 47, 48, 49, X26, X29, X31, X37, X44
Routes from Longstone as of the 12th, 2, 3, 4, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 30, 33, 34, 35, 36, 38, 44, 63, 200, 300, 400, X29, X33

 

[317 forever]

Most of them are at Longstone, and the 4 will be running from Longstone from the 12th.


Routes operated from Central as of the 12th, 1, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14, 16, 19, 24, 26, 27, 29, 31, 37, 41, 42, 47, 48, 49, X26, X29, X31, X37, X44
Routes from Longstone as of the 12th, 2, 3, 4, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 30, 33, 34, 35, 36, 38, 44, 63, 200, 300, 400, X29, X33

Thank you for letting me know, and so promptly.

I looked at the frequencies, and these plus Marine not yet re-opened suggests we are still easily 20-30% down on normal service. I noticed how several routes will still run less on Saturdays than Monday - Friday.

 

[Volvodart]

That is the group situation, which is not that different from last year, apart from the pension exceptional deduction, going from a small operating profit to a small loss. The main losses are in Lothian Buses itself, where the operating loss almost doubled.

 

[overthewater]

That is the group situation, which is not that different from last year, apart from the pension exceptional deduction, going from a small profit to a small loss. The main losses are in Lothian Buses itself, where the operating loss almost doubled.

Are you saying city Network caused those loses? While West Lothian has nothing to do with or the fact the cash cow of Edinburgh tours has had no effect on these accounts ?