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Lothian Buses and ECB Discussion

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CM

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Pretty sure it'd be Scottish Citylink that would get dragged before the TC as I understand it, they actually register their services themselves and then contract them out to operators. So it'd be up to Citylink to deal with Lothian.
 
scotrail158713

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I know that people on here have their criticisms of Lothian and ECB, myself included, but their operations in Musselburgh for the marathon and half marathon yesterday were excellent. The drivers represented their employees excellently. The traffic was nose-to-tail all the way through Musselburgh, with numerous diversions in place, and if I was driving through that for a day I would have lost it - but it seemed as if these drivers had unlimited patience in it.
Massive well done to all involved.
 
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smtglasgow

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Do Lothian drivers get customer care training? Maybe it’s just dealing with all the tourists, but I’ve always thought that Lothian drivers are that bit more patient/polite/helpful/knowledgeable.
 
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route101

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smtglasgow said:
Do Lothian drivers get customer care training? Maybe it’s just dealing with all the tourists, but I’ve always thought that Lothian drivers are that bit more patient/polite/helpful/knowledgeable.
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Yep , never had an angry lothian bus driver , always quiet
 
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Robertj21a

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smtglasgow said:
Do Lothian drivers get customer care training? Maybe it’s just dealing with all the tourists, but I’ve always thought that Lothian drivers are that bit more patient/polite/helpful/knowledgeable.
Click to expand...

They always appear to be some of the best in the area. Just knowing that they are part of a quality operation must also help.
 
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overthewater

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I doubt it, It would seem Lothian are heading for last week in July aswell? Personnel there would be better waiting until September.
 
scotrail158713

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sam120 said:
What’s everyones thoughts on what will happen?
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I doubt it will happen, as I want it to happen at every service change but it never happens, but the 113 might see some kind of improvement. A peak time express would be good, as the current service is painfully slow at this time. It’s so slow that my Mum prefers being wedged into a Scotrail train, which has a good chance of being cancelled, rather than get the bus. The 113 is due some investment - if it hadn’t worked I doubt ECB would exist today.
 
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overthewater

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Auld reekie said:
The No63 is on the agenda to be extended to Balerno.
Whether it happens in July or later in the year I don’t know.
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Is this in place or the uni or extending from the uni which would require one extra bus, I doubt the demand is here for 40min service?
 
FlybeDash8Q400

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Well the 63 normally uses 4 buses (only 3 on the road at one time) so it may be as simple as that 4th bus just being on the road all the time. I can't see a demand for a 40 min service to Balerno either. Unless they have some plan to up it to every 30 mins and extend it hourly to Balerno or something similar then this has a very limited potential. I'd like to see silly things tidied up such as the 3's confusing pattern in Midlothian, the 49 being singles, the 19 having the same frequency throughout the weekend. I think it's likely the 34 and 35 will receive further alterations too either on frequency or route.

I've heard things like the 32, 129 but have doubts they will happen. Mind you ECB seem to be after more drivers than previously. I'd like to see the 140 extended to QMU and FKn when first done it years ago it was successful with loads (the 30 at this point was every 10 mins). The 106 running to the city centre would offer faster journeys to Fort Kinnaird which would be welcomed as well. If the 129 does come to happen then the 29 will surely go down to every 30 mins with the 129 offering the other 2 buses per hour to give a 15 min frequency, not sure this would work tbh. I think we'll see the X5 and X7 enhanced again. The poor old 113 will probably sadly stay as is but an improved Sunday service wouldn't go a miss.

Hopefully the timetables in certain areas get much needed improvement, every day my bus usually shows L:10 - L:15 in the morning.

We'll just have to wait and see though
 
Auld reekie

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FlybeDash8Q400 said:
Well the 63 normally uses 4 buses (only 3 on the road at one time) so it may be as simple as that 4th bus just being on the road all the time. I can't see a demand for a 40 min service to Balerno either. Unless they have some plan to up it to every 30 mins and extend it hourly to Balerno or something similar then this has a very limited potential. I'd like to see silly things tidied up such as the 3's confusing pattern in Midlothian, the 49 being singles, the 19 having the same frequency throughout the weekend. I think it's likely the 34 and 35 will receive further alterations too either on frequency or route.

I've heard things like the 32, 129 but have doubts they will happen. Mind you ECB seem to be after more drivers than previously. I'd like to see the 140 extended to QMU and FKn when first done it years ago it was successful with loads (the 30 at this point was every 10 mins). The 106 running to the city centre would offer faster journeys to Fort Kinnaird which would be welcomed as well. If the 129 does come to happen then the 29 will surely go down to every 30 mins with the 129 offering the other 2 buses per hour to give a 15 min frequency, not sure this would work tbh. I think we'll see the X5 and X7 enhanced again. The poor old 113 will probably sadly stay as is but an improved Sunday service wouldn't go a miss.

Hopefully the timetables in certain areas get much needed improvement, every day my bus usually shows L:10 - L:15 in the morning.

We'll just have to wait and see though
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I can see there would be a benefit for the No63 going to Balerno regardless of the frequency.
It would give a straight connection for passengers to Hermiston Gate and the Gyle.
 
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Edirim

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I'd like the 63 to go to every 30 mins and tie in with the 20 on the A8 section. I think it would be maximum hourly onto Balerno, most likely by just going the 45 route through Currie? Or is there scope to fire a bus out the back of HWU and along past Curriehill station? (new links etc...)

I rather see the 140 extend to Ocean Terminal than the QMU / Fort as this would create new links rather than replication.

The Dalkeith Heights 3's are a bit awkward in the timetable and indeed this area has been a thorn in their side as the access road through the new housing up there didn't get built etc...and the area has been served by the 33, 48, 49 and now 3. Unfortunately, there is no way to link those runs into the 139 or that would be ideal. Instead, I think a new local service might pop up in the Dalkeith area.

The 49 requires additional peak time buses into town in the evenings so I hope they are implemented - perhaps by tagging a working onto the front of an express working.

Regards the 106, I can't see that happening I'm afraid but they I do think might extend it over the Hospital to irk Prentice?

The 29 would be catastrophic at every 30 mins! They would most likely just run the 29 at current timetable back to the old terminus and only serve the Promenade with the "129" if they did re-introduce it.

I'd like to see an X13 tbh...could be done by extending the X44 along past Elphinstone Research Park and out to Pencaitland, even just two runs for now to test the water. The 113 has additional buses on the route at peak but it does need an express paired to it rather than more slow runs.
 
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overthewater

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There need to bring back a fast bus for Tranent mainly down at Waterloo road, IE cut the 26 to every 30mins between Cockenzie to Tranent, have a new faster service from the scheme, maybe linked into the 113 to Wallyford then down the A1.
 
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