West Lothian buses

[NorthClyde320]

Saw 1003 on the 43 in princess street!

It was at St Andrew Sq at 4.15.

 

[overthewater]

It almost sounds like a monty python sketch at this point, come the day of launch 6 days!! And folk will ask how much the fares are and the driver will still say I don’t know

However I noticed on Twitter that a response definitely confirmed ridacards will definitely be valid in Kirkliston, and Winchburgh is Zone A while Linlithgow is Zone B! Although at this point we already knew that, it’s just why it took so long to get it out there we don’t know!

If you look on FB, you will see a post were a member of the public say this is correct and the SM team is thanking them there never knew...

I also spotted a commuter saying no one he knows from Bathgate knew about the EX1..

Timetable booklet with fare map

https://3wmzm61epexdeyqdu1779bst-wp.../uploads/2019/11/191117_LC__Network-Guide.pdf

Very nice and very handy.

Noticed on the guide they have a special £7 return ticket for the X38 route on the M ticket app or on the bus! from Linlithgow-Winchburgh till the 31st December

First has normal price Day return at £7.20 which is the same price as day ticket?

 

[ANWP Tom]

Nice booklet, like the one they do for East Coast also, very handy and good point of reference if using the Country Ticket.

Know one for Lothian City would be huge but these booklets for ECB and Country are really well put together.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Agreed, i really like the booklet. It's a shame Lothian don't really do route branding on buses.

 

[gavin1985]

Is it just me or is the EX2 fares now treated the same as the other Lothian Country fares?

https://3wmzm61epexdeyqdu1779bst-wp.../uploads/2019/11/191117_LC__Network-Guide.pdf

 

[Jordan Adam]

Is it just me or is the EX2 fares now treated the same as the other Lothian Country fares?

Good spot, no surprise though that they've failed to mention it!

 

[gavin1985]

Good spot, no surprise though that they've failed to mention it!

Not that I used either of the EX1/2 buses, but I did always find it strange that it was such hugely different ticket options to the normal buses and to probably most not much value for money compared to a few extra quid in getting the train for a much fast journey. Perhaps that and complete lack of promotion was not helping either of the 2.

It is also good to see that they have included a image about Ridacards and confirming that it is valid in the cityWEST and city zones only.

Was hoping for an update on ticket options e.g. contactless capping. Whilst it is good to have contactless, having the option for the capping system too would make it much more convenient.

 

[Jordan Adam]

184 at the launch event for the X38... At least this one hasn't caught fire yet! Also part of me is screaming at the dodgy application of that side "Lothian Country" logo.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/122507681@N02/49053308248

 

[oldman]

Is it just me or is the EX2 fares now treated the same as the other Lothian Country fares?

The single was £5 against 4.70 on the usual zone system, the day return was 8.00 against 7.50 for a day ticket, so not a big difference. Useful to have the same tickets if you need to get the X38 home after the last EX2 has gone.

Presumably the 2.50 short fare will now be 2.70 from Ratho Station, and 1.70 from Ingliston??

 

[Jordan Adam]

The single was £5 against 4.70 on the usual zone system, the day return was 8.00 against 7.50 for a day ticket, so not a big difference. Useful to have the same tickets if you need to get the X38 home after the last EX2 has gone.

Presumably the 2.50 short fare will now be 2.70 from Ratho Station, and 1.70 from Ingliston??

Perhaps note a huge difference if you were just using it one day randomly, however if you're a regular traveller the difference adds up.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

The single was £5 against 4.70 on the usual zone system, the day return was 8.00 against 7.50 for a day ticket, so not a big difference. Useful to have the same tickets if you need to get the X38 home after the last EX2 has gone.

Presumably the 2.50 short fare will now be 2.70 from Ratho Station, and 1.70 from Ingliston??

I mean I would hope so, considering there’s no mention of the green arrow fares on the booklet, maybe the special X38 return ticket could be valid on the EX2! Also noticed it now stops at Edinburgh Zoo

And at least we know what’s happening to the extra coaches

 

[Observer]

So how long until they drop the EX2 for the X38?

 

[gavin1985]

Going by the ticket options, looks like zone fares can be used on the EX2 as well as the daysaver unless I am totally mistaken?

Ideally contactless capping will arrive on Lothian Country as I have used it on the Skylink and Lothian city buses. Very handy indeed when you are unsure of the number of trips you will be taking!

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Going by the ticket options, looks like zone fares can be used on the EX2 as well as the daysaver unless I am totally mistaken?

Ideally contactless capping will arrive on Lothian Country as I have used it on the Skylink and Lothian city buses. Very handy indeed when you are unsure of the number of trips you will be taking!

Green Arrow fares are remaining the same however you can use the £8 Return Ticket on the X38 going to Linlithgow!

 

[gavin1985]

Green Arrow fares are remaining the same however you can use the £8 Return Ticket on the X38 going to Linlithgow!

That being said on the leaflet there is nothing to mention prices for the EX2. Which was why I assumed they were going to work out the same as the buses. Only mention of tickets are on the first page, the X38 bus and the Night buses

 

[mark-h]

there’s no mention of the green arrow fares on the booklet

There is also no mention of the Green Arrow brand- only referring to the EX2 (and withdrawn EX1)

 

[TheEastCoaster]

There is also no mention of the Green Arrow brand- only referring to the EX2 (and withdrawn EX1)

Which begs the question on what the future of the Ex2 will be when the X38 starts up, so far they are surprising us with a special ticket offer on that route to no doubt draw in passengers in Winchburgh snd Linlithgow and did the roadshow in Kirkliston who would no doubt jump to Lothian anyway!

I get the feeling the X38 will do well

 

[overthewater]

The single was £5 against 4.70 on the usual zone system, the day return was 8.00 against 7.50 for a day ticket, so not a big difference. Useful to have the same tickets if you need to get the X38 home after the last EX2 has gone.

Presumably the 2.50 short fare will now be 2.70 from Ratho Station, and 1.70 from Ingliston??

Perhaps note a huge difference if you were just using it one day randomly, however if you're a regular traveller the difference adds up.

Your need some "concentration" to keep an eye on the fares and passengers:

If you live in Linlithgow, Its £14.50 different PLUS 8 extra days if you travel with First... and you can travel up to falkirk.
If you live in Winchburgh its £30 different PLUS 8 extra days if you travel with First... and you can travel up to :Livingston on 600

To some people £30 a month / £360 a year is "Family Fortune" , you can have a holiday with that. If you paying cash fares your still going to take No63 to RBS or the Gyle ( I think there might have no option but to move fare zone sooner rather than later, yes it would mean a slightly cheaper fares from livingston but it might also given them a boost?

So how long until they drop the EX2 for the X38?

If Ex2 goes then Green arrow has been a complete an utter waste of time, and it would also mean the opinion of most people in this forum was right. It will also annoy people who live in Springfield road who will lose there direct service to Edinburgh etc lets HOPE its stays!

What promotion did the Ex1 have? did LCB have there sign spinners outside Bathgate rail station? said signs could have said " LCB NEW EX1, same price but with comfy coach and free wifi etc It just shame as it was flawed from the start, and should have been different. Does that mean Ex3 is no longer on the cards? Whitburn - Bathgate - Edinburgh would have done wonders. Even stranger Ex2 now has 4 extra stops..

Which begs the question on what the future of the Ex2 will be when the X38 starts up, so far they are surprising us with a special ticket offer on that route to no doubt draw in passengers in Winchburgh snd Linlithgow and did the roadshow in Kirkliston who would no doubt jump to Lothian anyway!

I get the feeling the X38 will do well

"Ask No Questions" With Kirkliston "The price is right" for the passengers and Lothian will grab every single Edinburgh bound passenger, even with the £5 day ticket compared to First £4. Winchburgh as stated is a lot tougher, and the so called special ticket offer is nothing special - First cost 20p more.. Your need to be more of "Mastermind" to know which way the Winchburgh passenger will go.

 

[Bus9120UK]

This image confirms the bus is Euro 6. (not mine) https://www.flickr.com/photos/122507681@N02/49053837421/in/photolist-2hJF2xW-2hJHJRB-2hJvr2D/ Another image with the front end https://www.flickr.com/photos/122507681@N02/49053308248/in/photolist-2hJF2xW-2hJHJRB-2hJvr2D/

 

[Jordan Adam]

This image confirms the bus is Euro 6. (not mine) https://www.flickr.com/photos/122507681@N02/49053837421/in/photolist-2hJF2xW-2hJHJRB-2hJvr2D/ Another image with the front end https://www.flickr.com/photos/122507681@N02/49053308248/in/photolist-2hJF2xW-2hJHJRB-2hJvr2D/

Awaits the expected "what does a badge on the back of a bus mean"....

Just a shame they took the effort to fit the Euro 6 badge and then went ahead with that very wonky "Lothian Country" logo!

 

[Bus9120UK]

Awaits the expected "what does a badge on the back of a bus mean"....

Just a shame they took the effort to fit the Euro 6 badge and then went ahead with that very wonky "Lothian Country" logo!

Its not wonky, its just that the Lothian is bigger than the country.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Its not wonky, its just that the Lothian is bigger than the country.

I know but it's definitely wonky. It's doesn't really matter that much but it's triggering me every time i see that photo, it's the same with the B7R badge on the rear.

 

[CM]

Awaits the expected "what does a badge on the back of a bus mean"....

That bit wasn't necessary...

Its not wonky, its just that the Lothian is bigger than the country.

The "country" bit is the same size font as the "Lothian" part. It's just that the "country" part has a lower case C.

EDIT:- Just noticed the fleet name above the drivers window, they've made a bit of a hash of that.

 

[Jordan Adam]

The "country" bit is the same size font as the "Lothian" part. It's just that the "country" part has a lower case C.

EDIT:- Just noticed the fleet name above the drivers window, they've made a bit of a hash of that.

If you compare the O in "Lothian" and "country" it does appear the fonts are difference sizes, likewise if you compare the n's. On the back however they are the same size.

 

[CM]

If you compare the O in "Lothian" and "country" it does appear the fonts are difference sizes, likewise if you compare the n's. On the back however they are the same size.

Aye, the rear fleet name looks fine but the one on the side above the driver's window is a shambles. It might be a small thing but it shows standards are clearly slipping at Lothian.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Aye, the rear fleet name looks fine but the one on the side above the driver's window is a shambles. It might be a small thing but it shows standards are clearly slipping at Lothian.

It caught my eye straight away.

************ Separate post ************

On another note is there any reason why the wheels on LCB vehicles don't get alloy treatment or painted green? I ask this because it seems to be standard on LothianCity vehicles - with the exception of the Ex-London stock.

 

[Bus Lightyear]

Aye, the rear fleet name looks fine but the one on the side above the driver's window is a shambles. It might be a small thing but it shows standards are clearly slipping at Lothian.

I'd be more concerned with the suspension which doesn't look right to me.​

 

[Bus Lightyear]

I'm not all that familiar with these particular areas but what is noticeable is the lack of population density from Linlithgow to the Edinburgh city boundary so you have wonder why Lothian believe it's worth trying to capture a market where the profit margins are likely be thin to non existent.

I cannot see this particular battle ending well for one or possibly both Lothian and First. ​

 

[CM]

I'd be more concerned with the suspension which doesn't look right to me.​

Air suspension, if the bus has been parked long enough the rear suspension has probably just settled. Once the engine is started the suspension will level itself out. Pretty common on most vehicles with air suspension.

 

[overthewater]

I'm not all that familiar with these particular areas but what is noticeable is the lack of population density from Linlithgow to the Edinburgh city boundary so you have wonder why Lothian believe it's worth trying capture a market where the profit margins are likely be thin to non existent.

I cannot see this particular battle ending well for one or possibly both Lothian and First. ​

Kirkliston is doubling in Size, Winchburgh it x4 in size over the next couple of years: 1000s of new homes are being built or about to be built: https://www.winchburghdevelopments.com/
https://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/news/winchburgh-masterplan-will-create-3-450-homes-by-2025-1-4939352

Winchburgh Developments Limited (WDL) has sold land to Bellway Homes for 93 new homes, marking the start of a new phase of an ambitious development plan.

A further 1,000 private and affordable homes are set to be delivered within the next five years. The new Bellway homes will add to the 588 homes completed in phase one, and when complete the masterplan for the fast-expanding area will deliver a total of 3,450 homes, including 700 affordable homes - of which 400 will be for social rent. WDL chief executive John Hamilton said: “Many other areas of the masterplan are now progressing quickly, with work soon to begin on the new 75-acre district park, Auldacathie Park, which will become the town’s largest green space and an important recreational area.”

Iain Allison, Regional Director for Bellway Homes Ltd (Scotland East) said: “The first phase of our Winchburgh development was a huge success and we are delighted to have secured a second parcel of land in this beautiful part of the country. “This is an incredible opportunity for home buyers to be part of a new chapter for Winchburgh, which will see the area being totally transformed with a £1bn investment in homes, state-of-the-art schools, a marina and moorings, along with new retail and leisure facilities. “So much has changed in the area already, it is incredible to see the progress that has been made in just a few years.”

Linlithgow is also planned to get more new housing including right on the 38/X38 bus route, with more to come so plenty of new passengers for everyone, unless you think an extra 5000 houses is nothing much to shout home about?