Edinburgh & the Lothians bus network speculations & ideas

[EdinRH]

The 9 does need to terminate at Kings Buildings as the student demand is extremely high during the rush hours term time. It's full and standing before it even gets a chance to depart. If extended to Cameron Toll just imagine some 100 students flooding the narrow West Mains Rd.

Why does the 9 need to terminate at King's Buildings? Why couldn't it take a detour into King's Buildings from an hour before the start of classes until an hour afterwards on its way to/from Cameron Toll, while running straight along West Mains Road early mornings/evenings/weekends/during vacations. Craigleith Retail Park, Easter Bush, RBS Gogarburn and Sighthill Industrial Estate are all places that have been served by buses only at certain times. I still believe there will be more demand to go to a shopping centre than a uni campus late at night and on days when there are no classes. Perhaps the terminus could be Blackford on Sunday and Bank Holiday evenings when Sainsbury's has closed earlier than normal.

 

[VioletEclipse]

Why does the 9 need to terminate at King's Buildings? Why couldn't it take a detour into King's Buildings from an hour before the start of classes until an hour afterwards on its way to/from Cameron Toll, while running straight along West Mains Road early mornings/evenings/weekends/during vacations. Craigleith Retail Park, Easter Bush, RBS Gogarburn and Sighthill Industrial Estate are all places that have been served by buses only at certain times. I still believe there will be more demand to go to a shopping centre than a uni campus late at night and on days when there are no classes. Perhaps the terminus could be Blackford on Sunday and Bank Holiday evenings when Sainsbury's has closed earlier than normal.

having a bus predictably always terminate in the same place every time and not alternate the route at different times of day really helps folk be able to trust it and familiarise themselves with it.

 

[EdinRH]

having a bus predictably always terminate in the same place every time and not alternate the route at different times of day really helps folk be able to trust it and familiarise themselves with it.

There are numerous examples (past and present) of Lothian buses having different termini/routes at different times of day, on different days of the week or on public holidays, so my proposal would not be unprecedented.

 

[zjsptgzxyspks]

This extension would only work in the evenings since the 38 and 42 finish early and by extending the 9 to RIE you'd be able to take away the evening service of 8
Gordon Terrace and Lady Rd (Cameron Toll) are two traffic bottlenecks so no good for the time keeping during daytime.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

This extension would only work in the evenings since the 38 and 42 finish early and by extending the 9 to RIE you'd be able to take away the evening service of 8
Gordon Terrace and Lady Rd (Cameron Toll) are two traffic bottlenecks so no good for the time keeping during daytime.

Being completely honest, I see no reason to extend the 9 beyond Kings Building at this time, it does the job and not to mention I'm sure students will need it for getting back late in the evening.

The 24 still offers the link between Marchmount and Cameron Toll, and unless the 38 gets later journeys in the near future this is as good as it's gonna get!

 

[overthewater]

I would

* Take the Double deckers off the X6 and put them on the X7, and I would take the singles off the X7 and put them on X6.
* reroute X6 to operate to Windygoul ( replacing the X44 and 26)
* Make the 106 every 30mins from Haddington to Tranent, then extend up to Prestonpans, replacing the 26 on that section.

While at the other side of Edinburgh, I would bring back the old Stagecoach 40/40A idea. ( Ie Lothian revised its No43) it's clear passengers in the ferry are getting a bum deal if people are still trying to catch Stagecoach express at the bridge tolls.

 

[Theproinsider]

I would

* Take the Double deckers off the X6 and put them on the X7, and I would take the singles off the X7 and put them on X6.
* reroute X6 to operate to Windygoul ( replacing the X44 and 26)
* Make the 106 every 30mins from Haddington to Tranent, then extend up to Prestonpans, replacing the 26 on that section.

While at the other side of Edinburgh, I would bring back the old Stagecoach 40/40A idea. ( Ie Lothian revised its No43) it's clear passengers in the ferry are getting a bum deal if people are still trying to catch Stagecoach express at the bridge tolls.

Your double deckers wouldn't last long on the X7 with the low rail bridge.

 

[overthewater]

I forgot about that low bridge....

Maybe they could have extra shuttle running between Haddington and Fort Kinnard, The Jewal is very busy stop from Haddington.

 

[Lothianbus703]

the 24 and 45 are mostly decker operated these days, but neither services are usually busy outwith rush hour so could probably go back to single deck operation without too much issue. I'm less sure about the 22, but I can imagine it happening.

I think Lothian have just enough deckers in reserve to cover a double decker 30 with maybe a few others being brought from other depots
926-936 (11) (if 935/936 get replaced at ECB)
1141 1152/1153 (3)
905/906 (2) I do not know if these count
841-850 (10) although it may be less then 10 if the ones that are sitting in Livingston do anything.
there are 26 deckers in reserve/scheduled to be but possibly less depending on if any others are needed/not put there by the time this would happen.

admins feel free to move I dont know if this belongs in the Lothian discussion or here

 

[DespacitoPlayz]

The 9 does need to terminate at Kings Buildings as the student demand is extremely high during the rush hours term time. It's full and standing before it even gets a chance to depart. If extended to Cameron Toll just imagine some 100 students flooding the narrow West Mains Rd.

There could be a dual-termination system like that Services 26/31 have? (Bonnyrigg or Polton Mill/Seton Sands or Windygoul) This would potentially mean an increase in timetable rates if the 9 will also do the suggested Potterow - Bellevue via George IV Bridge and Great King St.

Being completely honest, I see no reason to extend the 9 beyond Kings Building at this time, it does the job and not to mention I'm sure students will need it for getting back late in the evening.

It could have a system where it terminates at King's Buildings during student/uni operating hours and then run to CT or RIE during student holidays.

(CT = Cameron Toll) (RIE = Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh)

 

[GusB]

It could have a system where it terminates at King's Buildings during student/uni operating hours and then run to CT or RIE during the evening/student holidays.

What are CT and RIE?

 

[stevenedin]

I think Lothian have just enough deckers in reserve to cover a double decker 30 with maybe a few others being brought from other depots
926-936 (11) (if 935/936 get replaced at ECB)
1141 1152/1153 (3)
905/906 (2) I do not know if these count
841-850 (10) although it may be less then 10 if the ones that are sitting in Livingston do anything.
there are 26 deckers in reserve/scheduled to be but possibly less depending on if any others are needed/not put there by the time this would happen.

admins feel free to move I dont know if this belongs in the Lothian discussion or here

There is also 937, 942, 944, 945 and 948 that could potentially be painted into the Lothian livery as they are in the old East Coast Buses livery and will be repainted at some point. They could in return send East Coast Buses some 7900 single deckers from reserve to replace these if they require the vehicles.

 

[DespacitoPlayz]

What are CT and RIE?

Cameron Toll & Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (i edited my text to include them so there is no confusion, sorry!)

 

[TheEastCoaster]

There could be a dual-termination system like that Services 26/31 have? (Bonnyrigg or Polton Mill/Seton Sands or Windygoul) This would potentially mean an increase in timetable rates if the 9 will also do the suggested Potterow - Bellevue via George IV Bridge and Great King St.

It could have a system where it terminates at King's Buildings during student/uni operating hours and then run to CT or RIE during student holidays.

(CT = Cameron Toll) (RIE = Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh)

Even during student holidays I doubt the 9 will be extended beyond Kings Building, maybe.. at a push I could see an extension to Bush from Kings Building as the 67 is no more, but not to Cameron toll or Royal Infirmary.

 

[stevenedin]

Talking about the 67, was this service funded by Easter Bush campus?

Also was the 61 funded by Standard Life?

 

[roadierway77]

Talking about the 67, was this service funded by Easter Bush campus?

Also was the 61 funded by Standard Life?

I believe the 67 was a commercial service.

The 61 was supported by Standard Life, yes.

 

[stevenedin]

I believe the 67 was a commercial service.

The 61 was supported by Standard Life, yes.

Thanks for the info

 

[DespacitoPlayz]

I could see an extension to Bush from Kings Building as the 67 is no more

Perhaps an extension to Straiton Retail Park as the connection from Mayfield (Edinburgh) and Bush is partly made by Service 37?

you'd be able to take away the evening service of 8

Would this not put a bit of pressure on the 3 & 29 at the Inch section? For what I know, the 8 is used quite a bit in the evenings from locals going home from Cameron Toll to Moredun unless the 9 was routed via Gilmerton Rd and Moredunvale Rd/Moredun Pk Rd. It isn't helped with the pressure already put on them with the "20 minute frequency" plans put on the 8 to co-ordinate with the 9.

 

[oldman]

I believe the 67 was a commercial service.

It was supported by the University of Edinburgh.

The University also provides a subsidy to Lothian Buses to support the continued operation of the Service 67 which serves Easter Bush

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Has there been anymore updates or registrations for the upcoming service change? I've tried to check VOSA but the website won't work for me for some reason.

 

[Bus9120UK]

Has there been anymore updates or registrations for the upcoming service change? I've tried to check VOSA but the website won't work for me for some reason.

No - all changes which are happening have been announced and can be accessed here: https://www.lothianbuses.com/news/2023/08/335-change-service/ (Link opens service change page for September 10th).

I can imagine we'll see a separate Lothian Country change in the coming months.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

No - all changes which are happening have been announced and can be accessed here: https://www.lothianbuses.com/news/2023/08/335-change-service/ (Link opens service change page for September 10th).

I can imagine we'll see a separate Lothian Country change in the coming months.

Well it's not as big as most folk are expecting! The 9 change via Hanover was pretty predictable but the route via The Waterfront is a nice surprise!

 

[Bus9120UK]

Well it's not as big as most folk are expecting! The 9 change via Hanover was pretty predictable but the route via The Waterfront is a nice surprise!

Personally I wasn't expecting much - it's not been long since the last change so Lothian probably need more time to see what works and what doesn't. If Lothian did tender for anything in West Lothian it makes you wonder if that's when they will have a change there, my understanding is that the routes will move to new operators in October?

 

[ScotRail158725]

Personally I wasn't expecting much - it's not been long since the last change so Lothian probably need more time to see what works and what doesn't. If Lothian did tender for anything in West Lothian it makes you wonder if that's when they will have a change there, my understanding is that the routes will move to new operators in October?

Its likely that if Lothian have bidder for any tenders that they’ll have set aside any service changes to be done along with them

 

[DespacitoPlayz]

Service 8 has only had minor timetable changes. Will this not put more pressure on the 8 in the Boswall area with Service 9 being rerouted?

Service X29 has also been cut back to Princes St West as assumed.

Service N37 is no longer serving Roslin (northbound) due to low passenger usage.

This link contains the service changes newsletter: https://www.lothianbuses.com/news/2023/08/335-change-service/

 

[Bus9120UK]

Service X29 has also been cut back to Princes St West as assumed.

Service N37 is no longer serving Roslin due to low passenger usage.

X29 change wasn't an assumption, it was confirmed as per the registration details. N37 is only skipping Roslin northbound.

 

[ScotRail158725]

Service 8 has only had minor timetable changes. Will this not put more pressure on the 8 in the Boswall area with Service 9 being rerouted?

No as the 8 was always every 20 minutes before the 9 came along, it’ll cope perfectly fine

 

[overthewater]

What if No2 was extended from Hermiston Gait to Hermiston Park & Ride? Would only take a few mins.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

What if No2 was extended from Hermiston Gait right the conner to the Calder Jct to Hermiston Park & Ride?

I can't see that being very useful unless you're travelling from West Lothian and connect at the Park and Ride, if I'm honest. At least extending it to Heriot Watt would give Broomhouse, southside and Niddrie a direct link to the university.

Its likely that if Lothian have bidder for any tenders that they’ll have set aside any service changes to be done along with them

To be fair I could see those being done separately, like with the X27 change being out of the blue.

When Lothian Country's network was cut back last November it was done separately from the rest of the network changes, and if LCB take on the 20, 40 and 63 then we will be prepared.

 

[ScotRail158725]

To be fair I could see those being done separately, like with the X27 change being out of the blue.

It wasn’t out of the blue; it happened in accordance with the roads opening.