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

[overthewater]

It's up to the council, who seem to need to be told by the operator. When the Edinburgh - Dumfries contract moved from Stagecoach to Houston, the flags and timetables weren't updated until I told my councillor (who is also the Transport Convenor) and sent him a copy of the timetable to display. You can't blame Lothian for that.

It would be nice if the council had people who kept an eye on public transport changes, but they don't.

They did until 2010, that was when the council office in the bus station final closed.

Mind you, the council has been poor ever since Traveline closed down in 2002 when the office moved into Edinburgh bus station. Remember 0800 23 23 23? They had an office at Cockburn street right across from Lothian office and held stock of every single timetable in Lothian and Scottish Borders.

 

[DunsBus]

They did until 2010, that was when the council office in the bus station final closed.

Mind you, the council has been poor ever since Traveline closed down in 2002 when the office moved into Edinburgh bus station. Remember 0800 23 23 23? They had an office at Cockburn street right across from Lothian office and held stock of every single timetable in Lothian and Scottish Borders.

It was based at St Giles Street originally. From memory the move to Cockburn Street was in 1993.

 

[Siemens Trains]

It's up to the council, who seem to need to be told by the operator. When the Edinburgh - Dumfries contract moved from Stagecoach to Houston, the flags and timetables weren't updated until I told my councillor (who is also the Transport Convenor) and sent him a copy of the timetable to display. You can't blame Lothian for that.

It would be nice if the council had people who kept an eye on public transport changes, but they don't.

Was that Midlothian or Edinburgh Council? Rather than being 'up to the council' as a rule, my understanding is that councils can provide information if the operators are unable or unwilling to put publicity into cases that a council provide. So it only becomes a council responsibility if operators don't do it themselves.
In some council areas there could be many different small operators serving each stop so it makes sense for the council to collect data together and draw up a summary. In Edinburgh there are very few operators outside Lothian Buses, who prefer to make their own timetable sheets anyway. As you say, Edinburgh Council won't employ staff to keep an eye on the small number of non-Lothian changes and operators who don't supply their own publicity will generally be at a disadvantage.
Edinburgh flags on the other hand are a bit different, where I believe staff from Lothian Buses make changes to the council's flags for all operators to the best of their knowledge. This is probably drawn from the Traveline database, registration documents or similar.

 

[JKP]

Was that Midlothian or Edinburgh Council? Rather than being 'up to the council' as a rule, my understanding is that councils can provide information if the operators are unable or unwilling to put publicity into cases that a council provide. So it only becomes a council responsibility if operators don't do it themselves.
In some council areas there could be many different small operators serving each stop so it makes sense for the council to collect data together and draw up a summary. In Edinburgh there are very few operators outside Lothian Buses, who prefer to make their own timetable sheets anyway. As you say, Edinburgh Council won't employ staff to keep an eye on the small number of non-Lothian changes and operators who don't supply their own publicity will generally be at a disadvantage.
Edinburgh flags on the other hand are a bit different, where I believe staff from Lothian Buses make changes to the council's flags for all operators to the best of their knowledge. This is probably drawn from the Traveline database, registration documents or similar.

My understanding is that since the public transport officer at Midlothian Council retired a couple of years ago, no one is looking out for public transport in that area. When last in Penicuik in May, the condition of timetable cases was shocking with many vandalised or empty. I think there was some Lothian Buses times displayed but nothing for Houston’s. By contrast timetable cases in Scottish Borders and Spt area were presentable with up to date information.

 

[LiviCrazy]

I was told a number of years ago, when complaining about the fact that First timetables had actually been covered over by Lothian Bus timetables, by City of Edinburgh Council that they contracted out timetable maintenance at the stops to Lothian Buses and that I should report any missing or errors to them. Not sure if it is still the case.

 

[stevenedin]

I was told a number of years ago, when complaining about the fact that First timetables had actually been covered over by Lothian Bus timetables, by CEC that they contracted out timetable maintenance at the stops to Lothian Buses and that I should report any missing or errors to them. Not sure if it is still the case.

I still think that it’s crazy that they contract a bus operator to do the work.

For timetables, as far as I’m aware, it is the responsibility of the operator but the bus stops, trackers and flags are the Council (who contract Lothian Buses to update the flags).

 

[GusB]

With all this talk of timetables at stops we are beginning to drift a little bit off-topic. I'd suggest that if anyone wishes to carry on the discussion, it should be done so in a separate thread.

 

[stevenedin]

It looks like 841 was out earlier on a driver familiarisation run for most of the new X40 route.

841 - MXZ 1751

Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini

bustimes.org

 

[Bus9120UK]

It looks like 841 was out earlier on a driver familiarisation run for most of the new X40 route.

It was on the NHS shuttle which Lothian Country has been operating lately. 578 did a test on the 72 and X40 routes last Thursday.

 

[LiviCrazy]

One of the Heritage Fleet, W572 RSG was broken down at Sighthill this morning. Presume it’s getting used on duplicate runs?

 

[stevenedin]

It was on the NHS shuttle which Lothiancountry has been operating lately. 578 did a test on the 72 and X40 routes last Thursday.

Thanks that makes sense now.

One of the Heritage Fleet, W572 RSG was broken down at Sighthill this morning. Presume it’s getting used on duplicate runs?

It will have been heading to get prepped for the open day I’d imagine.

 

[danielhogg2005]

It was on the NHS shuttle which Lothian Country has been operating lately. 578 did a test on the 72 and X40 routes last Thursday.

Who operated the NHS shuttle before?

 

[stevenedin]

Who operated the NHS shuttle before?

I think it was Lothian Motorcoaches

 

[Bus9120UK]

It was on the NHS shuttle which Lothian Country has been operating lately. 578 did a test on the 72 and X40 routes last Thursday.

843 has now also entered service at Lothian Country also on the NHS Shuttle.

One of the Heritage Fleet, W572 RSG was broken down at Sighthill this morning. Presume it’s getting used on duplicate runs?

Did you see the vehicle yourself? W572 RSG is still SORN at this time.

 

[LiviCrazy]

843 has now also entered service at Lothian Country also on the NHS Shuttle.


Did you see the vehicle yourself? W572 RSG is still SORN at this time.

Yes. Was sitting in the stop as I went past on the X22. It had trade plates on the front and back.

 

[ScotRail158725]

One of the Heritage Fleet, W572 RSG was broken down at Sighthill this morning. Presume it’s getting used on duplicate runs?

So it finally moves again then (sort of) Last i heard all the heritage fleet newer than 667 were done in

 

[computerSaysNo]

It was on the NHS shuttle which Lothian Country has been operating lately.

What's the NHS shuttle?

 

[Bus9120UK]

What's the NHS shuttle?

Royal Infirmary Hospital to Sheriffhall Park & Ride - takes staff to the Park & Ride where they have parked their cars. This video shows the route:

 

[computerSaysNo]

Royal Infirmary Hospital to Sheriffhall Park & Ride - takes staff to the Park & Ride where they have parked their cars. This video shows the route:

I thought it would be this as it's the only NHS shuttle I know of.
Why is it necessary, is the parking at the Royal Infirmary insufficient?
And my other question is, why is Lothian Country operating it when they are the furthest garage away?

 

[JKP]

I thought it would be this as it's the only NHS shuttle I know of.
Why is it necessary, is the parking at the Royal Infirmary insufficient?
And my other question is, why is Lothian Country operating it when they are the furthest garage away?

This is interesting in that the NHS is paying for what is in effect a staff bus over the route of Lothian 33, 48 and 49. Is this because of insufficient capacity on the 48 and 49?

 

[buslad1988]

This is interesting in that the NHS is paying for what is in effect a staff bus over the route of Lothian 33, 48 and 49. Is this because of insufficient capacity on the 48 and 49?

No it’s because there isn’t sufficient staff parking and the resulting congestion was causing delays on surrounding roads; not to mention all buses serving the site. It was well publicised at the time.

The best solution was to utilise the Park & Ride site and provide a shuttle service dedicated to Hospital staff. Lothian Motorcoaches won the contract - you’d imagine primarily based on quality. A coach is a much nicer and luxurious alternative to tempt employees from their cars.

Incorporating free use to NHS staff on normal Lothian services would be less attractive and indeed cause a knock on effect with overcrowding and dwell times. Not to mention possibly disgruntling fare paying passengers when a load of freebies just walk on.

 

[CN04NRJ]

This is interesting in that the NHS is paying for what is in effect a staff bus over the route of Lothian 33, 48 and 49. Is this because of insufficient capacity on the 48 and 49?

What the previous poster said about insufficient parking, the Heath UHW in Cardiff pay for a service from a (now former) park and ride site in Cardiff - it's nothing new.

 

[VioletEclipse]

One of the Heritage Fleet, W572 RSG was broken down at Sighthill this morning. Presume it’s getting used on duplicate runs?

that's the first i've heard of the Lothian-owned heritage fleet for almost 4 years. It would be lovely if they had them all back on display at door's open day (of course without 112, 701 and any others they sold since 2019).

 

[LothianBusesPh]

51 moved to Broxburn last night, I wonder why?

It seems to be on its way back to East Lothian now.

 

[stevenedin]

843 is on the X27 today

843 - MXZ 1753

Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini

bustimes.org

 

[Bus9120UK]

843 is on the X27 today

Only a peak school bus though.

 

[mb88]

Only a peak school bus though.

I’m sure that bus then runs dead into town to do an X28 back out

 

[Bus9120UK]

I’m sure that bus then runs dead into town to do an X28 back out

It does on Monday to Thursday, on a Friday as schools finish earlier the bus only does Deans to Craigshill and back to the garage. 843 ended up going on the NHS Shuttles again tonight.

 

[mb88]

It does on Monday to Thursday, on a Friday as schools finish earlier the bus only does Deans to Craigshill and back to the garage.

Ah yea that’s right.

 

[CN04NRJ]

Saw one of the 800s looking what was to be a test run on the X40, it was turning out of Drum St towards the hospital.