Lothian Group discussion (Lothian City, Lothian Country Bus and East Coast Buses)

[stevenedin]

There used to be an X24 EastCoastbus service but it was withdrawn due to covid. It’s confusing that the bus stop flags still have X24 and X5 on them. This will get more confusing once the new X5 starts as Semple Street and stops up to that from Princes Street still have it on there so they will really need to remove these.

The bus stop flags are always really badly managed anyway. I noticed that there’s still some Horsburgh 64 stickers on the ones near East Craigs and that has been gone for years.

Also the Lothian X25 still appears on some.

It is Lothian that are contracted by the council to manage these for all bus stops in Edinburgh.

 

[Lothianbus703]

Lothian in around 2016 donated ex first Edinburgh 40900 to the Allotments at Fountainbridge, why was it donated it a plain yellow livery with a similar colour to the one used on the other training darts at the time?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 May 2022 ==

I did not think of the roller blinds of back in the day. Makes total sense. However, with that said, I wonder if now that all buses (bar a handful) have digital displays, if that will change at the big rejig of services that will come.

There is only 1 bus left in Lothian with roller blinds, that bus being "927".

 

[Graham Alexand]

There is only 1 bus left in Lothian with roller blinds, that bus being "927".

Not to be pernickety but so do 167 - 168!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 May 2022 ==

There used to be an X24 EastCoastbus service but it was withdrawn due to covid. It’s confusing that the bus stop flags still have X24 and X5 on them. This will get more confusing once the new X5 starts as Semple Street and stops up to that from Princes Street still have it on there so they will really need to remove these.

The bus stop flags are always really badly managed anyway. I noticed that there’s still some Horsburgh 64 stickers on the ones near East Craigs and that has been gone for years.

Also the Lothian X25 still appears on some.

It is Lothian that are contracted by the council to manage these for all bus stops in Edinburgh.

The last time I was in Kirkliston and Queensferry, I seen the old 22A service on some of the bus stop flags which hasn't ran for almost 4 years.

 

[ian1944]

There used to be an X24 EastCoastbus service but it was withdrawn due to covid. It’s confusing that the bus stop flags still have X24 and X5 on them. This will get more confusing once the new X5 starts as Semple Street and stops up to that from Princes Street still have it on there so they will really need to remove these.

The bus stop flags are always really badly managed anyway. I noticed that there’s still some Horsburgh 64 stickers on the ones near East Craigs and that has been gone for years.

Also the Lothian X25 still appears on some.

It is Lothian that are contracted by the council to manage these for all bus stops in Edinburgh.

Worse in East Lothian - the flag in Haddington High Street includes East Coast 107 (now X7 for some years) and "Perrymans" 253, so the chance of the 104's renumbering being done is slim.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

The bus stop flags are always really badly managed anyway. I noticed that there’s still some Horsburgh 64 stickers on the ones near East Craigs and that has been gone for years.

Also the Lothian X25 still appears on some.

It is Lothian that are contracted by the council to manage these for all bus stops in Edinburgh.

At the Fort Area there’s none for the N106 between The Jewel and Fort Kinnaird, or the 118 between Eastfield and Fort Kinnaird!

I think the Gyle still has a LCB 275 also despite being withdrawn now!

Edinburgh Council needs to step up their game

 

[Willie622]

When are the new bus timetables out?

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

When are the new bus timetables out?

They’re on the website already. Have been for a week or two.

 

[Willie622]

Paper timetables what I mean

 

[Graham Alexand]

Paper timetables what I mean

I don't believe that Lothian do physical timetables anymore, they're all digital now.

 

[LothianBusesPh]

Confirmed by a source of mine

I don't believe that Lothian do physical timetables anymore, they're all digital now.

I have a source in Lothian that they'll be coming back soon when services and restrictions are fully back to normal.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 May 2022 ==

Also, does anyone think the new Burgh Estate thing will get bus services? 33 Extension, 44 or X6 re-routing??? Maybe even a 45 extension through Newcraighall and through the A1?

 

[Graham Alexand]

Confirmed by a source of mine


I have a source in Lothian that they'll be coming back soon when services and restrictions are fully back to normal.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 May 2022 ==

Also, does anyone think the new Burgh Estate thing will get bus services? 33 Extension, 44 or X6 re-routing??? Maybe even a 45 extension through Newcraighall and through the A1?

Out if interest, what source do you have that Lothian Buses are bringing back the physical timetables?

 

[LothianBusesPh]

Another thing which is irrelevant to that, Why is 843 in Ferrymill?

Out if interest, what source do you have that Lothian Buses are bringing back the physical timetables?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 May 2022 ==



What do you mean, sorry?

Out of privacy, I won't say their name but I'll say they're in the Head Office.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 May 2022 ==

Paper timetables what I mean

None are out at the moment due to Covid. Although all of the restrictions are lifted, Lothian are easing things back to normal and are not being quick to act in case restrictions are reimposed.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Another thing which is irrelevant to that, Why is 843 in Ferrymill?

It’s 844 and 845 that are at Ferrymill. Will be getting repainted, but into what I’m not sure. White is worth a shout, but the new ECB livery can’t be ruled out either.

 

[Graham Alexand]

Another thing which is irrelevant to that, Why is 843 in Ferrymill?

Out of privacy, I won't say their name but I'll say they're in the Head Office.

Regarding 843, 843 is currently on the 113. 844 and 845 are there though.

Regarding the timetable thing, fair enough.

EDIT: Flybe beat me to it.

 

[LothianBusesPh]

It’s 844 and 845 that are at Ferrymill. Will be getting repainted, but into what I’m not sure. White is worth a shout, but the new ECB livery can’t be ruled out either.

Sorry, that's what I meant, I was wondering what Livery they're going to get. If it's white I see it having the same fate as the Eclipse's for Lothian Country.

 

[stevenedin]

Maybe 841-843 will move to West Lothian as they still have Lothian Country on them and these will cover for repaints there and 844-850 are getting the new ECB livery

 

[Graham Alexand]

Maybe 841-843 will move to West Lothian as they still have Lothian Country on them and these will cover for repaints there and 844-850 are getting the new ECB livery

That will bacically (indirectly) confirm that 844 - 850 aren't going anywhere anytime soon if they're repainted.

 

[LothianBusesPh]

Maybe 841-843 will move to West Lothian as they still have Lothian Country on them and these will cover for repaints there and 844-850 are getting the new ECB livery

Or maybe all of these will go back to Lothian Country and Some of the Ex-London Gemini 2's or possibly all 12 as 4 are already with ECB? Or 2 could stick with Lothian Country. I mean the B5LH's by the way.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 May 2022 ==

That will bacically (indirectly) confirm that 844 - 850 aren't going anywhere anytime soon if they're repainted.

Unless they get Lothian Country Vinyls?

 

[Graham Alexand]

Or maybe all of these will go back to Lothian Country and Some of the Ex-London Gemini 2's or possibly all 12 as 4 are already with ECB? Or 2 could stick with Lothian Country. I mean the B5LH's by the way.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 May 2022 ==


Unless they get Lothian Country Vinyls?

The 4 buses I believe you're on about are 591 - 594 which are ex Bullocks of Cheadle in Manchester rather than London.

What do you mean by "all 12"? Apologies for the questions, I'm just a little confused.

* by not going anywhere I was referring to outwith the Lothian Buses company.

 

[LothianBusesPh]

The 4 buses I believe you're on about are 591 - 594 which are ex Bullocks of Cheadle in Manchester rather than London.

What do you mean by "all 12"? Apologies for the questions, I'm just a little confused.

* by not going anywhere I was referring to outwith the Lothian Buses company.

Okay alright, I meant there are 12 B5LH's, so all of the B9TL's could go to Lothian Country and East Coast Buses get 10 B5LH's?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 May 2022 ==

Probably wouldn't make sense but...

 

[Graham Alexand]

Okay alright, I meant there are 12 B5LH's, so all of the B9TL's could go to Lothian Country and East Coast Buses get 10 B5LH's?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 May 2022 ==

Probably wouldn't make sense but...

Ahh right, I got you now, cheers for clearing that up!

I guess that could potentially happen, maybe if the 09 plate Gemini 2's are withdrawn from Lothian Country the 10 plates from East Coast Buses could come over but that is purely speculative from my part.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Maybe 841-843 will move to West Lothian as they still have Lothian Country on them and these will cover for repaints there and 844-850 are getting the new ECB livery

That will bacically (indirectly) confirm that 844 - 850 aren't going anywhere anytime soon if they're repainted.

Or maybe all of these will go back to Lothian Country and Some of the Ex-London Gemini 2's or possibly all 12 as 4 are already with ECB? Or 2 could stick with Lothian Country. I mean the B5LH's by the way.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 May 2022 ==


Unless they get Lothian Country Vinyls?

I would expect 841-843 to return to West Lothian once ECB repaints are complete. If this happens this would allow the repaint process at LC to commence (properly).

It’s tricky to tell what will happen with 844 and 845, as they’re the first of that batch to be done. I’m sure all will become clear in a week or so when they return.

 

[Graham Alexand]

I would expect 841-843 to return to West Lothian once ECB repaints are complete. If this happens this would allow the repaint process at LC to commence (properly).

Indeed, with the increase in service for the 43 that will require extra double deckers and with the 276 being as busy as it is at times could also need a few doubles.

 

[stevenedin]

It could also free up some of 186-190 to go back to Lothian possibly if some city routes are going fully single decker like the 1 or 2 but then there’s the loss of the 24 to double deckers so there may be some spare 7900s

 

[Lothianbus703]

It could also free up some of 186-190 to go back to Lothian possibly if some city routes are going fully single decker like the 1 or 2 but then there’s the loss of the 24 to double deckers so there may be some spare 7900s

24 has used double deckers for a long time so no 7900s have been made spare.

 

[LothianBusesPh]

24 has used double deckers for a long time so no 7900s have been made spare.

None of the Volvos have become spares but some of the Ex-Hybrid Enviro400's have been moved to spare at Marine. I might post a few photos of them if I get a chance.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 May 2022 ==

I would expect 841-843 to return to West Lothian once ECB repaints are complete. If this happens this would allow the repaint process at LC to commence (properly).

It’s tricky to tell what will happen with 844 and 845, as they’re the first of that batch to be done. I’m sure all will become clear in a week or so when they return.

When they're finished, I expect all of the Geminis to follow suit, possibly not 841-843, but 844 - 850 will almost definitely follow suit.

 

[eh1]

None of the Volvos have become spares but some of the Ex-Hybrid Enviro400's have been moved to spare at Marine.

What about the 5 or 10 redundant MK2 7900s sitting at Marine?

 

[LothianBusesPh]

What about the 5 or 10 redundant MK2 7900s sitting at Marine?

Not sure, I forgot about them. I think they will get sold rather than spare. They might spend a few months spare then get sold, while the others will stay in the fleet until more single deckers are ordered.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

What about the 5 or 10 redundant MK2 7900s sitting at Marine?

Not sure, I forgot about them. I think they will get sold rather than spare. They might spend a few months spare then get sold, while the others will stay in the fleet until more single deckers are ordered.

I’d need to check what numbers Longstone had pre-pandemic but I suspect some of these are idle as a result of the loss of the 20 and 63 to First and then yes as well as the existing routes being converted (in most cases temporarily) to double deck. This must have freed up a number of single deckers. Again the overall number left may be lower but it’s probably worth a look.

To the best of my knowledge Longstone had 11-35, 132, and then 134-170 when the first lockdown started. That is 63 single deckers.

Factor in the loss of the 20 and 63 that takes it down probably to around 50 needed. The remaining routes allocated to Longstone at the time I’m pretty sure were the 2, 30, 36 and 38. Longstone also did a few booked peak runs with single decks on both their own routes and on routes allocated to other depots. These normally ended up on the 20 or back to depot.

The 2 is now at Central/Marine and is currently 50/50 split with singles and doubles. The 30 is down a few buses overall, not much though. Then both the 36 and 38 are still every 30 mins - they were every 20 mins pre Lockdown 1.

That’s not even mentioning Central or Marine - or even ECB/LC, who have all had pretty big changes to the single deck allocations.

So you can see why many of these 7900’s are idle. Many of those routes have changed.

 

[stevenedin]

There is also 195 and 196 idle which may go back to ECB or possibly be painted into the city livery if required.