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

[TheEastCoaster]

A registration shows in the latest Notices & Proceedings (#2379) for a timetable change on the Airlink from 1st May 2022.

could it just be Airlink? Or Lothian in general?

Also it may not be my business or anyones for that matter, but what’s the driver situation at Lothian currently? I know First has had a few issues and now Border Buses have now got a revised network change till Summer due to isolating drivers, so I was curious as to what Lothians current stand is, could they be at a stage where the network could have a bigger frequency or is it still 50/50?

 

[DunsBus]

could it just be Airlink? Or Lothian in general?

I think it may be Lothian in general. I'll be keeping an eye on VOSA and also on Notices & Proceedings over the coming weeks, just in case.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

could it just be Airlink? Or Lothian in general?

Also it may not be my business or anyones for that matter, but what’s the driver situation at Lothian currently? I know First has had a few issues and now Border Buses have now got a revised network change till Summer due to isolating drivers, so I was curious as to what Lothians current stand is, could they be at a stage where the network could have a bigger frequency or is it still 50/50?

In the recent while there’s been a few changes to the Airlink outside of the Lothian ones. Guess time will tell if there’s more?

 

[computerSaysNo]

could it just be Airlink? Or Lothian in general?

Also it may not be my business or anyones for that matter, but what’s the driver situation at Lothian currently? I know First has had a few issues and now Border Buses have now got a revised network change till Summer due to isolating drivers, so I was curious as to what Lothians current stand is, could they be at a stage where the network could have a bigger frequency or is it still 50/50?

I heard that Central is currently short of around 100 drivers. Not sure of the case with the other garages.

 

[CN04NRJ]

I heard that Central is currently short of around 100 drivers.

No it's not.

 

[Lothian_Bus]

Looks like (at least Mon-Fri) that the majority of 676-698 now operate on the 37/47 and are no longer on service 29.

 

[stevenedin]

677 was on the 16 last night and I notice that they are on the 10 too sometimes

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Looks like (at least Mon-Fri) that the majority of 676-698 now operate on the 37/47 and are no longer on service 29.

The 31 appears to have more XLB’s than it had before. There’s a fair few XLB’s not out at the minute and around 10 have been visiting Seafield over the last month too, mostly lower numbers such as 1067 etc.

 

[CN04NRJ]

677 was on the 16 last night and I notice that they are on the 10 too sometimes

Without wanting to sound condescending, they're just double deckers so can turn up on any route, the only thing you won't see is an XLB on the 8. The BYDs have been pretty much everywhere now, including an X44 to Tranent and so forth..

 

[Blindtraveler]

Wouldn't have minded a trip on that x 44 with the electric.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Without wanting to sound condescending, they're just double deckers so can turn up on any route, the only thing you won't see is an XLB on the 8. The BYDs have been pretty much everywhere now, including an X44 to Tranent and so forth..

And even that has happened, twice I think for the 8. On Bellevue to Royal Infirmary one way/return before being swapped for something else due to the reason we’ve talked about before.

You’re right though anything (within reason) can go on anything. Gone are the days where branding meant it had to go on xyz, not that there are many left these days. I used to travel on a Marine operated 11 about 15:30 on weekdays that ran one way from Ocean Terminal to Hyvots Bank, this was usually a red 26 branded Gemini2 as it did the X26 after that.

 

[Bus9120UK]

That's 926 finally lost its rollerblinds (not my image, shared with prior permission)

Not long left till it's the end of an era! Only 927 left. (Excluding the training fleet)

 

[stevenedin]

Oh no this is such a shame but I guess maybe it means that they are here indefinitely.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

That's 926 finally lost its rollerblinds (not my image, shared with prior permission)

Not long left till it's the end of an era! Only 927 left. (Excluding the training fleet)

View attachment 112585

Oh no this is such a shame but I guess maybe it means that they are here indefinitely.

I think it certainly does look as if these two won’t be leaving anytime soon. Upgraded to Euro 6, and now one is fitted with Hanovers.

Lothiancountry transfer perhaps? Or something else…?

 

[Graham Alexand]

Lothiancountry transfer perhaps? Or something else…?

Fingers crossed Lothian Country.

That's 926 finally lost its rollerblinds (not my image, shared with prior permission)

Not long left till it's the end of an era! Only 927 left. (Excluding the training fleet)

View attachment 112585

They no longer have their distinction to the rest of the fleet which is a shame however like @FlybeDash8Q400 said, this means they'll be staying for a while longer which is great.

Does anyone know what's going to happen with 171 - 175? 171 and 172 both made a breif reappearance however they haven't been on the road fir the past couple of weeks.

 

[83G/84D]

I saw 926 on service 48 on 24th March whilst on holiday in the area, can't recall the previous time I saw a bus in regular service with an old style destination blind.

 

[frvic93]

I was on ECB 2945 today (on the 113 service to Pencaitland), and it was making a horrendous scraping noise on and off all the way to Tranent. Is this a known issue? Hope they get it sorted out somehow - it's a pretty unpleasant noise!

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

I was on ECB 2945 today (on the 113 service to Pencaitland), and it was making a horrendous scraping noise on and off all the way to Tranent. Is this a known issue? Hope they get it sorted out somehow - it's a pretty unpleasant noise!

That’s a new one. All I could think is the kneel has been lowered too much but even then the bus should know to correct itself after a bit.

 

[Mal]

That's 926 finally lost its rollerblinds (not my image, shared with prior permission)

Not long left till it's the end of an era! Only 927 left. (Excluding the training fleet)

View attachment 112585

I must admit, Edinburgh will not look the same without it's traditional 3 piece screens.

 

[CN04NRJ]

425 back at Central after repaint. A few 200s are back and parked up, they're also showing as taxed, have ticket machines and don't have VOR signs so make of that what you will.

 

[Willie622]

With the new bus service changes in May, are they big service charges and are they bringing back timetables as well?

 

[TheEastCoaster]

With the new bus service changes in May, are they big service charges and are they bringing back timetables as well?

Hard to really say, I’d like to think it’ll be big changes since the last service change was back in November, also depends on the situation with drivers and Covid etc.

Could this be the chance for them to reintroduce the X5?

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Hard to really say, I’d like to think it’ll be big changes since the last service change was back in November, also depends on the situation with drivers and Covid etc.

Could this be the chance for them to reintroduce the X5?

Given the growing number of services that are being cancelled as a result of shortages it’s difficult to see where the extra services are going to be possible. This may change come the end of the month with the planned end of what’s left of the restrictions. But it’s tricky to see where it’s going to happen.

 

[McSpud]

Heard rumors that 22 will be cut back to serve Gyle - Princes Street only, no longer serving Leith/Ocean Terminal.
Also expecting more cuts to night buses.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Heard rumors that 22 will be cut back to serve Gyle - Princes Street only, no longer serving Leith/Ocean Terminal.
Also expecting more cuts to night buses.

If true would make more sense to do this when the trams are finished? Would leave Leith a bit short for now I think.

In fairness as much as I like the idea of the N14 etc I’ve never seen very many on it.

 

[McSpud]

If true would make more sense to do this when the trams are finished? Would leave Leith a bit short for now I think.

In fairness as much as I like the idea of the N14 etc I’ve never seen very many on it.

I agree, but with diversions, delays and shortages I think they may be doing this sooner than planned.

 

[CN04NRJ]

Given the growing number of services that are being cancelled as a result of shortages it’s difficult to see where the extra services are going to be possible. This may change come the end of the month with the planned end of what’s left of the restrictions. But it’s tricky to see where it’s going to happen.

It'll be a service increase, (I understand recruitment is going well) quite significant changes. Beginning of June I heard.

 

[eh1]

425 back at Central after repaint. A few 200s are back and parked up, they're also showing as taxed, have ticket machines and don't have VOR signs so make of that what you will.

Hopefully we will see 1-10 away soon but isn't looking likely!

 

[DunsBus]

As a starter for ten (or 100, in this case), the Airlink is going up to every 10mins daytime from May 1st.

Increase to Airlink service frequency from 1 May 2022 - Lothian Buses

From Sunday 1 May 2022, the frequency of our Airlink service will be increased in response to customer demand. Service 100 will operate up to every 10 minutes on all days between Edinburgh Airport and the city centre, with night services continuing to operate every 30 minutes. Airlink departs...

www.lothianbuses.com

rom Sunday 1 May 2022, the frequency of our Airlink service will be increased in response to customer demand.

Service 100 will operate up to every 10 minutes on all days between Edinburgh Airport and the city centre, with night services continuing to operate every 30 minutes.

Airlink departs from South St David Street in the city centre, and provides a fast and direct link to Edinburgh Airport in approximately 30 minutes, all day all night. The service also calls at Shandwick Place, Haymarket, Wester Coates, Western Corner, Edinburgh Zoo, Drum Brae South and Maybury Road.

You can pay for your travel through contactless on all airport services, and plan journeys using our online Journey Planner. If you’re visiting Edinburgh, you may wish to download our mobile app which can help you navigate the city, view live departures and more.

For more information about Airlink and Skylink services – including links to timetables – visit our dedicated airport services page.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

If true would make more sense to do this when the trams are finished? Would leave Leith a bit short for now I think.

In fairness as much as I like the idea of the N14 etc I’ve never seen very many on it.

I would like for them to give the N49 a chance, it seemed like an interesting idea giving Lochend a night service once more But have it run from The Jewel to Royal Infirmary instead rather than Surgeons Hall.