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

[mb88]

Did EVE used to issue change on their services? And if so have they now reverted to exact fare as per the rest of the Lothian group?

 

[Bus9120UK]

Did EVE used to issue change on their services? And if so have they now reverted to exact fare as per the rest of the Lothian group?

The former Eve routes 120, 121 and 123 are now operated by East Coast buses so its exact fare. I don't know if they issued change before.

 

[JKP]

The former Eve routes 120, 121 and 123 are now operated by East Coast buses so its exact fare. I don't know if they issued change before.

A backward step for a rural bus operation. Presumably there is a fare box as well? Hopefully fares are prominently displayed at every bus stop.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

A backward step for a rural bus operation. Presumably there is a fare box as well? Hopefully fares are prominently displayed at every bus stop.

To be fair Prentice haven’t given change for years, so if anything it just ensures consistency across East Lothian. The fact the routes are subsidised tells you a large chunk of its users will be those with free travel. Cash at this point is an inconvenience to most operators so simplifying it as much as possible seems logical. I can’t imagine there were ever many people using cash on these routes even before cash dropped off. Certainly the era of giving change I can’t see lasting much longer in most cases across the industry.

 

[mb88]

Trying to work out from photos of the vehicles if hoppers have been installed. Unable to tell so far.

 

[Lothianbus703]

Trying to work out from photos of the vehicles if hoppers have been installed. Unable to tell so far.

Yes they have and new avls
On 191-3.

 

[Siemens Trains]

I am sure that a minimum capacity would have specified as this is standard with Council contracts, but not vehicle type.

Somehow I doubt Edinburgh Council would stipulate minimum bus capacity in their contracts. There could be all sorts of factors affecting the number of seats on the vehicle so it might become difficult to keep within the letter of the rules. Generally they prefer operators to behave sensibly and ensure capacity suits demand.

 

[Leedsbusman]

Somehow I doubt Edinburgh Council would stipulate minimum bus capacity in their contracts. There could be all sorts of factors affecting the number of seats on the vehicle so it might become difficult to keep within the letter of the rules. Generally they prefer operators to behave sensibly and ensure capacity suits demand.

Seriously? I don’t think I’ve ever seen a contracted bus service without a minimum capacity requirement.

 

[mb88]

Yes they have and new avls
On 191-3.
View attachment 178163

Thank you for that. Did they use ticketer machines previously? If so the wayfarer is a bit of a downgrade.

 

[oldman]

For younger readers, the Decca Records reference refers to a certain band from Liverpool, the Beatles, who were rejected by that record label in 1962 as it saw no future for guitar-based bands.
So they signed to Apple Records instead and the rest is history

For the record they signed to EMI (Parlophone) in 1962. Apple was later.

 

[Lothianbus703]

I have been reading the bus 2020 leaflet and what was the batch of 80 vehicles supposedly to be bought in 2020?

https://www.lothianbuses.com/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/190124%20Bus2020%20Strategy.pdf

 

[DunsBus]

For the record they signed to EMI (Parlophone) in 1962. Apple was later.

Happy to be corrected.

 

[ScotRail158725]

I have been reading the bus 2020 leaflet and what was the batch of 80 vehicles supposedly to be bought in 2020?

View attachment 178186

https://www.lothianbuses.com/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/190124%20Bus2020%20Strategy.pdf

601-698

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

I have been reading the bus 2020 leaflet and what was the batch of 80 vehicles supposedly to be bought in 2020?

View attachment 178186

https://www.lothianbuses.com/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/190124%20Bus2020%20Strategy.pdf

The E400MMC Volvo B5TLs where purchased in 2020 and built by Spring 2021

 

[VioletEclipse]

How many of 701-750 are still not in service yet, as far as I can tell most of them are in service but I haven't been keeping up too closely in recent weeks.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

How many of 701-750 are still not in service yet, as far as I can tell most of them are in service but I haven't been keeping up too closely in recent weeks.

16 left, some of which were delivered weeks ago so are probably receiving mods somewhere. The AVL’s were all reset some weeks back which means a lot of the new ones that have yet to be used in service now don’t work disappointingly.

 

[ScotRail158725]

Fire crews in attendance to 589 at Waverley steps, looks like a brake or axle fire only?

 

[danielhogg2005]

Has there been any new info or updates on Lothian supposedly running the Scottish Citylink M90 & M92 routes?

 

[Graeme Duncan]

951-960 have been operating on Service 21 lately.

 

[Resuwen]

Looks like 944 SN10DKV may have been withdrawn - parked up at Marine with the 84X batch for more than a week now

 

[Bus9120UK]

Looks like 944 SN10DKV may have been withdrawn - parked up at Marine with the 84X batch for more than a week now

It was only moved there on Saturday, though I was awaiting photographic confirmation of it being parked there.

 

[ScotRail158725]

671 moved from Central to Longstone

 

[Resuwen]

197 and 198 are running route 121 today, looks like 192 and 193 may be off for repainting - they’re at Seafield

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

197 and 198 are running route 121 today, looks like 192 and 193 may be off for repainting - they’re at Seafield

They’re not at Seafield. They’re at Marine.

 

[Graeme Duncan]

The BZL,S Have not been on Service 23 in recent weeks . Is it due to the steep hill at Craighouse Road.

 

[Resuwen]

They’re not at Seafield. They’re at Marine.

Apologies, a misread of the tracking map.

They’re absent from normal service in any case.

 

[scosutsut]

Just got 198 on the 121, presumably putting to bed any potential "it won't fit" wibble.

It was complete overkill for a passenger load of 5 however but shows they have the flexibility of running larger vehicles on it when required like now.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Just got 198 on the 121, presumably putting to bed any potential "it won't fit" wibble.

It was complete overkill for a passenger load of 5 however but shows they have the flexibility of running larger vehicles on it when required like now.

There’s been an Eclipse3 on the 120 the past couple of days as well. Of course it fits but certainly it’d be interesting. Certainly regardless its complete overkill but as you say, if it does the job it’s better than nothing.

 

[computerSaysNo]

It was complete overkill for a passenger load of 5 however but shows they have the flexibility of running larger vehicles on it when required like now.

I've taken the 120 a few times since the introduction of the B7RLE vehicles and both times it was much busier than I had expected; there must have been easily about 12-15 people on at once with a lot of people making short rural journeys too. Is it just this busy due to it being coming up for summer (and good weather)?

Also, some thoughts on the B7RLE/Urban 2s: they seem to be very well suited mechanically to the route 120; they offer very good acceleration when desired, and the 4-speed gearbox seems very well suited.

Separate post: can I buy a ticket which works for a return journey on Airlink and does the Edinburgh Bus Tours as well? I can't seem to find out from looking at the website.

 

[FP transport v]

Bus 906 has made it out into service on the 25 today as seen below. I believe it replaced bus 403