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

[Bus9120UK]

What makes it a B5TL? Looks same as other E400mmcs.

The Volvo badge on the front alongside the full rear window

 

[CN04NRJ]

What makes it a B5TL? Looks same as other E400mmcs.

The B5TL chassis.

 

[scosutsut]

The B5TL chassis.

Yeah, that should do it!

 

[Robertj21a]

What makes it a B5TL? Looks same as other E400mmcs.

The Volvo chassis ?

 

[Snow1964]

Another image has been released of one of the new B5TL E400MMC's. I do like the look of them, and the use of smart seat - although there will only be 8 of these (I believe?)

I notice it has a small dent on the rear

Obviously not my photo, credits to David Oakley

Volvo B5TL - Alexander Dennis Enviro 400MMC

Seen on the M73 northbound is one of Lothian Buses new Alexander Dennis Enviro 400MMC bodied Volvo B5TL.

www.flickr.com

It looks relatively short (by Lothian standards)

If there are only 8 are they for a very restricted route, that nothing else suitable would fit on, as Lothian don’t normally order batches that small.

 

[OmniCity999]

It looks relatively short (by Lothian standards)

If there are only 8 are they for a very restricted route, that nothing else suitable would fit on, as Lothian don’t normally order batches that small.

These are 11.3m Lothians "standard" before the Enviro400XLB's. These were supposed to be going to East Coast but have been diverted.

Lots of B9's and B7's have been removed from main fleet so these are being diverted there first. Future deliveries will include vehicles for East Coast.

 

[CN04NRJ]

It looks relatively short (by Lothian standards)

If there are only 8 are they for a very restricted route, that nothing else suitable would fit on, as Lothian don’t normally order batches that small.

The London B9TLs are even shorter again, and are used on almost any Longstone route. Can't remember what they were used on when they were at Central though.

 

[90019]

The London B9TLs are even shorter again, and are used on almost any Longstone route. Can't remember what they were used on when they were at Central though.

They were usually out on the 29.
For some reason they rarely appeared on the 8, despite being pretty much ideal for it.

 

[route101]

The London B9TLs are even shorter again, and are used on almost any Longstone route. Can't remember what they were used on when they were at Central though.

Short wheel based like First Glasgow. I remember them on the 4 route.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

They were usually out on the 29.
For some reason they rarely appeared on the 8, despite being pretty much ideal for it.

Yea usually the 8, 14 or 29 and I thought the latter was perfect for them, 21, 48 and 49 among others are good for them. They were ok for the 8 but sometimes felt a bit congested during peak hours, more just a space issue than capacity.

 

[mb88]

Service 280 withdrawn from Blackridge for the remainder of the day due to yet more vandalism incidents.

 

[Graham Alexand]

Service 280 withdrawn from Blackridge for the remainder of the day due to yet more vandalism incidents.

What happened this time?
(Meaning what was damaged, windows, internal/ external damage, ect...)

 

[SpeedbirdA350]

I believe 280 has gone back to the normal route now but if anything else happens, will be fully withdrawn for the rest of the night.

 

[mb88]

What happened this time?
(Meaning what was damaged, windows, internal/ external damage, ect...)

Just the usual smashed windows.

 

[GusB]

Could we please refrain from asking for every single little detail about these incidents? It's enough to know that damage occurred. Let's not forget that there are drivers who read this thread and it's a frightening experience to have it happen when you're essentially at your place of work. Show a wee bit of decorum.

 

[Graeme Duncan]

The 8 new Alexander Volvos fleet numbers I suspect will be 1154-1161

 

[Bus9120UK]

The 8 new Alexander Volvos fleet numbers I suspect will be 1154-1161

I imagine the use of thousands will be no more - I have seen 601-658 re appear on the tracker recently so I'd imagine the B5TL's would be 601-608 or 651-658.

 

[OmniCity999]

The 8 new Alexander Volvos fleet numbers I suspect will be 1154-1161

I believe the next batch of new vehicles are to utilise the 600 range of numbers.

 

[CN04NRJ]

The 8 new Alexander Volvos fleet numbers I suspect will be 1154-1161

Despite there being trackers appearing on finlaysmith.com for 600+?

 

[DunsBus]

Despite there being trackers appearing on finlaysmith.com for 600+?

As has been said above (and several times previously on this thread) the use of four-figure fleetnumbers, like the use of depot codes, is no more.

 

[OmniCity999]

As has been said above (and several times previously on this thread) the use of four-figure fleetnumbers, like the use of depot codes, is no more.

to be pedantic, it's still current. The belief is that there'll be no new deliveries on 4 digit fleet numbers.

No fleet renumbering is scheduled i believe, so four digit fleet numbers will remain, just not with new deliveries.

 

[Ricky Kane]

to be pedantic, it's still current. The belief is that there'll be no new deliveries on 4 digit fleet numbers.

No fleet renumbering is scheduled i believe, so four digit fleet numbers will remain, just not with new deliveries.

I've noticed that 529-534 are live again to.

 

[CN04NRJ]

As has been said above (and several times previously on this thread) the use of four-figure fleetnumbers, like the use of depot codes, is no more.

That was my point.

 

[Mal]

It looks relatively short (by Lothian standards)

If there are only 8 are they for a very restricted route, that nothing else suitable would fit on, as Lothian don’t normally order batches that small.

It looks very plain without the gold lining! As a side question, I thought the city coat of arms was being applied to all Lothian city buses?

 

[Bus9120UK]

It looks very plain without the gold lining! As a side question, I thought the city coat of arms was being applied to all Lothian city buses?

I believe these have not been added yet, the gold linings are all Vynils

The Coat of arms have only appeared on ADL buses so far

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

It looks very plain without the gold lining! As a side question, I thought the city coat of arms was being applied to all Lothian city buses?

I hope we won’t be seeing the Lothiancity branding applied to this batch of B5TL’s, it’s an unnecessary extra brand in my view. The livery suits the ADL body better so it’s hopefully a case of them looking livery/branding wise like 201-215.

As nice as the coat of arms are on the livery not too sure if it’ll be getting applied anymore, but when it takes the place of the legals it does look nicer than just the plain old text with LOTHIAN BUSES LIMITED, registered address etc.

 

[CN04NRJ]

Seems as though the early 400s are having their Mobitec units stripped out in favour of Hanover units. Not sure how many have been done so far though.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Seems as though the early 400s are having their Mobitec units stripped out in favour of Hanover units. Not sure how many have been done so far though.

401-403 were done pre lockdown I believe (just before), 404-406 sometime close to the end of last year, they were the only ones I know of. With potentially some of the ones previously on the now sold B9TL’s hopefully 407 upwards are starting to get them now?

 

[ScotRail158725]

401-403 were done pre lockdown I believe (just before), 404-406 sometime close to the end of last year, they were the only ones I know of. With potentially some of the ones previously on the now sold B9TL’s hopefully 407 upwards are starting to get them now?

The B9TLs if reuses should pass theirs straight onto 407-425 and 551-570 now all the 11 plates are done with the B7s Hannovers.

 

[CN04NRJ]

401-403 were done pre lockdown I believe (just before), 404-406 sometime close to the end of last year, they were the only ones I know of. With potentially some of the ones previously on the now sold B9TL’s hopefully 407 upwards are starting to get them now?

I got it wrong, for some reason I thought I'd been driving 416 when it was infact 406 so I don't think any more have been done.