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

[Lx008]

Any idea when the first BZL is bound to show up on our shores.
First one should be pretty soon if they want to get drivers/maintainance trained and in service by the Summer peak

 

[Bus9120UK]

One of the 600s in Volvo Cardonald any ideas what one it is and what its there for?

I would assume 608. No idea why.

 

[computerSaysNo]

Any idea when the first BZL is bound to show up on our shores.
First one should be pretty soon if they want to get drivers/maintainance trained and in service by the Summer peak

The latest update is:

[...] They’ve literally just been built and are still at Volvo. So it’s probably gonna be at least a couple of months [before passenger service], after driver familiarisation and training has taken place.

 

[Lx008]

I was expecting this given the 44 is returning to full Longstone operation (minus some peak journeys). If 1152/3 are both returning that should be enough for the 35 PVR increase as well. I am hoping 926-930 will be sufficient at Central for 23, 27, 31 & X47. I would assume 42-45 will move to Central in due course for service 1. Perhaps some deckers could move from Marine as they have gained 905/6?

As far as I can see, 23 & 27 will have a PVR boost of 1 each and the X47 will require two extra vehicles. Those and the 31 (which needs an extra 1) totals 5.
The 23/7 aren't increasing by two each as there are already extra buses out at peaks. These buses will just stay on all day.

Despite there being three afternoon X47 trips, one of these will operate before a peak journey on the 31 which already exists, hence why only two extra buses are needed. A second afternoon peak journey being added onto the 31 will come off the 47, and another X47 will change onto the 47 at the same time. The last X47 in the afternoon comes off a new peak time 24 journey.

The latest update is:

Thanks, I’m sorry I didn’t see that

 

[TheEastCoaster]

I think the routes will be added to the app, the ticketing made compatible, and probably added to the Network Map, but I don't think the fleet will be repainted into East Coast livery nor enter into the general East Coast "pool".

Hope so, I know it's bound to happen, despite this however there is no mention of these services or Eve on the Lothian website.

 

[H00V3R]

Hope so, I know it's bound to happen, despite this however there is no mention of these services or Eve on the Lothian website.

The only mention so far of these has been on the service alerts page. I do hope they will be integrated into the network although the fleet would still need to be separated due to length.

 

[stevenedin]

The only mention so far of these has been on the service alerts page. I do hope they will be integrated into the network although the fleet would still need to be separated due to length.

Not necessarily, they could still keep the fleet in the same depot, just use vehicles suited to each route. Hopefully in the future, East Coast Buses either rebrands to Eve Coaches or the other way around. I can see North Berwick outstation closing in the future and the buses moving into the Eve Coaches depot.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Not necessarily, they could still keep the fleet in the same depot, just use vehicles suited to each route. Hopefully in the future, East Coast Buses either rebrands to Eve Coaches or the other way around. I can see North Berwick outstation closing in the future and the buses moving into the Eve Coaches depot.

Could they not keep both depots? Especially for the first/last journeys on the X5/124. I can't imagine them running out to Dunbar at 1am with dead milage, I could imagine the X7/106 moving to Dunbar at least.

 

[stevenedin]

Could they not keep both depots? Especially for the first/last journeys on the X5/124. I can't imagine them running out to Dunbar at 1am with dead milage, I could imagine the X7/106 moving to Dunbar at least.

They probably could, I don’t know why I thought that Eve Coaches were based at North Berwick. It makes sense to keep both then.

 

[LothianBusesPh]

Could they not keep both depots? Especially for the first/last journeys on the X5/124.

I've been told North Berwick will be shutting in a few years. It's hazardous as the building is falling apart with a whole in the roof, the drivers are being exposed to Asbestos. Also the drivers at North Berwick were told about it so I wouldn't have hopes of it staying.

With the X5 running hours, I could possibly see them doing an extra run to Edinburgh and then going on an X7 by deadrunning to Haymarket. Maybe even an unlikely scenario with an extra Nightbus N124 going the to Musselburgh on weekends if they run it out of Musselburgh, though I think the 124 would just deadrun to Dunbar or even be fully Musselburgh based.

 

[H00V3R]

I've been told North Berwick will be shutting in a few years. It's hazardous as the building is falling apart with a whole in the roof, the drivers are being exposed to Asbestos. Also the drivers at North Berwick were told about it so I wouldn't have hopes of it staying.

Yeah I lived near it until recently and it is not in good shape at all. It's just begging to be either refurbished or knocked down, and with only 4 single and 3 (or 4 on a squeeze) double deck spaces it’s not going to be a massive loss.

On an unrelated note, XLB 1064 (I believe) running my 14 home from work tonight is a big delight! Haven’t seen one running this before. 22:53 Muirhouse if anyone is interested.

 

[ian1944]

Is it a demonstrable fact that staff at NB are "exposed to asbestos", known for decades as a major carcinogen? Is it present in the fabric? Is it exposed? Is it leaking? Are people inhaling it?

 

[Cesarcollie]

I've been told North Berwick will be shutting in a few years. It's hazardous as the building is falling apart with a whole in the roof, the drivers are being exposed to Asbestos. Also the drivers at North Berwick were told about it so I wouldn't have hopes of it staying.

With the X5 running hours, I could possibly see them doing an extra run to Edinburgh and then going on an X7 by deadrunning to Haymarket. Maybe even an unlikely scenario with an extra Nightbus N124 going the to Musselburgh on weekends if they run it out of Musselburgh, though I think the 124 would just deadrun to Dunbar or even be fully Musselburgh based.

i very much doubt the drivers are being ‘exposed to asbestos’ or the place would have been subject to major works or demolished by now. It is possible there is asbestos in the structure - there is in many buildings - but if managed and not disturbed it’s not a risk.

 

[Baileygirl]

Could they not keep both depots? Especially for the first/last journeys on the X5/124. I can't imagine them running out to Dunbar at 1am with dead milage, I could imagine the X7/106 moving to Dunbar at least.

Service 124 could be extended to Dunbar taking over the 120.

 

[alexf380]

Bear in mind that North Berwick to Dunbar is no more than 20 minutes, it's not a huge amount of off-service mileage. It's certainly not the longest garage run in the company. Musselburgh depot is full, so any boards that move there will need an equivalent number to move to Dunbar.

In other news, the majority of 937-950 now have new AVL consoles, so they may not be leaving us this summer.

 

[stevenedin]

Bear in mind that North Berwick to Dunbar is no more than 20 minutes, it's not a huge amount of off-service mileage. It's certainly not the longest garage run in the company. Musselburgh depot is full, so any boards that move there will need an equivalent number to move to Dunbar.

In other news, the majority of 937-950 now have new AVL consoles, so they may not be leaving us this summer.

I would doubt that 937-950 would be leaving this year anyway as they aren’t the oldest buses in the fleet. There is still 841-850 (57 reg), 905-906 (08 reg), 926-931 & 933-936 (09 reg) which are older.

Possibly some of 937-950 could be transferred to Lothian Country to replace 841-850, 931 & 933-936.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Service 124 could be extended to Dunbar taking over the 120.

Yeah sorry but I doubt I could ever see that happening I'm afraid. appreciate the ambition but the route is already one of the longest in Lothian history.

Bear in mind that North Berwick to Dunbar is no more than 20 minutes, it's not a huge amount of off-service mileage. It's certainly not the longest garage run in the company. Musselburgh depot is full, so any boards that move there will need an equivalent number to move to Dunbar.

That's true I never considered that, I suppose, although how big is the Eve Coach depot in Dunbar anyway?

 

[stevenedin]

Yeah sorry but I doubt I could ever see that happening I'm afraid. appreciate the ambition but the route is already one of the longest in Lothian history.

I think it would be difficult to stick to a timetable being that long.

 

[H00V3R]

That's true I never considered that, I suppose, although how big is the Eve Coach depot in Dunbar anyway?

I believe it’s a decent size, maybe 25-30 spaces, although some of this is used for coaches. The 124 wouldn’t go to Dunbar anyway due to the low bridge forcing it onto singles.

 

[LothianBusesPh]

Is it a demonstrable fact that staff at NB are "exposed to asbestos", known for decades as a major carcinogen? Is it present in the fabric? Is it exposed? Is it leaking? Are people inhaling it?

The drivers have been told that at the depot after a storm recently where the building's roof was damaged that they were exposed to Asbestos. It mustn't be that serious and as far as I'm aware the damage on the roof is small after having a look.

 

[GusB]

The drivers have been told that at the depot after a storm recently where the building's roof was damaged that they were exposed to Asbestos. It mustn't be that serious and as far as I'm aware the damage on the roof is small after having a look.

Being exposed to asbestos is about as serious as it gets! There's a reason why specialised contractors are used to remove the stuff when it's discovered in a building.

Do you have a proper source for your information or is it just hearsay?

 

[Dave2105]

I believe it’s a decent size, maybe 25-30 spaces, although some of this is used for coaches. The 124 wouldn’t go to Dunbar anyway due to the low bridge forcing it onto singles.

I believe prior to the takeover Eve received planning permission for a new depot opposite its existing location with driver facilities. ECB could easily move NB depot to there along with some Musselburgh runs freeing space at Musselburgh and possibly more late night runs into East Lothian.

 

[overthewater]

If you look at the pic, you will understand the Question: When did Lothian move its office on Waverly bridge?

GS SLIDES ZQ 004

Explore Regional Bus Photos' 522552 photos on Flickr!

flic.kr

 

[GusB]

If you look at the pic, you will understand the Question: When did Lothian move its office on Waverly bridge?

GS SLIDES ZQ 004

Explore Regional Bus Photos' 522552 photos on Flickr!

flic.kr

I'm struggling to understand the relevance of your post. Nobody has recently been discussing the office on Waverley Bridge, and the photo doesn't give any clues as to when it was closed.

Would you mind providing us with an explanation?

 

[overthewater]

I'm struggling to understand the relevance of your post. Nobody has recently been discussing the office on Waverley Bridge, and the photo doesn't give any clues as to when it was closed.

Would you mind providing us with an explanation?

I cant start a new thread for a basic question. However what I'm more interested in is the fact Lothian bus office has clearly moved from one end of the street to the other many moons ago.

 

[LothianBusesPh]

Do you have a proper source for your information or is it just hearsay?

Define proper source; the company themselves, no, depot supervisors and some drivers, yes.

Drivers I don't think are proper but I would say depot supervisors are since they get all of the news for it, etc.

 

[GusB]

Define proper source; the company themselves, no, depot supervisors and some drivers, yes.

Drivers I don't think are proper but I would say depot supervisors are since they get all of the news for it, etc.

You said:

The drivers have been told that at the depot after a storm recently where the building's roof was damaged that they were exposed to Asbestos

Who said that the drivers had been told this? If the information you're posting is simply rumour, that's fine - please indicate that it is just rumour. As it stands, you're posting information as if it's fact and I'm asking you to back this up with evidence.

 

[Siemens Trains]

If you look at the pic, you will understand the Question: When did Lothian move its office on Waverly bridge?

GS SLIDES ZQ 004

Explore Regional Bus Photos' 522552 photos on Flickr!

flic.kr

At a guess I'd say it moved in the early 1980s, well before the Waverley Market shopping precinct opened. The information office space in the photo would be taken by James Thin.
Interesting to see an operational RW Forsyth shop in the background and perhaps white road paint for the bus stop box and presence of LRT branding will help someone date the photo.

 

[JKP]

At a guess I'd say it moved in the early 1980s, well before the Waverley Market shopping precinct opened. The information office space in the photo would be taken by James Thin.
Interesting to see an operational RW Forsyth shop in the background and perhaps white road paint for the bus stop box and presence of LRT branding will help someone date the photo.

The photo must be pre local government reorganisation in 1975 or very soon after as the bus has an Edinburgh crest on the front. I would agree that the office moved in the early 1980s.

 

[DunsBus]

The photo must be pre local government reorganisation in 1975 or very soon after as the bus has an Edinburgh crest on the front. I would agree that the office moved in the early 1980s.

874 was one of seven JSC-E Atlanteans converted from buses to coaches in 1976-77; the crest is the Lothian Regional Council one. The upgraded Atlanteans were replaced by new Atlantean coaches 660-665 in late-1981.