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

[mb88]

I think one or two extra journeys from Livingston Centre to Fauldhouse in the afternoon peak could be helpful as an interim measure. Loadings are very heavy when the college in Livingston finishes for the day. The route seems to cope a bit better Livingston to Kirkliston. It’s a difficult one because I don’t think the Broxburn to Kirkliston section warrants a half hourly service, and I’m not sure how feasible it would be to have every second bus terminate at Broxburn East Mains in terms of scheduling. On the plus side, busy buses are a positive sign.

 

[Scotrail88]

Any update on next batch of Volvo EVs arriving?
Be interesting to see what routes chosen next

 

[LothianBusesPh]

Any update on next batch of Volvo EVs arriving?
Be interesting to see what routes chosen next

Arriving early next week if they keep the schedule up.

 

[Jonathan Lynch]

EV 708 on the 37 this afternoon just heading through roslin heading to silverknowes

 

[goldisgood]

Any update on next batch of Volvo EVs arriving?
Be interesting to see what routes chosen next

I wonder if it'll be the 24, they're often straying on there as it is (from my firsthand observations, there's 2 today if bustimes is correct)

 

[Bus9120UK]

I wonder if it'll be the 24, they're often straying on there as it is (from my firsthand observations, there's 2 today if bustimes is correct)

It will be, however there will be other routes as well. Perhaps the 10 and or 23 among others.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

I wonder if it'll be the 24, they're often straying on there as it is (from my firsthand observations, there's 2 today if bustimes is correct)

See no reason for it not to be the 24 next. Hopefully 23, 10 then 27 last.

 

[overthewater]

I think one or two extra journeys from Livingston Centre to Fauldhouse in the afternoon peak could be helpful as an interim measure. Loadings are very heavy when the college in Livingston finishes for the day. The route seems to cope a bit better Livingston to Kirkliston. It’s a difficult one because I don’t think the Broxburn to Kirkliston section warrants a half hourly service, and I’m not sure how feasible it would be to have every second bus terminate at Broxburn East Mains in terms of scheduling. On the plus side, busy buses are a positive sign.

I'm starting to think the company could make a proper improvement if they could find six spare buses. I agree I don't think at the current moment they need a half hourly service up to Winchburgh, unless they can speed up journey times.

I think if you had 2 spare buses you could operate an extra 73A to make complement the current 73 but instead of going to western inch it go direct to Armadale, while the other 4 buses could be used to operate complement 72, this it would operate Broxburn - Pumperston - Livingston - Whitburn, ( while the current 72 would direct down the fastlink)

That at least would make very good start with very limited resource's and might help resolve a number of issues passengers have highlighted. Then maybe it could be built upon later in 2025.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

I'm starting to think the company could make a proper improvement if they could find six spare buses. I agree I don't think at the current moment they need a half hourly service up to Winchburgh, unless they can speed up journey times.

I think if you had 2 spare buses you could operate an extra 73A to make complement the current 73 but instead of going to western inch it go direct to Armadale, while the other 4 buses could be used to operate complement 72, this it would operate Broxburn - Pumperston - Livingston - Whitburn, ( while the current 72 would direct down the fastlink)

That at least would make very good start with very limited resource's and might help resolve a number of issues passengers have highlighted. Then maybe it could be built upon later in 2025.

I’m hopeful we’ll see the 73 changed to be honest. After a rethink this is what I came up with. Nothing crazy, but steps in the right direction. My idea:

72: Curtailed to terminate at Broxburn at East Mains. 73 would serve Kirkliston. Controversial yes, but with the revised 73 you can offer a half hourly service between Blackburn and Livingston and between Broxburn and Livingston which is by far the ‘core’ section. This neatly fixes the long running problem too. Handful of 72’s could divert to serve J4 M8 Distribution Centre to part replace 73.

73: Changed to operate via Livingston Village, Seafield, Blackburn then Wester Inch and Bathgate. Remains hourly. The route would share that of the 72 between Blackburn and Livingston, but serve Livingston Village instead of Eliburn. Also extended to Kirkliston via current 72 route. J4 M8 Distribution Centre would no longer be served.

74: Extended to Blackridge via existing 73 route from Livingston to Bathgate, then via Lower Bathville and Armadale. Frequency increased to every 30 minutes.

X27/X28: Increased to every 15/30 minutes. Possible that a few extend to J4 M8 Distribution Centre where necessary?

Not much, but enough for the moment.

 

[Baileygirl]

I’m hopeful we’ll see the 73 changed to be honest. After a rethink this is what I came up with. Nothing crazy, but steps in the right direction. My idea:

72: Curtailed to terminate at Broxburn at East Mains. 73 would serve Kirkliston. Controversial yes, but with the revised 73 you can offer a half hourly service between Blackburn and Livingston and between Broxburn and Livingston which is by far the ‘core’ section. This neatly fixes the long running problem too. Handful of 72’s could divert to serve J4 M8 Distribution Centre to part replace 73.

73: Changed to operate via Livingston Village, Seafield, Blackburn then Wester Inch and Bathgate. Remains hourly. The route would share that of the 72 between Blackburn and Livingston, but serve Livingston Village instead of Eliburn. Also extended to Kirkliston via current 72 route. J4 M8 Distribution Centre would no longer be served.

74: Extended to Blackridge via existing 73 route from Livingston to Bathgate, then via Lower Bathville and Armadale. Frequency increased to every 30 minutes.

X27/X28: Increased to every 15/30 minutes. Possible that a few extend to J4 M8 Distribution Centre where necessary?

Not much, but enough for the moment.

I would keep the 72 through Eliburn as it is a lot busier than LIvingston Village.

 

[percycranky]

EV 708 on the 37 this afternoon just heading through roslin heading to silverknowes

Yes, that's great to see the BZLs being able to cope with a longer route! It was on the service 37 all day from around 8am up until midnight yesterday, according to BusTimes. Now on the 24 currently.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

I would keep the 72 through Eliburn as it is a lot busier than LIvingston Village.

I didn’t say I would change it. 72 would do Eliburn. 73 Livingston Village.

 

[Bungle965]

Let’s not drift too far into the realms of speculation please, if needs be a new thread can be created for the purpose of anything speculative

 

[VioletEclipse]

Any news on if the remaining 710s are arriving this week?

 

[Lx008]

Any idea what is going on with 700, it hasn’t been in service for over two weeks

 

[LothianBusesPh]

Any news on if the remaining 710s are arriving this week?

They are due arrival from next week.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I'm in town next week, I'm guessing my best chance of a bzl if I'm staying where I'm staying which is Muirhouse is on the 8th?

 

[LothianBusesPh]

I'm in town next week, I'm guessing my best chance of a bzl if I'm staying where I'm staying which is Muirhouse is on the 8th?

8/9 are the main BZL allocations. Muirhouse/Goldenacre are your best bets for less waiting time.

 

[Lothiangem22]

There’s a tri axle Yutong electric coach in the yard at Seafield today. 24 plate. Expect this will join motorcoaches soon

 

[Nawm8]

There’s a tri axle Yutong electric coach in the yard at Seafield today. 24 plate. Expect this will join motorcoaches soon

I noticed a red Yutong decker sat on the exit road of Marine, numbered 997. Not the same was it?

 

[Bus9120UK]

I noticed a red Yutong decker sat on the exit road of Marine, numbered 997. Not the same was it?

This would suggest two Yutong demonstrators

 

[Lothiangem22]

Two demonstrators.
The decker will go to central and coach to motorcoaches

 

[LothianLover88]

The decker will go to central and coach to motorcoaches

What are we betting route-wise for the Central bus?

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

What are we betting route-wise for the Central bus?

9 or 23 probably. Been the homes of the majority of the demos.

Much like the e-Citaro, no chance of an order for a Yutong product. But useful for comparing data.

Guessing the Decker is YD73FTP. The coach might be its first demonstration.

 

[cnjb8]

9 or 23 probably. Been the homes of the majority of the demos.

Much like the e-Citaro, no chance of an order for a Yutong product. But useful for comparing data.

Guessing the Decker is YD73FTP. The coach might be its first demonstration.

The coach is likely to be YD24EUB if its a 24-plate. Been on demo with Stagecoach Highlands, Dundee and a number of English operators

 

[Blindtraveler]

The utong decker would make a wonderful product on the airlink

 

[LothianLover88]

Demo number is 997, I think it’s at Marine at the minute.

 

[atfd26]

I haven't heard of any accidents - but have noticed 704 has already lost all its branding at the rear

 

[VioletEclipse]

I haven't heard of any accidents - but have noticed 704 has already lost all its branding at the rear

I was actually wondering that today, seeing 704 at just over a month old without its rear fleet number was a bit odd.

 

[ScotRail158725]

I haven't heard of any accidents - but have noticed 704 has already lost all its branding at the rear

Most branding of on the window so could and will be as simple as a smashed window