Lothian Group discussion (Lothian City, Lothian Country Bus and East Coast Buses)

[GusB]

They don't, I've taken an XLB round that corner a couple of times and it's fine.

Maybe we should have a separate thread for de-bunking "XLB cannae dae..." claims!

 

[Bus9120UK]

This years Poppy bus, 562, had been unveiled: https://www.lothianbuses.com/news/2022/11/lothian-buses-unveils-new-poppyscotland-bus/

Lothian Buses unveils new Poppyscotland Bus
Operator renews partnership with Scottish charity

We are delighted to be renewing our partnership with PoppyScotland, marked by the unveiling of our brand-new Poppy Bus at an event on Waverley Bridge today (Thursday 3 November).

Poppyscotland are reliant on the generosity of the public to fund its vital life-changing work for the armed forces community in Scotland. The Scottish Poppy Appeal is Scotland’s largest fundraising campaign and takes place annually in the lead up to Remembrance Sunday in November.

Gaynor Marshall, Communications Director at Lothian Buses, said: “We’re proud to continue to raise awareness of the work of Poppyscotland through our specially designed ‘Poppy’ Bus.

“Lothian pride ourselves on employing many colleagues across our business who currently serve in the reserves or are ex-armed forces personnel, and the Poppyscotland appeal is particularly close to the hearts and minds of both our colleagues and our customers. We hope that our activities across the month of November, along with this year’s Poppy Bus, will help raise vital funds for and highlight the work of this great charity, allowing them to continue to support the armed forces community across Scotland.”







On Friday 11 November, services will pause (where safely able to do so) for two minutes at 1100hrs to allow colleagues and customers to pay their respects on Armistice Day, and again on Sunday 13 November on Remembrance Sunday.

Colleagues who have served in the armed forces will also be invited to wear their veterans’ tie while on duty as a mark of respect.

We are also happy to announce that all current and ex-Armed Forces personnel will be able to enjoy a free hot drink from our CoffeeHub on Shandwick Place before 11am throughout the month of November.

If you would like to contribute to Poppyscotland’s work, donations can be made online or via collection and honesty boxes at locations across the city (including at our TravelHubs on Waverley Bridge and Shandwick Place).

 

[Auld reekie]

This years Poppy bus, 562, had been unveiled: https://www.lothianbuses.com/news/2022/11/lothian-buses-unveils-new-poppyscotland-bus/


View attachment 123123

Brilliant.

 

[GusB]

A few points about posting photos:

• If it isn't your own work, you need permission to post it. We must respect copyright.
• Any photos should be accompanied by a photographer credit and a suitable text description ("credit to photographer" is not sufficient)
• Keep the size down - not everyone has a superfast broadband connection and large images can take ages to load. By all means, upload them as attachments and that will give the reader the option to tap on the thumbnail to view the full-size version.

 

[overthewater]

What is happening to the city routes on the 20 November, a number of changes have gone via Vosa: Looks like Leith walks services.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

What is happening to the city routes on the 20 November, a number of changes have gone via Vosa: Looks like Leith walks services.

Would suggest this could be the long awaited reopening of Leith Walk. I had been talking about this in the Edinburgh Trams thread. I was originally told in the summer it would be the end of October so it would be no surprise at all to see if it is now.

This is just some of what me and @Bus9120UK have found so far. The express network appears to be taking a massive hit in these changes, X33 and X44 especially. The 12’s school runs to/from Leith are gone (loss of contract maybe). 31 is down to every 15 minutes.

Leith Walk is reopening, and the 19 will return to London Road/Leith Street.

There is no way the public are going to like any of these changes, but changes like this were inevitable in my opinion.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

The express network appears to be taking a massive hit in these changes, X33 and X44 especially.

So is the X33/X44 being withdrawn? I can’t see that going well. As said before, the X44 east could be replaced by an ECB duplicate. If anything they need to bring it back to Balerno.

 

[Bus9120UK]

So is the X33/X44 being withdrawn? can’t see that going well, as said before the X44 east could be replaced by an ECB duplicate, if anything they need to bring it back to Balerno if anything

X44 will be going down to only a single morning run, the X33 to two morning runs & one evening run, and the X37 also two morning runs & one evening run. The cuts on the 44 also means the peak afternoon 44 service will be discontinued.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

If anything they need to bring it back to Balerno.

Sadly that right now is light years away.

I actually haven’t found a single increase in these changes, just cuts. Surely that can’t be the case…

 

[ScotRail158725]

I actually haven’t found a single increase in these changes, just cuts. Surely that can’t be the case…

I can see it being this way to be honest, no operator seems to be increasing anything these days its just cut after cut

 

[PaulMc7]

I can see it being this way to be honest, no operator seems to be increasing anything these days its just cut after cut

Other than Stagecoach increasing their X19 in West Scotland next month it's been a wall of cuts absolutely everywhere. I'd imagine it'll continue to be like this unless a miracle happens and the driver shortage vanishes or passenger numbers in the off peak increase significantly.

It's been a few months since I've been in Edinburgh but it was so worrying to see most buses quiet other than one or two and that was during the height of summer. When I travelled through pre-covid, most Lothian buses had very good numbers on them.

 

[scosutsut]

Maybe we should have a separate thread for de-bunking "XLB cannae dae..." claims!

Ooh we could do it with videos, anyone remember the Blendtec "Will it Blend?" series?!?

 

[buslad1988]

I actually haven’t found a single increase in these changes, just cuts. Surely that can’t be the case…

This will be because of the chronic driver shortage; which at present is almost worse than it’s ever been. It’s affecting all garages although I’m led to believe Central is currently the worst. You only have to witness the copious amounts of part route buses at all times of day (especially weekends) to see things are really bad.

 

[CN04NRJ]

XLBs would have a problem with the turn off Queensferry Rd on the 200 route. It’s tight for two axles.

Been round there a few times in a tri axle in both directions, no bother at all.

 

[eh1]

Been round there a few times in a tri axle in both directions, no bother at all.

Agreed. Just straddle the lanes - we often do this elsewhere regardless of bus size, either to protect our space or as require the extra room due to length.

 

[Siemens Trains]

Agreed. Just straddle the lanes - we often do this elsewhere regardless of bus size, either to protect our space or as require the extra room due to length.

Is there really a need to straddle the lanes of the westbound A90 before turning into Clermiston Road North? I've certainly seen tri-axles do this but think I've also seen them make the turn staying entirely in lane 1. As a car driver going straight ahead using lane 2 I'm aware of a risk that drivers of tri-axle service 21s turning left turn might appreciate more room so I'll hang back from the bus. But not everyone will make these allowances and leave a gap for them to encroach into lane 2 (or of course lane 2 could be queued solid).
I never allow extra space for twin axle 21 or 200 buses here because in my experience they don't use it and clearly can manoeuvre successfully within lane 1 so I just whizz past.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Sadly that right now is light years away.

I actually haven’t found a single increase in these changes, just cuts. Surely that can’t be the case…

Do you have a link to the registered changes? I can’t seem to find them anywhere online.

 

[CN04NRJ]

Is there really a need to straddle the lanes of the westbound A90 before turning into Clermiston Road North? I've certainly seen tri-axles do this but think I've also seen them make the turn staying entirely in lane 1. As a car driver going straight ahead using lane 2 I'm aware of a risk that drivers of tri-axle service 21s turning left turn might appreciate more room so I'll hang back from the bus. But not everyone will make these allowances and leave a gap for them to encroach into lane 2 (or of course lane 2 could be queued solid).
I never allow extra space for twin axle 21 or 200 buses here because in my experience they don't use it and clearly can manoeuvre successfully within lane 1 so I just whizz past.

Not really, just have to be careful with the tailswing so tend to hold back if a van or anything larger is going to pass. Can get around easily unless you've got an arse in a car that can see you're turning and keeps left on purpose.

 

[Bus9120UK]

Do you have a link to the registered changes? I can’t seem to find them anywhere online.

The majority of changes can be found via bustimes.org timetables. Just change the date to any weekday after November 20th.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

The majority of changes can be found via bustimes.org timetables. Just change the date to any weekday after November 20th.

So it is just the express buses or is there any changes to day/night services etc?

 

[Bus9120UK]

So it is just the express buses or is there any changes to day/night services etc?

No major changes to day service. Only timetabling adjustments for the reopening of Leith Walk and some peak time services removed. 31 going down to every 15 minutes as well, it's every 13 right now.

 

[stevenedin]

Buses returning to Leith Walk past McDonald Road junction towards Leith are 7, 11, 13, 14, 16, 25, 49, N14, N16 and N22.

Currently the 11 stops at Shrubhill then turns onto Pilrig Street.

The 10 remains on McDonald Road and the 22 is not showing back here.

 

[Darklord8899]

31/X31 Service changes now on Lothian Website:
See Here
(Link to service 31/X31 timetable changes in News section)

From Sunday 20 November, there will be revisions to the Service 31/X31 timetables.

Service 31

Revised timetable. Service frequency will be every 30 minutes on each leg throughout the day, giving a 15-minute combined interval between Bonnyrigg and East Craigs.

Service X31
Revised timetable to coordinate with Service 31.

 

[ScotRail158725]

31/X31 Service changes now on Lothian Website:
See Here
(Link to service 31/X31 timetable changes in News section)

The 31 is a busy route so seems strange to me they’re cutting the frequency

 

[Avenger20]

I know that this point has been brought up before for West Lothian operations with First, but given how chronically short Lothian Group are for drivers and also keeping in mind that the company is municipally owned - how long until Edinburgh Bus Tours services are scaled back to provide drivers for City et al services?

 

[stevenedin]

I know that this point has been brought up before for West Lothian operations with First, but given how chronically short Lothian Group are for drivers and also keeping in mind that the company is municipally owned - how long until Edinburgh Bus Tours services are scaled back to provide drivers for City et al services?

I can imagine that being a big money maker so they won’t want to reduce that although if there are quieter times then I guess they could sneak in a few cuts

 

[Lothian285]

I know that this point has been brought up before for West Lothian operations with First, but given how chronically short Lothian Group are for drivers and also keeping in mind that the company is municipally owned - how long until Edinburgh Bus Tours services are scaled back to provide drivers for City et al services?

Edinburgh Bus Tours just started operating their winter timetable last week which has seen a significant reduction in PVR (Peak Vehicle Requirement) so I can't see any further reductions being made here. For this year's winter timetable the 3 Bridges Tour isn't running which it did last year and also all mention of Cobbles' Tour has been removed from their website so it looks like that won't be returning next year.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Buses returning to Leith Walk past McDonald Road junction towards Leith are 7, 11, 13, 14, 16, 25, 49, N14, N16 and N22.

Currently the 11 stops at Shrubhill then turns onto Pilrig Street.

The 10 remains on McDonald Road and the 22 is not showing back here.

Really surprised that Lothian went out of their way to mention the 31/X31 changes and not these changes, surely passengers would be happy to know Leith Walk will be back up and running for the first time in 1 years.

In all fairness the 10 really doesn't need to go down Leith Walk, keeping it via McDonald Road and Bonnington will not only ease congestion but also provide an additional service on top of the 36!

 

[Lothiangem22]

Really surprised that Lothian went out of their way to mention the 31/X31 changes and not these changes, surely passengers would be happy to know Leith Walk will be back up and running for the first time in 1 years.

In all fairness the 10 really doesn't need to go down Leith Walk, keeping it via McDonald Road and Bonnington will not only ease congestion but also provide an additional service on top of the 36!

Perhaps because the full reopening of Leith Walk is outwith their hands?

 

[stevenedin]

Really surprised that Lothian went out of their way to mention the 31/X31 changes and not these changes, surely passengers would be happy to know Leith Walk will be back up and running for the first time in 1 years.

In all fairness the 10 really doesn't need to go down Leith Walk, keeping it via McDonald Road and Bonnington will not only ease congestion but also provide an additional service on top of the 36!

I agree. Bonnington Road needs a service which serves Princes Street. It is a long way to get the 36 route to Queensferry Street and then walk (depending on where you are going) or walk to Broughton Road to get the 13 which isn’t a frequent route.

I’m guessing they will probably wait in case anything changes with the team works. The Trams to Newhaven newsletter mentions that Leith Walk will be open fully by week commencing 19th December so it doesn’t tie in with this unless the buses will go down but use a temporary traffic light at the foot of Leith Walk.

Leith Walk – Trams to Newhaven

Building the line on Leith Walk

www.edinburgh.gov.uk

Foot of the Walk traffic management plans October 2022 – Trams to Newhaven

www.edinburgh.gov.uk