Edinburgh & the Lothians bus network speculations & ideas

[TheEastCoaster]

There are new flats being occupied in Sir Harry Lauder Road next to Motorpoint. There is a redundant bus shelter nearby which could be served by diverting an existing ECB route on its way to the A1. Surely not every route has to serve Asda?

I think that bus stop was used for the 69 when it did the loop into Portobello, it is a shame it is left unused. Only thing is that if you diverted one of the X services from Milton Road you would have to at least put one stop between Meadowbank and Kings Road to justify it.

In fairness the 45 was never that busy beyond Joppa, and frequently was carrying one or two passengers into the QMU - sometimes nobody. The 19 could well be a peak only extension so we’ll have to wait and see.

I thought it was busy because it is known to be a student service serving almost all of the university’s in the city, personally i would of maybe routed the 45 up to The Jewel past Eastfield and run it past Edinburgh College.

 

[VioletEclipse]

There are new flats being occupied in Sir Harry Lauder Road next to Motorpoint. There is a redundant bus shelter nearby which could be served by diverting an existing ECB route on its way to the A1. Surely not every route has to serve Asda?

That could potentially add a bit of journey time, but nowhere near as much as going along Porty High Street would. Would be a good plan for ECB to put a route along there, they could make it only stop at Baileyfield Crescent between Meadowbank and Milton Link/Milton Road East

 

[InOban]

I really don't understand removing night buses from the hospital, it is one of the most important out of town destinations for night buses to serve. I have on more than one occasion been very glad of night buses serving the RIE in the wee hours of a cold night, and I think that goes for many other people too. The hospital really should have 24 hour public transport to as much of the city as possible.

I know it doesn't serve the same areas but with the 400 gaining 400N services, the hospital will still have a night bus, just not from the centre.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

I know it doesn't serve the same areas but with the 400 gaining 400N services, the hospital will still have a night bus, just not from the centre.

That’s a fair point, I’m guessing that’s why the N11/N14 are being cut back since both corridors will still be served! (Between Fairmilehead and Greendykes anyway)

Anyone have any idea as to when we will be expected to hear an official announcement from Lothian

 

[Bus9120UK]

That’s a fair point, I’m guessing that’s why the N11/N14 are being cut back since both corridors will still be served! (Between Fairmilehead and Greendykes anyway)

Anyone have any idea as to when we will be expected to hear an official announcement from Lothian

I'd expect them to wait till a week after the North Bridge changes to allow a short gap.

 

[stevenedin]

I'd expect them to wait till a week after the North Bridge changes to allow a short gap.

I don’t even know why they are announcing the North Bridge change as a service change. They should just put diversion has ended and all buses return to normal route.

 

[InOban]

New and existing tram drivers have now started daytime training on the extension, at service speed. I wonder whether the bus service changes will be synchronised with the public tram services? (For which the date has not been announced )

 

[Bus9120UK]

I don’t even know why they are announcing the North Bridge change as a service change. They should just put diversion has ended and all buses return to normal route.

Since these were long term diversions, they were incorporated into the routes and timetables, so the re-opening will lead to timetable changes (some more varied than others) particularly on routes heading North/East, which passengers would probably want to know of. Of course the 8 is reverting to it's old route as well in both directions.

 

[VioletEclipse]

New Bus Routes, Eh? Now This Is My Kind Of Thread!

So, In March Of 2018, Young Me Felt Like There Weren’t Enough Buses In My Neighbourhood (Not Specifying Because Forums Be Forums), & Wondered How I Would Do Things If I Could Make My Own Bus Service In Edinburgh... & So, I Made The 39 From Kirk Brae To Davidsons Mains Via West Mains, Blackford, Marchmont, The Grange, Causewayside, Southside, Bristo Square, Lauriston, Tollcross, Central Edinburgh, Dean Park, Comely Bank, Inverleith, Ainslie Park Leisure Centre, Pilton, West Granton, Muirhouse, Silverknowes, & Barnton Road South. It Would Run Every 30 Minutes Monday Through Saturday Between 7:30 & 19:30, & Every 40-45 Minutes On Monday To Saturday 19:30 - 22:45.

Now, Does This Seem Like A Useful Route? No of course not, i was 9 ok, i didnt brain then, & i only added the frequencies last year looking back on it... BUT, It Holds A Special Place In My Heart, & If I Inevitably Get A Job At Lothian Buses, I Know What The First Thing Imma Do Is... Pitch The 39.

#CustomBusesEdinburgh #PitchThe39


Yeah, I’ll Say!

Your proposed 39 is quite intriguing (Funnily enough years ago I also made up a route for a new service 9 which would serve a lot of the places that your route would, which I have since re-designated as service 39 due to the potential new actual service 9). As it currently is your 39 would be a bit of a meandering compliment to service 41, but if the 41 does get removed and replaced by the 9 (south) and 47 (north) then your 39 would provide quite a few more links that other services don't.

 

[CSB0241]

Your proposed 39 is quite intriguing (Funnily enough years ago I also made up a route for a new service 9 which would serve a lot of the places that your route would, which I have since re-designated as service 39 due to the potential new actual service 9). As it currently is your 39 would be a bit of a meandering compliment to service 41, but if the 41 does get removed and replaced by the 9 (south) and 47 (north) then your 39 would provide quite a few more links that other services don't.

So... Where did your original service 9 go, &. Where would the potential new 9 go? I’ve made the specific bits i find intriguing in bold text.

 

[VioletEclipse]

So... Where did your original service 9 go?

King’s Buildings, Blackford, Newington, Holyrood Park, Meadowbank, Jock’s Lodge, Piershill, Marionville, Lochend, Restalrig, Easter Road, Hillside, Elm Row, Broughton, Canonmills, Warriston, Goldenacre, Fettes, Crewe Toll, Ferry Road, Drylaw, Davidson’s Mains, Silverknowes, Salvesen, Granton, Trinity, Newhaven, Leith, Ocean Terminal, Seafield, Portobello, Musselburgh, Windsor Park, Levenhall, Pinkie Braes, Wallyford Park and Ride, Prestonpans, Seton Mains, and Longniddry

Why does it somewhat make an S shape in the city and then continue to Longniddry? good question, I though it would be a good idea when I thought it up. It would probably make little to no sense without being dramatically altered.

 

[overthewater]

So... Where did your original service 9 go, &. Where would the potential new 9 go? I’ve made the specific bits i find intriguing in bold text.

I'm sure the original No9 was the service out to Armadale via A71, Livingston and Deans? Then got the chop in 94.

 

[DunsBus]

I'm sure the original No9 was the service out to Armadale via A71, Livingston and Deans? Then got the chop in 94.

No, that 9 was just one of several services using the number.

 

[CSB0241]

In the other forum I had also suggested some alternatives in the past to connecting areas such as extending the 140 from Musselburgh to Ocean Terminal via Seafield or the 200 from Ocean Terminal to Eastfield to strengthen a link between Portobello and Leith.

But with the 19 now extending to Eastfield giving residents another option besides the 26 to town (and probably a faster option skipping out Piershill and parts of Meadowbank) I wonder if Portobello could do with another service now because the 15 at this point I doubt will return to Eastfield, it has more chance to returning to Penicuik at this rate which I’m sure folk are more in favour of at this point.

I really don’t understand why Lothian are cutting the 45 between Eastfield and QMU. I refuse to believe it’s just because it’s for the summer because all the other services will still serve the campus in the new change, I would of trialed extending it to Musselburgh Tesco and see if that’s viable.

On another side note, I’m pleased to see the 200/400 have a night service now, but I wonder if the 400 timetable will be revised to accommodate that, like having the 11:25pm Airport - Hyvots run extend all the way to Fort Kinnaird, or the 10:50pm service from Fort Kinnaird extending to the Airport with the 11:50pm service run 10 minutes later making it the first N400 to the airport.

Again this is pure speculation on my part as it could just be the current night runs just remembered but it could be possible!

Ok, where is everyone getting this information?

 

[VioletEclipse]

I'm sure the original No9 was the service out to Armadale via A71, Livingston and Deans? Then got the chop in 94.

as far as I know there was tram route 9 from Granton Square to Colinton, ECT bus service 9 from Granton Square to Torphin, LRT service 9 that you mentioned, Lothian service 9 from the Botanic Gardens to the National Museum and the potential new service 9 from King's Buildings to Muirhouse.

The service 9 route I posted earlier was a purely speculative made up service I though up many years ago.

 

[CSB0241]

X15 - NEW Peak service running between Penicuik Town Centre and Waterloo Place via Mauricewood, Flotterstone, Hillend, Fairmilehead, Morningside and Tollcross!
22 - Extended from Waterloo Place to Lochend via Abbeyhill
45 - Hourly Saturday service introduced between Currie and Eastfield
N27 - NEW service running between Silverknowes and Fairmilehead 7 nights a week!
X44 - Service Withdrawn and replaced by ECB X13
124 - Withdrawn and replaced by X24
X24 - New limited stop service replacing the 124, Route remains the same except within the city where buses return to Portobello but with limited stop pattern mirroring the X26

If picked out a few that stick out to me;

X15 - my man!
22 - I like it, but i feel that its extremely unlikely. I think that when Lothian inevitably extend it, I feel that it’d be extended to Ocean Terminal, Newhaven, or Western Harbour.
45 - YES, GET IN!
N27 - I’m guessing its go via Oxgangs Road & Biggar Road to the stance at Lothianburn Flyover, Right? If so, I support it!
X44 - ooooh that’s bold...
124 - OOOOOH THAT’S BOLD!
X24 - I’d keep the 124 reroute via the X26 route, but I’d make the X24 be an X5 reroute Via Piershill & Sir Harry Lauder Road to the A1.

 

[Bus9120UK]

If picked out a few that stick out to me;

22 - I like it, but i feel that its extremely unlikely. I think that when Lothian inevitably extend it, I feel that it’d be extended to Ocean Terminal, Newhaven, or Western Harbour.

It's inevitable extension is to Granton Harbour, replacing the 47 which is to be rerouted to Cammo replacing the north end of the 41. If it operates the same way that's not known.

 

[JKP]

I think that the suggestion of a X15 Penicuik to Waterloo Place by the EastCoaster is an excellent idea but should be extended to an all day operation as there are a lot of new houses off Mauricewood Road. Incidentally what look like new bus stop poles have appeared between the stops at Boyd Orr Drive and the A702 roundabout so who knows? There is an application into the TC to change the registration for the 15.

 

[VioletEclipse]

I feel as though ever since the red Olympians were withdrawn in March 2009 service 15 has experienced a gradual fall from grace, now being only a fraction of the length it once was at hourly frequency on weekdays only. Reintroduction of the 15 and maybe also X15 from Penicuik to Eastfield, even if not right out to the Pans, would be very nice to see, and would likely benefit a lot of people as it was a fairly popular route back in the day.

 

[stevenedin]

I feel as though ever since the red Olympians were withdrawn in March 2009 service 15 has experienced a gradual fall from grace, now being only a fraction of the length it once was at hourly frequency on weekdays only. Reintroduction of the 15 and maybe also X15 from Penicuik to Eastfield, even if not right out to the Pans, would be very nice to see, and would likely benefit a lot of people as it was a fairly popular route back in the day.

Also the 15A which operated to St Andrew Square on a Sunday from Penicuik

 

[DunsBus]

as far as I know there was tram route 9 from Granton Square to Colinton, ECT bus service 9 from Granton Square to Torphin, LRT service 9 that you mentioned, Lothian service 9 from the Botanic Gardens to the National Museum and the potential new service 9 from King's Buildings to Muirhouse.

The service 9 route I posted earlier was a purely speculative made up service I though up many years ago.

There was also another service 9, from Silverknowes to Hyvots Bank. This ran during the late nineties and was combined with service 8, giving a joint 15-minute frequency between Silverknowes and the Gilmerton crossroads.

 

[CSB0241]

I feel as though ever since the red Olympians were withdrawn in March 2009 service 15 has experienced a gradual fall from grace, now being only a fraction of the length it once was at hourly frequency on weekdays only. Reintroduction of the 15 and maybe also X15 from Penicuik to Eastfield, even if not right out to the Pans, would be very nice to see, and would likely benefit a lot of people as it was a fairly popular route back in the day.

I miss the Meadowmill terminus. There are very few (to me at least) like it. Who knows, Maybe the 26 could be shortened to it with the 124 doing the route via Seton Sands (would omit Longniddry Mon-Fri but could serve on Sundays), then the 113 doing some sort of hybrid of the old 124 route & the 26 route to Tranent?

It's inevitable extension is to Granton Harbour, replacing the 47 which is to be rerouted to Cammo replacing the north end of the 41.

So........ Where would the 41 go then? Kings Buildings to Craigleith? Cameron Toll to Davidsons Mains? I‘m confused...

The 51 now only runs as far as St Boswells. The section south of there to Jedburgh was dropped, along with the 52, when services restarted after the first lockdown.

It may not be much longer for this world in any case, as Midlothian Council has recently announced its intention to withdraw all funding for bus services. Scottish Borders and Midlothian both fund the 51 (the latter's contribution ensuring that Ford, Edgehead and Whitehill have a bus service) and I can't see Scottish Borders being willing to fund the section of route north of Soutra Hill if Midlothian pull out.

God, if Midlothian drop support for the 51, then it might not go further than Pathhead (most likely terminating at Roman Court as its the best turning circle for it to use).

Another alternative is seeing if East Lothian Council will support it & rerouting it to turn off via Ormiston Road, B6367, A6093, Unnamed Road, Hadfast Road, Unnamed Road, A6124, Carberry Road, Inveresk Village Road, Newbigging, Pinkie Road, Newbigging, Musselburgh High Street, North High Street, Edinburgh Road, Eastfield, Portobello Road, Portobello High Street, Portobello Road, London Road, Leopold Place, Antigua Street, York Place, Elder Street, then terminating at Edinburgh Bus Station, perhaps?

I don’t really know how well this would work, but I feel that it could if the EL Council do support it...

As for Whitehill, Ford, & Edgehead, perhaps the 48 could be rerouted via those 3, as well as Dewartown & Newlandrig, then heading down Lady Brae & Gorebridge Main Street to terminate at Gore Avenue. BOOM! Fixed the removal of the 339, added a new bus route in Dewartown & Newlandrig, & found an alternative in case the 51 gets dropped in Midlothian!

Now, as for Bryans, Newtongrange, & Gowkshill, I have a solid replacement! I think that for Bryans & Newtongrange, the 3 is an easy extension to the X33 terminus. Maybe every other journey could go to the Orchard Grange turning circle, & the other journeys could stay at the Mayfield terminus?

Lastly, for the Newtongrange - Gorebridge section, The 29 already does that very well, so no changes are needed.

 

[Bus9120UK]

So........ Where would the 41 go then? Kings Buildings to Craigleith? Cameron Toll to Davidsons Mains? I‘m confused...

Nowhere. It'll be withdrawn.

 

[CSB0241]

Nowhere. It'll be withdrawn.

What about places like Kilgraston Road or Roseneath Street? Would the 9 serve those?

King’s Buildings, Blackford, Marchmont, The Meadows, Newington, The Pleasence, Holyrood Park, Abbeyhill, Meadowbank, Jock’s Lodge, Piershill, Marionville, Seafield, Portobello, Joppa, Eastfield, Musselburgh, Windsor Park, Levenhall, Pinkie Braes, Wallyford Park and Ride, Prestonpans, Seton Mains, & Longniddry.

I think the 9 should just do this altered route, otherwise it’d be way too long (probably upwards of 2 hours). I added a few stops along the way, obvious or not, to make it easier for mapping.

Lochend, Restalrig, Easter Road, Hillside, Elm Row, Broughton, Canonmills, Warriston, Goldenacre, Fettes, Crewe Toll, Ferry Road, Drylaw, Davidson’s Mains, Silverknowes, Salvesen, Granton, Trinity, Newhaven, Leith, Ocean Terminal, Seafield, Lochend.

As for this section, i think that a circular route could do it well - 6A clockwise, 6B anticlockwise.

 

[DunsBus]

Nowhere. It'll be withdrawn.

A route with a lot of history. Prior to it becoming the 41 in the early sixties, it was the 39 and, before that, service 9. For many years the 41 was interworked with the 18 at Barnton; this continued for a few years post-deregulation, but now at Cramond Glebe Road.

 

[stevenedin]

I wonder what bus will serve Cramond now or maybe the 47 will go that way.

 

[CSB0241]

What about places like Kilgraston Road or Roseneath Street? Would the 9 serve those?




I think the 9 should just do this altered route, otherwise it’d be way too long (probably upwards of 2 hours). I added a few stops along the way, obvious or not, to make it easier for mapping.

As for this section, i think that a circular route could do it well - 6A clockwise, 6B anticlockwise.

I’ve made a map to represent these changes.

 

[stevenedin]

It’s not even been 6 months since they withdrew from a number of areas of West Lothian, so I’d be very surprised if they suddenly decided to restart any of them!

Replying on here instead of the Lothian Group thread.

Potentially they could put the X27 around Deans South and leave the X28 to go around Deans North or move the X27 back to Whitburn or extend it to Fauldhouse or Loganlea.

They could also launch a few West Lothian routes for Sundays only that interlink with the existing services. Like the X27/X28 when they arrive at Bathgate they turn into a service similar to McGill’s service 26 and the X18 turning into a service 21 or similar route from Whitburn.

 

[delt1c]

With a bit of luck they could replace all McGills in Livingston as their ( lack) of service has become unbelievable

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

With a bit of luck they could replace all McGills in Livingston as their ( lack) of service has become unbelievable

I’m sure it’s been said before that McGills have bought a half-dead horse in Livingston; with Larbert & Bannockburn not far behind.