Lothian Buses and ECB Discussion

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Probably because like many other people who are claiming to see them they've likely not. This happens every time Lothian gets a new vehicle type...

To be fair I have seen new stock before showing it off in the past but it’s cause a mate has shown me a picture when we are face to face rather than a message. I think it was the electrics iirc (in hindsight hardly something amazing).

 

[Lothiangem22]

I don’t have a picture I’m afraid. Out of respect of my employers I think any further detail should be released when they offer a press release.
I’m sure over the coming weeks pictures may surface as more are delivered.

 

[Jordan Adam]

To be fair I have seen new stock before showing it off in the past but it’s cause a mate has shown me a picture when we are face to face rather than a message. I think it was the electrics iirc (in hindsight hardly something amazing).

I suppose, just don't see the point on saying you've seen them and then going on about how it would be foolish to say anything about them.

 

[CN04NRJ]

I suppose, just don't see the point on saying you've seen them and then going on about how it would be foolish to say anything about them.

If I knew what they were (I'm 90% sure based on what I've heard) I also wouldn't post anywhere online. The social media policy is pretty strict and I wouldn't want to fall foul of it.

The company obviously want it kept quiet as to whatever vehicles they are so as staff it would be foolish to go posting online until it's made public one way or another. Whether it's an announcement or someone leaking a photo I can understand why other staff are keeping quiet.

 

[Siemens Trains]

Why not just wait and see.

Wait and see? I think you misunderstand the reasons for the internet's existence.
Getting excited, getting it now and getting into trouble is what it's all about!
For something that will be trundling around for 15 long years....

 

[GusB]

I've deleted a few posts that added nothing to the discussion, and I would request that we stick to having a grown-up debate and not resort to petty squabbling.

Posters should also accept that some companies will have a strict social media policy and that their staff may not be able to reveal all when a new development is forthcoming. Sometimes you just have to wait and see.

 

[CN04NRJ]

If I knew what they were (I'm 90% sure based on what I've heard) I also wouldn't post anywhere online. The social media policy is pretty strict and I wouldn't want to fall foul of it.

The company obviously want it kept quiet as to whatever vehicles they are so as staff it would be foolish to go posting online until it's made public one way or another. Whether it's an announcement or someone leaking a photo I can understand why other staff are keeping quiet.

Would like to clarify this was mainly in response to the deleted posts rather than Jordan's specifically to emphasise why I think the people 'in the know' are withholding information - rather than to appear aloof as was suggested in the removed posts. Not seeking to further that line of discussion but I thought my post read differently out of the context I wrote it in.

Alternatively the moderators can feel free to remove both this and my other post.

 

[Graeme Duncan]

Which fleet numbers do you will be allocated to the new single decks 51 upwards presumably.

 

[VioletEclipse]

Which fleet numbers do you will be allocated to the new single decks 51 upwards presumably.

51-65 are ECB 10051-10065 should they ever leave ECB for City/Lothian Country (I presume), so my guess is 66 upwards.

 

[OmniCity999]

51-65 are ECB 10051-10065 should they ever leave ECB for City/Lothian Country (I presume), so my guess is 66 upwards.

No, 10051-10065 are the ECB single decks. 51 onwards are free.

 

[Bus9120UK]

No, 10051-10065 are the ECB single decks. 51 onwards are free.

He meant that they are 10051 - 10065, but if those batch of buses were to move over to Lothian / Lothiancountry they would be renumbered to 51 - 65.

 

[Graham Alexand]

Why doesnt lothian use their streetairs anymore?

 

[90019]

Basically because they're crap.

They have a tiny passenger capacity, the battery range is rubbish and they break down all the time.

Personally I think they're horrible to drive, too.
But a special prize has to go to whatever idiot thought up the idea of only being able to adjust the steering wheel with the ignition turned on but the bus not started.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

He meant that they are 10051 - 10065, but if those batch of buses were to move over to Lothian / Lothiancountry they would be renumbered to 51 - 65.

trying to imagine them with LCB colour scheme and I think they would look great! Especially on the X38

 

[OmniCity999]

He meant that they are 10051 - 10065, but if those batch of buses were to move over to Lothian / Lothiancountry they would be renumbered to 51 - 65.

They wouldnt though. They'd be added into the number scheme and renumbered

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Should we expect a service change update in the next week for the start of September? Especially for uni/colleges reopening again

 

[scotrail158713]

Should we expect a service change update in the next week for the start of September? Especially for uni/colleges reopening again

I’d imagine so

 

[Bus9120UK]

They wouldnt though. They'd be added into the number scheme and renumbered

To be honest, that makes more sense. I doubt they would move from ECB anyway.

 

[CN04NRJ]

Should we expect a service change update in the next week for the start of September? Especially for uni/colleges reopening again

I believe so, yes. Don't think it'll be until later in September from what I've been told.

 

[Graham Alexand]

Basically because they're crap.

They have a tiny passenger capacity, the battery range is rubbish and they break down all the time.

Personally I think they're horrible to drive, too.
But a special prize has to go to whatever idiot thought up the idea of only being able to adjust the steering wheel with the ignition turned on but the bus not started.

So have they just been scrapped?

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

So have they just been scrapped?

No, they're just not in use at the moment. Whether they'll return to service in the future, that's not for me to answer.

But a special prize has to go to whatever idiot thought up the idea of only being able to adjust the steering wheel with the ignition turned on but the bus not started.

I actually thought all new Wright builds were like that!

 

[scosutsut]

I've been thinking. That's what the strange mechanical grinding noise was... What don't we *think* we know about the new singles?

* No one is suggesting anything but B8RLEs
* That would make them Euro 6 diesels. Makes sense.
* The length seems settled on - full 13m+ monsters like the ECB batch
* They'll presumably be in FOTF livery, be it the sharp edges "Wrightbus" one or the smoother cornered "Alexander" variant that's on the nybrids and XLBs
* We seem pretty happy the bulk of them are for the 30
* We seem pretty happy the older pre 57 Eclipses are for it as a result
* We kind of know what to expect interior wise - going by the XLBs and the last batches of Wright's. Wood effect floors, fancy lighting, next stop displays, high backed seating, WiFi, charging points.

Is it really just the manufacturer of the bodywork thats the main thing left to get excited about?

(This is just me brain dumping, I'm not suggesting inside knowledge, nor looking to get those with it to share it if they can't as made clear in earlier posts)

Favourite seems to be Alexander Dennis. They won the XLB order which was custom so they have form and they have the expertise. MCV Evora is getting some noise but word on the street was the demonstrator didn't delight, it's also not sold well so far but that didn't bother Lothian with the ECB B8RLE order so perhaps a moot point.

Only other option I can see being a possibility that I've not seen mentioned anywhere is 8900 LE?

Only thing I can think of after that is I've not seen any mention of whether they'll be dual door or will that policy stick to just be for deckers? Not been dual door singles since, what the Lynxes I don't think?

 

[OmniCity999]

I've been thinking. That's what the strange mechanical grinding noise was... What don't we *think* we know about the new singles?

* No one is suggesting anything but B8RLEs
* That would make them Euro 6 diesels. Makes sense.
* The length seems settled on - full 13m+ monsters like the ECB batch
* They'll presumably be in FOTF livery, be it the sharp edges "Wrightbus" one or the smoother cornered "Alexander" variant that's on the nybrids and XLBs
* We seem pretty happy the bulk of them are for the 30
* We seem pretty happy the older pre 57 Eclipses are for it as a result
* We kind of know what to expect interior wise - going by the XLBs and the last batches of Wright's. Wood effect floors, fancy lighting, next stop displays, high backed seating, WiFi, charging points.

Is it really just the manufacturer of the bodywork thats the main thing left to get excited about?

(This is just me brain dumping, I'm not suggesting inside knowledge, nor looking to get those with it to share it if they can't as made clear in earlier posts)

Favourite seems to be Alexander Dennis. They won the XLB order which was custom so they have form and they have the expertise. MCV Evora is getting some noise but word on the street was the demonstrator didn't delight, it's also not sold well so far but that didn't bother Lothian with the ECB B8RLE order so perhaps a moot point.

Only other option I can see being a possibility that I've not seen mentioned anywhere is 8900 LE?

Only thing I can think of after that is I've not seen any mention of whether they'll be dual door or will that policy stick to just be for deckers? Not been dual door singles since, what the Lynxes I don't think?

Whats an 8900 LE? Is that the low entry coaches they have in Ireland that are basically a knockoff of the Panther LE?

Its not this type of vehicle. Mainly because they can't have standees!

 

[CN04NRJ]

Whats an 8900 LE? Is that the low entry coaches they have in Ireland that are basically a knockoff of the Panther LE?

Its not this type of vehicle. Mainly because they can't have standees!

I think it's the Volvo 'integral' bodied B8RLE? (aware that it wouldn't be a true integral before anyone points that out )

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_8900

Using my powers of deduction Omnicity999 has previously hinted at a 'new' body type for a Volvo chassis so we can rule that out. Hoping it's ADL myself.

 

[90019]

So have they just been scrapped?

They're all parked up inside Central, no idea if any of them will see service again, but I have my doubts.

 

[OmniCity999]

I think it's the Volvo 'integral' bodied B8RLE? (aware that it wouldn't be a true integral before anyone points that out )

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_8900

Using my powers of deduction Omnicity999 has previously hinted at a 'new' body type for a Volvo chassis so we can rule that out. Hoping it's ADL myself.

Ill keep it as a surprise for you

 

[CN04NRJ]

Ill keep it as a surprise for you

Thanks

 

[scosutsut]

I think it's the Volvo 'integral' bodied B8RLE? (aware that it wouldn't be a true integral before anyone points that out )

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_8900

Using my powers of deduction Omnicity999 has previously hinted at a 'new' body type for a Volvo chassis so we can rule that out. Hoping it's ADL myself.

Yeah it looks like a taller 7900H body but without all the roof gubbins basically. That was my proper wildcard entry!

I too hope it's the ADL possibility, and not Egypt's answer to East Lancs!!

 

[Graham Alexand]

They're all parked up inside Central, no idea if any of them will see service again, but I have my doubts.

Hopefully they dont get scrapped, it would be a waste of functional buses. They should only use them on the 6 and 61 if their battery lives are small.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Hopefully they dont get scrapped, it would be a waste of functional buses. They should only use them on the 6 and 61 if their battery lives are small.

Both those routes are now withdrawn and won’t be back. The only use for the electrics now is on the proposed city centre free service but the council are wanting that run with electric doubles rather than singles.