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

[stevenedin]

I agree with your comments on the new buses. The seats, although they look cheaper, are actually more comfortable and better for your back. The buses are a great addition to the fleet. The announcements are usually ok but sometimes you can barely hear them which is annoying.

 

[CN04NRJ]

I’m confident there will be another service change before the month ends or at least early September.

There won't be one until at least the 12th September, if there is going to be one.

 

[ScotRail158725]

181 has been repaired, I've just seen a photograph of it .

That's another recurring subject off the list (albeit more minor than the usual ones).

I’m confident there will be another service change before the month ends or at least early September.

I'm highly doubtful of that as there’s no real need or demand.

I’ll admit if Lothian doesn't properly reinstate the 45 and X5 and extend the 15 back to its former route then I have no clue what they are doing.

With the latter 2 there’s a lack of demand, hence why we’ve not seen them back already.

 

[Graeme Duncan]

According to the tracker 309 has been reinstated into service on the 14. I assume 308 has been reinstated as well.

 

[ScotRail158725]

I assume 308 has been reinstated as well.

Clearly not according to the tracking system.

 

[Graham Alexand]

Thats another recurring subject off the list (albeit more minor than the usual ones)

A reccurring subject? Yes.

It was an update on it rather than a question.

The reason I said it was to close my original question. The last thing I will say on it is that it's awaiting a repaint.

 

[DunsBus]

181 has been repaired, I've just seen a photograph of it .

Hearing reports about that too.

Another "taboo subject" to cross off the list!

 

[ScotRail158725]

A reccurring subject? Yes.

It was an update on it rather than a question.

The reason I said it was to close my original question. The last thing I will say on it is that it's awaiting a repaint.

Do you have a link to said photo?

 

[TheEastCoaster]

I'm highly doubtful of that as there’s no real need or demand.

With the latter 2 there’s a lack of demand, hence why we’ve not seen them back already.

Again there have been constant service changes throughout the past year and we are back to a near normal world at this point, they might as well revise the network one more time. Plus, with universities returning next month, it would be perfect timing.

As for the lack of demand for the X5, have you seen the comments on East Coast Buses' Twitter and Facebook? Folk are begging for them to reinstate it, so I can argue that your comment is definitely not true there!

 

[CN04NRJ]

Again there have been constant service changes throughout the past year and we are back to a near normal world at this point, they might aswell revise the network one more time, plus with universities returning next month it would be perfect timing.

As for the lack of demand for the X5, have you seen the comments on East Coast Buses' Twitter and Facebook? Folk are begging for them to reinstate it, so I can argue that your comment is definitely not true there!

Does a vocal minority on Twitter translate into a viable service under current usage? I'll leave that for the jury to decide.

 

[Graham Alexand]

Do you have a link to said photo?

I will need to ask for permission to use it as it is on a Facebook group.

I have been granted permission to use the photo.

Photo by Callum Delaney.

 

[ScotRail158725]

I will need to ask for permission to use it as it is on a Facebook group.

I have been granted permission to use the photo.

Photo by Callum Delaney.View attachment 101285

hopefully that burnt XLB is another taboo subject that gets ticked off soon which is hopefully one of the last

 

[CN04NRJ]

Hearing reports about that too.

Another "taboo subject" to cross off the list!

Here's another one - what colour will 20946 emerge in and which garage?

 

[Graham Alexand]

Here's another one - what colour will 20946 emerge in and which garage?

Aye, I was hearing about that too.

hopefully that burnt XLB is another taboo subject that gets ticked off soon which is hopefully one of the last

On that subject, its tracker seemed to be active on the 12 of August.

1076 - SJ19 OWO

Volvo B8L ADL Enviro400XLB

bustimes.org

 

[ScotRail158725]

Here's another one - what colour will 20946 emerge in and which garage?

I assume its not that badly damaged for it to emerge in Heinz livery based in Tesco?

 

[Jordan Adam]

The discussion about discussing "taboo" subjects is getting almost as boring as the discussion of "taboo" subjects itself.

 

[scotrail158713]

Does a vocal minority on Twitter translate into a viable service under current usage? I'll leave that for the jury to decide.

I'm probably going to go to Longniddry on the 124 on Saturday so may report back my observations then

 

[Graham Alexand]

Weird to think 3 years ago today Lothian Country started service in West Lothian.

 

[CN04NRJ]

Weird to think 3 years ago today Lothian Country started service in West Lothian.

Yet they're still here despite all the naysayers

 

[Graham Alexand]

Yet they're still here despite all the naysayers

Yep, seems like they were wrong on both sides of the fence. Lothian Country and First West Lothian are still going with not much issue.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Yep, seems like they were wrong on both sides of the fence. Lothian Country and First West Lothian are still going with not much issue.

Very funny to think about as it feels like yesterday folk were hinting at their demise, from the fare complaints to the copycat routes, yes a few cuts and sacrifices were made in the last year especially with the X17/X38 but LCB are still here and don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon, same with First.

Seems likes there’s room for two operators after all, I hope LCB do return to Kirkliston or Linlithgow in the future in some capacity, regardless of if it’s “viable“ at the time is not relevant but if they do I hope they can make it work.

 

[Graham Alexand]

Very funny to think about as it feels like yesterday folk were hinting at their demise, from the fare complaints to the copycat routes, yes a few cuts and sacrifices were made in the last year especially with the X17/X38 but LCB are still here and don’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon, same with First.

Seems likes there’s room for two operators after all, I hope LCB do return to Kirkliston or Linlithgow in the future in some capacity, regardless of if it’s “viable“ at the time is not relevant but if they do I hope they can make it work.

There's a slim possibly that Lothian Country may receive the 31 (or in their case 231) which may serve Linlithgow.

If they were to serve Winchburgh and Kirkliston and if the idea of the 275 or 276 getting extended there more than likely it would be the 276 due to many locals in Pumpherston riding the bus to Broxburn (275).

 

[Busman757]

There's a slim possibly that Lothian Country may receive the 31 (or in their case 231) which may serve Linlithgow.

If they were to serve Winchburgh and Kirkliston and if the idea of the 275 or 276 getting extended there more than likely it would be the 276 due to many locals in Pumpherston riding the bus to Broxburn (275)

There's a slim possibly that Lothian Country may receive the 31 (or in their case 231) which may serve Linlithgow.

If they were to serve Winchburgh and Kirkliston and if the idea of the 275 or 276 getting extended there more than likely it would be the 276 due to many locals in Pumpherston riding the bus to Broxburn (275).

As far as I’m aware there is no intentions of even bidding for the 31. Although LCB had the route for the Xmas period, the vehicles used weren’t ideal for the tight parts of the route. As for the 275 (or even the 276), there are no plans to extend either of these back to the Gyle/Edinburgh Park. Best thing is to concentrate on doing what they have now rather than looking at expansion.

Also, as for Kirkliston, they campaigned strongly for a Lothian bus to Edinburgh for many years (I’m from there) and when they got one they didn’t use it.

 

[valenta100]

Yep, seems like they were wrong on both sides of the fence. Lothian Country and First West Lothian are still going with not much issue.

.....or patronage.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Yep, seems like they were wrong on both sides of the fence. Lothian Country and First West Lothian are still going with not much issue.

Other than both companies making losses in West Lothian!

 

[DunsBus]

Other than both companies making losses in West Lothian!

Indeed, and you can't sustain losses indefinitely. It'll be a case of who blinks first.

 

[vla50]

Are 251-256 returning to service?

 

[Siemens Trains]

.....or patronage.

Yes, but that's probably similar to many other bus, train, airline or taxi companies around the world.
However we can't be too far from the point where reality kicks in, subsidies evaporate and the West Lothian market becomes clearer. Then perhaps one or both operators will throw in the towel.
Maybe shortly after the train timetables are cut back in May next year.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Indeed, and you can't sustain losses indefinitely. It'll be a case of who blinks first.

It'll be interesting to see what happens once the Gov funding stops, that's all i'm saying!

 

[ScotRail158725]

XLB 1064 has left for Sheffield today to take part in the open day/running day at First South Yorkshire's Olive Grove depot’s 60th Anniversary tomorrow. It seems strange to see a Lothian service vehicle travel 200 miles to a First bus open day and I bet that will rile up some hardcore Lothian enthusiasts.