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

[oldman]

They already are, and ideally that’s what their pushing for… however it’s often difficult to convince the council to that easily!

The idea of stop re-spacing was coming from the council officials, but fortunately the councillors disagreed. I don't know whether Lothian Buses wanted it. I doubt if it would solve anything - the problem is congestion and poor bus priority.

 

[SoloSR334022]

847 is out on driver training this morning.

 

[Graeme Duncan]

Saw an image of Lothian Buses driver of the year awards 2025 which included 4 vehicles one of which of BXL. I had a glance at the fleet number and it looked like 740 but I might be wrong.

 

[Bus9120UK]

Saw an image of Lothian Buses driver of the year awards 2025 which included 4 vehicles one of which of BXL. I had a glance at the fleet number and it looked like 740 but I might be wrong.

That was 748.

 

[VioletEclipse]

Is there a way to visually distinguish the diesel open top Gemini 3s from the ones converted to Electric? They don't seem to have the green rectangle on their number plates.

 

[Dfatcontroller]

Is there a way to visually distinguish the diesel open top Gemini 3s from the ones converted to Electric? They don't seem to have the green rectangle on their number plates.

From what I've noticed, the EV converts don't have a grill behind the rear wheelarch on the offside where the Scott Monument part of the City Sightseeing livery is. It's just a metal panel.
The metal surround to the fuel cover is also missing under the stairs.

 

[Bus9120UK]

Is there a way to visually distinguish the diesel open top Gemini 3s from the ones converted to Electric? They don't seem to have the green rectangle on their number plates.

It varies between KleanDrive and Wright. On the Wright ones there is no rear window and the diesel cap is removed. On KleanDrive ones the diesel cap is covered by a white sticker which says that it was converted by KleanDrive. Both of course have no exhaust hole anymore.

 

[VioletEclipse]

It varies between KleanDrive and Wright. On the Wright ones there is no rear window and the diesel cap is removed. On KleanDrive ones the diesel cap is covered by a white sticker which says that it was converted by KleanDrive. Both of course have no exhaust hole anymore.

thank you!

 

[Resuwen]

Are any of the EV open toppers in service yet?

 

[Cowley]

Could we avoid posting things like, I saw (insert number of bus here) out today to keep the thread useful and informative please.

I think posts like that would be fine in a trip report thread but they don’t really add much to this one.

Thanks everyone

 

[CN04NRJ]

355 looks like it's been repainted (came back from Seafield today), not sure if any other Central B9s have been done.

 

[Bus9120UK]

355 looks like it's been repainted (came back from Seafield today), not sure if any other Central B9s have been done.

They've gradually been getting repainted over the last year, but has been slowed down reguarly due to repainting of 66 plates for Lothian Country and for buses with repair jobs to be use the paint booth. The following are yet to be painted: 362, 366, 369, 371, 380, 385, 388, 389, 398.

 

[Grumpyscot]

I still don't understand why so many No 26s in East Lothian. Yesterday, 1 heading towards Musselburgh at Prestonpans Lidl (I'd already passed one at Inchview, Prestonpans - again Muselburgh bound). Next one was stopped at the toilets at Port Seton - heading to Musselburgh, and 2 parked up at Seton Sands. 1 heading for Seton Sands was behind me as I drove towards Aberlady. Now, even at a 10 minute frequency, either some were running extremely late, or for 2 to be parked up at Seton Sands (with another on its way) for well over 5 minutes, some were running early - which I thought wasn't allowed. Or is 26 scheduling just chaotic? I still regularly see 2 or 3 parked up at Seton Sands - and one of this at rush hours.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

I still don't understand why so many No 26s in East Lothian. Yesterday, 1 heading towards Musselburgh at Prestonpans Lidl (I'd already passed one at Inchview, Prestonpans - again Muselburgh bound). Next one was stopped at the toilets at Port Seton - heading to Musselburgh, and 2 parked up at Seton Sands. 1 heading for Seton Sands was behind me as I drove towards Aberlady. Now, even at a 10 minute frequency, either some were running extremely late, or for 2 to be parked up at Seton Sands (with another on its way) for well over 5 minutes, some were running early - which I thought wasn't allowed. Or is 26 scheduling just chaotic? I still regularly see 2 or 3 parked up at Seton Sands - and one of this at rush hours.

There is a fairly large layover at the Caravan Park, so it is now normal for up to 3 to be sat there at one time.

 

[VioletEclipse]

Does anyone know the whereabouts of the following preserved (or potentially preserved) vehicles?
Albion GFS 329 - no photos of it that I can find for almost 15 years
Titan 665 (ASC 665B) - assume it's moved to the SVBM but can't tell for sure
Olympian 777 (C777 SFS) - same as 665

 

[stantheman]

They've gradually been getting repainted over the last year, but has been slowed down reguarly due to repainting of 66 plates for Lothian Country and for buses with repair jobs to be use the paint booth. The following are yet to be painted: 362, 366, 369, 371, 380, 385, 388, 389, 398.

Do we assume they will be around for a while yet then ? They seem to dominate now on the 23,27 and 29 with a few on the 1, 10 , and 31

 

[CN04NRJ]

Does anyone know the whereabouts of the following preserved (or potentially preserved) vehicles?
Albion GFS 329 - no photos of it that I can find for almost 15 years
Titan 665 (ASC 665B) - assume it's moved to the SVBM but can't tell for sure
Olympian 777 (C777 SFS) - same as 665

777 is still at Longstone at the moment.

 

[VioletEclipse]

Do we assume they will be around for a while yet then ? They seem to dominate now on the 23,27 and 29 with a few on the 1, 10 , and 31

Most likely, unless the rumoured 751-798 arrive particularly soon.

777 is still at Longstone at the moment.

Thanks! Unsure why they would just keep the one (or possibly two) unless there simply isn't space at Lathalmond.

 

[Lothianbus703]

Most likely, unless the rumoured 751-798 arrive particularly soon.


Thanks! Unsure why they would just keep the one (or possibly two) unless there simply isn't space at Lathalmond.

Don't think they are being replaced by those either

 

[stevenedin]

Has anyone heard anymore about the remaining BZLs entering service (701-750 batch)?

 

[83G/84D]

Just as general question as I am not from the area, what is the oldest bus still in regular service with the Lothian group?

I have been in Edinburgh for a couple of days and saw a small number of 09 plate Volvo B9TL’s in white and some others with dateless registrations.

 

[ian1944]

Further to my piece on the missing 106/QMU stops, I've had a reply from Lothian to say that the council have had it brought to their attention and that the stop should be installed "within a couple of weeks". We'll see.

 

[scosutsut]

Just as general question as I am not from the area, what is the oldest bus still in regular service with the Lothian group?

I have been in Edinburgh for a couple of days and saw a small number of 09 plate Volvo B9TL’s in white and some others with dateless registrations.

Oldest I believe are 841-850 (a good proportion of which may actually be withdrawn) which were new with 57 plates.

Lothian generally seem to aim to retire vehicles at 15 years old so the above plus the small number of vehicles remaining at or over that age should leave the fleet this year, with deliveries and cascades seemingly ongoing to achieve that.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Further to my piece on the missing 106/QMU stops, I've had a reply from Lothian to say that the council have had it brought to their attention and that the stop should be installed "within a couple of weeks". We'll see.

I first reported it on April 15th so let’s see what happens. Certainly seems to be the council being woefully slow.

 

[JKP]

I first reported it on April 15th so let’s see what happens. Certainly seems to be the council being woefully slow.

Do Lothian not possess temporary bus stops that could be deployed at the agreed positions until poles and flags can be provided by ELC?

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Do Lothian not possess temporary bus stops that could be deployed at the agreed positions until poles and flags can be provided by ELC?

The issue is that public realm works are needed for these bus stops. It is continuous grass along Queen Margaret Drive between the road and pavement.

 

[JKP]

The issue is that public realm works are needed for these bus stops. It is continuous grass along Queen Margaret Drive between the road and pavement.

Ah thanks. I have not been along that road so assumed there was already a pavement or some sort of hard standing where the stops were to be situated.

 

[Numpt33]

The idea of stop re-spacing was coming from the council officials, but fortunately the councillors disagreed. I don't know whether Lothian Buses wanted it. I doubt if it would solve anything - the problem is congestion and poor bus priority.

Sorry, but hard disagree. Unfortunately councillors disagreed.

Stop spacing in Edinburgh and the Lothians is just ridiculous. The fact that the 20mph limit didn't slow schedules down is the biggest red flag that stops are too close together and poorly sited. I hate saying London has it better, but even Glasgow does stop spacing better.

 

[stevenedin]

At least they removed the (newish 20 years?) stop near Chesser Avenue opposite where Chesser House used to be before it was converted into flats. This means that there is now a nice run west after the Chesser Cottages stop to after the Chesser Avenue junction.

This was only removed I'm guessing because of the new pedestrian crossing for the new flats opposite.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

At least they removed the (newish 20 years?) stop near Chesser Avenue opposite where Chesser House used to be before it was converted into flats. This means that there is now a nice run west after the Chesser Cottages stop to after the Chesser Avenue junction.

This was only removed I'm guessing because of the new pedestrian crossing for the new flats opposite.

Yes it was removed a few months back. X27/X28 now stop after Chesser Avenue when heading west.