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

[CN04NRJ]

VOSA still shows it as SORN, but now under its original registration (BF60VHX).

I was just joking as it's one of the subjects on repeat in these threads but I didn't know it had been re-registered - thanks.

 

[DunsBus]

I was just joking as it's one of the subjects on repeat in these threads but I didn't know it had been re-registered - thanks.

I suspect this will have happened when it was broken up at Dalton's, in order to retain the cherished plate.

Can we now safely say that this is the final word on 1029?

 

[scosutsut]

I suspect this will have happened when it was broken up at Dalton's, in order to retain the cherished plate.

Can we now safely say that this is the final word on 1029?

There was a discussion a while back that it had become an organ donor, giving its face so another could live. I have in my head that it was one of the 3xx batch?

 

[DunsBus]

There was a discussion a while back that it had become an organ donor, giving its face so another could live. I have in my head that it was one of the 3xx batch?

Indeed, it was 302 which got 1029's front dash.

 

[scosutsut]

Indeed, it was 302 which got 1029's front dash.

Which means 302 started with a Wright grille, had it purposefully removed by the company, and now has had it returned, courtesy of 1029!

 

[Weemidi135]

I've also had problems using my staff pass on LCB services when not in uniform - I'm often greeted with 'you can't use that here' or 'how far are you going? Bathgate? Nah you can't use a ridacard to Bathgate'. Always amusing when I scan it anyway and it comes up as staff - never had any issues using ECB though.

this is because we have to ask where you are going except the 43 our machines are set up differently to ECBs

I suspect this will have happened when it was broken up at Dalton's, in order to retain the cherished plate.

Can we now safely say that this is the final word on 1029?

no because it’s not the case

 

[CN04NRJ]

this is because we have to ask where you are going except the 43 our machines are set up differently to ECBs

I know, but it's an instant 'no you can't' from a few drivers before I've even had a chance to speak or present the pass on the machine. Some really quite rude indeed.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

So it’s been almost 6 weeks since the last service change, I’m guessing there’s no chance of one for late october, maybe November?

*The 15 has yet to return to Penicuik/Eastfield
*The 67 has yet to be reintroduced
*300 still hourly and not running to Cameron Toll
* X24 not running during the weekdays peaktime
*275 not extended back to the gyle
*X38/EX2 has yet to be reintroduced (although that has been discussed many times before)
*N14/N35/N49/N106/N124 has yet to be reintroduced
*Missing express services (X44) City-Balerno

 

[overthewater]

Im sure it has nothing to do with the current lockdown we are going though right now, Strange how the 300 hasn't gone back to normal.. its not like there is a lack of flights.

AS said before, Many of the offices in Gyle area are shut until next year, * not all some. while the Airport has seen a dramatic cut in usage, with most passenger able to use service 35 or 36 to cover their journeys.

The majority of the services you have listed are stick in limbo until we can get into phrase 4.

 

[DunsBus]

Im sure it has nothing to do with the current lockdown we are going though right now, Strange how the 300 hasn't gone back to normal.. its not like there is a lack of flights.

AS said before, Many of the offices in Gyle area are shut until next year, * not all some. while the Airport has seen a dramatic cut in usage, with most passenger able to use service 35 or 36 to cover their journeys.

The majority of the services you have listed are stick in limbo until we can get into phrase 4.

True, there's no shortage of flights, but we are all being advised against flying whilst covid is still at large. Bear in mind too that the Newington section of the 300 serves a number of hotels and guest houses, all of which are subject to the current restrictions - and with a distinct lack of tourists, there's no point running it beyond Surgeons' Hall just now if the market isn't there.

With regards to the EX2 and X38, these services have been discussed further up the thread. It's been established that they won't be returning once things get back to normal.

 

[Weemidi135]

I know, but it's an instant 'no you can't' from a few drivers before I've even had a chance to speak or present the pass on the machine. Some really quite rude indeed.

Fair enough can’t help the bad apples

True, there's no shortage of flights, but we are all being advised against flying whilst the "unwanted Chinese takeaway" is still at large. Bear in mind too that the Newington section of the 300 serves a number of hotels and guest houses, all of which are subject to the current restrictions - and with a distinct lack of tourists, there's no point running it beyond Surgeons' Hall just now if the market isn't there.

With regards to the EX2 and X38, these services have been discussed further up the thread. It's been established that they won't be returning once things get back to normal.

Established by who that’s the X38 and EX2 ain’t coming back ????

 

[CN04NRJ]

True, there's no shortage of flights, but we are all being advised against flying whilst covid is still at large. Bear in mind too that the Newington section of the 300 serves a number of hotels and guest houses, all of which are subject to the current restrictions - and with a distinct lack of tourists, there's no point running it beyond Surgeons' Hall just now if the market isn't there.

With regards to the EX2 and X38, these services have been discussed further up the thread. It's been established that they won't be returning once things get back to normal.

They're still registered, are they not? Just suspended for now.

 

[Jordan Adam]

True, there's no shortage of flights, but we are all being advised against flying whilst covid is still at large. Bear in mind too that the Newington section of the 300 serves a number of hotels and guest houses, all of which are subject to the current restrictions - and with a distinct lack of tourists, there's no point running it beyond Surgeons' Hall just now if the market isn't there.

Agree, the 300 still being reduced is no surprise. Same with any Airport service, i think the only frequent Airport route in Scotland back to normal frequency is Aberdeen's 727, albeit it also doubles as a local service. Whereas the likes of the Airlink 100, 747 (Fife), X90 (Dundee) and 500 (Glasgow) are more dedicated Airport services.

With regards to the EX2 and X38, these services have been discussed further up the thread. It's been established that they won't be returning once things get back to normal.

Indeed, no point discussing those unless anything new comes out about them as anything that needs to be said likely already has.

So it’s been almost 6 weeks since the last service change, I’m guessing there’s no chance of one for late october, maybe November?

*The 15 has yet to return to Penicuik/Eastfield
*The 67 has yet to be reintroduced
*300 still hourly and not running to Cameron Toll
* X24 not running during the weekdays peaktime
*275 not extended back to the gyle
*X38/EX2 has yet to be reintroduced (although that has been discussed many times before)
*N14/N35/N49/N106/N124 has yet to be reintroduced
*Missing express services (X44) City-Balerno

The 67 is covered by the 37/47.

Peak Extras not being back makes sense as Pre-Covid peak passenger numbers are still down. The busiest time of day for buses just now is off-peak.

275 not being extended back surprises me as it still could've served a purpose for workers, i suspect many will have found other arrangements now. Either using the car or switching to first services.

 

[Jordan Adam]

They're still registered, are they not? Just suspended for now.

Hard to say, the online website has been quite slow with updating of late. So even if they are showing as registered it doesn't mean they actually are.

 

[computerSaysNo]

So it’s been almost 6 weeks since the last service change, I’m guessing there’s no chance of one for late october, maybe November?

*The 15 has yet to return to Penicuik/Eastfield
*The 67 has yet to be reintroduced
*300 still hourly and not running to Cameron Toll
* X24 not running during the weekdays peaktime
*275 not extended back to the gyle
*X38/EX2 has yet to be reintroduced (although that has been discussed many times before)
*N14/N35/N49/N106/N124 has yet to be reintroduced
*Missing express services (X44) City-Balerno

Where did the X24 run? I can't picture it.
The X25 is still to return too I believe.

I took the 100 from St Andrew Square to the airport and return yesterday as I had some work stuff to drop off. On both journeys I was the only one on the bus between Drum Brae South and the airport. On the outward there were 2 other people on at St Andrew Square and one joined at Shandwick Place; they alighted at the Zoo and at Drum Brae. On the return someone joined at the Zoo and alighted at Shandwick Place. I spoke to the driver at the airport and they said all the journeys had been as quiet as that. I really can't see the Airlink continuing at its current frequency for very much longer at all, I'd guess it would go down to every 15 minutes soon, possibly every 20 minutes after that if passenger numbers don't pick up.
I know the 100 is an "airport contract" but who takes the losses if it doesn't make money?

 

[overthewater]

The Airport, any money made goes to the Airport and losses made goes to the airport. It why Lothian can get new stock in every few years as it can be off set on the tender.

Hard to say, the online website has been quite slow with updating of late. So even if they are showing as registered it doesn't mean they actually are.

We have two months until the current rules run out? So if they do not return on the 1st week of jan 2021 there gone for another 90 days at least?

 

[Lothian_Bus]

Where did the X24 run? I can't picture it.
The X25 is still to return too I believe.

The X24 is an express version of the ECB 124.

 

[computerSaysNo]

The X24 is an express version of the ECB 124.

Ah yes of course, duh I had in my head that it was an express version of the city 24, but I knew that wasn't right!

 

[CN04NRJ]

Is there any news on how deliveries are proceeding for the new MCVs and any expected rough date they may enter service?

 

[Lothiangem22]

Is there any news on how deliveries are proceeding for the new MCVs and any expected rough date they may enter service?

As far as I know all vehicles have made it across from Egypt though exactly where they are I’m unsure! I’ve been past seafield today and there was nothing in the yard except a B7 and old route master. It certainly doesn’t seem they are going to enter service this month unfortunately.

 

[CN04NRJ]

As far as I know all vehicles have made it across from Egypt though exactly where they are I’m unsure! I’ve been past seafield today and there was nothing in the yard except a B7 and old route master. It certainly doesn’t seem they are going to enter service this month unfortunately.

I wonder if they'll trickle into service a few at a time or it'll just be an overnight changeover from 7900s to B8RLEs.

 

[OmniCity999]

As far as I know all vehicles have made it across from Egypt though exactly where they are I’m unsure! I’ve been past seafield today and there was nothing in the yard except a B7 and old route master. It certainly doesn’t seem they are going to enter service this month unfortunately.

Some down at Volvo some at the Dock.

 

[Lothiangem22]

I wonder if they'll trickle into service a few at a time or it'll just be an overnight changeover from 7900s to B8RLEs.

Sooner the better....!

 

[CN04NRJ]

Sooner the better....!

Agree, especially with more students using the 30 now as their isolation periods ending/weather getting worse so they're using it for shorter journeys the capacity is really needed.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Agree, especially with more students using the 30 now as their isolation periods ending/weather getting worse so they're using it for shorter journeys the capacity is really needed.

If only Lothian had articulated buses!.... I know it's perhaps a unpopular opinion with some but i've always thought the 30 should be artic operated.

 

[Lothiangem22]

If only Lothian had articulated buses!.... I know it's perhaps a unpopular opinion with some but i've always thought the 30 should be artic operated.

It would certainly be someone more interesting and fun to drive! I think part of the gripe is the amount of space a fleet of articulated buses would take up in the depot overnight.

 

[scosutsut]

I personally think the 30 will be rerouted once the road changes for the development beside the QMU are finished and it will go decker as it will be able to avoid Newcraighall.

 

[CN04NRJ]

If only Lothian had articulated buses!.... I know it's perhaps a unpopular opinion with some but i've always thought the 30 should be artic operated.

The Scania N94UAs I drove in Cardiff only had 52 seated but a capacity of 150 - I don't think they'd have any issues navigating the 30. Horrendous fuel consumption and very unreliable, not sure how the Merc/Volvo equivalents compare.

A few places would probably be difficult like the Clovenstone section and the QMU but hypothetically I'm sure they'd be fine with a few road layout adjustments.

They're certainly people munchers, I've had them fully laden (140-150 pax) on 6 nations park and ride services and they're a whole different animal to drive with that much weight on board.

All that's by the by now anyway, I think the new buses with 49 seats work at around a 44% capacity increase on the 7900s - I'll leave it for someone else to work out the overall capacity capacity increase with 6 buses per hour now compared to 5 pre lockdown.

I personally think the 30 will be rerouted once the road changes for the development beside the QMU are finished and it will go decker as it will be able to avoid Newcraighall.

That would be ideal, I think an extra bus per hour to compliment the 106 from Musselburgh through Newcraighall to the Fort would make up for the 30 being rerouted.

 

[computerSaysNo]

That would be ideal, I think an extra bus per hour to compliment the 106 from Musselburgh through Newcraighall to the Fort would make up for the 30 being rerouted.

If the 45 is going back to singles then it could be rerouted to terminate at Fort Kinnard via QM Uni and Newcraighall, and the 30 cut short to terminate at Fort Kinnard so it could then use deckers.

 

[Jordan Adam]

The Scania N94UAs I drove in Cardiff only had 52 seated but a capacity of 150 - I don't think they'd have any issues navigating the 30. Horrendous fuel consumption and very unreliable, not sure how the Merc/Volvo equivalents compare.

A few places would probably be difficult like the Clovenstone section and the QMU but hypothetically I'm sure they'd be fine with a few road layout adjustments.

They're certainly people munchers, I've had them fully laden (140-150 pax) on 6 nations park and ride services and they're a whole different animal to drive with that much weight on board.

All that's by the by now anyway, I think the new buses with 49 seats work at around a 44% capacity increase on the 7900s - I'll leave it for someone else to work out the overall capacity capacity increase with 6 buses per hour now compared to 5 pre lockdown.

In terms of UK Artics the B7LA/Fusion wins by far for capacity, as standard they seat 56 with 99 standees (155 total), however some have been modified with 4 seats being replaced with 3 tip ups meaning you can get 55 seated and 100+ standing brining the total past 160. Citaro Gs for comparison can only carry about 140. The turntable is also further forward than on a Citaro so they're theoretically more manoeuvrable although it also depends on how the front axle is set up. Generally speaking a B7LA can get pretty much anywhere a 12M B7RLE can provided you don't need to reverse.

I agree, the MCVs will bring a welcome increase, with the 1 extra bus per hour overall it should be a increase of 109 seats per hour.