Lothian group (Network/Route Speculation)

[bobdoe]

Why not just loop around Riverside and keep Parkside as a two-way terminus? Then join the A8 at J1M9 roundabout and serve Ingliston P&R (City-bound only)

I like the Riverside idea, it's much more natural. The P&R is probably too far to divert, and passengers can change at Lochend Road to catch the 747 if they want to go there.

 

[Dave2105]

Could the 12 become a LCB service extending from the Gyle to Kirkliston via Ratho? When it gets to Kirkliston it becomes a 72 and vice versa. It would mean less dead mileage and an easier driver changeover.

 

[SoloSR334022]

I like the Riverside idea, it's much more natural. The P&R is probably too far to divert, and passengers can change at Lochend Road to catch the 747 if they want to go there.

I see what you mean but if it were to go through Ratho Station it would need to use the Airport Roundabout anyway and since the P&R doesn't currently have a non-bookable direct service to Edinburgh, I just thought that it would be a bit pointless not to serve it towards the city.

 

[LothianBusesPh]

Could the 12 become a LCB service extending from the Gyle to Kirkliston via Ratho? When it gets to Kirkliston it becomes a 72 and vice versa. It would mean less dead mileage and an easier driver changeover.

Lothian Country to Portobello, interesting...

 

[CSB0241]

I like the Riverside idea, it's much more natural. The P&R is probably too far to divert, and passengers can change at Lochend Road to catch the 747 if they want to go there.

I’m not a local in Newbridge (far from it actually), but after a quick look at the Streetview on Apple Maps, wouldn’t Riverside be a bit narrow for a full sized bus?

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Could the 12 become a LCB service extending from the Gyle to Kirkliston via Ratho? When it gets to Kirkliston it becomes a 72 and vice versa. It would mean less dead mileage and an easier driver changeover.

So essentially the 12 will merge with the 72 and become Portobello to Fauldhouse. I dread to imagine how long that journey would be.

If Lothian operated this potential Ratho route and if they wanted to then they could link this route with the Service 72 at Kirkliston, yes, the route isn't the quickest but it still works as a link to Edinburgh. I suppose they have the X38 already but it's worth a shot.

Problem is they don't really have the X38 since it is McGills that run it, also let's not forget the 63 if LCB take over the route.

 

[SoloSR334022]

I’m not a local in Newbridge (far from it actually), but after a quick look at the Streetview on Apple Maps, wouldn’t Riverside be a bit narrow for a full sized bus?

In that case it could use Loanhead Drive then loop right at Western Toyota?

 

[CSB0241]

In that case it could use Loanhead Drive then loop right at Western Toyota?

There is a small roundabout right at the end of Loanhead Drive that could be used instead.

 

[SoloSR334022]

There is a small roundabout right at the end of Loanhead Drive that could be used instead.

It looked a bit too small on Google maps street view, but an option nevertheless.

 

[SoloSR334022]

Thought I'd have another go at West Lothian but this time a bit weirder. For this I'm using a 2xx and X2x numbering scheme.

*Peak Time Extensions in BOLD


Routes to/from Edinburgh

X20 - Edinburgh to Balerno via Haymarket, Maybury, Ingliston, Ratho Station, Newbridge, Broxburn, Uphall, Uphall Station, Pumpherston, East Calder and Kirknewton. Every 60 minutes. Limited Stop in City


X21 - Edinburgh to Bathgate via Haymarket, West Approach Rd., Westfield Sainsbury's, A71, Hermiston, Dalmahoy, Ratho (Hallcroft), Ratho Station, Newbridge, Broxburn, Uphall, Dechmont, Tesco Distribution and Boghall. Every 30 minutes. Limited Stop in City


X22 - Edinburgh to Livingston Bus Terminal (The Centre) via Haymarket, Maybury, Ingliston, Ratho Station, Ratho, Wilkieston, East Calder and Mid Calder. Every 60 minutes for a combined 15/45 minute frequency between Ratho and the City Centre. Limited Stop in City


X23 - Edinburgh to St. John's Hospital via Haymarket, Maybury, RBS Gogarburn*, Ingliston P&R, Edinburgh Airport*, Ratho Station, Newbridge, Broxburn, Uphall, Deerpark Fastlink, and Livingston Bus Terminal (The Centre). Every 20 minutes. Limited Stop in City


X24 - Edinburgh to Whitburn via The Exchange, Fountainpark, Westfield Sainsbury's, A71, Hermiston, Hermiston P&R, Dalmahoy, Wilkieston, Calderwood*, East Calder, Mid Calder, Livingston Bus Terminal (The Centre), Polbeth, West Calder, Addiewell, Stoneyburn, Fauldhouse and Longridge. Every 20 minutes. Limited Stop in City, Limited Stop between East Calder and Whitburn (Excluding Livingston Bus Terminal, West Calder and Fauldhouse)


West Lothian Local Routes

200 - Balerno to Bathgate via Kirknewton, East Calder (Langton Rd.), Mid Calder, Livingston Bus Terminal (The Centre), St. John's Hospital, Fastlink, Deerpark, Dechmont, Tesco Distribution and Boghall. Every 60 minutes


201 - Broxburn (East Mains Ind.) to Blackburn J4/M8
via Broxburn Main St., Uphall, Uphall Station, Pumpherston, Craigshill, The Centre, St. John's Hospital, Dean's North, Eliburn, Seafield and Blackburn. Every 40 minutes


202 - Calderwood to Fauldhouse via East Calder (Main St.), Mid Calder, The Centre, St. John's Hospital, Ladywell, Knightsridge, Deans North (W-Bound), Deans South (E-bound), Tesco Distribution, Boghall, Bathgate, Armadale, Whitburn and Longridge. Every 30 minutes between 8.30am and 8pm, every 60 minutes 6.30am - 8.30am, 8pm till 22.30pm


203 - Kirkliston to Whitburn via Winchburgh, Broxburn, Uphall, Deerpark, Fastlink, The Centre, St. John's Hospital, Seafield, Blackburn and East Whitburn. Every 30 minutes between 8.30am and 8pm, every 60 minutes 6.30am - 8.30am, 8pm till 22.30pm


204 - Linlithgow to Loganlea via Torphichen, Bathgate, Tesco Distribution, Deans South, The Centre, Polbeth, West Calder and Addiewell. Every 30 minutes Mon to Sat, every 60 minutes Sunday.


205 - Livingston South to Shotts via The Centre, St. John's Hospital, Eliburn (W-bound), Livingston Village (E-Bound), Seafield, Blackburn, J4/M8, Blackburn, Wester Inch, Bathgate, Armadale, Whitburn, Rigghouse Rd. Heartlands, Harthill and Greenrigg. Every 20 minutes during peak times 7am till 9am, 3pm till 7pm after every 40 minutes 9am till 3pm, 7pm till 9pm


206 - Blackridge to Livingston South via Armadale, Whitburn, East Whitburn, J4/M8, Blackburn, Wester Inch, Tesco Distribution, Deans South, Knightsridge, Ladywell, St. John's Hospital and The Centre.
Every 30 minutes between 8.30am and 8pm, every 60 minutes 7am - 8.30am, 8pm till 9pm

Edit: I initially had this in a thread for routes that would never or are very unlikely to happen under Lothian Country.

 

[Blindtraveler]

All day running on X26, with one journey an hour from Seaton sands and the remaining ones starting at either eastfield or Musselburgh and being extremely limited stop, maximum of maybe 10 or 12 stops on the full route from seating sands and the shorter workings again only serving a handful of stops as far as Waterloo place
2 per hour would extend to the Western general and two per hour to Haymarket



Restoration of services to serve the large caravan site at Silverknows twice hourly buy all existing services in that general area


Bring back twice hourly x15

Restore all the old early 2000s and pre 2000 City orbital roots e.g 42 and 46, 32 52 etc

 

[SoloSR334022]

All day running on X26, with one journey an hour from Seaton sands and the remaining ones starting at either eastfield or Musselburgh and being extremely limited stop, maximum of maybe 10 or 12 stops on the full route from seating sands and the shorter workings again only serving a handful of stops as far as Waterloo place
2 per hour would extend to the Western general and two per hour to Haymarket

So a kind of more Express version of the current X26?

 

[Devon Sunset]

So a kind of more Express version of the current X26?

A limited stop service from Seton Sands would be a good addition. It currently takes over an hour to get to Princes St without any delays. It's not much more from North Berwick on the X5. Possibly an ECB route?

 

[SoloSR334022]

A limited stop service from Seton Sands would be a good addition. It currently takes over an hour to get to Princes St without any delays. It's not much more from North Berwick on the X5. Possibly an ECB route?

Maybe, but then wouldn't the 26 also have to be ECB?

 

[LBObserver]

Maybe, but then wouldn't the 26 also have to be ECB?

I've often wondered if or when Lothian city routes such as 26 and 44 would be cut back to Eastfield or maybe Levenhall. ECB operating limited stop through from Haymarket or elsewhere to Musselburgh then all stops to Seton Sands (129?/X9), Tranent (126) and Wallyford (144?/X4 direct from Musselburgh to Tranent with X6 still from A1 through Wallyford). Introduce a new ECB fare zone from Musselburgh. Virtually no competition with the exception of Prentice. Would they keep reduced fares or increase too? Controversial? Maybe.

Similar with Dalkeith onwards and Roslin onwards. Basically reintroduce old terminus points at Gilmerton, Ferniehill and Burdiehouse like pre-1986. ECB following old SMT/Eastern Scottish routes. ECB 146 and 148 replacing 46 and 48.

Ultimately combine ECB and LCB although I believe pay scales are different in each.

Obviously that has implications for staffing, vehicles and infrastructure (depots at Musselburgh - too small; Marine - consolidate into Central and Longstone). For another topic for discussion in detail probably.

 

[Devon Sunset]

Maybe, but then wouldn't the 26 also have to be ECB?

Not necessarily. This would be a new standalone route terminating somewhere in the city centre and tickets would be valid on both operators as you would expect. It could be all stops to Prestonpans then either a) via Wallyford, A1, The Jewel, Willowbrae Rd, b) via Musselburgh, Milton Rd, Willowbtae Rd or c) via Musselburgh, Portobello, Piershill. Restrict the amount of stops to speed up journey times whatever route is chosen. Maybe try half hourly in the peaks and hourly during the day with no evenings or Sundays.

 

[CSB0241]

X20 - Edinburgh to Balerno via Haymarket, Maybury, Ingliston, Ratho Station, Newbridge, Broxburn, Uphall, Uphall Station, Pumpherston, East Calder and Kirknewton. Every 60 minutes. Limited Stop in City


X23 - Edinburgh to St. John's Hospital via Haymarket, Maybury, RBS Gogarburn*, Ingliston P&R, Edinburgh Airport*, Ratho Station, Newbridge, Broxburn, Uphall, Deerpark Fastlink, and Livingston Bus Terminal (The Centre). Every 20 minutes. Limited Stop in City

The X20 wouldn’t work due to fare zones & the X23 is far too frequent to be viable (the X24 was near identical to this with a frequency of every 30min & that was very seldom busy).

All day running on X26, with one journey an hour from Seaton sands and the remaining ones starting at either eastfield or Musselburgh and being extremely limited stop, maximum of maybe 10 or 12 stops on the full route from seating sands and the shorter workings again only serving a handful of stops as far as Waterloo place
2 per hour would extend to the Western general and two per hour to Haymarket



Restoration of services to serve the large caravan site at Silverknows twice hourly buy all existing services in that general area


Bring back twice hourly x15

Restore all the old early 2000s and pre 2000 City orbital roots e.g 42 and 46, 32 52 etc

So a kind of more Express version of the current X26?

A limited stop service from Seton Sands would be a good addition. It currently takes over an hour to get to Princes St without any delays. It's not much more from North Berwick on the X5. Possibly an ECB route?

Not necessarily. This would be a new standalone route terminating somewhere in the city centre and tickets would be valid on both operators as you would expect. It could be all stops to Prestonpans then either a) via Wallyford, A1, The Jewel, Willowbrae Rd, b) via Musselburgh, Milton Rd, Willowbtae Rd or c) via Musselburgh, Portobello, Piershill. Restrict the amount of stops to speed up journey times whatever route is chosen. Maybe try half hourly in the peaks and hourly during the day with no evenings or Sundays.

Maybe, but then wouldn't the 26 also have to be ECB?

I've often wondered if or when Lothian city routes such as 26 and 44 would be cut back to Eastfield or maybe Levenhall. ECB operating limited stop through from Haymarket or elsewhere to Musselburgh then all stops to Seton Sands (129?/X9), Tranent (126) and Wallyford (144?/X4 direct from Musselburgh to Tranent with X6 still from A1 through Wallyford). Introduce a new ECB fare zone from Musselburgh. Virtually no competition with the exception of Prentice. Would they keep reduced fares or increase too? Controversial? Maybe.

Similar with Dalkeith onwards and Roslin onwards. Basically reintroduce old terminus points at Gilmerton, Ferniehill and Burdiehouse like pre-1986. ECB following old SMT/Eastern Scottish routes. ECB 146 and 148 replacing 46 and 48.

Ultimately combine ECB and LCB although I believe pay scales are different in each.

Obviously that has implications for staffing, vehicles and infrastructure (depots at Musselburgh - too small; Marine - consolidate into Central and Longstone). For another topic for discussion in detail probably.

I’m gonna use these ideas to make a completely revised East Lothian network.

LIST OF SERVICE CHANGES

• Service 26 - Service curtailed to Eastfield, with half-hourly extensions to Musselburgh Tesco Mon-Sat & hourly on Sundays & Evenings. East Lothian section replaced by service 108 & X8.
• Service 44 - Service curtailed to Brunstane. East Lothian section replaced by EastCoastBuses 113/124.
• Service 46 - Withdrawn & replaced by ECB 142.
• Service 48 - Withdrawn & replaced by ECB 143.

• Service X8 (Edinburgh to Seton Sands) - NEW service to replace Lothian Buses service X26. Service will run every 60min throughout the day Mon-Sat, & every 30min during the Mon-Fri peak.
• Service 105 (Edinburgh to North Berwick) - Originally service 124.
• Service 107 (Fort Kinnaird to East Linton) - NEW service between Fort Kinnaird & East Linton every 60min Mon-Sat via Prentice of Haddington 108 route to Haddington, then via EastCoastBuses X7 to East Linton.
• Service 108 (Eastfield to Tranent) - Service rerouted from Newhailes via Newhailes Road & Edinburgh Road to Eastfield Turning Circle, & also from Levenhall Roundabout via Lothian Buses service 26 route to Cockenzie, then Alder Road & B6371, then Lothian Buses service 26 route to Tranent. Service will be increased to every 30min daily.
• Service 112 (Cousland to Fort Kinnaird) - Extended to Cousland, Beech Grove via Crossgatehall. Timetable & route adjusted to replace service 110.
• Service 113 (West End to Pencaitland) - Service curtailed to Melville Street in Edinburgh. Buses will now serve Fa-Side bus terminus to replace LB 44.
• Service 142 (Musselburgh to Rosewell) - Renumbered LB 46 but moved to ECB.
• Service 143 (Musselburgh to Gorebridge) - Renumbered LB 48 but moved to ECB.

 

[freddiem]

The X20 wouldn’t work due to fare zones & the X23 is far too frequent to be viable (the X24 was near identical to this with a frequency of every 30min & that was very seldom busy).







I’m gonna use these ideas to make a completely revised East Lothian network.

LIST OF SERVICE CHANGES

• Service 26 - Service curtailed to Eastfield, with half-hourly extensions to Musselburgh Tesco Mon-Sat & hourly on Sundays & Evenings. East Lothian section replaced by service 108 & X8.
• Service 44 - Service curtailed to Brunstane. East Lothian section replaced by EastCoastBuses 113/124.
• Service 46 - Withdrawn & replaced by ECB 142.
• Service 48 - Withdrawn & replaced by ECB 143.

• Service X8 (Edinburgh to Seton Sands) - NEW service to replace Lothian Buses service X26. Service will run every 60min throughout the day Mon-Sat, & every 30min during the Mon-Fri peak.
• Service 105 (Edinburgh to North Berwick) - Originally service 124.
• Service 107 (Fort Kinnaird to East Linton) - NEW service between Fort Kinnaird & East Linton every 60min Mon-Sat via Prentice of Haddington 108 route to Haddington, then via EastCoastBuses X7 to East Linton.
• Service 108 (Eastfield to Tranent) - Service rerouted from Newhailes via Newhailes Road & Edinburgh Road to Eastfield Turning Circle, & also from Levenhall Roundabout via Lothian Buses service 26 route to Cockenzie, then Alder Road & B6371, then Lothian Buses service 26 route to Tranent. Service will be increased to every 30min daily.
• Service 112 (Cousland to Fort Kinnaird) - Extended to Cousland, Beech Grove via Crossgatehall. Timetable & route adjusted to replace service 110.
• Service 113 (West End to Pencaitland) - Service curtailed to Melville Street in Edinburgh. Buses will now serve Fa-Side bus terminus to replace LB 44.
• Service 142 (Musselburgh to Rosewell) - Renumbered LB 46 but moved to ECB.
• Service 143 (Musselburgh to Gorebridge) - Renumbered LB 48 but moved to ECB.

I would suggest that removing both the 26 and 44 from Musselburgh would be a disaster, as at the moment they are both hugh frequency routes through a growing town providing 11 buses an hour into Edinburgh, over and above the existing 4 ECB per hour and even then at the rush hours they are all packed. Also, as discussed in other threads, people don't like to change unnecessarily, don't want to be putting people off...

 

[SoloSR334022]

The X20 wouldn’t work due to fare zones & the X23 is far too frequent to be viable (the X24 was near identical to this with a frequency of every 30min & that was very seldom busy).

Like I said this was originally posted in a thread for fantasy/very very unlikely routes ran under Lothian group before transferred to this thread by a moderator

 

[Ian Cunningham]

I’m gonna use these ideas to make a completely revised East Lothian network.

LIST OF SERVICE CHANGES

• Service 26 - Service curtailed to Eastfield, with half-hourly extensions to Musselburgh Tesco Mon-Sat & hourly on Sundays & Evenings. East Lothian section replaced by service 108 & X8.
• Service 44 - Service curtailed to Brunstane. East Lothian section replaced by EastCoastBuses 113/124.
• Service 46 - Withdrawn & replaced by ECB 142.
• Service 48 - Withdrawn & replaced by ECB 143.

• Service X8 (Edinburgh to Seton Sands) - NEW service to replace Lothian Buses service X26. Service will run every 60min throughout the day Mon-Sat, & every 30min during the Mon-Fri peak.
• Service 105 (Edinburgh to North Berwick) - Originally service 124.
• Service 107 (Fort Kinnaird to East Linton) - NEW service between Fort Kinnaird & East Linton every 60min Mon-Sat via Prentice of Haddington 108 route to Haddington, then via EastCoastBuses X7 to East Linton.
• Service 108 (Eastfield to Tranent) - Service rerouted from Newhailes via Newhailes Road & Edinburgh Road to Eastfield Turning Circle, & also from Levenhall Roundabout via Lothian Buses service 26 route to Cockenzie, then Alder Road & B6371, then Lothian Buses service 26 route to Tranent. Service will be increased to every 30min daily.
• Service 112 (Cousland to Fort Kinnaird) - Extended to Cousland, Beech Grove via Crossgatehall. Timetable & route adjusted to replace service 110.
• Service 113 (West End to Pencaitland) - Service curtailed to Melville Street in Edinburgh. Buses will now serve Fa-Side bus terminus to replace LB 44.
• Service 142 (Musselburgh to Rosewell) - Renumbered LB 46 but moved to ECB.
• Service 143 (Musselburgh to Gorebridge) - Renumbered LB 48 but moved to ECB.

Few issues there
This seems to leave Seton Sands with only one bus per hour (currently 3) and Cockenzie (3) and Prestonpans (6) with the only the X8 or a change at Eastfield
Wallyford has lost a key and only non-express service and you've slowed the 113 by making it loop through Wallyford - (to be honest the routes within Wallyford probably need looking at as a lot of the new housing is quite away from a bus route)
The short hop from Musselburgh to Portobello now needs a change at Eastfied for many journeys.

Musselburgh is rather overserved by buses but they are busy, taking the capacity of the 26 and 44 away would swamp the 113 and 124 completely and you've also left chunks of Musselburgh like Pinkie with a barebone service that only runs to Eastfield

Athough in East Lothian Musselburgh, Seaton Sands, Tranent, Wallyford and (to an extent) Pencaitland effectively form an outer edge of Greater Edinburgh in terms of public transport with long established routes direct into the city
Slashing service frequency and forcing a bus change for many journeys would go down like a lead ballon here

 

[cammyeaston]

Few issues there
This seems to leave Seton Sands with only one bus per hour (currently 3) and Cockenzie (3) and Prestonpans (6) with the only the X8 or a change at Eastfield
Wallyford has lost a key and only non-express service and you've slowed the 113 by making it loop through Wallyford - (to be honest the routes within Wallyford probably need looking at as a lot of the new housing is quite away from a bus route)
The short hop from Musselburgh to Portobello now needs a change at Eastfied for many journeys.

Musselburgh is rather overserved by buses but they are busy, taking the capacity of the 26 and 44 away would swamp the 113 and 124 completely and you've also left chunks of Musselburgh like Pinkie with a barebone service that only runs to Eastfield

Athough in East Lothian Musselburgh, Seaton Sands, Tranent, Wallyford and (to an extent) Pencaitland effectively form an outer edge of Greater Edinburgh in terms of public transport with long established routes direct into the city
Slashing service frequency and forcing a bus change for many journeys would go down like a lead ballon here

Agreed.

Realistically, as much as everyone has these brilliant ideas for East Lothian - I think the 26 and 44 need to remain largely as they are with additional express services supplementing them, rather than replacing them.

That said, the Tranent section of the 26 I reckon could be curtailed as a local service running perhaps to Musselburgh or even the Fort via QMU.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

X20 - Edinburgh to Balerno via Haymarket, Maybury, Ingliston, Ratho Station, Newbridge, Broxburn, Uphall, Uphall Station, Pumpherston, East Calder and Kirknewton. Every 60 minutes. Limited Stop in City

This seems way too complicated, for starters it would mess up the Fare Zone system they have, plus anyone wanting to travel to Balerno would stick with the 44, if this was a Balerno to West Lothian service I'm sure it would do much better.

X21 - Edinburgh to Bathgate via Haymarket, West Approach Rd., Westfield Sainsbury's, A71, Hermiston, Dalmahoy, Ratho (Hallcroft), Ratho Station, Newbridge, Broxburn, Uphall, Dechmont, Tesco Distribution and Boghall. Every 30 minutes. Limited Stop in City

Isn't this just the X27/X28 and X18 merged together with a detour to Ratho?

X22 - Edinburgh to Livingston Bus Terminal (The Centre) via Haymarket, Maybury, Ingliston, Ratho Station, Ratho, Wilkieston, East Calder and Mid Calder. Every 60 minutes for a combined 15/45 minute frequency between Ratho and the City Centre. Limited Stop in City

Hmm.. now this I can see working, it gives Livingston a link to Corstorphine and connects Ratho!

X23 - Edinburgh to St. John's Hospital via Haymarket, Maybury, RBS Gogarburn*, Ingliston P&R, Edinburgh Airport*, Ratho Station, Newbridge, Broxburn, Uphall, Deerpark Fastlink, and Livingston Bus Terminal (The Centre). Every 20 minutes. Limited Stop in City

Cut out Edinburgh Airport and you got yourself a good service, again it's just the Fare Zone complication!

X24 - Edinburgh to Whitburn via The Exchange, Fountainpark, Westfield Sainsbury's, A71, Hermiston, Hermiston P&R, Dalmahoy, Wilkieston, Calderwood*, East Calder, Mid Calder, Livingston Bus Terminal (The Centre), Polbeth, West Calder, Addiewell, Stoneyburn, Fauldhouse and Longridge. Every 20 minutes. Limited Stop in City, Limited Stop between East Calder and Whitburn (Excluding Livingston Bus Terminal, West Calder and Fauldhouse)

Interesting idea having a limited stop service Within West Lothian, now that Whitburn and Fauldhouse are under the same Fare Zone I could see this working.

West Lothian Local Routes

200 - Balerno to Bathgate via Kirknewton, East Calder (Langton Rd.), Mid Calder, Livingston Bus Terminal (The Centre), St. John's Hospital, Fastlink, Deerpark, Dechmont, Tesco Distribution and Boghall. Every 60 minutes

This is what I was thinking in regards to your X20 idea, personally I would try extend it to Colinton in the Edinburgh end for more connection options.

201 - Broxburn (East Mains Ind.) to Blackburn J4/M8
via Broxburn Main St., Uphall, Uphall Station, Pumpherston, Craigshill, The Centre, St. John's Hospital, Dean's North, Eliburn, Seafield and Blackburn. Every 40 minutes

Not got a comment here as I could see this as an extended 73.

202 - Calderwood to Fauldhouse via East Calder (Main St.), Mid Calder, The Centre, St. John's Hospital, Ladywell, Knightsridge, Deans North (W-Bound), Deans South (E-bound), Tesco Distribution, Boghall, Bathgate, Armadale, Whitburn and Longridge. Every 30 minutes between 8.30am and 8pm, every 60 minutes 6.30am - 8.30am, 8pm till 22.30pm

It gives Armadale a link to Livingston which I know residents have been crying for, also where would the bus terminate in Calderwood? also nice service!

203 - Kirkliston to Whitburn via Winchburgh, Broxburn, Uphall, Deerpark, Fastlink, The Centre, St. John's Hospital, Seafield, Blackburn and East Whitburn. Every 30 minutes between 8.30am and 8pm, every 60 minutes 6.30am - 8.30am, 8pm till 22.30pm

So it's just a revised 72 that cuts Fauldhouse, Pumpherston and Uphall Station! Why not have it serve Queensferry?

204 - Linlithgow to Loganlea via Torphichen, Bathgate, Tesco Distribution, Deans South, The Centre, Polbeth, West Calder and Addiewell. Every 30 minutes Mon to Sat, every 60 minutes Sunday.

Hate to use that word again but.. fare zones? To be fair maybe if you had it run straight from Bathgate to Loganlea like the 276 used to, and then run from Loganlea to Deans South I could see it working!

205 - Livingston South to Shotts via The Centre, St. John's Hospital, Eliburn (W-bound), Livingston Village (E-Bound), Seafield, Blackburn, J4/M8, Blackburn, Wester Inch, Bathgate, Armadale, Whitburn, Rigghouse Rd. Heartlands, Harthill and Greenrigg. Every 20 minutes during peak times 7am till 9am, 3pm till 7pm after every 40 minutes 9am till 3pm, 7pm till 9pm

If Lothian Country want to give Lanarkshire a shott.. (hah!) I could see this working.

206 - Blackridge to Livingston South via Armadale, Whitburn, East Whitburn, J4/M8, Blackburn, Wester Inch, Tesco Distribution, Deans South, Knightsridge, Ladywell, St. John's Hospital and The Centre.
Every 30 minutes between 8.30am and 8pm, every 60 minutes 7am - 8.30am, 8pm till 9pm

Only way it could work is if Armadale was under Country Zone D but otherwise it could work!

Edit: I initially had this in a thread for routes that would never or are very unlikely to happen under Lothian Country.

Well credit where it's due, I could see 50% of these working!

I’m gonna use these ideas to make a completely revised East Lothian network.

LIST OF SERVICE CHANGES

• Service 26 - Service curtailed to Eastfield, with half-hourly extensions to Musselburgh Tesco Mon-Sat & hourly on Sundays & Evenings. East Lothian section replaced by service 108 & X8.

If the East Coast equivalents were as frequent I would be more inclined to be supportive of this idea

• Service 44 - Service curtailed to Brunstane. East Lothian section replaced by EastCoastBuses 113/124.

I could see this causing an uproar with 113/124 residents unless it was more frequent.

• Service 46 - Withdrawn & replaced by ECB 142.
• Service 48 - Withdrawn & replaced by ECB 143.

Would there be any more room in Musselburgh for more vehicles?

• Service X8 (Edinburgh to Seton Sands) - NEW service to replace Lothian Buses service X26. Service will run every 60min throughout the day Mon-Sat, & every 30min during the Mon-Fri peak.

I would at least make this more frequent, 20 minutes at the very least otherwise Port Seton residents would feel shafted.

• Service 105 (Edinburgh to North Berwick) - Originally service 124.

Is it just the service number changing?

• Service 107 (Fort Kinnaird to East Linton) - NEW service between Fort Kinnaird & East Linton every 60min Mon-Sat via Prentice of Haddington 108 route to Haddington, then via EastCoastBuses X7 to East Linton.

Guessing this is for East Linton station? Also I would maybe at the very least try and add a few changes to make it more distinctive from the 108, unless in this scenario the 108 is no more?

• Service 108 (Eastfield to Tranent) - Service rerouted from Newhailes via Newhailes Road & Edinburgh Road to Eastfield Turning Circle, & also from Levenhall Roundabout via Lothian Buses service 26 route to Cockenzie, then Alder Road & B6371, then Lothian Buses service 26 route to Tranent. Service will be increased to every 30min daily.

Personally I would have the 108 run a little further into Portobello, maybe even to Ocean Terminal? but that's just me.

• Service 113 (West End to Pencaitland) - Service curtailed to Melville Street in Edinburgh. Buses will now serve Fa-Side bus terminus to replace LB 44.

Not sure about this one, I think the benefit of the 113 was that it served the Hospital.

 

[Sussexscot]

All day running on X26, with one journey an hour from Seaton sands and the remaining ones starting at either eastfield or Musselburgh and being extremely limited stop, maximum of maybe 10 or 12 stops on the full route from seating sands and the shorter workings again only serving a handful of stops as far as Waterloo place
2 per hour would extend to the Western general and two per hour to Haymarket



Restoration of services to serve the large caravan site at Silverknows twice hourly buy all existing services in that general area


Bring back twice hourly x15

Restore all the old early 2000s and pre 2000 City orbital roots e.g 42 and 46, 32 52 etc

I feel that the only "improvement" for the 26 would be to run all services to Seaton Sands. The Tranent services to be taken over by a new service starting at Kings Road and in Musselburgh using Linkfield Road to Levenhall then following the current 26 route to Tranent. This would enhance the Portobello - Musselburgh corridor and still provide the local connections between Tranent and Prestonpans etc. No commuter or shopper would use the 26 from Tranent to get into Edinburgh, surely? This new service could be run out of Musselburgh depot or Marine, route number to suit.

 

[SoloSR334022]

It gives Armadale a link to Livingston which I know residents have been crying for, also where would the bus terminate in Calderwood? also nice service!

In reference to the 202 route it would, after the mobility hub it would turn left at Nethershiel Rd. and terminate at Calderwood Primary School

 

[CSB0241]

Agreed.

Realistically, as much as everyone has these brilliant ideas for East Lothian - I think the 26 and 44 need to remain largely as they are with additional express services supplementing them, rather than replacing them.

That said, the Tranent section of the 26 I reckon could be curtailed as a local service running perhaps to Musselburgh or even the Fort via QMU.

What if then;

26:
__00 from Clerwood; curtails at Musselburgh Grammar School
__10 from Clerwood; curtails at Musselburgh Grammar School
__20 from Clerwood; curtails at Seton Sands
__30 from Clerwood; curtails at Musselburgh Grammar School
__40 from Clerwood; curtails at Musselburgh Grammar School
__50 from Clerwood; curtails at Seton Sands

44 (decreased to every 15min on weekdays):
__00 from Balerno; curtails at Brunstane
__15 from Balerno; curtails at Wallyford
__30 from Balerno; curtails at Brunstane
__45 from Balerno; curtails at Wallyford

Would that still be too infrequent in East Lothian?

 

[Lothianbus703]

What if then;

26:
__00 from Clerwood; curtails at Musselburgh Grammar School
__10 from Clerwood; curtails at Musselburgh Grammar School
__20 from Clerwood; curtails at Seton Sands
__30 from Clerwood; curtails at Musselburgh Grammar School
__40 from Clerwood; curtails at Musselburgh Grammar School
__50 from Clerwood; curtails at Seton Sands

44 (decreased to every 15min on weekdays):
__00 from Balerno; curtails at Brunstane
__15 from Balerno; curtails at Wallyford
__30 from Balerno; curtails at Brunstane
__45 from Balerno; curtails at Wallyford

Would that still be too infrequent in East Lothian?

I do not think the 44 needs to be decreased in frequency.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

What if then;

26:
__00 from Clerwood; curtails at Musselburgh Grammar School
__10 from Clerwood; curtails at Musselburgh Grammar School
__20 from Clerwood; curtails at Seton Sands
__30 from Clerwood; curtails at Musselburgh Grammar School
__40 from Clerwood; curtails at Musselburgh Grammar School
__50 from Clerwood; curtails at Seton Sands

44 (decreased to every 15min on weekdays):
__00 from Balerno; curtails at Brunstane
__15 from Balerno; curtails at Wallyford
__30 from Balerno; curtails at Brunstane
__45 from Balerno; curtails at Wallyford

Would that still be too infrequent in East Lothian?

Cutting the 44 would be a bad idea as it is the only bus service for Balerno, if anything I would encourage a frequency increase on that end, and as for the East Lothian end I wouldn't change it as the 44 offers the best link from Wallyford to Musselburgh.

The 26's I would have them all running to Seton Sands and at least a 20 minute frequency, as suggested above a local service to link Tranent and Prestonpans would be a good idea, maybe rerouting the 106?

 

[roadierway77]

Since we've been talking about East Lothian, here's my take on potential service changes.

Lothian City changes

2 | Hermiston Gait - Stenhouse - Gorgie - Haymarket - Grassmarket - Bristo Square - St Leonards - Craigmillar - The Jewel - Newcraighall - QMU
Service extended to QMU to partially replace withdrawn 30. Vehicles required increased from 8 to 9.

26 | Clerwood - Drum Brae - Corstorphine - Murrayfield - Haymarket - Princes Street - Meadowbank - Portobello - Eastfield OR Seton Sands via Musselburgh
26 services to Tranent curtailed to Eastfield and directly replaced by new ECB 104. Vehicles required reduced from 24 to 19.

30 | Clovenstone - Westside Plaza - Balgreen - Fountainbridge - Princes Street - Bridges - St Leonards - Craigmillar - Fort Kinnaird
Service curtailed to Fort Kinnaird and converted to double decker operation. Frequency reduced to every 15 minutes. Vehicles required reduced from 18 to 11.

X26 | Haymarket - Princes Street - Meadowbank - Portobello - Musselburgh - Prestonpans - Port Seton
Service withdrawn and replaced by new ECB X8.

East Coast Buses changes

104 | Tranent - Prestonpans - Musselburgh - Portobello or Ocean Terminal
New service to replace LB 26 between Tranent and Portobello - existing 26 services to Tranent are curtailed at Eastfield. Operates every 15 minutes, with services extending twice an hour to Ocean Terminal via Seafield and Leith. 9 vehicles required, double deckers allocated.

105 | Tranent - Blindwells (A198) - Port Seton - Prestonpans - Wallyford - Whitecraig - Dalkeith - Eskbank
New service to provide a connection between Tranent and Cockenzie & Port Seton and improve links between East Lothian and Midlothian as a whole. Can be rerouted through Blindwells upon further progression of the development. Operates every 45 minutes, 3 vehicles required, single deckers allocated.

106 | Haddington - Tranent - Wallyford - Musselburgh - QMU - Fort Kinnaird
Service extended to Fort Kinnaird via the A1. Buses required unchanged.

X8 | Haymarket - Princes Street - Meadowbank - Portobello - Musselburgh - Prestonpans - Port Seton - Seton Sands
New express service directly replacing LB X26 and extended to operate hourly all day Monday to Saturday. Services run limited stop between Haymarket and Musselburgh. Frequency increases to 30 minutes at peak times, with buses alternating between terminating at Seton Sands and Alder Road (Port Seton) in the east. 2 vehicles required off-peak, increasing to 5 at peak times, single deckers allocated to all-day diagrams with double deckers allocated to peak workings.

X9 | Frederick Street - Princes Street - Meadowbank - Brunstane - Musselburgh - Wallyford - A1 - Blindwells
New express service, providing faster connections from Wallyford and Musselburgh into Edinburgh city centre, alongside additionally supporting the growth of Blindwells with a direct service to the city. Limited stop between Frederick Street and Musselburgh. Operates every 60 minutes, 2 vehicles required, single deckers allocated.

All other services remain the same. Vehicles would be made available through transfer from the city depots as a result of decreased PVR, likely consisting of Gemini 3s and Eclipse 2s. Conversion of the 30 to decker operation would also enable transfer of the remaining Eclipse 2s to Livingston.

 

[VioletEclipse]

Since we've been talking about East Lothian, here's my take on potential service changes.

Lothian City changes

2 | Hermiston Gait - Stenhouse - Gorgie - Haymarket - Grassmarket - Bristo Square - St Leonards - Craigmillar - The Jewel - Newcraighall - QMU
Service extended to QMU to partially replace withdrawn 30. Vehicles required increased from 8 to 9.

26 | Clerwood - Drum Brae - Corstorphine - Murrayfield - Haymarket - Princes Street - Meadowbank - Portobello - Eastfield OR Seton Sands via Musselburgh
26 services to Tranent curtailed to Eastfield and directly replaced by new ECB 104. Vehicles required reduced from 24 to 19.

30 | Clovenstone - Westside Plaza - Balgreen - Fountainbridge - Princes Street - Bridges - St Leonards - Craigmillar - Fort Kinnaird
Service curtailed to Fort Kinnaird and converted to double decker operation. Frequency reduced to every 15 minutes. Vehicles required reduced from 18 to 11.

X26 | Haymarket - Princes Street - Meadowbank - Portobello - Musselburgh - Prestonpans - Port Seton
Service withdrawn and replaced by new ECB X8.

East Coast Buses changes

104 | Tranent - Prestonpans - Musselburgh - Portobello or Ocean Terminal
New service to replace LB 26 between Tranent and Portobello - existing 26 services to Tranent are curtailed at Eastfield. Operates every 15 minutes, with services extending twice an hour to Ocean Terminal via Seafield and Leith. 9 vehicles required, double deckers allocated.

105 | Tranent - Blindwells (A198) - Port Seton - Prestonpans - Wallyford - Whitecraig - Dalkeith - Eskbank
New service to provide a connection between Tranent and Cockenzie & Port Seton and improve links between East Lothian and Midlothian as a whole. Can be rerouted through Blindwells upon further progression of the development. Operates every 45 minutes, 3 vehicles required, single deckers allocated.

106 | Haddington - Tranent - Wallyford - Musselburgh - QMU - Fort Kinnaird
Service extended to Fort Kinnaird via the A1. Buses required unchanged.

X8 | Haymarket - Princes Street - Meadowbank - Portobello - Musselburgh - Prestonpans - Port Seton - Seton Sands
New express service directly replacing LB X26 and extended to operate hourly all day Monday to Saturday. Services run limited stop between Haymarket and Musselburgh. Frequency increases to 30 minutes at peak times, with buses alternating between terminating at Seton Sands and Alder Road (Port Seton) in the east. 2 vehicles required off-peak, increasing to 5 at peak times, single deckers allocated to all-day diagrams with double deckers allocated to peak workings.

X9 | Frederick Street - Princes Street - Meadowbank - Brunstane - Musselburgh - Wallyford - A1 - Blindwells
New express service, providing faster connections from Wallyford and Musselburgh into Edinburgh city centre, alongside additionally supporting the growth of Blindwells with a direct service to the city. Limited stop between Frederick Street and Musselburgh. Operates every 60 minutes, 2 vehicles required, single deckers allocated.

All other services remain the same. Vehicles would be made available through transfer from the city depots as a result of decreased PVR, likely consisting of Gemini 3s and Eclipse 2s. Conversion of the 30 to decker operation would also enable transfer of the remaining Eclipse 2s to Livingston.

like the idea for the 2 and 30!
Replacing the Tranent 26 and X26 wi the X8 and 104 is and intereting idea, probably unlikely but could work well.
Otherwise nice to include connections to Blindwells, unsure how similar if at all the actual Lothian services to Blindwells will be, if they even run buses into it rather than leaving it to Prentice.

 

[Ian Cunningham]

What if then;

26:
__00 from Clerwood; curtails at Musselburgh Grammar School
__10 from Clerwood; curtails at Musselburgh Grammar School
__20 from Clerwood; curtails at Seton Sands
__30 from Clerwood; curtails at Musselburgh Grammar School
__40 from Clerwood; curtails at Musselburgh Grammar School
__50 from Clerwood; curtails at Seton Sands

44 (decreased to every 15min on weekdays):
__00 from Balerno; curtails at Brunstane
__15 from Balerno; curtails at Wallyford
__30 from Balerno; curtails at Brunstane
__45 from Balerno; curtails at Wallyford

Would that still be too infrequent in East Lothian?

I think so - curtailing two thirds of the 26 at the Grammar cuts that service from the whole east side of Musselburgh and leaves Levenhall eastwards through the Pans to Cockenzie with only a half hourly service.
If you also cut the 44 back then that further impacts the same eastern side of Musselburgh (Pinkie, Delta, MacBeth Moir) - the Pinkie Road corridor would drop from 10 buses an hour to just 4
Further into town the 44 provides the only stopping service that runs the full length of Willowbrae/Milton Road - again it drops a lot of stops to just a 30 min service (folk along that road are already annoyed with the ECB services running limited stop!)

The amount of housing in Musselburgh, Prestonpans, Tranent and especially Wallyford is constantly increasing. if anything they will need to look at strengthening capacity not reducing it.

They will need to look at services for Blindwells as it's only the 124 that passes -as others have indicated perhaps a limited stop Blindwells-Top Pans (or Tranent)-Wallyford-(or Musselburgh)-Edinburgh. Also the expanded Wallyford will probably need a loop round the estate (perhaps using the 44) as it's a long way from the top of Wallyford to the 113/X6/44 routes