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

[ScotRail158725]

Id love a terminus outside my house. First pick of the seats!

At the terminus depending what route though.

Although I think Firsts 63 offering will perk up in better conditions.

Agreed, the Balerno extension will be used on The Gyle Centre and offices around Edinburgh Park open again

 

[VioletEclipse]

Surely they wouldn't wait till March next year surely

that's exactly what we said with the XLBs two years ago ahah

 

[Lothiangem22]

that's exactly what we said with the XLBs two years ago ahah

I can’t see them waiting till March - that’s a long time to be sitting on a new fleet which with the 30’s, the extra capacity is very much needed! There is regularly 30’s running at full seated capacity at all times of the day.
As these are a new type for Lothian there must be processes in place prior to acceptance.

 

[VioletEclipse]

I can’t see them waiting till March - that’s a long time to be sitting on a new fleet which with the 30’s, the extra capacity is very much needed! There is regularly 30’s running at full seated capacity at all times of the day.
As these are a new type for Lothian there must be processes in place prior to acceptance.

You would hope so
Although yeah it's unlikely they'll keep them all off the road till March

 

[OmniCity999]

I can’t see them waiting till March - that’s a long time to be sitting on a new fleet which with the 30’s, the extra capacity is very much needed! There is regularly 30’s running at full seated capacity at all times of the day.
As these are a new type for Lothian there must be processes in place prior to acceptance.

You would hope so
Although yeah it's unlikely they'll keep them all off the road till March

We're not necessarily "sitting on a new fleet" theres around 5 in the UK and even less in Scotland!

It's almost as if buying from a manufacturer in Egypt is a bad idea!

They'll be introduced in service as a group.

 

[CN04NRJ]

We're not necessarily "sitting on a new fleet" theres around 5 in the UK and even less in Scotland!

It's almost as if buying from a manufacturer in Egypt is a bad idea!

They'll be introduced in service as a group.

Do you know if the remaining 25 are fully built and if so are they in transit or sat on a dock in Egypt or if there's some awaiting completion?

Noticed a few of the 60 plate B7RLEs have turned up at Longstone (at least 174/175 and also 170) - wonder if these are just a flying visit or extra single decks for the time being because they are certainly needed. I think it's fair to say the 7900s are slightly troublesome at the best of times.

 

[OmniCity999]

Do you know if the remaining 25 are fully built and if so are they in transit or sat on a dock in Egypt or if there's some awaiting completion?

Noticed a few of the 60 plate B7RLEs have turned up at Longstone (at least 174/175 and also 170) - wonder if these are just a flying visit or extra single decks for the time being because they are certainly needed. I think it's fair to say the 7900s are slightly troublesome at the best of times.

I believe 170-175 are being looked into for the possibility of conversion to driver trainers. (enthusiasts dont get your hopes up or take this as definite. It's currently being investigated)

Although Longstone will be getting some of the B7RLE's back as a stop-gap - it may be the case that if 170-175 are to be driver trainers, they will cover service duties until B8RLE's arrive.

Im led to believe most of the B8RLE's are complete but wont travel over until they are all complete. Theres a handful in the UK, i think 1 with us and 1 at Volvo Broxburn.

 

[CN04NRJ]

I believe 170-175 are being looked into for the possibility of conversion to driver trainers. (enthusiasts dont get your hopes up or take this as definite. It's currently being investigated)

Although Longstone will be getting some of the B7RLE's back as a stop-gap - it may be the case that if 170-175 are to be driver trainers, they will cover service duties until B8RLE's arrive.

Im led to believe most of the B8RLE's are complete but wont travel over until they are all complete. Theres a handful in the UK, i think 1 with us and 1 at Volvo Broxburn.

Good to hear that they forsee a potential need for driver training vehicles in the near/medium future - although as you say it may not happen it's cautiously welcome news in these uncertain times.

As for the B8RLEs, all being well, a December entry into service is looking possible?

 

[OmniCity999]

Good to hear that they forsee a potential need for driver training vehicles in the near/medium future - although as you say it may not happen it's cautiously welcome news in these uncertain times.

As for the B8RLEs, all being well, a December entry into service is looking possible?

The company prefers to maintain its own training operations.

January i'd say - Although the temptation may be to wait until March.

 

[CN04NRJ]

The company prefers to maintain its own training operations.

January i'd say - Although the temptation may be to wait until March.

Oh yes - couldn't ever see them outsourcing it myself. I was more reflecting on the fact they see a need to recruit drivers in the near future as opposed to reduce numbers as some companies in other parts of the UK are doing.

Obviously that comes at a cost to the company but its a relief for existing drivers like me (and training school staff along with everyone associated with recruitment) worried about what the future holds.

 

[OmniCity999]

Oh yes - couldn't ever see them outsourcing it myself. I was more reflecting on the fact they see a need to recruit drivers in the near future as opposed to reduce numbers as some companies in other parts of the UK are doing.

Obviously that comes at a cost to the company but its a relief for existing drivers like me (and training school staff along with everyone associated with recruitment) worried about what the future holds.

Its handy having training buses branded up, their useful for route training or familiarisation compared to a bus in L plates or with "Route Training" etc on the screens.

I'd say they'd get decent use even in the quietest of times. Not ideal but if their sitting around, they can be used for driver shuttles etc too.

 

[mb88]

Lothian Country have taken on a new contract with Amazon which will operate from Edinburgh to Stirling via Dunfermline. I'm afraid I don't have any details about start dates or anything, but what I can say is that an Airlink XLB put in an appearance at Livingston depot today for driver familiarisation.

 

[Bus9120UK]

Lothian Country have taken on a new contract with Amazon which will operate from Edinburgh to Stirling via Dunfermline. I'm afraid I don't have any details about start dates or anything, but what I can say is that an Airlink XLB put in an appearance at Livingston depot today for driver familiarisation.

This sounds interesting, is there any evidence?

 

[mb88]

This sounds interesting, is there any evidence?

Not sure what evidence I could provide to be honest, other than to say I work at Lothian Country and it is common knowledge at the depot. Just been confirmed to me that it is actually 2 separate runs, Stirling to Dunfermline and Edinburgh to Dunfermline and that Livingston depot will cover the Stirling service with Central doing the Edinburgh run.

 

[Bus9120UK]

Not sure what evidence I could provide to be honest, other than to say I work at Lothian Country and it is common knowledge at the depot. Just been confirmed to me that it is actually 2 separate runs, Stirling to Dunfermline and Edinburgh to Dunfermline and that Livingston depot will cover the Stirling service with Central doing the Edinburgh run.

Ah Okay. That sounds interesting, but a long deadrun between Livingston depot and Stirling / Dunfermline?

 

[mb88]

Ah Okay. That sounds interesting, but a long deadrun between Livingston depot and Stirling / Dunfermline?

Yes indeed. Good to see that the company is branching out and taking on other work.

 

[ScotRail158725]

Yes indeed. Good to see that the company is branching out and taking on other work.

definately

 

[OmniCity999]

Lothian Country have taken on a new contract with Amazon which will operate from Edinburgh to Stirling via Dunfermline. I'm afraid I don't have any details about start dates or anything, but what I can say is that an Airlink XLB put in an appearance at Livingston depot today for driver familiarisation.

i would have thought this would have went to Motorcoaches, so they had an actual income coming in...

 

[mb88]

i would have thought this would have went to Motorcoaches, so they had an actual income coming in...

Yeah I must admit that was my first thought as well.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Lothian Country have taken on a new contract with Amazon which will operate from Edinburgh to Stirling via Dunfermline. I'm afraid I don't have any details about start dates or anything, but what I can say is that an Airlink XLB put in an appearance at Livingston depot today for driver familiarisation.

So if I’m correct will this mean Lothian will finally break out of their region and operate further beyond? A service into Fife and Falkirk area? That is surreal

 

[mb88]

So if I’m correct will this mean Lothian will finally break out of their region and operate further beyond? a service into Fife and Falkirk area? That is surreal

Yes however it is a private contract not a public service.

 

[overthewater]

The contract for Stirling should be going Via Falkirk, it did the last time

So if I’m correct will this mean Lothian will finally break out of their region and operate further beyond? a service into Fife and Falkirk area? That is surreal

Lothian has operated outside it's area before, I'm sure there was a service to Fife around 20 years ago.

 

[Bus9120UK]

The contract for Stirling should be going Via Falkirk, it did the last time

I am pretty sure the point is so Amazon Staff can catch a bus to and from Edinburgh / Stirling. Amazon is based in Dunfermline. Operating through Falkirk ruins the point.

 

[DunsBus]

The contract for Stirling should be going Via Falkirk, it did the last time




NOT for the first time.. Lothian has operated outside Lothian before, im sure there was a service to Fife once about 20 years ago, nothing special per say.

That was the X99, the Deep Sea World express. Four return journeys per day, two of which extended to/from Dunfermline.

Not forgetting of course the Edinburgh-Blackpool & Morecambe expresses which LRT ran for many years during the summer, the Gyle Centre contracts which took LRT out to Dunbar and into the Borders, and the Classic Tour operations in Cambridge, Oxford and York.

And if we can really be pedantic, there was the pre-deregulation 48/49 circle and the jointly run with Eastern Scottish service 61 out to Balerno, all of which took LRT buses beyond the city boundary. Then there was deregulation itself!

As you say, nothing new - it's happened before.

 

[overthewater]

I am pretty sure the point is so Amazon Staff can catch a bus to and from Edinburgh / Stirling. Amazon is based in Dunfermline. Operating through Falkirk ruins the point.

Then you have no idea about the Amazon contracts. Your just ignoring what its been doing for years. It should be going via Falkirk at some stage.

 

[ainsworth74]

Enough. This thread will be tidied and then reopened in due course.

In the meantime I'd remind everyone to use the report function to bring things to our attention and also the Forum Rules in particular those under respectful.

 

[ainsworth74]

This thread has been reopened. The Bus Section Moderators and myself would strongly encourage everyone to keep the Forum Rules in mind when making further contributions to this thread. In the event of further issues we will take action without any further warning.

 

[Siemens Trains]

the jointly run with Eastern Scottish service 61 out to Balerno, all of which took LRT buses beyond the city boundary.

I think it was the 'former' city boundary by the time the 61 was introduced in 1978. Currie and Balerno having been shifted from Midlothian into Edinburgh District Council for admin purposes in the mid-1970s. But certainly a rare move, and of course accompanied by what most folk considered astronomical fares.
Don't suppose you know the history of the Village Link 51 service by any chance? I think it was an LRT service between Currie and Newbridge.

 

[OmniCity999]

Yeah I must admit that was my first thought as well.

Its all part of a wider plan methinks.

Make Lothian Country look viable so they can continue for a longer time, put Motorcoaches in a position where its dormant or shut it down and save a lot of money.

I wouldnt be surprised if when the Green Arrow coaches were used for rail replacements, it was Lothian Country that got the profits.

 

[Swanny200]

Its all part of a wider plan methinks.

Make Lothian Country look viable so they can continue for a longer time, put Motorcoaches in a position where its dormant or shut it down and save a lot of money.

I wouldnt be surprised if when the Green Arrow coaches were used for rail replacements, it was Lothian Country that got the profits.

Seems a big amount of outlay that they put out for Motorcoaches, anyone got a rough idea how much they spent on Newbridge, the coaches themselves and staff. I haven't been up to speed on that side of it, I am assuming Newbridge is now gone?