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

[OmniCity999]

Looks great! Thanks for the photo
Edit: Is there a chance you could download the photo and send it in full resolution instead of a screenshot so we can have a better view?

As its already posted here.
View attachment 84618

Good luck getting a better view on this image, Discord compresses images badly.

 

[CN04NRJ]

Good luck getting a better view on this image, Discord compresses images badly.

I've seen some better images, at least they've finally gone public

Would like to see the interior in more detail though, but they look very high specification.

 

[overthewater]

The passengers on the No30 will be happy.

 

[ClydeCoaster]

It does look very smart! The only Evora I've sampled is a recent example for Millport Motors who now have 2, and on that short journey it seems a decent thing. I'm sure the high spec Lothian have will be welcome from the passengers.

 

[Graham Alexand]

Silly question, when Lothian Country goes back to a full service wont they need more buses to cover the increase of service.

 

[OmniCity999]

Silly question, when Lothian Country goes back to a full service wont the need more buses to cover the increase of service.

I'd be inclined to say the service will match what fleet there is. They've only lost a handful of single deckers.

Which would indicate the X38 probably wont return.

 

[Graham Alexand]

I'd be inclined to say the service will match what fleet there is. They've only lost a handful of single deckers.

Which would indicate the X38 probably wont return.

My thinking was when the 275 was extended back to the gyle and 276 (probably renumbered X17) is extended back to Edinburgh.

They probably do have enough it just didnt look like it on bustimes.org

 

[computerSaysNo]

View attachment 84615New single decks for lothian buses

It (or the front end at least) looks very square and boxy, compared to other buses where the roof is more curved and rounded.

 

[ScotRail158725]

My thinking was when the 275 was extended back to the gyle and 276 (probably renumbered X17) is extended back to Edinburgh.

They probably do have enough it just didnt look like it on bustimes.org

when? More like IF and i reckon thats really unlikely

View attachment 84615New single decks for lothian buses

i notice it’s got the points on it rather than curves like the XLBs

 

[scotrail158713]

Only echoing what’s already been said - but the new singles do look very smart. I look forward to giving them a go at some point.

 

[Jordanscot]

Only echoing what’s already been said - but the new singles do look very smart. I look forward to giving them a go at some point.

With the 7900’s needing regular use to preserve the battery condition are Lothian going to try and delay acceptance of these new buses as long as possible?
It seems a long time since the first evora was spotted at seafield and I don’t see them putting single deckers back on “single deck routes” when there are decker options available?

 

[CN04NRJ]

With the 7900’s needing regular use to preserve the battery condition are Lothian going to try and delay acceptance of these new buses as long as possible?
It seems a long time since the first evora was spotted at seafield and I don’t see them putting single deckers back on “single deck routes” when there are decker options available?

I can't personally see them sitting on 30 brand new buses indefinitely myself.

Personally I think the 12 and 24 don't justify DDs (along with the 36) so perhaps they'll be kept in use and rotated on these routes to keep the batteries from degrading?

 

[Q_Okolo12]

I can't personally see them sitting on 30 brand new buses indefinitely myself.

Personally I think the 12 and 24 don't justify DDs (along with the 36) so perhaps they'll be kept in use and rotated on these routes to keep the batteries from degrading?

I could see the 12, 24 and 36 getting the 7900s after the new buses enter service (in fact when the 64 plates first joined Lothian I remeber those were the routes they were oringinally allocated for ).

 

[computerSaysNo]

I could see the 12, 24 and 36 getting the 7900s after the new buses enter service (in fact when the 64 plates first joined Lothian I remeber those were the routes they were oringinally allocated for ).

I'm trying to remember what the single deck routes were usually allocated before covid, I know the 1 was a mix of 7900 and deckers, 2 was always older Urban 1s, 6 was usually a 7900 or an electric (?), I don't remember what the 12 was, 20 was usually Urban 1s I think, can't remember the 24, 30 was usually 7900s with the occasional Urban 1, 36 was usually Urban 1/2, not sure what the 38 was, (what did the 39/40 use before they moved to ECB?), no idea what the 42 was, 45 was usually Urban 2s I believe. The 48 and 49 both used to be singles did they not, what buses did they use?
Have I missed any?

 

[takno]

I'm trying to remember what the single deck routes were usually allocated before covid, I know the 1 was a mix of 7900 and deckers, 2 was always older Urban 1s, 6 was usually a 7900 or an electric (?), I don't remember what the 12 was, 20 was usually Urban 1s I think, can't remember the 24, 30 was usually 7900s with the occasional Urban 1, 36 was usually Urban 1/2, not sure what the 38 was, (what did the 39/40 use before they moved to ECB?), no idea what the 42 was, 45 was usually Urban 2s I believe. The 48 and 49 both used to be singles did they not, what buses did they use?
Have I missed any?

24 was a complete mix. Never used to know from one day to the next whether it was going to be electric, hybrid or diesel, let alone anything else

 

[Bus9120UK]

I'm trying to remember what the single deck routes were usually allocated before covid, I know the 1 was a mix of 7900 and deckers, 2 was always older Urban 1s, 6 was usually a 7900 or an electric (?), I don't remember what the 12 was, 20 was usually Urban 1s I think, can't remember the 24, 30 was usually 7900s with the occasional Urban 1, 36 was usually Urban 1/2, not sure what the 38 was, (what did the 39/40 use before they moved to ECB?), no idea what the 42 was, 45 was usually Urban 2s I believe. The 48 and 49 both used to be singles did they not, what buses did they use?
Have I missed any?

12 was 7900's, buses 41-50
38 was Urban 1's with a rare 7900 at tjmes

 

[CN04NRJ]

I'm trying to remember what the single deck routes were usually allocated before covid, I know the 1 was a mix of 7900 and deckers, 2 was always older Urban 1s, 6 was usually a 7900 or an electric (?), I don't remember what the 12 was, 20 was usually Urban 1s I think, can't remember the 24, 30 was usually 7900s with the occasional Urban 1, 36 was usually Urban 1/2, not sure what the 38 was, (what did the 39/40 use before they moved to ECB?), no idea what the 42 was, 45 was usually Urban 2s I believe. The 48 and 49 both used to be singles did they not, what buses did they use?
Have I missed any?

For Longstone at least at the end of March before everything went to Central;

2 - B7RLEs
20 - B7RLEs 136-150
30 - 7900s 11-35
36 - B7RLEs 150-170
38 - B7RLEs 150-170
63 - B7RLEs 136-150

Though in practice the spare 7900s would end up on any single deck route, and the 63s would often be swapped about during the day as reliefs took place in the depot with the buses having about 40 minutes between duties. Deckers would often end up on the 4th bus to go onto the 63 as if I recall correctly it left about 10.30am. 132/4/5 and sometimes 115/121 if they were at Longstone would also end up on anything.

Not sure about Marine but would usually see a mix of 7900s and B7RLEs on their single deck routes - 42/45/48 and I think the 49 was only single deck on weekends.

At the moment there's 21 buses required for the 30, 7 for the 38 M-F, 6 for the 36 and 8 for the 2 M-S.

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[mb88]

The new motors would definitely look better in green and cream

 

[CN04NRJ]

On the finlaysmith website buses 136-166 have vanished off the tracking system. Permanently withdrawn or tracking equipment/AVLs being used on new buses?

 

[computerSaysNo]

12 was 7900's, buses 41-50
38 was Urban 1's with a rare 7900 at tjmes

Ah okay
I'd never seen or been on a 38 before the lockdown, I see it all the time now though and it's strange to imagine it using anything other than 7900s!

For Longstone at least at the end of March before everything went to Central;

2 - B7RLEs
20 - B7RLEs 136-150
30 - 7900s 11-35
36 - B7RLEs 150-170
38 - B7RLEs 150-170
63 - B7RLEs 136-150

[...]

Not sure about Marine but would usually see a mix of 7900s and B7RLEs on their single deck routes - 42/45/48 and I think the 49 was only single deck on weekends.

At the moment there's 21 buses required for the 30, 7 for the 38 M-F, 6 for the 36 and 8 for the 2 M-S.

That's interesting, how come the 20 and 63 were allocated different buses to the other routes, was that just because they were council tenders?

 

[CN04NRJ]

That's interesting, how come the 20 and 63 were allocated different buses to the other routes, was that just because they were council tenders?

Not sure, maybe OmniCity999 might know more. In practice it was usually just any B7RLE on any route except the 30, but that was what was allocated on the sheets.

 

[Lothiangem22]

Ah okay
I'd never seen or been on a 38 before the lockdown, I see it all the time now though and it's strange to imagine it using anything other than 7900s!

That's interesting, how come the 20 and 63 were allocated different buses to the other routes, was that just because they were council tenders?

Some of the B7RLE’s didn’t have updated roller screens. I remember a few times I couldn’t screen 63 on the rear - not a huge deal but obviously if they could avoid it it’s better! Hermitson Gait was another issue for late running 20’s and Sunday 2’s with the only other option Hermiston or Edinburgh Park

 

[CN04NRJ]

Some of the B7RLE’s didn’t have updated roller screens. I remember a few times I couldn’t screen 63 on the rear - not a huge deal but obviously if they could avoid it it’s better! Hermitson Gait was another issue for late running 20’s and Sunday 2’s with the only other option Hermiston or Edinburgh Park

Some of 136-140 couldn't screen 63 if I recall correctly - this was my best attempt the one day

 

[Jordan Adam]

Some of the B7RLE’s didn’t have updated roller screens. I remember a few times I couldn’t screen 63 on the rear - not a huge deal but obviously if they could avoid it it’s better! Hermitson Gait was another issue for late running 20’s and Sunday 2’s with the only other option Hermiston or Edinburgh Park

While not a huge deal in the grand scheme of things it is a failure to comply with PSVAR regulations if the bus can't display the correct route number on the front/side/rear.

 

[Auld reekie]

The new motors would definitely look better in green and cream

Dream on.

 

[CN04NRJ]

Edit, posted wrong attachment

 

[mb88]

Dream on.

Don't worry I've woke up now.

 

[Auld reekie]

Don't worry I've woke up now.

 

[scosutsut]

On the finlaysmith website buses 136-166 have vanished off the tracking system. Permanently withdrawn or tracking equipment/AVLs being used on new buses?

I saw two unidentified B7RLEs, one in swoosh livery one in fleet of the future (which was a 57 plate) both on trade plates heading Seafield way about 3pm today having just come off the bypass. Think that would be from that number range?

 

[Siemens Trains]

Some of 136-140 couldn't screen 63 if I recall correctly - this was my best attempt the one day

View attachment 84679

I must admit, that failure to display the 63 number used to annoy me. I noticed some passengers waiting at stops along the route almost let the bus go by because they didn't realise it was the 63 service. Fortunately they would stick a hand out at the last minute. Quite easily remedied with a marker pen and sheet of paper stuck in the windscreen.
Did you ever try reporting this? I think I may have fed it back on Twitter to little avail.