McGill's Scotland East (Midland Bluebird and Eastern Scottish)

[LothianBusesPh]

I think it would be good if 8936 and 8937 were with Unilink with new branding so there could be spares, with the rest of the 65 plates going with the standard Midland Bluebird livery. Repainting all of 8942-8951 into the Cityswift livery would also be ideal as the X37/38 get around 10 buses a day altogether (though some coming from other routes), it is important to note that spares are needed so 10 is a sweet spot.

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

Repainting all of 8942-8951 into the Cityswift livery would also be ideal as the X37/38 get around 10 buses a day altogether (though some coming from other routes), it is important to note that spares are needed so 10 is a sweet spot.

Assuming you mean the X36 and X37 (as the X38 cannot use double deckers), they have a combined PVR of 6 so having 10 buses branded would make no sense. And any spares should be unbranded as you'd end up with branded buses off-route every day.

 

[LothianBusesPh]

Assuming you mean the X36 and X37 (as the X38 cannot use double deckers), they have a combined PVR of 6 so having 10 buses branded would make no sense. And any spares should be unbranded as you'd end up with branded buses off-route every day.

How come I counted more together then?

 

[overthewater]

IIRC, the service operated Edinburgh - Falkirk - Linlithgow

The first departure from Edinburgh arrived as the last inbound X38
can't remember if the 2nd N44 came into Edinburgh as an N44 from Linlithgow or not

44N route: 1 bus operation, operated by Linlithgow depot, Dep Edinburgh as 00.30 and 03.00

Edinburgh - route X38 to Linlithgow - Bo'ness - Grangemouth - Falkirk, and did follow the same route back Last bus from Falkirk as around 4.15

I think this went around 2012 the 44N went but new night service Edinburgh - South Queensferry - Kirkliston - Linlithgow, can anyone remember that?

 

[Voyager lad]

Went from Linlithgow - Livingston on the Sundays only 31 for the first time today. 11 of us on it from Linlithgow, up to 23 by Uphall. Very sad to see it going in October when it’s actually quite well used - and it seemed a 50/50 split between concession cards and people paying a fare

 

[Jordan Adam]

44N route: 1 bus operation, operated by Linlithgow depot, Dep Edinburgh as 00.30 and 03.00

Edinburgh - route X38 to Linlithgow - Bo'ness - Grangemouth - Falkirk, and did follow the same route back Last bus from Falkirk as around 4.15

I think this went around 2012 the 44N went but new night service Edinburgh - South Queensferry - Kirkliston - Linlithgow, can anyone remember that?

Was there any reason behind the 44N numbering? Seems rather random given the 44 (which Scotland East operated at the time) was a completely unrelated route.

 

[Siemens Trains]

Was there any reason behind the 44N numbering? Seems rather random given the 44 (which Scotland East operated at the time) was a completely unrelated route.

Going back a generation, the 42, 43 and 44 were bus numbers between Edinburgh and Bo'ness via the A90 & South Queensferry so probably something to do with that. Not sure exactly when the 44N started but have a recollection of something like this operating at weekends in the mid-1980s, probably using the A90 route but I don't know for sure as I think it later used the A8 (similar to the 38). I don't think the 44 between Balerno and East Lothian was around at that time. The old 52 to Balerno was replaced by 64, 65 and 66 numbers when the route extended to Penicuik, then eventually the Balerno routes copied LRT's 44, which is when SMT or Grampian introduced a day service with the same route number.
Anyway I believe there was a time when this 44N from First and the N44 from Lothian both ran along Princes Street and Shandwick Place, which may have led to surprises amongst those who had over-indulged during the evening.

I think this went around 2012 the 44N went but new night service Edinburgh - South Queensferry - Kirkliston - Linlithgow, can anyone remember that?

Yes, if I remember rightly that was the 43N (or perhaps N43). The route was a bit unusual because from Barnton it went straight out the A90 to Echline then made a clockwise loop around South Queensferry before heading out to Kirkliston, Winchburgh etc to Linlithgow.

 

[muffy]

44N route: 1 bus operation, operated by Linlithgow depot, Dep Edinburgh as 00.30 and 03.00

Edinburgh - route X38 to Linlithgow - Bo'ness - Grangemouth - Falkirk, and did follow the same route back Last bus from Falkirk as around 4.15

I think this went around 2012 the 44N went but new night service Edinburgh - South Queensferry - Kirkliston - Linlithgow, can anyone remember that?

Yes. I remember the various iterations of the 44N.

The mid-late 90's version was Edinburgh-South Queensferry-Kirkliston-Linlithgow-Bo'ness-Grangemouth-Falkirk-Polmont-Linlithgow then light to Edinburgh when I lived in Larbert.

The last version I remember was when I lived in South Gyle, was going on the Falkirk-Grangemouth-Bo'ness-Linlithgow-Kirkliston-Edinburgh journey and I was the nearly always the only passenger on board.

 

[danielhogg2005]

My idea for a Midland Bluebird night service is as goes

N36 - Glasgow - Cumbernauld - Denny - Stirling then return direct via M80

N37 - Glasgow - Cumbernauld - Bonnybridge - Camelon - Falkirk then return direct via M9 & M80

N38 - Edinburgh - Kirkliston - Winchburgh - Linlithgow - Bo'ness - Grangemouth - Falkirk - Bannockburn - Stirling then return direct via M9

These may be farfetched and imaginary but in my opinion I think these may have a benefit if they where real.

 

[Voyager lad]

For a while I’ve wondered if it would be better to have the 38 run Stirling - Linlithgow (terminating in the Springfield estate) and that way it could be decker operated throughout? The X38 could then run Edinburgh - Linlithgow and possibly have one an hour extend to Bo’Ness and the other one run to somewhere like Redding, taking in a lot of the former route of the 1 between Linlithgow and Maddiston

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

For a while I’ve wondered if it would be better to have the 38 run Stirling - Linlithgow (terminating in the Springfield estate) and that way it could be decker operated throughout? The X38 could then run Edinburgh - Linlithgow and possibly have one an hour extend to Bo’Ness and the other one run to somewhere like Redding, taking in a lot of the former route of the 1 between Linlithgow and Maddiston

When you start to divide an already relatively low frequency between suburbs to an even lower hourly frequency a service becomes even less desirable to use.

Much of the area is highly car orientated now.

 

[cammyeaston]

When you start to divide an already relatively low frequency between suburbs to an even lower hourly frequency a service becomes even less desirable to use.

Much of the area is highly car orientated now.

It's an interesting proposition though. I've not travelled on the X38 for some years now, but how busy is the service from west of Linlithgow into Edinburgh? Surely the journey time alone dissuades anyone from Falkirk or Polmont which is why the rail line dominates those markets?

A reliable Edinburgh to Linlithgow service would be a massive benefit to those in Winchburgh and Kirkliston.

This is purely a speculative opinion of course, as I say its been a good while since I've bussed it in these parts.

 

[Baileygirl]

For a while I’ve wondered if it would be better to have the 38 run Stirling - Linlithgow (terminating in the Springfield estate) and that way it could be decker operated throughout? The X38 could then run Edinburgh - Linlithgow and possibly have one an hour extend to Bo’Ness and the other one run to somewhere like Redding, taking in a lot of the former route of the 1 between Linlithgow and Maddiston

The 38 is decker operated so extending it to Linlithgow is just putting the problem to the opposite end, as deckers would not get under the low bridge.The origonal X38 was split to allow deckers to be used between Falkirk and Stirling

 

[matchmaker]

Would there be demand for double deckers on the UniLink?

UL can be one of the busiest services in Stirling. At the stop opposite the railway station there can be a long queue at some times. It's not necessarily only students that use it - it serves Causewayhead as well. I sometimes use it to get to Cornton as the 54 has now been reduced to one bus an hour.

 

[Jordan Adam]

The 38/X38 as they are now work well and from my own observations the frequency does generally match demand. I don't see much point or benefit changing them drastically just now, although hopefully as the driver situation improves the X38 can be increased to a 20 minute frequency.

 

[danielhogg2005]

The 38/X38 as they are now work well and, from my own observations, the frequency does generally match demand. I don't see much point or benefit changing them drastically just now, although hopefully as the driver situation improves the 38 can be increased to a 20 minute frequency.

The 38 is already at a 20 minute frequency.

 

[roadierway77]

4108 is now in Midland Bluebird livery - the first 200MMC to receive the new colour scheme. 4107 has also apparently been painted but isn't back on the road yet.

 

[danielhogg2005]

4108 is now in Midland Bluebird livery - the first 200MMC to receive the new colour scheme. 4107 has also apparently been painted but isn't back on the road yet.

More Midland Bluebird Buses repainted with no new Eastern Scottish ones yet.

 

[roadierway77]

More Midland Bluebird Buses repainted with no new Eastern Scottish ones yet.

Yep, 0468 is still the only one - besides 8951 of course which is in the original Eastern livery. There are a few Streetlites that haven't tracked in a week or two which may suggest they're being painted but it's impossible to tell until they show up somewhere in a green coat - they may just be undergoing routine maintenance.

 

[Jordan Adam]

The 38 is already at a 20 minute frequency.

I meant the X38, apologies...

 

[danielhogg2005]

I meant the X38, apologies...

I for one would prefer the X38 being at a 20 minute frequency and I think its something that McGill's should consider also with maybe a later journey to and from Edinburgh.

 

[Stan Drews]

UL can be one of the busiest services in Stirling. At the stop opposite the railway station there can be a long queue at some times. It's not necessarily only students that use it - it serves Causewayhead as well. I sometimes use it to get to Cornton as the 54 has now been reduced to one bus an hour.

The 54 goes back to every 30mins from next week, along with the increased term time UL frequency.

 

[computerSaysNo]

Don't suppose anyone knows whether McGill's offer part-time driver training and how long they usually take to respond to enquiries? I sent an enquiry on the 25th of August which has had no response and I applied for a role and sent another enquiry on the 30th of August which has also had no response.
This is all while there are 70 (seventy) full- or part-cancelations of journeys today just from Livingston garage.

Short Notice Journey Cancellations
We’re sorry to let you know that some journeys are unable to run today, as shown below. This is due to a continuing shortage of drivers, which is impacting operators across the sector.
[...]
Eastern Scottish

Thursday 7th September​

Chesser to Ratho​ via Wester Hailes, Gyle Centre & Ingliston​ 12:27 Gyle Centre To Chesser Corn Exchange Journey will terminate at Gyle Centre at 12:27 13:53 Chesser corn exchange To Ratho, Hallcroft park Full Journey Cancelled 15:02 Ratho,Hallcroft Park To Chesser Corn Exchange Journey will start from Gyle Centre at 15:27

Thursday 7th September​

Blackridge to Livingston (South Station)​ via Armadale, Bathgate, Blackburn & Livingston Centre​ 06:00 Bathgate South Bridge To Livingston the centre Full Journey Cancelled 06:30 Livingston the Centre To Blackridge Full Journey Cancelled 07:29 Blackridge To Livingston south station Full Journey Cancelled 08:57 Livingston south station To Blackridge Full Journey Cancelled 10:29 Blackridge To Livingston south station Journey will start from Easter Inch at 10:56

Thursday 7th September

Shotts/Whitburn to Broxburn​ via Blackburn, St Johns Hospital, Livingston Centre, Craigshill & Uphall​ 06:07 Whitburn Rigghouse To Broxburn kilpunt Full Journey Cancelled 07:28 Seafield post office To Shotts Full Journey Cancelled 07:45 Broxburn kilpunt To Whitburn Rigghouse Full Journey Cancelled 08:15 Broxburn kilpunt To Livingston St johns Journey will terminate at Livingston Village at 09:13 08:32 shotts To Broxburn kilpunt Full Journey Cancelled 09:30 Whitburn Rigghouse To Broxburn kilpunt Full Journey Cancelled 10:30 Whitburn Rigghouse To Broxburn kilpunt Full Journey Cancelled 10:32 shotts To Broxburn kilpunt Journey will start from Livingston Village at 11:33 10:45 Broxburn kilpunt To Whitburn Rigghouse Journey will terminate at Livingston Village at 11:43 12:30 Whitburn Rigghouse To Broxburn kilpunt Full Journey Cancelled 13:32 shotts To Broxburn kilpunt Journey will terminate at Livingston Village at 14:33 15:32 shotts To Broxburn kilpunt Journey will terminate at Livingston Village at 16:33 15:45 Broxburn kilpunt To Whitburn Rigghouse Journey will start from Livingston Village at 16:33 17:48 Broxburn kilpunt To Livingston the centre Full Journey Cancelled

Thursday 7th September​

Livingston (North Station) to Bathgate​ via St Johns Hospital, Livingston Centre, West Calder, Fauldhouse & Whitburn 06:52 Livingston North Station To Bathgate South Bridge Full Journey Cancelled 08:41 Bathgate South Bridge To Livingston North Station Full Journey Cancelled 09:40 Livingston North Station To Bathgate South Bridge Full Journey Cancelled 10:11 Bathgate South Bridge To Livingston North Station Full Journey Cancelled 11:11 Bathgate South Bridge To Livingston North Station Full Journey Cancelled 11:41 Bathgate South Bridge To Livingston North Station Full Journey Cancelled 12:10 Livingston North Station To Bathgate South Bridge Full Journey Cancelled 13:10 Livingston North Station To Bathgate South Bridge Full Journey Cancelled 14:40 Livingston North Station To Bathgate South Bridge Full Journey Cancelled 15:40 Livingston North Station To Bathgate South Bridge Full Journey Cancelled 15:41 Bathgate South Bridge To Livingston North Station Full Journey Cancelled 16:41 Bathgate South Bridge To Livingston North Station Full Journey Cancelled 17:40 Livingston North Station To Bathgate South Bridge Full Journey Cancelled 17:41 Bathgate South Bridge To Livingston North Station Full Journey Cancelled

Thursday 7th September​

Livingston to Edinburgh​ via East Calder, Wilkieston, Hermiston & Saughton 06:30 Livingston the Centre To Edinburgh Regent road Full Journey Cancelled 07:20 Livingston the Centre To Edinburgh Regent road Full Journey Cancelled 07:40 Edinburgh Regent road To Livingston the centre Full Journey Cancelled 08:40 Edinburgh Regent road To Livingston the centre Full Journey Cancelled 09:30 Livingston the Centre To Edinburgh Regent road Full Journey Cancelled 10:40 Edinburgh Regent road To Livingston the centre Full Journey Cancelled 12:00 Livingston the Centre To Edinburgh Regent road Full Journey Cancelled 13:00 Livingston the Centre To Edinburgh Regent road Full Journey Cancelled 13:10 Edinburgh Regent road To Livingston the centre Full Journey Cancelled 14:00 Livingston the Centre To Edinburgh Regent road Full Journey Cancelled 14:10 Edinburgh Regent road To Livingston the centre Full Journey Cancelled 14:30 Livingston the Centre To Edinburgh Regent road Full Journey Cancelled 15:10 Edinburgh Regent road To Livingston the centre Full Journey Cancelled 15:40 Edinburgh Regent road To Livingston the centre Full Journey Cancelled 16:00 Livingston the Centre To Edinburgh Regent road Full Journey Cancelled 16:30 Livingston the Centre To Edinburgh Regent road Full Journey Cancelled 17:10 Edinburgh Regent road To Livingston the centre Full Journey Cancelled 17:40 Edinburgh Regent road To Livingston the centre Full Journey Cancelled 18:35 Livingston the Centre To East calder, langton road Full Journey Cancelled

Thursday 7th September

Livingston (St Johns Hospital) to Edinburgh​ via Livingston Centre, Uphall, Broxburn & Corstorphine Road 05:53 Livingston St johns To Edinburgh Regent road Full Journey Cancelled 06:44 Livingston St johns To Edinburgh Regent road Full Journey Cancelled 07:20 Edinburgh Regent road To Livingston St johns Full Journey Cancelled 07:31 Broxburn kilpunt To Livingston St johns Full Journey Cancelled 08:17 Livingston St johns To Edinburgh Regent road Full Journey Cancelled 08:20 Edinburgh Regent road To Livingston St johns Full Journey Cancelled 08:49 Livingston St johns To Edinburgh Regent road Journey will terminate at Livingston Centre at 08:58 09:49 Livingston St johns To Edinburgh Regent road Journey will start at Broxburn Kilpunt at 10:31 09:50 Edinburgh Regent road To Livingston St johns Full Journey Cancelled 11:19 Livingston s To Edinburgh Regent road Journey will start at Broxburn Kilpunt at 12:01 13:50 Edinburgh Regent road To Livingston St johns Journey will terminate at Broxburn Kilpunt at 14:31 15:19 Livingston St johns To Edinburgh Regent road Full Journey Cancelled 16:50 Edinburgh Regent road To Livingston St johns Full Journey Cancelled 18:25 Livingston St johns To Broxburn kilpunt Journey will terminate at Broxburn Kilpunt at 19:01 19:55 Edinburgh Regent road To Livingston St johns Full Journey Cancelled

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

Don't suppose anyone knows whether McGill's offer part-time driver training and how long they usually take to respond to enquiries? I sent an enquiry on the 25th of August which has had no response and I applied for a role and sent another enquiry on the 30th of August which has also had no response.
This is all while there are 70 (seventy) full- or part-cancelations of journeys today just from Livingston garage.

I’ve had a similar experience this week.

 

[computerSaysNo]

I’ve had a similar experience this week.

In response to which part of my post?

 

[Ding Ding]

I’ve had a similar experience this week.

Can I ask why you would be interested in a position with McGill's, when Lothian Country offer £2 an hour more, and also have a part time rota
I ask because it seems a no brainer, given the above, and the fact they have so many cancellations. It doesn't bode well for any sort of job security going forward.

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

Can I ask why you would be interested in a position with McGill's, when Lothian Country offer £2 an hour more, and also have a part time rota
I ask because it seems a no brainer, given the above, and the fact they have so many cancellations. It doesn't bode well for any sort of job security going forward.

I’m an agency driver, the agency mentioned to me a couple of weeks ago they were looking.

The agency hasn’t got a response either.

 

[computerSaysNo]

Lothian Country offer £2 an hour more, and also have a part time rota

Lothian Country as you said have a part-time rota post-training, however they are not able to offer the training itself as part-time; they offer full-time training only.

 

[delt1c]

The Livingston cancelations have increased dramatically, to the point you only go for a bus if you really have to. McGills have decimated the services and I doubt they can ever get public confidence back. The general feeling here by the public is to see the back of Mc Gills and let an operator who cares run the services.

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

The Livingston cancelations have increased dramatically, to the point you only go for a bus if you really have to. McGills have decimated the services and I doubt they can ever get public confidence back. The general feeling here by the public is to see the back of Mc Gills and let an operator who cares run the services.

I personally do think, as has been suggested before, that they should consolidate what drivers and routes they do have to just operating around West Lothian via the likes of Almondvale, North & South Rail Stations, and industrial estates for workers, including Tesco distribution centre and St John’s.

Those looking to go to Edinburgh already have viable solutions from Lothian Country.

Lothian Country as you said have a part-time rota post-training, however they are not able to offer the training itself as part-time; they offer full-time training only.

Don’t get me wrong that McGills competitor in the area is pretty much superior in most ways, particularly when it comes to drivers wages.