West Lothian Council tenders 2023

[stevenedin]

X40 has been awarded to Lothian Country.

Where did you hear this about? That’s great news though.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

X40 has been awarded to Lothian Country.

I’d suggest 195-199 will transfer across to Lothian Country for these two routes. I certainly can’t imagine the X40 using double deckers, while the 72 probably doesn’t need them either.

It may be that East Coast end up keeping 936 to allow 199 to be released then.

 

[LothianBusesPh]

I’d suggest 195-199 will transfer across to Lothian Country for these two routes. I certainly can’t imagine the X40 using double deckers, while the 72 probably doesn’t need them either.

It may be that East Coast end up keeping 936 to allow 199 to be released then.

Then what are 842-845 doing in Livingston then? Unless it's a service increase for Lothian Country and I think there will be. (841 and 846 are heading east if you're wondering).

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I do realise it is a suggestion though.

 

[overthewater]

X40 has been awarded to Lothian Country.

If this is true, it's the best thing Lothian has done since this competition has stared back in 2018. It might also help kick start the southern orbit bus route.

 

[Bus9120UK]

If this is true, it's the best thing Lothian has done since this competition has stared back in 2018. It might also help kick start the southern orbit bus route.

While I won't directly share the information, it does state that the X40 will serve both Calderwood and Westside Plaza. No mention of the existing service 40 either.

 

[overthewater]

While I won't directly share the information, it does state that the X40 will serve both Calderwood and Westside Plaza. No mention of the existing service 40 either.

I would suspect the X28 going back up to a 30min freq with the X27 and X40 providing a 30min service over the other section. If its serves Westside piazza it will have to come off at Baberton jct on the City By-pass.

Has Lothian won any other tenders? like Winchburgh kick starter?

 

[LothianBusesPh]

Has Lothian won any other tenders? like Winchburgh kick starter?

From the information that I've got at the moment it seems to only be these two.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Aug 2023 ==

The two being the Service 72 and Service X40, of course.

 

[overthewater]

What is Service 72? That is a brand new service.

 

[Bus9120UK]

What is Service 72? That is a brand new service.

Kirkliston to Livingston replacing the former 600. This one is via Winchburgh.

 

[danielhogg2005]

Is there any online sources that say these and if so can you link them?

 

[overthewater]

This 72 sounds like the replacement for the Kick-starter fund.

 

[stevenedin]

Subsidised bus network changes agreed - West Lothian Council

Changes to the West Lothian Council-funded bus services have been agreed.

www.westlothian.gov.uk

Changes to the West Lothian Council-funded bus services have been agreed.
16 August

Following a review of local bus services and competitive tendering process, Council Executive have approved proposals to significantly revise the bus services for the first time since 2016, after a three-year delay due to covid.

This will see the majority of the current 18 council-subsided services continue to operate, with some revisions. This includes maintaining the service 21 Blackridge to Armadale and continuing the funding for the 23 Greenrigg to Whitburn service put in place after commercial changes left Blackridge and Greenrigg without bus services.

Six services will no longer be provided from October 2023 and these are: Service 449 Bo'ness to Bathgate; Service 50 Boghall to Harthill; Service 7 Livingston to South Queensferry; Service 31S Bathgate to Linlithgow (Sundays only); and Service 8 Boghall to Bathgate. Funding for Service F45 Linlithgow to Bo'ness service, which is contracted by Falkirk Council, will also end at this time.
Bus fares will also rise for the first time since 2016 in line with rising costs, with an increase of between 10p and 30p per journey and a flat fare of £2 for town centre services. The majority of bus travellers use concessionary cards, so would not be affected.

Full details of all changes will be published on the council's website shortly, once the contract process has been concluded with the bus operators.

Executive councillor for the environment and sustainability Tom Conn said: "The West Lothian bus network has changed hugely since 2016, and the changes to our subsidised services reflect what is happening with commercial services across Scotland.

"Less bus users, increasing costs and driver shortages has led to West Lothian's commercial bus network being reduced significantly in recent years.

"The council has maintained funding for bus services despite a predicted £39 million budget gap over the next five years to keep our communities.

"However, we do not have the resources to backfill commercial service reductions, and it would cost an additional £500,000 per year just to maintain the current like-for-like services.

"We believe the redesigned contracts are sustainable, prioritises key services and ensures the majority of local residents have access bus services for work, leisure and access essential services. It also offers scope for future contract changes, if all the tenders can be agreed within the existing budget."

Currently around 80% of the bus network in West Lothian is commercial, with 20% of services subsidised by the council.

The council aims to support public transport where possible to ensure 90% of local residents have access to an hourly or better service daytime service Monday to Saturday. However, the council is legally not allowed to take action that would inhibit competition in the internal market.

Looks like the ones that aren’t being extended have been announced.

 

[overthewater]

That means the following services are still in place:

L1: Linlithgow Town Service:
B1: Broxburn Town Service:
5: Bathgate Town Service
6: Whitburn Town Service and Avonbridge
9: To Livingston South
16: Western General Hospital bus
18: 5am Sunday morning bus from Fauldhouse to Edinburgh
21: Mcgills: Extension to Blackridge
21: SD Travel: Early Evening runs
31: Bathgate - Linlithgow - Livingston
X40: Edinburgh Royal Infirmary
72: Winchburgh Kick starter:

Part funding with SPT:
23: To Shotts
34/A: Breich service

 

[stevenedin]

That means the following services are still in place:

L1: Linlithgow Town Service:
B1: Broxburn Town Service:
5: Bathgate Town Service
6: Whitburn Town Service and Avonbridge
9: To Livingston South
16: Western General Hospital bus
18: 5am Sunday morning bus from Fauldhouse to Edinburgh
21: Mcgills: Extension to Blackridge
21: SD Travel: Early Evening runs
31: Bathgate - Linlithgow - Livingston
X40: Edinburgh Royal Infirmary
72: Winchburgh Kick starter:

Part funding with SPT:
23: To Shotts
34/A: Breich service

Was the 18 not already cancelled at the last service change for Eastern Scottish? It’s not on their list anymore.

 

[Metal Mickey]

If Lothian Country have won the tender for the X40 I would assume that there were no other bidders.

 

[overthewater]

Was the 18 not already cancelled at the last service change for Eastern Scottish? It’s not on their list anymore.

You're right, plus it was renumbered just before Covid as No20; you learn something new every day.

If Lothian Country have won the tender for the X40 I would assume that there were no other bidders.

That is not always the case, the council can select a higher bid, if it believes it would provide better opportunity's for the public.

 

[stevenedin]

Your right, plus it was renumber just before Covid as No20, your learn something new everyday.




That is not always the case, the council can select a higher bid, if it believes it would provide better opportunity's for the public.

I think that this could possibly help Lothian Country create a more connected West Lothian network. Also they seem to be one of the more reliable operators out of the lot in West Lothian.

 

[LiviCrazy]

You're right, plus it was renumbered just before Covid as No20; you learn something new every day.




That is not always the case, the council can select a higher bid, if it believes it would provide better opportunity's for the public.

I must highlight that we cannot award on price criteria alone in public procurement. There has to be some level of quality criteria included as part of the procurement exercise, the reality can be though that you get companies very good at submitting technical responses and no so good in practice and the reverse.

I believe West Lothian Council had a habit in the past of going with a 90/10 split (price/quality) for bus and coach tenders but I think they’ve been burned with that in the past and have been gradually shifting to a better balance. As it is now part of the DPS unfortunately we cannot see what the award criteria was for the contract award.

 

[Jordan Adam]

It seems Horsburgh are pulling journeys on the 9A/9C to cover school work, so perhaps this explains why they're dropping much of their service work contracts? I went to get the 9C from Murieston yesterday afternoon but after waiting 10 minutes after its due time concluded that it was not running so ended up walking and just making a 21.

Later on i caught RIG6492 on the X40 from Livingston Centre to Hermiston, a good going bus but my god the rattles from the roof around where the aircon unit is are horrendous. As an enthusiast it'll be a shame to see Lothian take over the route as i always liked the variety and unpredictability of vehicles with Horsburgh, it'll be interesting to see how Lothian intend to operate the service.

 

[318266]

Later on i caught RIG6492 on the X40 from Livingston Centre to Hermiston, a good going bus but my god the rattles from the roof around where the aircon unit is are horrendous. As an enthusiast it'll be a shame to see Lothian take over the route as i always liked the variety and unpredictability of vehicles with Horsburgh, it'll be interesting to see how Lothian intend to operate the service.

Given Horsburgh is about to lose most if not all of their services I doubt they care much about their service fleet - the sight of 6491 on the back of a lowloader with the blind for the 40 up is still very clear in my head!

 

[mb88]

With the withdrawal of the service 50, this leaves Blackridge with no late evening service. And no more 31 on a Sunday unless SD Travel are going to operate it which I highly doubt. Also the 21 and 8 going, so nothing going up round Boghall?

 

[Jordan Adam]

With the withdrawal of the service 50, this leaves Blackridge with no late evening service. And no more 31 on a Sunday unless SD Travel are going to operate it which I highly doubt. Also the 21 and 8 going, so nothing going up round Boghall?

The thing to consider regarding Blackridge is that it is quite a comparatively small settlement and has a half hourly rail service in the evening until around midnight. The station while being just outside the main town is still within reasonable walking distance, even the furthest away point in Blackridge is still only a 20 minute walk. With tightening budgets its completely understandable why the 50 would be cut in favour of other services.

 

[stevenedin]

With the withdrawal of the service 50, this leaves Blackridge with no late evening service. And no more 31 on a Sunday unless SD Travel are going to operate it which I highly doubt. Also the 21 and 8 going, so nothing going up round Boghall?

It would be good if the 4 was brought back that went from Bathgate to Limefield Estate.

 

[overthewater]

Service No21 by SD Travel is commercial and is staying as far as I believe, the council only pays for the 18.15 journey, plus the section to Falside Crescent.

 

[mb88]

Service No21 by SD Travel is commercial and is staying as far as I believe, the council only pays for the 18.15 journey, plus the section to Falside Crescent.

Ah that explains it, thank you. Curiously, bustimes.org lists the 21 as operating Saturdays only.

 

[overthewater]

"Bus times" for the past week has been having issues with certain data, timetables and stops on the live map. I would hope this will all get fixed shortly.

 

[markymark2000]

Ah that explains it, thank you. Curiously, bustimes.org lists the 21 as operating Saturdays only.

BusTimes gets its data for SD Travel from the Traveline Database, which if course is maintained by Traveline Scotland. Make sure you report any errors to them as then they can update their website at the same time.

 

[overthewater]

Has anymore news appeared about the revised tenders? I think its fair to say SD travel will retain most of its work, but route 9 is the one which could end up with Eastern Scottish, as a bolt on with route 21.

 

[danielhogg2005]

Has anymore news appeared about the revised tenders? I think its fair to say SD travel will retain most of its work, but route 9 is the one which could end up with Eastern Scottish, as a bolt on with route 21.

No news yet from where I've been checking, I think the 9's will most likely end up with Eastern Scottish but if not then SD Travel is another good candidate I'd say.

 

[overthewater]

Last year this was made clear at Whitburn community council meeting, yet a year later nothing has taken place. Taylor Wimpey has plans for a lot more housing https://www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/new-homes/whitburn/heartlands-phase-5 You would expect Whitburn town service No6 to have provision to operate into the Park n ride?

Park & Ride
At an update to a meeting of the Whitburn Community Council last week, the Council’s Head of Planning advised that the developer must submit a planning application for the Park & Ride by the 750th house occupation. The Park & Ride must be in place by the 1000th house occupation. The obligation for phase 1 is for 150 spaces, with land reserved for 1000 spaces. Council officers meeting with Transport Scotland and bus operators to take this forward.

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As expected, SD Travel got the No9.

• PM0003030/32 Registered​

  SAMUEL JAMES DOUGLAS
  Route: Livingston, The Centre to Livingston, The Centre via Dedridge, Livingston, South Station, Murieston
  Service number: 9
  Service type: Normal Stopping
  Effective date: 16 Oct 2023

• PM0003030/30 Registered​

  SAMUEL JAMES DOUGLAS
  Route: Leyland Road, Bathgate to Leyland Road, Bathgate via Bathgate Tesco Morrisons
  Service number: 5
  Service type: Normal Stopping
  Effective date: 16 Oct 2023

• PM0003030/28 Registered​

  SAMUEL JAMES DOUGLAS
  Route: Livingston Centre (Stance D) to Bathgate Train Station via St Johns Hosptial, Uphall, Ecclesmachan, Threemiletown,
  Service number: 31
  Service type: Normal Stopping
  Effective date: 16 Oct 2023

• PM0003030/27 Cancelled​

  SAMUEL JAMES DOUGLAS
  Route: Harthill to Boghall via Armadale Cross
  Service number: 50
  Service type: Normal Stopping
  Effective date: 15 Oct 2023

• PM0003030/24 Cancelled​

  SAMUEL JAMES DOUGLAS
  Route: Boghall, Limefield Place to Bathgate, Morrisons via Rail Station
  Service number: 8
  Service type: Normal Stopping
  Effective date: 15 Oct 2023

• PM0003030/17 Cancelled​

  SAMUEL JAMES DOUGLAS
  Route: Boness/Linlithgow to Bathgate/Linlithgow
  Service number: 449
  Service type: Normal Stopping
  Effective date: 15 Oct 2023