Just a few thoughts from recent observations:
1. The 22 seems to be relatively quiet still since its extension to Granton. Not so sure if it has attracted more passengers but I feel like single deckers are sufficient for the route. Would it be better if it serves Stockbridge?
2. The 30 continues to be not so reliable and lots of delays/doubling up. Cutting it to QMU doesn't seem to help. While on Sundays only the 48 serving between Fort Kinnaird and Musselburgh giving an impression that it is well used but it's a big reduction compared to when 30 served along there. Not so sure what the next step should be.
3. The 26 seems to be doubling up even more these days, especially with the diversion at Haymarket. It continues to be really busy and it does deserve more buses into the route. I think it used to be every 7/8 minutes? Just thinking if it worths a regular part route between Drum Brae South and Musselburgh/Levenhall (say 1x part route + 1x Tranent + 1x Seton Sands every 20/25 minutes to a combined 7-9 min service?).
4. Should the 26/44 goes along Leith Street and London Road instead. Leopold Place used to be a big stop for the 26. And now going down Leith Street doesn't take too much longer (compared to the 4/5 it's probably just taking 2 minutes more most of the time). Then it can stop outside St James Quarter instead of Apple Store (which cause congestion at that stop a lot of the time). It doesn't have to stop all 4 stops on London Road until Abbeyhill but maybe just Leopold Place then Abbeyhill?
5. 124/X5. The X5 is an express but it might only take 15 minute less than the 124 max and it does not operate on Sunday. Sometimes I feel like it's not that well used. and between North Berwick and Seton it's an uneven 15/15/30 minute service. Not so sure if the X5 is operating in a profit of if it's better to put those buses to the 124 for a more frequent services (say 20 min), with the 124 terminating on Frederick Street, not stopping at Wallyford etc. to save some time.
6. Portobello. The 19 is picking up some passengers but it seems that most people are sticking to the 26 given it's more direct. Would it be better to bring the 124 back to Portobello but with limited stops (Fisherrow - Coillesdene Drive - Portobello Town Hall - King's Road - Meadowbank). It could potentially be even faster than the current route given the road is quieter along there and there are quite a few junctions on the current route. The limited stops on the 113/124 aren't usually much faster between Meadowbank House and Musselburgh - it's obvious when there's a 44 in front of it. It can't even catch up until Meadowbank House sometimes. The 26 is only a lot slow than the 44 between Musselburgh and Meadowbank only because of changing drivers and more time buffer on the timetable on the 26 in Portobello area (sometimes stopping along because it's early)
7. Stops along Princes Street.
(A) The stop outside Apple Store is always a nightmare, especially when all the buses are sticking together. Even buses not stopping there are being blocked. Should the EastCoastBuses route stop at the front of the bus stop or moved slightly futher and Lothian routes at the back so that they can pick up passengers at the same time?
(B) The 1, 16, 25, 34, 124 stopping at Waverley Steps and Scott Monument. The stops are so close together but then the 25 can really pick up lots of passengers both stops and it doesn't make sense to cancel the stop at Scott Monument as the 3/33 stops there too. It's a dilemma but it does need some changes imo.
Just thinking to post a thread with all these and see what everyone thinks.
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