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

[Graham Alexand]

If funding is guaranteed then I would expect services to carry on largely as they are at the moment, unless guidance from the Scottish Government changes or there are staffing issues (self-isolating or shielding). Remember Lothian are already operating a Saturday service.

If schools are expected to at least partially return on February 1st, is it really worth making new schedules, driver duties and rotas and furloughing drivers for the sake of 3 weeks?

You’d think so but somehow I doubt it, these services levels will be handy for keyworkers, plus this lockdown isn’t as extreme as the one back in Last March despite how close it is in comparison

No.

Ok thank you.

I'm sorry but I need to ask, will this apply to Lothian Country? (I'm asking because sometimes City buses don't change when Country buses do)

Also how many eVoRa's have been delivered so far out of the 30?

Thanks again .

 

[OmniCity999]

I'm sorry but I need to ask, will this apply to Lothian Country? (I'm asking because sometimes City buses don't change when Country buses do)

yes.

Also how many eVoRa's have been delivered so far out of the 30?

most of them.

im not answering like this to be wide or sarcy, these are the answers i can give, so i have - i have handled or seen most of them, but not all of them.

 

[Graham Alexand]

yes.


most of them.

im not answering like this to be wide or sarcy, these are the answers i can give, so i have - i have handled or seen most of them, but not all of them.

Ok thank you, looking forward to seeing them out.

See the MCV eVoRa B8RLE and the Wright Eclipse 3 B8RLE, apart from bodywork are they the same bus?

 

[OmniCity999]

Ok thank you, looking forward to seeing them out.

See the MCV eVoRa B8RLE and the Wright Eclipse 3 B8RLE, apart from bodywork are they the same bus?

They are completely different, because of bodywork.

The only things exactly the same are the chassis/Engine/gearbox. Essentially the only thing the same is the fact that their bodied onto a Volvo B8RLE.

Attached is the most up to date list of vehicles accepted minus one or two. A couple on that list haven't arrived but are with Volvo. They can't seem to get the seating arrangement right, though.

 

[Graham Alexand]

They are completely different, because of bodywork.

The only things exactly the same are the chassis/Engine/gearbox. Essentially the only thing the same is the fact that their bodied onto a Volvo B8RLE.

Attached is the most up to date list of vehicles accepted minus one or two. A couple on that list haven't arrived but are with Volvo. They can't seem to get the seating arrangement right, though.

Thats great, Thank you.

I'm trying to complete a fleet list but (594) LP11 YBB isn't on bustimes.org which im referring to for previous registrations and I have looked and can't find it on the web, do you know what it is?

(I'm sorry I relise this is off topic)

 

[OmniCity999]

Thats great, Thank you.

I'm trying to complete a fleet list but (594) LP11 YBB isn't on bustimes.org which im referring to for previous registrations and I have looked and can't find it on the web, do you know what it is?

(I'm sorry I relise this is off topic)

There are countless fleerlists for Lothian online. Literally countless - if you're struggling to find one, use the search function on this website, you'll find mine, which is one of the more detailed ones.

Very detailed but outdated. 594 is definitely on most of them.

You can also search on Flickr for individual buses. Or buslistsontheweb or even just Google.

591-594 are Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B5LH's (Hybrids). They were acquired in exchange for 6 of our old Scanias. They are part of the Lothian Country fleet and they are based in Livingston.

This is all information that can be found on Flickr and Google.

As such, they have non standard interiors.

 

[GusB]

Could we please, before posing questions, try to make some effort to find out what information is out there already. The wider internet can be a marvellous resource, but sometimes you'll find the information here quicker.

Please do have a look at our search feature - it isn't difficult to use, but you may also do a site-search with your favourite search engine if preferred. You'll often find answers just by reading back a couple of pages in the thread.

My final point - please don't ask questions where the answer requires a crystal ball!

 

[Ricky Kane]

Dose anyone have a photo of 779 when it's roof was removed for 942

Dose anyone have a photo of 779 when it's roof was removed for 942

Update one has been acquired from flicker

 

[OmniCity999]

Dose anyone have a photo of 779 when it's roof was removed for 942


Update one has been acquired

images involving the restoration have surfaced on Flickr recently

 

[Bus9120UK]

In one of the photos, it is seen in LCB livery. In the description it states:

"Initially, the bus was supposed to be rebuilt and sent to the new Lothian Country operation based in West Lothian, along with the rest of the ex-Arilink batch. This batch (20937-20950) would then be replaced by brand new Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 bodied B5LH’s. However, following the outbreak of COVID-19, the new Buses order from ADL was delayed and 20942 has been repainted into East Coast Buses Fleet of the Future livery. The bus was given fleet number 942 as it was due to join Lothian Country buses but is still known internally as 20942."​

Is this true? if so, after the new buses arrive - will these buses end up moving to LCB as they were meant to or will they remain at LCB? Originally thought the MMC's were due to replace the B7TL's (now replaced with B9TL Gemini 1's).

 

[Graham Alexand]

In one of the photos, it is seen in LCB livery. In the description it states:


Is this true? if so, after the new buses arrive - will these buses end up moving to LCB as they were meant to or will they remain at LCB? Originally thought the MMC's were due to replace the B7TL's (now replaced with B9TL Gemini 1's).

If the ex-Airlink B9TL's were to be sent to NEW Lothian Country what buses would they replace?

 

[OmniCity999]

In one of the photos, it is seen in LCB livery. In the description it states:


Is this true? if so, after the new buses arrive - will these buses end up moving to LCB as they were meant to or will they remain at LCB? Originally thought the MMC's were due to replace the B7TL's (now replaced with B9TL Gemini 1's).

A Gemini 1 isn't a thing.

It's just a Gemini.

You'll just need to wait and see.

Various things could change anything. Including covid.

 

[Jordanscot]

Not to keep changing the subject back but I just saw an MCV Evora in longstone depot! Looks like they might start to enter service soon

 

[Bus9120UK]

A Gemini 1 isn't a thing.

It's just a Gemini.

Most of us enthusiasts have gotten used to saying Gemini 1 simply because the other models are Gemini 2 and Gemini 3 - so saying Gemini 1 makes sense.

In my opinion, saying just the Gemini is to short and doesn't sound right

 

[CN04NRJ]

Not to keep changing the subject back but I just saw an MCV Evora in longstone depot! Looks like they might start to enter service soon

Was waiting for someone else to post but yes, I think this one is for driver type training though as it has no fleet number/vinyls/registration etc.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Most of us enthusiasts have gotten used to saying Gemini 1 simply because the other models are Gemini 2 and Gemini 3 - so saying Gemini 1 makes sense.

In my opinion, saying just the Gemini is to short and doesn't sound right

Sorry gonna have to disagree with you there. Gemini 1 to me sounds completely silly as it’s ultimately not a body name as others who work(ed) with them day in/day out have said.

There’s also a similar issue when people call movies Toy Story 1 or whatever and that too is inaccurate. Yes it’s the first in the order but it’s still not what it’s called but that’s way off topic for this thread.

What ever it says on the manual or badges then that’s what it’s called, anything else is a nickname or just inaccurate.

 

[alphabravo43]

Most of us enthusiasts have gotten used to saying Gemini 1 simply because the other models are Gemini 2 and Gemini 3 - so saying Gemini 1 makes sense.

In my opinion, saying just the Gemini is to short and doesn't sound right

Not most enthusiasts, some of us take the time to make the proper distinction.

 

[Bungle965]

Can we try and keep this thread to be about Lothian Group Discussion rather than how you say various Wrightbus products, a new thread can be made if felt sufficient.
Thanks,
Bus and Coach Moderators

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Can we try and keep this thread to be about Lothian Group Discussion rather than how you say various Wrightbus products, a new thread can be made if felt sufficient.
Thanks,
Bus and Coach Moderators

Thank you! let’s get back on topic now
How are the passenger numbers looking now for the city services?

 

[90019]

How are the passenger numbers looking now for the city services?

Very low - I haven't more than about 6 or 7 people on the bus at any one time throughout today.

 

[CN04NRJ]

Not to keep changing the subject back but I just saw an MCV Evora in longstone depot! Looks like they might start to enter service soon

You haven't got long to wait, put it that way

 

[Siemens Trains]

Very low - I haven't more than about 6 or 7 people on the bus at any one time throughout today.

I can imagine some journeys will run from one terminus to the other and back again without any passengers boarding at all. Social distancing doesn't look difficult on the buses I've seen. However Lothian have just put something out saying the Saturday level will continue for the next few weeks at least (applies to Lothian Country as well, to save anyone asking).
Not necessarily a problem - it's really just a matter of burning diesel and risking driver contact. I expect everyone's wages come out of tax regardless of whether the buses run or not. But in normal times the situation might be viewed as rather wasteful.

 

[Lothiangem22]

I can imagine some journeys will run from one terminus to the other and back again without any passengers boarding at all. Social distancing doesn't look difficult on the buses I've seen. However Lothian have just put something out saying the Saturday level will continue for the next few weeks at least (applies to Lothian Country as well, to save anyone asking).
Not necessarily a problem - it's really just a matter of burning diesel and risking driver contact. I expect everyone's wages come out of tax regardless of whether the buses run or not. But in normal times the situation might be viewed as rather wasteful.

I haven’t driven many other services this week, however, today I drove the 30 with standing room only on two separate journeys! Bearing in mind this service is still running at 10 minute daytime frequency aswell. What lockdown?!?

 

[mb88]

I haven’t driven many other services this week, however, today I drove the 30 with standing room only on two separate journeys! Bearing in mind this service is still running at 10 minute daytime frequency aswell. What lockdown?!?

What an absolute joke. And how many of those were doing essential journeys I wonder? Like the guy I had on the other day who did a full journey there and back because he had gas engineers in so had no heating.

 

[OmniCity999]

I haven’t driven many other services this week, however, today I drove the 30 with standing room only on two separate journeys! Bearing in mind this service is still running at 10 minute daytime frequency aswell. What lockdown?!?

What an absolute joke. And how many of those were doing essential journeys I wonder? Like the guy I had on the other day who did a full journey there and back because he had gas engineers in so had no heating.

We really should be running a ten min frequency to Fort Kinnaird with deckers and shuttles to Musselburgh on singles.

Maybe even every second 30 being a decker and every other being a single. Certain routes could receive a bit more "love".

 

[Lothiangem22]

We really should be running a ten min frequency to Fort Kinnaird with deckers and shuttles to Musselburgh on singles.

Maybe even every second 30 being a decker and every other being a single. Certain routes could receive a bit more "love".

Let’s hope the new buses provide the extra capacity that’s needed when they arrive!

 

[lastbus]

I haven’t driven many other services this week, however, today I drove the 30 with standing room only on two separate journeys! Bearing in mind this service is still running at 10 minute daytime frequency aswell. What lockdown?!?

Are lothian running with reduced capacity?

 

[CN04NRJ]

I haven’t driven many other services this week, however, today I drove the 30 with standing room only on two separate journeys! Bearing in mind this service is still running at 10 minute daytime frequency aswell. What lockdown?!?

Ditto! The 'peak' seems to be between 10-4 before or after those times it's quite quiet on the 30. The Fort to Musselburgh section could probably be reduced to every 30 at the moment with deckers running short journeys to the Fort.

But as you said, the new buses will definitely help with their imminent entry into service.

 

[OmniCity999]

Are lothian running with reduced capacity?

not necessarily, the 30 is just a single deck route. Always has been due to a low bridge. 10 Minute frequency has been the norm on certain days at the best of times. It's just a busy route.

 

[Lothiangem22]

not necessarily, the 30 is just a single deck route. Always has been due to a low bridge. 10 Minute frequency has been the norm on certain days at the best of times. It's just a busy route.

It’s an interesting route -
Whilst it provides a direct link for the likes of stenhouse in the west and niddrie in the east to the city centre, it’s in no means the fastest way from say Musselburgh to town or at the other end going in loops through wester hailes before heading into the city.
It’s very “locally busy” route with a high turnover of passengers - probably every bus companies perfect scenario. A high number of passengers will board at Musselburgh, niddrie and wester hailes and only travel for a few stops so often you can have multiple points throughout the journey where you have a busy bus.
There has been times recently where I find the bus empties at the fort, for the very next stop someone gets on and comments how “it must be quiet as they have the whole bus to themselves.” In reality, 20 minutes earlier it’s been a standing load!