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

[VioletEclipse]

Took this one of the 400 earlier at Gyle Centre (sorry not very clear).

There won't be that many photos which include both a HCL bus on the 68 and a service 400, with less than a year of overlap.

 

[stevenedin]

There won't be that many photos which include both a HCL bus on the 68 and a service 400, with less than a year of overlap.

That's true

 

[megabusser]

Sorry read it on the news somewhere.

I assume you're thinking of this - https://lellep.xyz/blog/edinburgh-bus-stop-analysis.html

 

[Bus9120UK]

Considering tomorrow is the official start date for ECB on the 120,121,123, do we have any idea what will be operating and if the E200MMC have or will be repainted / re-decaled for entry tmrw

The Enviro 200MMCs will receive new logos and fleet numbers for tomorrow. E24 is already done and is now 192.

 

[ecb124]

The Enviro 200MMCs will receive new logos and fleet numbers for tomorrow. E24 is already done and is now 192.

Any idea what's planned for the rest of the eve service fleet?

 

[stevenedin]

According to this page, this is the current EVE fleet list

Fleet List Q4 2024 - Lothian Buses

Lothian Buses - Local bus services in and around Edinburgh

www.lothianbuses.com

I can see the coaches moving into the 9XXX range and possibly 96-100, 170?-171, 173-175 & 191-194 being used.

Caught a 26 at Shandwick Place to Tranent as well.

 

[alexf380]

Any idea what's planned for the rest of the eve service fleet?

The three Enviros and 197-199, the Volvos moved up to Dunbar earlier.

 

[ecb124]

The three Enviros and 197-199, the Volvos moved up to Dunbar earlier.

That's a bit pants, basically garuntees a random assortment of b8s and b7s on the X7.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

That's a bit pants, basically garuntees a random assortment of b8s and b7s on the X7.

Not necessarily. I believe 197-199 are for the 120.

What should become 191-193 (the 3 former Eve E200mmc’s) should be for the 121 and 123, also doing the 120 on a Sunday.

The Eclipse3’s should be doing the X5 and X7 with the 106 converted to Deckers.

 

[ecb124]

Not necessarily. I believe 197-199 are for the 120.

What should become 191-193 (the 3 former Eve E200mmc’s) should be for the 121 and 123, also doing the 120 on a Sunday.

The Eclipse3’s should be doing the X5 and X7 with the 106 converted to Deckers.

Ah, that makes more sense. I'm assuming that at some point a few b8s would be moved to the Dunbar depot to cover the morning x7 services that don't have a 107 from musselburgh?

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Ah, that makes more sense. I'm assuming that at some point a few b8s would be moved to the Dunbar depot to cover the morning x7 services that don't have a 107 from musselburgh?

This is how the X7 weekday runs will be as of Monday, if what I have worked out is correct:

Dunbar Starts

0425 finishes Dunbar 1741
0550 finishes Musselburgh 2326 (as 107)
0615 finishes Dunbar 2246
0655 finishes Dunbar 2346
0749 finishes Dunbar 0016
0947 finishes Musselburgh 2055 (as 107)

Musselburgh Starts (as 107)

0420 finishes Musselburgh 2000 (as 107)
0527 finishes Musselburgh 0016 (as 107)
0601 finishes Dunbar 2048
0700 finishes Dunbar 0046

Therefore 2 vehicles should swap each way between Musselburgh and Dunbar.

 

[ecb124]

This is how the X7 weekday runs will be as of Monday, if what I have worked out is correct:

Dunbar Starts

0425 finishes Dunbar 1741
0550 finishes Musselburgh 2326 (as 107)
0615 finishes Dunbar 2246
0655 finishes Dunbar 2346
0749 finishes Dunbar 0016
0947 finishes Musselburgh 2055 (as 107)

Musselburgh Starts (as 107)

0420 finishes Musselburgh 2000 (as 107)
0527 finishes Musselburgh 0016 (as 107)
0601 finishes Dunbar 2048
0700 finishes Dunbar 0046

Therefore 2 vehicles should swap each way between Musselburgh and Dunbar.

That's brilliant, makes a lot of sense, thanks!

 

[VioletEclipse]

I assume you're thinking of this - https://lellep.xyz/blog/edinburgh-bus-stop-analysis.html

thank you!

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

That's brilliant, makes a lot of sense, thanks!

No problem. For what it’s worth, I think in time when driver resources at Dunbar allow, the X7 will be based out of there completely and the 107 will be withdrawn. At the moment, it’s not quite there and operationally it allows the Eclipse3’s to be swapped. If it were moved to Dunbar these would need to be done at The Jewel with driver swaps instead of a van.

197-199 if I’m correct should be permanently based at Dunbar with the X7 vehicles still Musselburgh based with Dunbar treated as an outstation for the purposes of the X7 only - a bit like the X5 and 124 from North Berwick.

Speaking of North Berwick, I still worry for its future. One to watch. Its purpose has changed somewhat, no longer supplying its sole X7.

 

[ecb124]

No problem. For what it’s worth, I think in time when driver resources at Dunbar allow, the X7 will be based out of there completely and the 107 will be withdrawn. At the moment, it’s not quite there and operationally it allows the Eclipse3’s to be swapped. If it were moved to Dunbar these would need to be done at The Jewel with driver swaps instead of a van.

That would make sense, it's a pretty large site with a decent amount of space for staff. The 107 has always been a bit of a weird one and I can't say I've seen much passenger uptake on it.

197-199 if I’m correct should be permanently based at Dunbar with the X7 vehicles still Musselburgh based with Dunbar treated as an outstation for the purposes of the X7 only - a bit like the X5 and 124 from North Berwick.

It does make for a more standard fleet there if the b7s are permanent and the b8s are still musselburgh based, Lothian do love a bit of fleet standardisation.

Speaking of North Berwick, I still worry for its future. One to watch. Its purpose has changed somewhat, no longer supplying its sole X7.

NB has always been a weird depot for me, I guess only time will tell, same goes for allocations at Dunbar I guess.

 

[LothianBusesPh]

North Berwick retains an X7 board.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

North Berwick retains an X7 board.

Don’t think it does. North Berwick lost its X7 vehicle (54) earlier on and is now at Musselburgh having ran dead to do that before going onto a Musselburgh based X7. Wasn’t normally needed at the weekend anyway but if it were needed for Monday I’m sure it would have been staying.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

That would make sense, it's a pretty large site with a decent amount of space for staff. The 107 has always been a bit of a weird one and I can't say I've seen much passenger uptake on it.

Since it stands, it's purpose now is still to maintain local links very early and late in the day, it provides the early morning journeys between Musselburgh and Haddington before the 106 runs, and runs beyond Dunbar after 10pm to give Haddington a link, with an extension beyond to Musselburgh. it's also the only other service that Macmerry and Glasdsmuir now have besides the 106 and peak X6, it might not be overly popular but it has a purpose.

 

[Lx008]

The Enviro 200MMCs will receive new logos and fleet numbers for tomorrow. E24 is already done and is now 192.

Do we think they will get tracking?

 

[Blindtraveler]

I still think they'll be sold while they are still in good condition for the purposes of fleet standardisation. And before anyone comes back at me and points out that they are well suited to the roots they run. I agree for the most part, but I suspect that such a Volvo heavy operation as The wider East coast buses. Is that anything non-standard will quickly be looking for a new home even if it means purchasing second hand?

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

I still think they'll be sold while they are still in good condition for the purposes of fleet standardisation. And before anyone comes back at me and points out that they are well suited to the roots they run. I agree for the most part, but I suspect that such a Volvo heavy operation as The wider East coast buses. Is that anything non-standard will quickly be looking for a new home even if it means purchasing second hand?

If this did happen, it won’t be for a while.

Heavy buses are no good at the 121 or 123 though. Small Evora’s would be the biggest you’d get away with.

 

[nick291]

Random question but is 1076(SJ19 OWO) still on fleet? Wasn't appearing on Bustimes.org last night so may have been sent elsewhere. It's a Volvo B8L with Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 XLB Bodywork.

 

[ecb124]

Random question but is 1076(SJ19 OWO) still on fleet? Wasn't appearing on Bustimes.org last night so may have been sent elsewhere. It's a Volvo B8L with Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 XLB Bodywork.

Was damaged in a fire in 2020, has been donated to the risk factory

Further to last month's report, Alexander Dennis Enviro400XLB-bodied Volvo B8L tri-axle 1076 (SJ19 OWO), which sustained fire damage in October 2020, was donated to The Risk Factory in Edinburgh to help promote road safety awareness among schoolchildren. https://www.keybuses.com/article/sc...rt,road safety awareness among schoolchildren.

 

[nick291]

Was damaged in a fire in 2020, has been donated to the risk factory

Oh that's a shame, was my favourite bus in the Lothian fleet, but thankyou for sharing.

 

[ScotRail158725]

Oh that's a shame, was my favourite bus in the Lothian fleet, but thankyou for sharing.

cant have been that much of a favourite if you’ve not noticed its been gone 5 years

 

[DunsBus]

cant have been that much of s favourite if you’ve not noticed its been gone 5 years

...and you win the "Post of the Day" award.

 

[CSB0241]

Considering tomorrow is the official start date for ECB on the 120,121,123, do we have any idea what will be operating and if the E200MMC have or will be repainted / re-decaled for entry tmrw

More importantly, will they have actual love tracking?

On Friday evening (around 1730) I went to the Eves depot & saw YX70OHH (E24) has had it’s Eve logos removed & replaced with ECB ones. Fleet numbers now 192, & it’s ticketer has been replaced with a standard Lothian wayfarer. E23 & E26 are now 191 & 193 if I’m not mistaken.

Hopefully folk will get some snaps of the 200/400 on its last day and the 26 to Tranent, curious what the final passenger numbers are like

I of course knew that it was the last day of the Tranent 26 & 200/400, & thus made the logical decision to go on the 14 for an hour. I can confirm passenger numbers were average for the 14.

 

[ecb124]

On Friday evening (around 1730) I went to the Eves depot & saw YX70OHH (E24) has had it’s Eve logos removed & replaced with ECB ones. Fleet numbers now 192, & it’s ticketer has been replaced with a standard Lothian wayfarer. E23 & E26 are now 191 & 193 if I’m not mistaken.

Wayfarers on a 200mmc, can't be many other operators with that.

 

[Resuwen]

192 and 193 operating the 121 service today

 

[Lx008]

Any images of 191/192/193?