Lothian Buses and ECB Discussion

[Darklord8899]

Does Lothian have two different types of hybrid single-decker bus? I thought they only had one type (those used on the route 30, which have completely sealed (non-opening) windows). However I was on route 1 recently and I saw a hybrid with opening windows; the engine also sounded different. Are there two separate hybrid fleets, or have I just happened to only catch the buses with the sealed windows before? Thanks

Lothian has 3 singles. Volvo 7905LH, (fleet 1-50), B7RLEs (fleet 1xx + 10101-10199) and B8RLEs (10051-10065). The one that was on route 1 today was a demo from Volvo, eVoRa BV19LND

I don't know about sealed/opening windows, but Longstone definitely has two types of Volvo 7900 Hybrids ....
Those with standard bell hardware and route display vdu, mounted over isle
And
Those which don't have the route display vdu mounted (though mounting hardware for the vdu is there) and they have the "tram door" bell in the buggy space with luminated green leds

Sadly I can't say which fleet numbers are which type....I also assume they were bought at different times?

 

[SpeedbirdA350]

I don't know about sealed/opening windows, but Longstone definitely has two types of Volvo 7900 Hybrids ....
Those with standard bell hardware and route display vdu, mounted over isle
And
Those which don't have the route display vdu mounted (though mounting hardware for the vdu is there) and they have the "tram door" bell in the buggy space with luminated green leds

Sadly I can't say which fleet numbers are which type....I also assume they were bought at different times?

1-10 are slightly different to 11-50 as they have a facelift (can easily tell them by looking at front of bus - 1-10 have no airvent slit in top of roof) however none of those have opening windows (that I know off) exc driver.

I also forgot about the electrics, so have 4 singles. Still, the one I assume Greg was reffering to was the demo from Volvo which only started service.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/barberbus/48266451127/in/photostream/ - this is the new demo (not my picture)

 

[Gingerbus1991]

Does Lothian have two different types of hybrid single-decker bus? I thought they only had one type (those used on the route 30, which have completely sealed (non-opening) windows). However I was on route 1 recently and I saw a hybrid with opening windows; the engine also sounded different. Are there two separate hybrid fleets, or have I just happened to only catch the buses with the sealed windows before? Thanks

The 2013 vs the 2014 models are different not just on the surface but underneath.

The 2013 ones use a Volvo D5F 4.8ltr engine/215hp E5 vs the D5K 5.1ltr engine/240hp E6 in the 2014 models.

Some of them have full air con systems but others don't..

The windows were simply removed by option for 2014.

 

[computerSaysNo]

Thanks for all the replies.

Lothian has 3 singles. Volvo 7905LH, (fleet 1-50), B7RLEs (fleet 1xx + 10101-10199) and B8RLEs (10051-10065). The one that was on route 1 today was a demo from Volvo, eVoRa BV19LND

Thanks, it was definitely a 7905LH that I was on. It looked like this one (note you can see the outline of the opening windows)
(Not my image)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/132899570@N04/31918578045/

What do the letters ''LH" and "RLE" (as highlighted in the quote above) mean?

I don't know about sealed/opening windows, but Longstone definitely has two types of Volvo 7900 Hybrids ....
Those with standard bell hardware and route display vdu, mounted over isle
And
Those which don't have the route display vdu mounted (though mounting hardware for the vdu is there) and they have the "tram door" bell in the buggy space with luminated green leds

Sadly I can't say which fleet numbers are which type....I also assume they were bought at different times?

1-10 are slightly different to 11-50 as they have a facelift (can easily tell them by looking at front of bus - 1-10 have no airvent slit in top of roof) however none of those have opening windows (that I know off) exc driver.

I also forgot about the electrics, so have 4 singles. Still, the one I assume Greg was reffering to was the demo from Volvo which only started service.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/barberbus/48266451127/in/photostream/ - this is the new demo (not my picture)

Ah, I had never noticed the air vent on the roof before, thanks for pointing that out.
The bus I was meaning was definitely a 7905LH, not the new one.

The 2013 vs the 2014 models are different not just on the surface but underneath.

The 2013 ones use a Volvo D5F 4.8ltr engine/215hp E5 vs the D5K 5.1ltr engine/240hp E6 in the 2014 models.

Some of them have full air con systems but others don't..

The windows were simply removed by option for 2014.

So are numbers 1-10 all 2013 models, and 11-50 all 2014 models?
Are 1-10 usually allocated a different route to 11-50 or are they treated as a common fleet?
I assume the 2013 batch was a trial order, with 2014 being the main order. Any idea why the specification changed for 2014? Was the initial trial not successful?

Once again thanks to all who replied.

 

[Lothian_Bus]

Gemini 3s from the normal service 26 pool i think

429 and 1052 temporarily transferred to Marine and operating on the 26. Presumably to offset 468-471 being on loan to ECB.

 

[SpeedbirdA350]

So are numbers 1-10 all 2013 models, and 11-50 all 2014 models?
Are 1-10 usually allocated a different route to 11-50 or are they treated as a common fleet?

1-10 are 13 plates, 11-30 are 14 plates and 31-50 are 64 plates.
1-10 Central, 11-35 Longstone, 36-40 Central, 41-50 Marine. So, you will often see 1-10 and 36-40 on routes like 1 and 24 which come from Central but you won't see them on route 30, as 30 comes from Longstone.

H is for hybrid
1-10 are also Euro 5, 11-50 are Euro 6 too

 

[A330Alex]

The double door ex-London buses are finally out and about! Well, at least one of them is. 1149 on the 19 at the moment.

 

[A7rud]

I saw a new 100 seater a few hours ago on a 31. It was all over white. Bus visualiser had 1025 at other end of route at that time. Can anyone cast any light on this?

 

[SpeedbirdA350]

I saw a new 100 seater a few hours ago on a 31. It was all over white. Bus visualiser had 1025 at other end of route at that time. Can anyone cast any light on this?

All over white B8L is 1125.

 

[Jordan Adam]

What do the letters ''LH" and "RLE" (as highlighted in the quote above) mean?

Simply put...

B: Bus
7: Engine displacement rounds up to 7 litres
R: Rear Engine
LE: Low Entry

B: Bus
5: Engine displacement rounds up to 5 litres
L: Longitudinal Engine
H: Hybrid.

 

[OmniCity999]

Simply put...

B: Bus
7: Engine displacement rounds up to 7 litres
R: Rear Engine
LE: Low Entry

B: Bus
5: Engine displacement rounds up to 5 litres
L: Engine is offset to the left.
H: Hybrid.

On a decker of course, the T in in B5TL denotes its engine orientation, T meaning Traverse. On the B8L's the L stands for Longitude.

 

[Jordan Adam]

On a decker of course, the T in in B5TL denotes its engine orientation, T meaning Traverse. On the B8L's the L stands for Longitude.

Brainfart! On the rest of the Volvo series (B5L, B7L, B8L, B9L, B10L) the L is for Longitudinal too....

Indeed, the transverse engine placement allows for a much shorter rear overhang which is typically preferred in deckers due to weight restrictions. Lothian's B8L's however get around this by placing the tag axle behind the drive axle.

 

[alangla]

Totally off topic but related to the above, how come the First Glasgow toiletboxes are B7Ls, AIUI, the engines in those are vertical within the cubicle, or am I totally wrong?

 

[Jordan Adam]

Totally off topic but related to the above, how come the First Glasgow toiletboxes are B7Ls, AIUI, the engines in those are vertical within the cubicle, or am I totally wrong?

The reason for the "toiletbox" is because the radiator is above the engine. On the likes of the B8L and B10L which have the same engine arrangement it's positioned on the offside.

 

[computerSaysNo]

Simply put...

B: Bus
7: Engine displacement rounds up to 7 litres
R: Rear Engine
LE: Low Entry

B: Bus
5: Engine displacement rounds up to 5 litres
L: Longitudinal Engine
H: Hybrid.

Thanks for that, I'm confused about why some letters are included while others aren't though. Like the hybrids are low-entry too and have the engine at the rear so why are they B5LH and not something like B5LHLER (bus, 5 liter, longitudinal, hybrid, low entry, rear engine)?

 

[Jordan Adam]

Thanks for that, I'm confused about why some letters are included while others aren't though. Like the hybrids are low-entry too and have the engine at the rear so why are they B5LH and not something like B5LHLER (bus, 5 liter, longitudinal, hybrid, low entry, rear engine)?

I've replied in the "UK Bus Manufacturer News (ADL, Optare, Wright etc)" thread.

 

[SpeedbirdA350]

27s and 37s today on B8Ls and a 10 on one too. I wonder if this is a trial like the 31 was a couple of months ago which ran 2 Sundays with them and now have them.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Does the 33 destination screen come up as Clovenstone or Wester Hailes?

 

[Auld reekie]

Does the 33 destination screen come up as Clovenstone or Wester Hailes?

Barberton.

 

[Lothian_Bus]

27s and 37s today on B8Ls and a 10 on one too. I wonder if this is a trial like the 31 was a couple of months ago which ran 2 Sundays with them and now have them.

Yes it was the 27 and 29 last Sunday so interesting to now see them on the 37.

 

[buslad1988]

Does the 33 destination screen come up as Clovenstone or Wester Hailes?

Wester Hailes I’ve seen on them today.

 

[OmniCity999]

Some have also been seen showing Clovenstone.

 

[ScotRail158725]

819 out on the 3, probobly the first time a Longtone B7 has been out on a Sunday in a good year or two

 

[A330Alex]

Wonder how long it'll be until people start complaining about the new timetables being misleading about contactless...

 

[OmniCity999]

Wonder how long it'll be until people start complaining about the new timetables being misleading about contactless...

Annoyingly the whole fleet was supposed to be fitted with pads for today and the relevant new software, the website was even updated as such, until early last week when it was clear it wouldnt be ready, so it was taken down from the site.

unfortunately all the new timetables were printed and placed at cost. So new ones wont be reprinted, although i believe stickers are going out to cover the contactless info.

 

[SpeedbirdA350]

Yes it was the 27 and 29 last Sunday so interesting to now see them on the 37.

Yes, 27 and 29 so I think with 27 having them twice now on Sunday, same as 31s did, that it is a good sign that next batch might be heading that way. 29, does it need it? 37 would benefit more IMO and 47 too.

Annoyingly the whole fleet was supposed to be fitted with pads for today and the relevant new software, the website was even updated as such, until early last week when it was clear it wouldnt be ready, so it was taken down from the site.

unfortunately all the new timetables were printed and placed at cost. So new ones wont be reprinted, although i believe stickers are going out to cover the contactless info.

How long does it take to get contactless rolled out? They have been saying for well over 2 years now and its been a year and half since the 100 got contactless up and running (Jan 2018). I know there was a delay of somesort with the Wayfarer 6s but all the fleet have them now.

 

[Lothian_Bus]

819 out on the 3, probobly the first time a Longtone B7 has been out on a Sunday in a good year or two

There are a couple of others also out today.
718 on the 23.
716 on the 34.

 

[SpeedbirdA350]

There are a couple of others also out today.
718 on the 23.
716 on the 34.

Also 705 and 809 on 22.

 

[A330Alex]

Annoyingly the whole fleet was supposed to be fitted with pads for today and the relevant new software, the website was even updated as such, until early last week when it was clear it wouldnt be ready, so it was taken down from the site.

unfortunately all the new timetables were printed and placed at cost. So new ones wont be reprinted, although i believe stickers are going out to cover the contactless info.

Any idea when it might be rolled out? I notice the crack tech team have moved it to https://www.lothianbuses.com/contactless-private/

 

[OmniCity999]

Any idea when it might be rolled out? I notice the crack tech team have moved it to https://www.lothianbuses.com/contactless-private/

Yes, 27 and 29 so I think with 27 having them twice now on Sunday, same as 31s did, that it is a good sign that next batch might be heading that way. 29, does it need it? 37 would benefit more IMO and 47 too.
How long does it take to get contactless rolled out? They have been saying for well over 2 years now and its been a year and half since the 100 got contactless up and running (Jan 2018). I know there was a delay of somesort with the Wayfarer 6s but all the fleet have them now.

It's taken so long for many reasons.

1 - the company wanted to keep the system familiar for current drivers so had to have close talks with the manufacturer.

2 - during tests, the built in payment pad was found to not be as responsive as we would have liked so we had to trial alternatives. Including whole new machines. Then we settled for seperate pads but Wayfrarer machines, a bit of work too.

3 - we had to find a phone network that would consistently work across the Lothians and Edinburgh. Tricky with all the tight roads, high buildings and the materials used in the buildings - seriously, that much effort went into this.

4 - Product creation. We had to create new ticketing products which involved research etc.

5 - purchasing for over 800 vehicles.

6 - training

7 - install

8 - roll out.

Its tricky.