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

[TheEastCoaster]

Christmas day, boxing day and new years day as far as I know.

I’m guessing it’ll be the same service level as last year except the X17/X18/X38 from LCB, the 300 only running to Surgeons Hall

 

[Graham Alexand]

Next week officially I believe. Service levels look pretty decent considering the circumstances.

Thanks.

Will it be Lothian and First buses websites or will it be WLC's website?

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Thanks.

Will it be Lothian and First buses websites or will it be WLC's website?

guess we’ll see! i‘ll bet it’ll be on the operators website first and then a copy on the WLC website.

 

[Graham Alexand]

guess we’ll see! i‘ll bet it’ll be on the operators website first and then a copy on the WLC website.

Ok, thank you .

 

[LiviCrazy]

Thanks.

Will it be Lothian and First buses websites or will it be WLC's website?

WLC seem to have up the West Lothian services. They’ve fixed the 31 as now running as LCB 231.

West Lothian Council - West Lothian Festive Services 2020/21

westlothian.gov.uk

 

[TheEastCoaster]

WLC seem to have up the West Lothian services. They’ve fixed the 31 as now running as LCB 231.

West Lothian Council - West Lothian Festive Services 2020/21

westlothian.gov.uk

231, guess it makes sense to avoid the confusion of the other Lothian 31!

least It wouldn’t be an issue if they took over the 40 since ECB have the 140

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

least It wouldn’t be an issue if they took over the 40 since ECB have the 140

If LC ever did run the 40/X40 I would imagine it would be a 240/X40, much like when the 217/X17 ran last Christmas period.

Good to see LC getting another route during these times, albeit briefly. Do the independents normally bid for these Christmas routes and it was a case of LC with the best bid or just the fact nobody else wanted the 31 in this case?

 

[Graham Alexand]

WLC seem to have up the West Lothian services. They’ve fixed the 31 as now running as LCB 231.

West Lothian Council - West Lothian Festive Services 2020/21

westlothian.gov.uk

Thanks for this .

 

[Siemens Trains]

I’m guessing Hogmanay buses won’t be a thing this year

I very much doubt Hogmanay itself will be a thing this year as the traditional practices are almost asking for trouble. It might be viewed as rather irresponsible to run buses after about 8 or 9pm.

 

[Baileygirl]

If LC ever did run the 40/X40 I would imagine it would be a 240/X40, much like when the 217/X17 ran last Christmas period.

Good to see LC getting another route during these times, albeit briefly. Do the independents normally bid for these Christmas routes and it was a case of LC with the best bid or just the fact nobody else wanted the 31 in this case?

this is the first time the 31 has ran at Christmas. First ran all the Christmas services until last year when LCB ran it. (Except the X40 run by Horseburgh)

 

[Graham Alexand]

this is the first time the 31 has ran at Christmas. First ran all the Christmas services until last year when LCB ran it. (Except the X40 run by Horseburgh)

Im guessing there's no 38 (X38) running this year?

 

[Siemens Trains]

Im guessing there's no 38 (X38) running this year?

Previously the Linlithgow to Edinburgh via Kirkliston section was run either hourly or two hourly for West Lothian Council, who have already announced their intention not to financially support the link.
So it seems unlikely unless a company like LCB or First is planning a commercial service. If there's nothing at all operating this section on 2 January it could cause some consternation. Not sure about the train position on that date but they usually start late.

 

[stan68]

Just to be clear. i didnt say definitely, i just said it's highly unlikely, as its a totally unnecessary expense.

The companies +£18million in debt, it is no longer a money burning machine, it needs to be a money making machine.

I'd put money on the eVoRa's and the ADL order being the last order for a while too.

Frivolous expenses (+£10k) on Production companies, film crews, directors, actors and producers are irrelevant for a bus company. They dont need that kind of advertising, their biggest advertising is the +700 strong fleet that drive around all day...

The best thing to do would be to drop the West Lothian operation down to 2-3 key routes, focus on the city network and sell off mid life stock that is no longer required/being replaced. Start small, work your way up, which is, ironically what Bright Bus are doing in retaliation.

Well they have already suspended the Green Arrow, X38 and the X17. I think you are right, the next order will probably be after this stupid virus has gone away. The X38 is being operated by First between Edinburgh and Falkirk as far as I know.

 

[stan68]

Well they have already suspended the Green Arrow, X38 and the X17. I think you are right, the next order will probably be after this stupid virus has gone away. The X38 is being operated by First between Edinburgh and Falkirk as far as I know.

Has anyone else seen this? The map (pictured below) lists LCB as operating the X38 to Falkirk now...

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Well they have already suspended the Green Arrow, X38 and the X17. I think you are right, the next order will probably be after this stupid virus has gone away. The X38 is being operated by First between Edinburgh and Falkirk as far as I know.

Green Arrow is dead at this point, X17 is rebranded to 276 and The X38 which suffered the worse fate is still in limbo,

LCB really need to start extending the 275 beyond Broxburn at somepoint back to the Gyle, 276 at this point can take it or leave it, 280 seems like the popular one in the WL network, can’t comment on 281 myself but it sounds to me like Lothian won’t give up on Fauldhouse just yet.

There are only 3 Edinburgh to West Lothian services atm and it’s doable at the moment as it does cover big major towns like Livingston, Bathgate, Whitburn which all have plenty connections, focusing on the network within the region should be a priority but giving that WL is Tier 4 at the moment that might be tricky

If Lothian decide to bring back the X38 then hopefully they could do something with it to change it up from the First service besides the fares and stopping pattern within Edinburgh.

Tendered routes like the 31 and 40 would be good under the Lothian belt so I’m looking forward to seeing how the 231 plays out and hopefully with a tint of optimisim they bid for it in the new year, so Linlithgow won’t be completely forgotten about

 

[OmniCity999]

Green Arrow is dead at this point, X17 is rebranded to 276 and The X38 which suffered the worse fate is still in limbo,

LCB really need to start extending the 275 beyond Broxburn at somepoint back to the Gyle, 276 at this point can take it or leave it, 280 seems like the popular one in the WL network, can’t comment on 281 myself but it sounds to me like Lothian won’t give up on Fauldhouse just yet.

There are only 3 Edinburgh to West Lothian services atm and it’s doable at the moment as it does cover big major towns like Livingston, Bathgate, Whitburn which all have plenty connections, focusing on the network within the region should be a priority but giving that WL is Tier 4 at the moment that might be tricky

If Lothian decide to bring back the X38 then hopefully they could do something with it to change it up from the First service besides the fares and stopping pattern within Edinburgh.

Tendered routes like the 31 and 40 would be good under the Lothian belt so I’m looking forward to seeing how the 231 plays out and hopefully with a tint of optimisim they bid for it in the new year, so Linlithgow won’t be completely forgotten about

One would hope come retendering that Lothian get their behinds into gear and get some bids in for routes. The best thing to do would be to aim for the 31 and return the X38. This would go some way to making a decent return to Linlithgow. It would also create links for Philpstoun, Ecclesmachan, Torphichan & Bridgend to Linlithgow and Edinburgh through the X38 or through Broxburn. Smaller vehicles may need to be sourced though. Maybe Switch Solo's or Enviro 200s?

X40 would be good too, a little bit of work could be done to allow the route to better integrate with LCB services etc. Taking over the 31 and X40 could be added to the LCB roster and allow the services to be leaner.

 

[Graeme Duncan]

828 was on service 5 this morning . Will this be the start of fleet movements in the depots

Any updates on how 1076 is doing.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

One would hope come retendering that Lothian get their behinds into gear and get some bids in for routes. The best thing to do would be to aim for the 31 and return the X38. This would go some way to making a decent return to Linlithgow. It would also create links for Philpstoun, Ecclesmachan, Torphichan & Bridgend to Linlithgow and Edinburgh through the X38 or through Broxburn. Smaller vehicles may need to be sourced though. Maybe Switch Solo's or Enviro 200s?

X40 would be good too, a little bit of work could be done to allow the route to better integrate with LCB services etc. Taking over the 31 and X40 could be added to the LCB roster and allow the services to be leaner.

I was thinking if they brought the X38 back they should run it via Philliptoun like the 31 so it covers Springfield before it hits Linlithgow, a little different but makes a difference I suppose.

The 40/X40 big improvement would be the intergration, especially at the RIE and Gilmerton if you wanted to travel direct from Livingston and switch over to a 3/29/49 to midlothian or 21/400 to Portobello or Fort Kinnaird on one ticket, plus I feel it would draw more passengers even within the city who want to travel to Hermiston P&R

 

[Bus9120UK]

828 was on service 5 this morning . Will this be the start of fleet movements in the depots

Any updates on how 1076 is doing.

I believe 826-828 all went to Marine

 

[TheEastCoaster]

heres a crazy thought! If Lothian bidder for the 40/X40, would you see them commercially extending it to Fort Kinnaird? I get thats abit of a stretch I realise but one shopping facility to the another and extra connections, it’s like there’s a roulette wheel of crazy ideas in my head

 

[ScotRail158725]

828 was on service 5 this morning . Will this be the start of fleet movements in the depots

Only 826-828 have moved, looking unlikely buses will go back to their pre covid allocations. Most depot codes have been removed aswell

Any updates on how 1076 is doing.

If there even are any updates

 

[Swanny200]

Was out and about in Gateshead this morning and saw SN58BYP with it's new owner A Line coaches, still in lothian colours but without branding obviously, still looking smart.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

heres a crazy thought! If Lothian bidder for the 40/X40, would you see them commercially extending it to Fort Kinnaird? I get thats abit of a stretch I realise but one shopping facility to the another and extra connections, it’s like there’s a roulette wheel of crazy ideas in my head

Well that or extend the 106 to the Hospital, just as handy honestly

 

[Graham Alexand]

Off topic but does anyone know when Broxburn is getting a town service bus again?

I remember service 2 replaced old service 7 in November of 2017 and got cancelled in March 2019, but I had seen somewhere that it was confirmed that Broxburn would get the town service bus again.

 

[Lothianbus703]

I’m just wondering but I have thought about 826-828 going to marine with no depot codes and they could be getting withdrawn, I have a few reasons for wondering this.
They are the oldest double deckers in the fleet.
They have no depot codes
Marine is usually where buses go for their last months then get withdrawn.(this isn’t with all buses)

 

[Siemens Trains]

Off topic but does anyone know when Broxburn is getting a town service bus again?

I remember service 2 replaced old service 7 in November of 2017 and got cancelled in March 2019, but I had seen somewhere that it was confirmed that Broxburn would get the town service bus again.

Can't help with that I'm afraid, but to answer one of your earlier questions the Christmas and New Year timetables for Lothian bus services - at least the ones I was looking for - are now showing on Traveline.
Unless you're really desperate or have a lot of spare time, I'd recommend just waiting until a more user-friendly format is distributed by the company. They usually draw up a few booklets at this time of year which are reasonably accurate and easy to follow with route diagrams etc. The Traveline format is rather daunting (for me, anyway).
From what I could tell the network looks quite comprehensive (although I'd caveat that by saying I didn't really know what I was looking at).

 

[Graham Alexand]

Can't help with that I'm afraid, but to answer one of your earlier questions the Christmas and New Year timetables for Lothian bus services - at least the ones I was looking for - are now showing on Traveline.
Unless you're really desperate or have a lot of spare time, I'd recommend just waiting until a more user-friendly format is distributed by the company. They usually draw up a few booklets at this time of year which are reasonably accurate and easy to follow with route diagrams etc. The Traveline format is rather daunting (for me, anyway).
From what I could tell the network looks quite comprehensive (although I'd caveat that by saying I didn't really know what I was looking at).

Thanks, i didnt know if physical copies would be made this year due to covid.

 

[ScotRail158725]

I’m just wondering but I have thought about 826-828 going to marine with no depot codes and they could be getting withdrawn, I have a few reasons for wondering this.
They are the oldest double deckers in the fleet.
They have no depot codes
Marine is usually where buses go for their last months then get withdrawn.(this isn’t with all buses)

they’re still needed for service
only a few buses have depot codes if any
this is a load of duff gen, buses get withdrawn from any depot, over half of the B7s withdrawn were withdrawn from Longstone with another chunk from Central

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Thanks, i didnt know if physical copies would be made this year due to covid.

I know East Coast Buses will have one as they posted on Twitter earlier about it, but like everything this year it will probably all be in the one booklet rather than something separate!

once this pandemic is over I can’t imagine LCB and ECB will be going back to their own separate websites to seperate them from the Lothian brand, i think it works better having all the services in one source, makes it feel more like a wide network that way!

 

[Graham Alexand]

I know East Coast Buses will have one as they posted on Twitter earlier about it, but like everything this year it will probably all be in the one booklet rather than something separate!

once this pandemic is over I can’t imagine LCB and ECB will be going back to their own separate websites to seperate them from the Lothian brand, i think it works better having all the services in one source, makes it feel more like a wide network that way!

In my opinion it would be great if they kept the website as is but have the separate ones for LCB and ECB aswell so lothianbuses.com being the hub and lothiancountry.co.uk and eastcoastbuses.co.uk being easier more localised for people travelling in WL and/or EL only.

But correct me if im wrong but thier separate websites cost more money i believe.