McGill’s Midland Bluebird

[Tartanarmy85]

I am at the Airport a lot. Lothian guys tend to stick at their spot as do Bright Bus, who usually only have one or two staff members at the Airport at a time. Lothian are more conservative with their staff promoting their service with most of the noise coming from Bright Bus’ end. This is also the case at Waverley Bridge. I’m not talking about signage inside the Airport, I am talking about what the staff do. Lots of the work the Airlink staff do is help people get to other departments of the Airport!

Lothian staff from my observation only really nag you if you ask them a question, whereas Bright Bus does all the campaigning they can (which isn’t a critique of either company).

Spot on

 

[sannox]

As @GusB says, they probably thought they could turn it around. Hence they went for a new image that was a clear break from First for both operations. However, they quickly realised that the losses were irredeemable.

The biggest mistake was not being the first operator to quit. Lothian won a PR watch by pulling routes in 2022 and are now seen as saviors!

 

[318266]

FlixBus services aren’t registered so can change at relatively short notice, so wouldn’t be ideal if they had registered depot trips.
They are also more likely to be delayed on longer trips up and down the country, so return to depot trips could become unreliable.

That stil leaves the possibility of the tour deadruns being registered. (side note: do tour services like bright bus get Network Support Grant?)

 

[Spsf3232]

That stil leaves the possibility of the tour deadruns being registered. (side note: do tour services like bright bus get Network Support Grant?)

Any registered service receives the support. I'm surprised it hasn't been done already with the amount of vehicles that run in and out to Edinburgh. The tour buses would offer a great peak time option, even if it was a bit of a cold journey! It's not unheard of for tour buses to be used in this way before

 

[Observer]

Small question, if it can be answered, given that a few 19-plate E200MMCs have moved to Aberdeen for the new 14 contract, what has actually taken their place?

There's been a few 65-plate StreetLites (0459 and 0460) parked outside Larbert and it did make me wonder if they were being fixed up and repainted to fill the gaps, but they have been both SORN for a few years?

 

[Stan Drews]

Small question, if it can be answered, given that a few 19-plate E200MMCs have moved to Aberdeen for the new 14 contract, what has actually taken their place?

There's been a few 65-plate StreetLites (0459 and 0460) parked outside Larbert and it did make me wonder if they were being fixed up and repainted to fill the gaps, but they have been both SORN for a few years?

I understand that a few of the remaining Streetlites that came off the 20/63/68 in the summer and that were in reserve are backfilling the gap.

 

[overthewater]

Do we know what type of Electric buses are coming to Larbert?

 

[Stan Drews]

I understand that a few of the remaining Streetlites that came off the 20/63/68 in the summer and that were in reserve are backfilling the gap.

0420 and 0481 (ex Trossachs Explorer) are both now at Larbert.

 

[smtglasgow]

Have Midland Bluebird any plans to respond to Lothian’s new X19? Maybe a fares promotion? They can’t be too happy at Lothian muscling in. Although Lothian have obviously spied an opportunity – maybe Midland Bluebird have too complacent.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Maybe Lothian have got a point if Street lites have returned to the x38 replacing much newer buses with much better interiors!

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

Maybe Lothian have got a point if Street lites have returned to the x38 replacing much newer buses with much better interiors!

They don't use Streetlites it's E200MMCs and has been for months

 

[Metal Mickey]

Have Midland Bluebird any plans to respond to Lothian’s new X19? Maybe a fares promotion? They can’t be too happy at Lothian muscling in. Although Lothian have obviously spied an opportunity – maybe Midland Bluebird have too complacent.

The Linlithgow - Winchburgh - Kirkliston - Edinburgh corridor was always challenging bus operating territory which provided a low to nonexistent profit margin therefore, if I were in charge of the Commercial department at McGill’s, I would completely withdraw the X38 which should free up 8 peak buses to implement the following

Extend the 38 from Falkirk to Linlithgow - I would do this regardless of anything else that’s done - 2 buses.

Then
Increase the 1 to every 20 mins and ensure that it’s coordinated with the 38 between Camelon and Polmont - 3 buses.

Increase the 3/4 to every 20 mins (combined 10 mins) - 2 buses.

Or
Increase the 51 to every 15 mins - 3 buses.

Increase the 57 to every 30 mins as there’s a substantial number of new homes on Drip Road - 1 bus.

That would leave the Linlithgow to Winchburgh section either for Lothian Country to cover commercially by extending their new X19 or for West Lothian Council to provide a tender.

 

[overthewater]

Yet the X38 is rather busy and can have standing loads, there a reason why Lothian country is going after the honey instead of caring about its own network....

 

[stevenedin]

The Linlithgow - Winchburgh - Kirkliston - Edinburgh was always challenging bus operating territory which provided a low to nonexistent profit margin therefore, if I were charge of the Commercial department at McGill’s, I would completely withdraw the X38 which should free up 8 peak buses to implement the following

Extend the 38 from Falkirk to Linlithgow - I would do this regardless of anything else that’s done - 2 buses.

Then
Increase the 1 to every 20 mins and ensure that it’s coordinated with the 38 between Camelon and Polmont - 3 buses.

Increase the 3/4 to every 20 mins (combined 10 mins) - 2 buses.

Or
Increase the 51 to every 15 mins - 3 buses.

Increase the 57 to every 30 mins as there’s a substantial number of new homes on Drip Road - 1 bus.

That would leave the Linlithgow to Winchburgh section either for Lothian Country to cover commercially by extending their new X19 or for West Lothian Council to provide a tender.

That means that Falkirk & Linlithgow would lose their bus links to Edinburgh. The other option is for the X38 to divert after Linlithgow and join the M9. They could extend the 38 to Winchburgh to make up for that loss.

 

[Metal Mickey]

Yet the X38 is rather busy and can have standing loads, there a reason why Lothian country is going after the honey instead of caring about its own network....

It can have busy journeys but the overall number of journeys do not carry enough passengers. If you observe the buses coming from Edinburgh from early morning to early afternoon you’ll notice that they’re carrying fresh air and the good journeys are unable to compensate for that. I’ve travelled on some of these journeys and had the bus to myself all the way to Bridgend Road End where a handful would board for Linlithgow only.

That means that Falkirk & Linlithgow would lose their bus links to Edinburgh. The other option is for the X38 to divert after Linlithgow and join the M9. They could extend the 38 to Winchburgh to make up for that loss.

A Falkirk - Linlithgow - Edinburgh Express is perhaps worth looking at but they would have to convince people to abandon the train as the number of people making this journey on the X38 is quite low and that would mean using vehicles which are capable of operating it and offering decent value fares.

 

[Bornin1980s]

EDIT

Sorry, wrong thread.

 

[overthewater]

Winter with Midland Bluebird

The festive season is here, so we’ve put together a handy guide to get you around! Find out more here!

www.mcgillsscotlandeast.co.uk

Xmas info is up:

Festive Timetables​

Monday 23rd December - All Midland Bluebird buses will operate to normal timetable.

Tuesday 24th December - The majority of buses will run to Saturday timetable with earlier finishes - /festive guide early finishes

Wednesday 25th December - Special X38 service every 2 hours between Edinburgh and Linlithgow. No other buses will run.

Thursday 26th December - Special X38 service every 2 hours between Edinburgh and Linlithgow. 312 will run to Sunday timetable. Airport Express and 801 will run to normal service. No other buses will run.

Friday 27th- Saturday 28th December - Majority of buses will run to Saturday Timetable. The 312, Airport Express, C11, F45 will run to normal service.

Sunday 29th December - Buses will run to normal Sunday timetable

Monday 30th December - The majority of buses will run to Saturday timetable. The F45, 312, Airport Express, 801, 13, 60 and X39 will run to normal service.

Tuesday 31st December - The majority of buses will run to Saturday timetable with earlier finishes /festive guide early finishes

20:16 from Maddiston to Dunipce.

New Year's Day - Special X38 service every 2 hours between Edinburgh and Linlithgow. No other buses will run.

2nd January- Special X38 service every 2 hours between Edinburgh and Linlithgow. 312 will run to Sunday timetable. Airport Express and 801 will run to normal service. No other buses will run.

3rd January - Buses will resume to normal timetable.

 

[Metal Mickey]

I’m assuming that no shops, pubs, cinemas and hospitals are open in Falkirk, Stirling and Clackmannanshire on Boxing Day and Jan 2?

In Cumbernauld, the areas served by First, Stagecoach and the operators running SPT tenders will at least have a Sunday service on 26 & 2 but nothing in the areas served only by McGill’s.

 

[overthewater]

It's been like that for 25 - 30 years now? Nether Falkirk or Stirling council want pay for such services on Boxing Day and Jan 2. There is no boxing day service most of Dumfries and Galloway, while SPT pays for most of service in Ayr. Fife only become commercial around 10 -15 years ago after Fife council pulled the funding, and there is still plenty of gaps. Angus I'm sure pays for a Sunday service.

Even back in 1998? When 14 was still going Fife Scottish operated it every 3 hours and was the only bus via Alloa.

 

[Stan Drews]

I’m assuming that no shops, pubs, cinemas and hospitals are open in Falkirk, Stirling and Clackmannanshire on Boxing Day and Jan 2?

In Cumbernauld, the areas served by First, Stagecoach and the operators running SPT tenders will at least have a Sunday service on 26 & 2 but nothing in the areas served only by McGill’s.

Yes, one of the odd anomalies inherited from First.

In Fife, which is probably an equivalent type of area, the council support the services that run on 26th/2nd.

 

[InOban]

The area getting trains on 26th has considerably expanded so there is at least some public transport.

 

[JKP]

I’m assuming that no shops, pubs, cinemas and hospitals are open in Falkirk, Stirling and Clackmannanshire on Boxing Day and Jan 2?

In Cumbernauld, the areas served by First, Stagecoach and the operators running SPT tenders will at least have a Sunday service on 26 & 2 but nothing in the areas served only by McGill’s.

Borders Buses do not run on December 25, 26, or January 1 and 2. Until 2020, Scottish Borders Council provided a subsidy to run limited service on the 26th and 1st with a Sunday service on the 2nd.

 

[DunsBus]

Borders Buses do not run on December 25, 26, or January 1 and 2. Until 2020, Scottish Borders Council provided a subsidy to run limited service on the 26th and 1st with a Sunday service on the 2nd.

One of the cuts slipped through by the council during Covid, citing "low demand", along with a decision to axe subsidies for services after 1730. The journeys on the X62 and X95 that run after then do so commercially.

 

[smsm1]

A Falkirk - Linlithgow - Edinburgh Express is perhaps worth looking at but they would have to convince people to abandon the train as the number of people making this journey on the X38 is quite low

The X38 is slow compared to the train. It doesn't feel like an express bus nor warrants an X number. So doesn't surprise me that it's not so well used. Cost wise doesn't compete well either, especially if you are only doing a return journey out have a Railcard.

One of the things is like to see McGill's introduce us tap tap cap. Would help speed up boarding and would allow more flexibility if you don't know exactly which journeys you'll be doing through the day. There's no way to upgrade a day Falkirk day ticket to an all zone ticket.

 

[318266]

There's no way to upgrade a day Falkirk day ticket to an all zone ticket.

But removing this would mean people won't have to buy both in one day, so less money for the company. They are a for profit operation, and having a practical monopoly west of Winchburgh they need not do as much incentivisation for pax as, say, First Glasgow. A similar system was trialled on West route 7 but was removed when the electrics came in.

 

[CSB0241]

I would completely withdraw the X38 which should free up 8 peak buses to implement the following

Completely withdrawing the X38 would mean that anywhere west of Winchburgh would lose it’s bus link to Edinburgh (except for Falkirk, but nobody’s gonna want to take a 2/3/4 to Grangemouth then a 909).

Extend the 38 from Falkirk to Linlithgow - I would do this regardless of anything else that’s done - 2 buses.

Good idea. Where are you thinking of particularly, Springfield?

Increase the 1 to every 20 mins and ensure that it’s coordinated with the 38 between Camelon and Polmont - 3 buses.

Probably not that much demand for the 1, I think maybe just using Eclipse 2s instead of E200s would be good.

Increase the 3/4 to every 20 mins (combined 10 mins) - 2 buses.

I’ve never been on the 3/4 & thus can’t comment on demand.

Increase the 51 to every 15 mins - 3 buses.

This would provide good competition with the Stagecoach X22, but I maybe wouldn’t say every 15. Maybe every 20.

Increase the 57 to every 30 mins as there’s a substantial number of new homes on Drip Road - 1 bus.

Don’t see demand for it to be every 30min, I think as long as they use longer buses (or hell, if there’s that much demand, maybe double deckers), it’ll cope fine at 60min.

Yet the X38 is rather busy and can have standing loads, there a reason why Lothian country is going after the honey instead of caring about its own network....

What can I say? The grass is always greener.

The X38 is slow compared to the train. It doesn't feel like an express bus nor warrants an X number. So doesn't surprise me that it's not so well used. Cost wise doesn't compete well either, especially if you are only doing a return journey out have a Railcard.

Yeah, I think people would prefer a 30min train ride over a 90min bus ride. I do also think that Scotrail Class 385s are better than the E200MMCs McGills have working on it, so that’s more insensitive for me to take the train, but your average Joe probably doesn’t care what the type of bus/train is.

 

[markymark2000]

The X38 is slow compared to the train. It doesn't feel like an express bus nor warrants an X number. So doesn't surprise me that it's not so well used. Cost wise doesn't compete well either, especially if you are only doing a return journey out have a Railcard.

One of the things is like to see McGill's introduce us tap tap cap. Would help speed up boarding and would allow more flexibility if you don't know exactly which journeys you'll be doing through the day. There's no way to upgrade a day Falkirk day ticket to an all zone ticket.

If you wanted an all zones ticket, why would you buy a Falkirk day ticket and then upgrade? You buy the ticket that you want at the start of the day.

Tap, tap cap doesn't work in any areas where the price of ticket varies, you have to use tap on, tap off. Tap on, tap off can not always be quicker in the end because while boarding can be quicker, disembarking is slower and so in the end, you don't actually get any saving.

 

[smsm1]

But removing this would mean people won't have to buy both in one day, so less money for the company. They are a for profit operation, and having a practical monopoly west of Winchburgh they need not do as much incentivisation for pax as, say, First Glasgow. A similar system was trialled on West route 7 but was removed when the electrics came in.

The irony is that I've had days where I've ended up choosing not to travel further whereas had tap tap cap been available I'd have travelled further.

The high cost of single fares and complexity with lack of transparency for the single fares is something that is off putting for many people. Whilst they may have an effective monopoly surely they should make the fare paying experience smoother to give passengers the best value, this encouraging more people out of their cars.

 

[Stan Drews]

The irony is that I've had days where I've ended up choosing not to travel further whereas had tap tap cap been available I'd have travelled further.

The high cost of single fares and complexity with lack of transparency for the single fares is something that is off putting for many people. Whilst they may have an effective monopoly surely they should make the fare paying experience smoother to give passengers the best value, this encouraging more people out of their cars.

I’d imagine the number of prospective passengers that don’t know where they are going to travel on any given day is extremely small. Were you travelling as an enthusiast on the days you chose not to travel further due to the ticket you’d purchased?

 

[smsm1]

I’d imagine the number of prospective passengers that don’t know where they are going to travel on any given day is extremely small. Were you travelling as an enthusiast on the days you chose not to travel further due to the ticket you’d purchased?

No, not traveling as an enthusiast. Parent with indecisive kids who have the kids bus pass so don't need to worry about details like which bus they are going to travel on.