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

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Yep. Is the Sick Kids not at the ERI - a place the 30 doesn’t go to?

Not fully, it’s close to that though. So for now the main services remain at the old building just off Melville Drive. Then again it may have closed with the second lockdown.

In any case the EEN wouldn’t know though and I think we’ve discussed them enough for now and I don’t want this to go off topic.



Looking forward to seeing the first of the new ones tomorrow, probably won’t get to see one in the flesh until Friday though. I’m sure we’re gonna see the benefits of these on 30, I’m just happy the new ones have more seats, something that really was an issue on the section of the 30 I would normally use (East Lothian).

 

[scotrail158713]

I’m sure we’re gonna see the benefits of these on 30, I’m just happy the new ones have more seats, something that really was an issue on the section of the 30 I would normally use (East Lothian).

Completely agree. Although it might be a while before I get the chance to travel on one.

 

[scosutsut]

Yep. Is the Sick Kids not at the ERI - a place the 30 doesn’t go to?

Irrespective if it's at the ERI or the old site in The Meadows, the 30 doesn't go there afaik.

EEN (and the parent website) appear to have slid to complete click bait central, like so many others.

Either that or there are in fact far more beautiful singles AND millionaires than you'd think in <insert name of town they think you are in here>

Leaning back on topic, looking forward to seeing these. Look like they will tick all the boxes. Hope that the nervousness around MCV build quality prove unfounded.

 

[CN04NRJ]

Irrespective if it's at the ERI or the old site in The Meadows, the 30 doesn't go there afaik.

EEN (and the parent website) appear to have slid to complete click bait central, like so many others.

Either that or there are in fact far more beautiful singles AND millionaires than you'd think in <insert name of town they think you are in here>

Leaning back on topic, looking forward to seeing these. Look like they will tick all the boxes. Hope that the nervousness around MCV build quality prove unfounded.

From my short drive yesterday they seem incredibly solid - i've driven every generation of MCV (MAN MCV Stirling, MCV Evolution MAN + VDL and a facelifted Evolution B7RLE demo) and these seem a massive step up in comparison to previous bodywork by them.

As for that news story, I imagine the next one will be "Bus company reliant on government funding rolls out fleet of brand new, high capacity monster single deck buses".

 

[Tartan shorts]

You have literally written the headline for them. They will no doubt make a big thing about it. Probably infer they were only ordered a month ago and are an extravagance and far more high spec than required. They'll probably post a photo of a double decker next to the article if their journalist standards are as high as usual.

 

[OmniCity999]

As for that news story, I imagine the next one will be "Bus company reliant on government funding rolls out fleet of brand new, high capacity monster single deck buses".

Just like they did with the XLB's... "Unnecessary monster buses eat our roads" or something like that...

 

[oldman]

Irrespective if it's at the ERI or the old site in The Meadows, the 30 doesn't go there afaik.

Everyone is getting a bit over-defensive - the daughter was on her way to the Sick Kids (still in Sciennes). OK the bus doesn't drop her at the door - she would walk the last bit - but the basic story is sound enough for local journalism and LB have acknowledged the need to tweak the timetable. In fact, I don't think it's unfair to say they should have anticipated problems on that route. It's likely to be key-workers still working under lockdown using it at that time - too early for shop or office workers.

 

[lewisjn]

I've driven every generation of MCV (MAN MCV Stirling, MCV Evolution MAN + VDL and a facelifted Evolution B7RLE demo) and these seem a massive step up in comparison to previous bodywork by them.

The Evoras & Evosetis I've been on definitely do feel a step-up. I went on a 17-plate B5LH Evoseti in London a few months back and there were no rattles (with the exception of a poorly replaced panel by the stairs) - compare that to the creaky Enviro400 or rattly Gemini 3!

 

[Graham Alexand]

The first photo of the brand new MCV eVoRa in service 30

Dawn o the Evoras - 78 (SJ70 HNO) 'Oxgangs Hill'

Lothian Buses MCV Evora 78 (SJ70 HNO) ‘Oxgangs Hill’ is seen here on Dalkeith Road (A7) by Prestonfield operating a service 30 to Musselburgh Grammar School at Newbigging on its very first journey in service. Taken on the first day of service for the Evoras, Wednesday the 13th of January 2021...

www.flickr.com

Pictured by Violet Eclipse
Lothian Buses 78 SJ70 HNO

 

[Bus9120UK]

The first photo of the brand new MCV eVoRa in service 30

Dawn o the Evoras - 78 (SJ70 HNO) 'Oxgangs Hill'

Lothian Buses MCV Evora 78 (SJ70 HNO) ‘Oxgangs Hill’ is seen here on Dalkeith Road (A7) by Prestonfield operating a service 30 to Musselburgh Grammar School at Newbigging on its very first journey in service. Taken on the first day of service for the Evoras, Wednesday the 13th of January 2021...

www.flickr.com

Pictured by Violet Eclipse
Lothian Buses 78 SJ70 HNO

Yes, also one on twitter https://twitter.com/Barberstig/status/1349297502227476480

Out for my morning walk and well here we have @on_lothianbuses brand new @VolvoBusUK starting on route 30 at Murrayfield.

(Credit to Stuart Robert Barber)

 

[CN04NRJ]

Yes, also one on twitter https://twitter.com/Barberstig/status/1349297502227476480

So long as that doesn't get swapped it's my bus for tonight (going to be spending all day refreshing bustimes.org )

 

[Bus9120UK]

So long as that doesn't get swapped it's my bus for tonight (going to be spending all day refreshing bustimes.org )

I heard there is one on the 2 aswell (bus 66). It seems the tracker is frozen at Seafield on it - but still interesting to hear that there is one on the 2!
Wish you luck and hopefully you get the Evora that you want!

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

I heard there is one on the 2 aswell (bus 66). It seems the tracker is frozen at Seafield on it - but still interesting to hear that there is one on the 2!
Wish you luck and hopefully you get the Evora that you want!

71 was out on the 2 earlier, but it has since been swapped out, for 29 I think.

I saw the post saying 66 was out although I can’t seem to find anything on Lothian Vehicle Finder (LVF) etc so wonder if it maybe has had one or two teething issues with the automatic vehicle locator (AVL), or it wasn’t out at all.

*Mod note* Please remember to define these abbreviations the first time they are used in a post. This is required by forum rules.

 

[Bus9120UK]

71 was out on the 2 earlier, but it has since been swapped out, for 29 I think.

Didn't know, thanks.

Edit: 66 tracker I think isn't working as I am noticing it keeps changing its location, not sure if that is someone changing coordinates or something - however it was at Seafield, Longstone and now Central.

 

[computerSaysNo]

I saw the post saying 66 was out although I can’t seem to find anything on LVF etc so wonder if it maybe has had one or two teething issues with the AVL, or it wasn’t out at all.

The LVF doesn't seem to be showing the new vehicles properly, if you put in 30 they don't show up.
If you search for them specifically LRT 51-99 then it only shows the ones which have been in service so far (can't remember their exact number range but I know it's between 51 and 99!).
(Images show screenshots of Lothian Vehicle Finder)

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

The LVF doesn't seem to be showing the new vehicles properly, if you put in 30 they don't show up.
If you search for them specifically LRT 51-99 then it only shows the ones which have been in service so far (can't remember their exact number range but I know it's between 51 and 99!).
(Images show screenshots of Lothian Vehicle Finder)

bustimes.org seems to be tracking them fine on the map, and you can see where each of them have been at a particular time through the trip history pages.

 

[Q_Okolo12]

The first photo of the brand new MCV eVoRa in service 30

Dawn o the Evoras - 78 (SJ70 HNO) 'Oxgangs Hill'

Lothian Buses MCV Evora 78 (SJ70 HNO) ‘Oxgangs Hill’ is seen here on Dalkeith Road (A7) by Prestonfield operating a service 30 to Musselburgh Grammar School at Newbigging on its very first journey in service. Taken on the first day of service for the Evoras, Wednesday the 13th of January 2021...

www.flickr.com

Pictured by Violet Eclipse
Lothian Buses 78 SJ70 HNO

Great to finally see them in service. Huge upgrade for the the 30. They seem to be beautifully spec'ed!

 

[VioletEclipse]

I had been expecting a couple more 7900s to be swapped out for Evoras over the course of the day, evidently that seems not to be the case.

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

Three extra journeys on service 30 have been added: https://twitter.com/on_lothianbuses/status/1349350903460073473

In response to customer feedback, we've added 3 extra Service 30 journeys to provide better capacity for those who must travel at this time. These will operate from Fort Kinnaird to Longstone at the following times: 03:33, 06:54 & 07:14. Thank you for your feedback & patience.

 

[Bus9120UK]

I had been expecting a couple more 7900s to be swapped out for Evoras over the course of the day, evidently that seems not to be the case.

Was expecting the same thing to be fair.

Three extra journeys on service 30 have been added: https://twitter.com/on_lothianbuses/status/1349350903460073473

Did bus 71 do one of the extra journey's before going on the 2 and then heading back to the depot?

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

Was expecting the same thing to be fair.

Did bus 71 do one of the extra journey's before going on the 2 and then heading back to the depot?

71's full tracking history is here: https://bustimes.org/vehicles/276931?date=2021-01-13

In addition to the extra journeys on the 30, there will be two extra 29s and an extra 49 in morning. https://twitter.com/on_lothianbuses/status/1349370405753135105

From tomorrow morning, in response to feedback, the following additional journeys will be introduced to provide more capacity:

Service 29 from Gilmerton Terminus to Frederick Street - 07:13 & 08:13

Service 49 from Wakefield Avenue (Portobello Rd) to Royal Infirmary - 07:04

 

[CN04NRJ]

Didn't know, thanks.

Edit: 66 tracker I think isn't working as I am noticing it keeps changing its location, not sure if that is someone changing coordinates or something - however it was at Seafield, Longstone and now Central.

66 is parked in Longstone but judging by the road grime it looks like it's been out and about today. More have arrived at Longstone today.

 

[Bus9120UK]

66 is parked in Longstone but judging by the road grime it looks like it's been out and about today. More have arrived at Longstone today.

I know 83 & 85 has arrived today, what other ones are they?

I have noticed bus 24 has not been in service for a week. After checking Bustimes.org it was on route 36 last week at around 4pm heading towards Ocean Terminal when it suddenly left service in Greenbank, did it have an incident?

 

[CN04NRJ]

I heard there is one on the 2 aswell (bus 66). It seems the tracker is frozen at Seafield on it - but still interesting to hear that there is one on the 2!
Wish you luck and hopefully you get the Evora that you want!

It exceeded expectations! The MCV build quality is extremely good, it was even nicer to drive than the '17 Citaros I drove at Cardiff Bus when they were brand new.

What few passengers I had this evening seemed to like it as well.

Lothian 81 SJ70HNT Volvo B8RLE MCV eVoRa

Explore Lynx90000's 1712 photos on Flickr!

flic.kr

 

[Bus9120UK]

It exceeded expectations! The MCV build quality is extremely good, it was even nicer to drive than the '17 Citaros I drove at Cardiff Bus when they were brand new.

What few passengers I had this evening seemed to like it as well.

Lothian 81 SJ70HNT Volvo B8RLE MCV eVoRa

Explore Lynx90000's 1712 photos on Flickr!

flic.kr

Glad to hear! Can't wait to be able to get on these. I love the photo you took too.

 

[Graham Alexand]

See how the Volvo 7900Hybrid's batteries degrade over time of being inactive, is this the same case for the Wright Streetair's?

 

[OmniCity999]

See how the Volvo 7900Hybrid's batteries degrade over time of being inactive, is this the same case for the Wright Streetair's?

Yes, this is the case for any battery - even down to those in remote controls etc. Technology is getting better everyday though, so future electric vehicles will be able to handle harsher conditions.

 

[Lothiangem22]

Some 7900’s appear to of made it back to marine overnight as we see more evoras hit the road

 

[CN04NRJ]

Some 7900’s appear to of made it back to marine overnight as we see more evoras hit the road

Seems two more have gone down over the morning as well.

 

[SpeedbirdA350]

I wondered if anyone here knows; buses registered pre-2000 often (if not always) had front fog lamps installed, but since 2000, I don't recall a single post 2000 registered bus in the fleet with them. I note the new eVoRa has 2 dimples under the headlight assembly that could be pushed out for fog lamps, but I am not certain if that is why the dimples are there or if that is just design.

Was it a Lothian (LRT then) decision to have front fog lamps pre-2000 and not to have them post 2000 or was that bus manufacturers?