Lothian Buses and ECB Discussion

[scotrail158713]

I think the long distance journeys on the X7 make it hard to stay reliable since it does cover over 30 miles! though I suppose with a 30 minute frequency it’s not bad! even so if the 106 had a proper evening service even Musselburgh towards Haddington it would continue making connections like that easy!

Yeah. I can understand why the X7 will run late, due to its length. The frustration is when you miss a 106 due to late running, and that 106 is likely to be trundling along the A199 towards Tranent and Musselburgh trying to keep to its timetable as it left right on half past, with an X7 just a couple of minutes behind.
Before they increased the X7 to every 30 minutes I thought they should’ve had a 106 running Dunbar to Musselburgh hourly - 30 minutes after the X7, thereby creating a half-hourly Dunbar to Haddington service, but also a direct Dunbar to Musselburgh service.

Can only dream! at the very least the nighthawks haven’t had any changes in awhile, i think the N106/N124 are fine but the N113 still needs to cover Pencaitland, I assume it’s popular in Ormiston

I’ve never travelled on the nighthawks yet but I reckon the N113 is popular. ECB clearly thought it would as well, with it being daily since it started.
I think they should trial an extension to Pencaitland for a few months to see how it fairs, even if it’s just Saturday and Sunday mornings initially.

 

[scotrail158713]

Overall I would say ECB do an excellent job. But Ormiston and Pencaitland do feel a bit left out in terms of investment.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Yeah. I can understand why the X7 will run late, due to its length. The frustration is when you miss a 106 due to late running, and that 106 is likely to be trundling along the A199 towards Tranent and Musselburgh trying to keep to its timetable as it left right on half past, with an X7 just a couple of minutes behind.
Before they increased the X7 to every 30 minutes I thought they should’ve had a 106 running Dunbar to Musselburgh hourly - 30 minutes after the X7, thereby creating a half-hourly Dunbar to Haddington service, but also a direct Dunbar to Musselburgh service.


I’ve never travelled on the nighthawks yet but I reckon the N113 is popular. ECB clearly thought it would as well, with it being daily since it started.
I think they should trial an extension to Pencaitland for a few months to see how it fairs, even if it’s just Saturday and Sunday mornings initially.

Honestly that makes more sense, having something direct Dunbar bound would mean less hassle switching over in Haddington. I don’t venture out there often but I usually go with 26-104/106-X7 just to save a few pennies!

If the N113 doesn’t get an re-register I think it might miss out a good opportunity!

Also since the fare increase last year, and the introduction of the ECB travel shop and the new hub being built in town, is it strange how they STILL haven’t brought out more ridacard options, I know LCB said in a Facebook comment that they were looking into a monthly ticket option and Zone C/D ridacards can still be purchased (I think) but it’s been almost 3 years since Lothian took over from First in the east and still North Berwick and Dunbar residents still don’t get ridacard advantages, sure the buses have contactless but a revised Zone C - F Ridacard, CountryWest Ridacard, LothianWest Ridacard and Network ridacard would go down an absolute treat somepoint this year! It’s clear Lothian want to make an impact in the areas they serve so why not give a better option? M-tickets aren’t always reliable 100% of the time anyway

 

[VioletEclipse]

Service 49 should really get deckers, and I'm disappointed to see service 15 cut back even further.

 

[OmniCity999]

New 1107/1108 now in service.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Service 49 should really get deckers, and I'm disappointed to see service 15 cut back even further.

Wait untill 2020 when the 15 becomes Penicuik to Fairmilehead only

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Tbf though getting rid of the Lochend section isn't surprising, it was almost like a what can we do with it decision in the first place, it hasn't worked and is covered mostly by the 19 and 34 so it's gone to what they should have done in the first place IMO, free's up a bus too. I'd like to see it take the place of the 19 on the eastern section with the 19 instead running to Shawfair/RIE/Old Craighall/Whatever though I respect it has handy links to the Western and can understand why it wouldn't happen.

 

[Lothian_Bus]

New 1107/1108 now in service.

Sticking to the 7,11 and 16 so far. I assume we are going to see another service (31?) using these buses in the not too distant future?

 

[VioletEclipse]

Sticking to the 7,11 and 16 so far. I assume we are going to see another service (31?) using these buses in the not too distant future?

most likely the 31. The 29 has had a few too though so they could replace the ex London Gemini Twos on that.

 

[overthewater]

So when the second batch of 100 seaters due for the company?

 

[DunsBus]

So when the second batch of 100 seaters due for the company?

Now!!! There were a couple of them on the road today (1105/7).

Do keep up at the back...

 

[OmniCity999]

So when the second batch of 100 seaters due for the company?

They've started entering service. Mainly due to lack of storage space more than anything.

 

[overthewater]

What about the Airport ones?

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

It would appear that the 33 will be one of the Shawfair routes if the others stay like this. 49 will surely be getting the doubles now as it's gonna be the only bus to do City-RIE-Dalkeith. I'm just glad to see the 48 number used again. 48 will be Marine me thinks (possibly interworking with the 49). I'm still really surprised that the Dalkeith campus mess stays atmo. X33 extension looks interesting, especially when X29 covers part of it

 

[Edirim]

I think the 14 and 33 will become shawfair routes in the future...
The 33 would obviously extend in beyond the P&R and the 14 from the Wisp side but I fear Danderhall will be forgotten about if this happens. Edmonstone Road is crying out for a bus route, simply too far from the main road.

X33 extension makes sense as it will cover the Bryans area with no extra resources and links nicely onto the off service route at the same time.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

I think the 14 and 33 will become shawfair routes in the future...
The 33 would obviously extend in beyond the P&R and the 14 from the Wisp side but I fear Danderhall will be forgotten about if this happens. Edmonstone Road is crying out for a bus route, simply too far from the main road.

The 14 extension has potential especially when no other Lothian service has served Shawfair in the past (as far as I know), I’m just thinking about the A6106 that only the X111 serves if I’m correct. In the upmost that Lothian decide to run down that road with the 14 and reroute the 33 up Edmonstone Road towards the P&R unless that is too far fetched

I’m guessing the 48 will be terminating in the centre of the Fort timed with the 49 to better connect. Since Its most likely going to run the same route as the 400 in that part I’m guessing the timetable will no doubt change to acommadate a 15 minute frequency, and if it has late evening journeys included or the 400 will have later evening journeys added throughout the entire route!

 

[Tom B]

Here's an oddity - why do LRT use the term "block number" instead of "running number"?

 

[OmniCity999]

Here's an oddity - why do LRT use the term "block number" instead of "running number"?

LRT dont do anything. They dont exist anymore.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

LRT dont do anything. They dont exist anymore.

Here we go again

 

[ChrisPJ]

Here's an oddity - why do LRT use the term "block number" instead of "running number"?

Something to do with the HASTUS scheduling software and its terminology, North American-inspired?

 

[OmniCity999]

One of our lovely new tri axles for the 100. With what looks like coach seats.

https://flic.kr/p/2g9hyQx

 

[Jordan Adam]

One of our lovely new tri axles for the 100. With what looks like coach seats.

https://flic.kr/p/2g9hyQx

Nice to see they appear to be getting rid of that drab livery that Airlink currently use. Interesting to note the wheels are to LMC spec.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

I think it's going to be more like the 2015-2017 livery but simplified. The current livery doesn't really show off the Airport much so hopefully this will change. Shade of blue looks lovely I must admit

 

[Jordan Adam]

I think it's going to be more like the 2015-2017 livery but simplified. The current livery doesn't really show off the Airport much so hopefully this will change. Shade of blue looks lovely I must admit

I agree the current livery/branding doesn't really tell anyone much, it does look like this will be a more vinyl based livery. Hopefully the finished thing looks the part.

With the LMC specification wheels you could almost fool someone in to thinking this was for Megabus/Citylink!

 

[sam120]

 

[Gingerbus1991]

One of our lovely new tri axles for the 100. With what looks like coach seats.

https://flic.kr/p/2g9hyQx

Its matching the existing colours of there Skylink services closely!

 

[Jordan Adam]

Interesting article here regarding the XLB's (and buses in general) using Stanley Road.

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/traffic-and-travel/video-child-safety-fears-as-lothian-buses-mount-pavement-daily-at-edinburgh-junction-1-4941173

I recall when they first entered service commenting on a photo on Flickr (funnily enough the comments from myself and others have since been removed) about how that junction would be nothing but problems for them, as expected the typical "Lothian veg" (the specific individuals of which are thankfully not on here) then fired back at me saying i how i was wrong and that they can pass two Enviro400XLB's on this junction no problem. Much like the Citylink Levante it seems i was once again right!

Its matching the existing colours of there Skylink services closely!

I wouldn't mind the 100 adopting the Skylink scheme which i think is much nicer on the eye (especially during wet/cloud weather), however given the 100 is the prime service in to the city from the Airport i'd assume they'd want to continue in having it use it's own identity.

Long term this shade of blue works well as it shouldn't fade or get ground in dirt too fast. The use of "mustard" yellow paint on the axles makes me think the vinyls will probably be yellow/gold.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

As I've said Stanley Road has always been an issue and the XLB's only make it worse, there's been talk for years about doing something about it - nothing has ever happened.

 

[Jordan Adam]

As I've said Stanley Road has always been an issue and the XLB's only make it worse, there's been talk for years about doing something about it - nothing has ever happened.

Indeed, there's even photos in that article of a Gemini on the pavement, it does make you wonder who thought and approved of the XLB's operating the service given that they're clearly not suitable to the road layout.

 

[Darklord8899]

Indeed, there's even photos in that article of a Gemini on the pavement, it does make you wonder who thought and approved of the XLB's operating the service given that they're clearly not suitable to the road layout.

Probably someone sitting at a desk with no actual idea of the real world....