West Coast Motors & Borders Buses

[overthewater]

an Ex Citylink coach has now been sent Border buses from WCM.

 

[overthewater]

It seems that EX Citylink coach YN15 EKF have now also been sent down to the borders for testing on the X95, Stupidly its on the Carlisle to Gala section and not on the Hawick to Edinburgh section which would have made more sense. There alot of traffic on the southern half which would benefit from low floor buses.

Also another 2 2 Optare MetroCity YJ17 FZA/B has joined the fleet so how many Metrocitys is that?

It seems border buses has brought a few of the First Coaches for School work.

According to a facebook group the following first buses are still on loan:

* 20302/7/71,
* 32672/6
* 20326/7
* 65744/7-50

LicenseCopyright All rights reserved by willielove754:

 

[DunsBus]

It seems that EX Citylink coach YN15 EKF have now also been sent down to the borders for testing on the X95, Stupidly its on the Carlisle to Gala section and not on the Hawick to Edinburgh section which would have made more sense. There alot of traffic on the southern half which would benefit from low floor buses.

Also another 2 2 Optare MetroCity YJ17 FZA/B has joined the fleet so how many Metrocitys is that?

It seems border buses has brought a few of the First Coaches for School work.

According to a facebook group the following first buses are still on loan:


LicenseCopyright All rights reserved by willielove754:

20326/7 are the two coaches which have been bought by Borders Buses for school work. All the rest of the loaned First stuff is due to go back by the end of this month.

A new app is due to launch next month, I believe.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I must give the X95 coaches a try. Any ideas what times they usually work anyone?

 

[overthewater]

I must give the X95 coaches a try. Any ideas what times they usually work anyone?

It suppose to operate the X70 so it must do during the day runs on the X95?

 

[DunsBus]

It suppose to operate the X70 so it must do during the day runs on the X95?

Being trialled on the X70 first.

 

[Flying Snail]

It seems that EX Citylink coach YN15 EKF have now also been sent down to the borders for testing on the X95, Stupidly its on the Carlisle to Gala section and not on the Hawick to Edinburgh section which would have made more sense. There alot of traffic on the southern half which would benefit from low floor buses.

This and 3 others have recently been replaced by new Irizars on the Glasgow-Skye route. Presumably the other 3 2015 coaches will be joining this one on the X95.

By my calculation the route needs 5 buses for the Carlisle-Gala portion and 5 for Edinburgh-Hawick so ideally 11 or 12 needed to fully convert the route.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Thanks all for the info. Would someone be good enough to let us know when this starts working X95s?

If all the First vehicles are going back soon does this mean that as well as the collection of Inviros and Metrocitys and Volvos there are some further deckers coming?

 

[Bwsbro]

YJ17FZB does look good in the Red Border Buses Livery

 

[route101]

On a journey of that length a coach would be comfortable , is the x95 split now ?

 

[overthewater]

On a journey of that length a coach would be comfortable , is the x95 split now ?

First bus spilt the route in two last years blaming the trains:

* 1ph: Edinburgh - Gala - Hawick
* 1ph: Carlise - Hawick - Gala
* 2ph: Gala - Hawick.

 

[DunsBus]

First bus spilt the route in two last years blaming the trains:

* 1ph: Edinburgh - Gala - Hawick
* 1ph: Carlise - Hawick - Gala
* 2ph: Gala - Hawick.

One journey does still operate from Edinburgh through to Carlisle, the 1600 ex-Edinburgh on Mondays to Saturdays. This arrives at Carlisle at 1932 and then runs the 2105 Carlisle to Galashiels.

The Sunday service on the X95 had been split at Galashiels for some time prior to last year's changes.

 

[Blindtraveler]

If coaches prove popular then theres an argument for unsplitting it again Id say as they could market it as a viable alternative.

 

[Flying Snail]

If coaches prove popular then theres an argument for unsplitting it again Id say as they could market it as a viable alternative.

The split was because they halved the Galashiels-Edinburgh frequency by stopping the hourly Carlisle buses at Gala. This was the easiest way to keep the 30 min frequency between Gala and Hawick.

I suppose they could re-time the services to run as a through bus and add a separate Gala-Hawick on the half-hour, it might be useful to provide a low floor bus on the short with coaches only on the through bus.

The main problem with competing against the train is the slow journey times in comparison; 50 minutes on the train or 1h30+ on the bus in peak times. First really were rubbish in the region but it was inevitable that the Edinburgh-Gala route would take a hammering when the rail line re-opened. I guess the biggest issue is the traffic in Edinburgh, it is a very slow city to get through and the X95 takes 30 minutes plus to do the 5 miles from the city centre in the peaks.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Central borders needs a low floor service in addition to the coach so doing as you suggest would work.

I know it cannot compete on journeytime but given the transpenine excuse for a service can and regularly does leav full they could do an Everyone Gets A Seat type marketing thing which has been successful for NatX in the past.

 

[overthewater]

The split was because they halved the Galashiels-Edinburgh frequency by stopping the hourly Carlisle buses at Gala. This was the easiest way to keep the 30 min frequency between Gala and Hawick.

I suppose they could re-time the services to run as a through bus and add a separate Gala-Hawick on the half-hour, it might be useful to provide a low floor bus on the short with coaches only on the through bus.

The main problem with competing against the train is the slow journey times in comparison; 50 minutes on the train or 1h30+ on the bus in peak times. First really were rubbish in the region but it was inevitable that the Edinburgh-Gala route would take a hammering when the rail line re-opened. I guess the biggest issue is the traffic in Edinburgh, it is a very slow city to get through and the X95 takes 30 minutes plus to do the 5 miles from the city centre in the peaks.

I can remember when the X95 as able to do it in around just over an hour and that only back 10 years. But the traffic within Edinburgh and the roadworks linked to the new trains never helped. What is surprising is the train now take same amount of time the bus nearly managed years ago.

Who remember the X31? from 17 years ago:#

 

[route101]

I can remember when the X95 as able to do it in around just over an hour and that only back 10 years. But the traffic within Edinburgh and the roadworks linked to the new trains never helped. What is surprising is the train now take same amount of time the bus nearly managed years ago.

Who remember the X31? from 17 years ago:#

Interesting they had a night service back then

 

[overthewater]

Border buses since the start of last monday took over two routes in Berwick area: 267 and 464 after winning the contract


Daveballntyn55 Over on the Yahoo groups postage this very helpful piece:

Noted at Gala depot today were -

First vehicles still on loan

20302,20371,32672,65747*,65749

*65747 was the victim of an accident involving a stolen van in Edinburgh on Friday evening and has sustained heavy damage to the front nearside.


Craig group vehicles at Gala for repair

10722 SK07 HMH E200 (repairs completed)

11207 YX61 EMK E200 Glasgow Citybus vehicle being prepared for repaint

11019 J100WCM Vo Co coach ex FJ60 EFW rear end damage

19904 R300WCM Ds Pn ex V528ESC had been under repair; there is currently an open topper at Borthwick St Boswells for repaint which may be this one.

Borders Buses

11001 BK10 MFP Vo Wt has had repairs completed and currently at Ferrymill for repaint in red cream livery

Also at Ferrymill being repainted are 2 x 2013 Vo B7RLE Wt ex Whitelaw Stonehouse (presume BF62 UYS/T)

10727/8 (ex First 20326/7) YN57 BVZ/WU are still Yellow but will receive white coach livery at some point

20307, 32676, 65744 were noted on Friday still on loan from First

Not seen Solo YJ64 DWD this week.

Noted pictures on Flickr off 2 secondhand Versa for the Berwick operation

11322 YJ13 HHY https://www.flickr.com/photos/cyule...F4j-XUcfes-SGkVNp-XeGD4L-XSXAgA-QCQcWR-QiGVDE

11323 YJ13 HHZ https://www.flickr.com/photos/12707...HBr-TePytQ-Y57Jq8-XBiuCh-YdmDVK-YdmY6x-XMaBaG

both ex Newbury & District

Dave

 

[Volvodart]

http://www.bordertelegraph.com/news/15532077.All_mod_cons_for_Borders_bus_passengers/

A LOCAL bus firm is introducing all mod cons for passengers in the Borders.

Borders Buses are currently trialling the latest high-spec vehicles across a number of popular routes.

As well as introducing airline executive-style seating, USB charging stations, dimmable LED lighting and fold down tables, several of the vehicles have sky roof ceilings and wireless bell pushes.

Feedback from passengers will determine what the future fleet will look like.

Nicola Morrison, director for West Coast Motors, said: “We continuously strive to offer an affordable and comfortable travel option and have been overwhelmed by the level of feedback we have received from our loyal customers.


“Our bus routes are shaped around customer demand, and the next obvious step is to ensure the vehicle types and facilities both on and off-bus also meet with our customers travel requirements and expectations.

“From customer research we recognise comfort, luggage space and the use of technologies such as WiFi and USB charging stations is important, especially on longer distance journeys.

“With this in mind, we are trialling several bus and coach types on key lines of route to establish if those vehicles provide our customers with a compelling alternative to car or rail.”

During the summer Borders Buses - which is owned by West Coast Motors - carried out a series of drop-in sessions and also issued feedback surveys to better understand customers’ travel requirements and make improvements.

Over the past couple of weeks they have trialled a number of their high-spec vehicles, including an Enviro400 City double decker and an Irizar i6 coach.

A full review of all routes is being conducted by Border Buses with more vehicles expected to be tested over the coming weeks and months.

Councillor Gordon Edgar, transport spokesman for Scottish Borders Council, told us: “I’m delighted to hear Borders Buses continues to invest in its fleet, and look forward to seeing these high-spec vehicles in operation across the region.


“This announcement is further proof of West Coast Motors’ commitment to providing an improved bus service for the Borders, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with them to achieve this aim.”

The Enviro400 City vehicle was tested for two weeks on service X62 - Melrose to Edinburgh via Peebles - and X70 - Peebles to Edinburgh - as a demonstrator vehicle on loan from bus manufacturer, Alexander Dennis.

The Enviro400 has airline-style seating, seat backs fitted with wireless bell pushes, USB stations, dimmable LED lights and fold down tables. The spacious upper deck has fixed tables and a sky roof ceiling.

The Irizar i6 is a high-end coach, now owned by Border Buses, which has been operating service X70 - Peebles to Edinburgh - and the Carlisle to Galashiels section of service X95.

It is a low emission coach offering free WiFi and designed for customer comfort .

Border Buses will also be launching a mobile app this month allowing users to access bus times, buy tickets and track their bus using a live tracking system.

To provide feedback on the trial vehicles contact Borders Buses at [email protected]

 

[overthewater]

I wonder what the majority of the customers will go for? A better question has to by is why couldnt First done something like this? there being out done by a small independent local bus company, with fingers in lots of pies.

 

[Volvodart]

I wonder what the majority of the customers will go for? A better question has to by is why couldnt First done something like this? there being out done by a small independent local bus company, with fingers in lots of pies.

They probably got Borders at a very good price, so they can afford to do so.

 

[overthewater]

There is talk border buses are going after the 101-103 Edinburgh to Dumfries route? since the contract is up for renewal.

 

[Blindtraveler]

They would need an outstation and some drivers in Southwest Scotland to make this doable.

I cannot see them getting over stagecoach to be honest.

 

[ian1944]

Are Borders still using the Charlesfield garage, as well as Berwick and ex-First Gala? If so, is it expected that the operation will continue to need all three? With two of them being reasonably close, maybe a third if needed would be better rather closer to Edinburgh.

 

[overthewater]

It seems Border buses have taken over the information desk at Gala bus station.

 

[Volvodart]

Borders Buses are offering a whole network day ticket for £5 from 6 to 26 November 2017.

 

[overthewater]

It also means its cheaper than East cost buses in the Haddington and Dunbar area....

There have also made a nice map:
https://www.bordersbuses.co.uk/images/BBNetworkMap2017.pdf

that's the Image thing no working now, the update just crap isnt.

 

[BlueFox]

It also means its cheaper than East cost buses in the Haddington and Dunbar area....

There have also made a nice map:
https://www.bordersbuses.co.uk/images/BBNetworkMap2017.pdf

that's the Image thing no working now, the update just crap isnt.

If you're trying to add an image and it's not working, either just post the url of the image, or save it to your computer then upload it.

But it looks like in this case you're trying to embed a pdf file as an image. That won't work because pdfs aren't images.

 

[overthewater]

Well that explains that! so thank you!

 

[overthewater]

http://www.bordertelegraph.com/news/15657774.Bus_bursts_into_flames_in_A7_lay_by/?ref=fbshr

Bus in Question: MetroCity 11704 YJ17FWU

A PROBE is under way to determine how a passenger bus burst into flames on Sunday evening.

The Borders Busses vehicle was parked in a lay-by off the A7 near Heriot after suffering a fault just after 7pm.

It is understood the driver reported a smell of burning and requested a replacement vehicle to complete the service journey.

The parked up vehicle was discovered less than an hour later with flames coming from the front end.

A Borders Buses spokesperson said: “We can confirm there was a fire on-board a Borders Buses’ vehicle.

“No-one on was on the vehicle at the time of the fire.

"The vehicle was stationary and out of service.

“An investigation is currently underway to establish the cause of the fire. All other authorities have been notified."

Fire crews from Dalkeith and Musselburgh were rushed to the scene at 8.06pm.

Despite their best efforts the vehicle was almost completely destroyed by the blaze.