McGill's Scotland East (Midland Bluebird and Eastern Scottish)

[danielhogg2005]

Why are McGill's vehicles so hot inside? I was on a X22 (Streetlite) on Wednesday and it was warm and today on a X38 (B7RLE or whatever it is) and It was also very warm.

 

[delt1c]

Why are McGill's vehicles so hot inside? I was on a X22 (Streetlite) on Wednesday and it was warm and today on a X38 (B7RLE or whatever it is) and It was also very warm.

cant say i have noticed that , in fact in winter the opposite

 

[route101]

Why are McGill's vehicles so hot inside? I was on a X22 (Streetlite) on Wednesday and it was warm and today on a X38 (B7RLE or whatever it is) and It was also very warm.

Small amount of windows on single deckers?

 

[Stan Drews]

Five of the six CitySwift branded E400MMCs entered service today on the X36/X37 services between Stirling/Falkirk and Glasgow. They were 8943/47-50, with 8942 being the sixth.

 

[overthewater]

Was it 8942 that was sitting in Larbert depot forecourt today?

What is the plan for the B7RLE and Streetlites lined up on the main depot area? Getting rid would free up a lot of space.

X36/37 timetables have appeared, just a shame the rest of the timetables have yet to do so.

 

[Stan Drews]

Was it 8942 that was sitting in Larbert depot forecourt today?

X36/37 timetables have appeared, just a shame the rest of the timetables have yet to do so.

Yes, I believe 8942 was at Larbert earlier for some TLC. Understand it was heading back to Bannockburn later.

The new Stirling area booklet is also out and about.

 

[318266]

8945 has been adorned with "I'm helping out" branding - a plain CitySwift decal above the front dest and an explanatory sticker above the side dest. Otherwise, no sign of CitySwift

 

[158715]

8945 has been adorned with "I'm helping out" branding - a plain CitySwift decal above the front dest and an explanatory sticker above the side dest. Otherwise, no sign of CitySwift

It seemed to have broken down outside the Rosebank Distillery in Falkirk on an outbound X37 today, and was there for most of the afternoon.

 

[Metal Mickey]

One of the old Double Deckers is out on the CitySwift X37 this morning.

 

[LothianBusesPh]

One of the old Double Deckers is out on the CitySwift X37 this morning.

The two 08 plated Geminis?

 

[Jordan Adam]

One of the old Double Deckers is out on the CitySwift X37 this morning.

Not exactly a bad thing, they have the exact same seats and are far nicer vehicles.

The two 08 plated Geminis?

2900 SV08FXT

 

[danielhogg2005]

I've noticed that on the advertising on twitter (or X whatever it's called) for driving with Eastern Scottish that it says "no Sunday shifts" which means that Sunday services won't be coming back anytime soon.

 

[ScotRail158725]

I've noticed that on the advertising on twitter (or X whatever it's called) for driving with Eastern Scottish that it says "no Sunday shifts" which means that Sunday services won't be coming back anytime soon.

Its been established long ago they’re not coming back, especially now with the 31 losing its sunday service and more than likely McGills handing the 20, 63, 68 to Lothian

 

[danielhogg2005]

Its been established long ago they’re not coming back, especially now with the 31 losing its sunday service and more than likely McGills handing the 20, 63, 68 to Lothian

Could it end up with Eastern Scottish itself being sold or the services being moved to other operators like Lothian Country?

 

[WestieBus]

Surprising to see Eastern collapse like this while Lothian Country was slowly withdrawing out of the area, a huge win for Lothian and gives them an opportunity to hit back. Only problem is that they will refuse to cross outside of the Lothian border if they do end up taking over the whole division at one point, so other operators like SD Travel will need to do those runs.

 

[danielhogg2005]

Surprising to see Eastern collapse like this while Lothian Country was slowly withdrawing out of the area, a huge win for Lothian and gives them an opportunity to hit back. Only problem is that they will refuse to cross outside of the Lothian border if they do end up taking over the whole division at one point, so other operators like SD Travel will need to do those runs.

Are you referring to the 23 run to Shotts?

 

[danielhogg2005]

Tamfourhill has got a bus service again as Service F14 will be changed starting Monday.

Falkirk Council has linked up with Midland Bluebird to restore a bus service for Tamfourhill

Council officials and a bus company say they have worked together to restore a service for the people of Tamfourhill.

www.falkirkherald.co.uk

The proposed solution involves an amending the existing F14 bus route – which is fully funded by Falkirk Council – and will offer a two-hourly service from 7 am to 7 pm, Monday to Saturday.

 

[stevenedin]

Tamfourhill has got a bus service again as Service F14 will be changed starting Monday.

This is great news!

 

[danielhogg2005]

This is great news!

It will also provide a direct link between the Falkirk Wheel and The Kelpies, was there any previous routes that ran this connection?

 

[Jordan Adam]

It will also provide a direct link between the Falkirk Wheel and The Kelpies, was there any previous routes that ran this connection?

Yes the 3 used to operate to the Falkirk Wheel and the 4 to Ochiltree Terrace prior to August 2018.

Additionally in 2015 there was a service 100 funded by Transport Scotland which connected key tourist locations within Falkirk including the Falkirk Wheel and The Kelpies. A pair of B7RLEs were branded for and allocated to the service.

69258 SK57ADU First Midland Bluebird

Service 100 is the LOOP and operates to/from Falkirk's main tourist attractions, the Falkirk Wheel and the Helix park. Two Volvo B7RLE's carry a pink based livery for the service and 69258 (SK57 ADU) is seen here leaving the Falkirk Wheel.

www.flickr.com

 

[LothianBusesPh]

Only problem is that they will refuse to cross outside of the Lothian border if they do end up taking over the whole division at one point,

Not necessarily, I could see them operating services to close places like Shotts if the market is right and they still operate mainly in the "Lothian Area", although they will try and not do this, I don't see why they wouldn't?

 

[danielhogg2005]

Not necessarily, I could see them operating services to close places like Shotts if the market is right and they still operate mainly in the "Lothian Area", although they will try and not do this, I don't see why they wouldn't?

I think Lothian would do the bus to Shotts if West Lothian Council was still paying for it or if they thought they needed to operate it.

 

[GusB]

Tamfourhill has got a bus service again as Service F14 will be changed starting Monday.

Please edit your post to include a quote from the article you've linked to.

 

[overthewater]

It looks like what the council has done is spilt the F14 in two on the Western side, so Montgomery St side is still every hour, but the services down to the flats around Finistere Ave and Falkirk High Train station goes down to every 2 hours.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Not necessarily, I could see them operating services to close places like Shotts if the market is right and they still operate mainly in the "Lothian Area", although they will try and not do this, I don't see why they wouldn't?

Past experience shows otherwise. For example the X38 and EX2 only going to Linlithgow when clearly the latter should've continued to Falkirk and it might not have failed so spectacularly, likewise services in West Lothian only ever going as far as Whitburn. If they weren't willing to do it during the more rebellious Richard Hall era then i can't see Lothian launching any services that operate outwith the Lothian council regions anytime soon.

I doubt there is much if any demand for the 23 to Shotts as it is. The only reason Eastern Scottish (at the time First West Lothian) extended their services to Shotts was because they won the tender for the 701 (Whitburn - Shotts) which they later integrated in to the X22. I would expect the main market from there would be to Livingston which the Stuart's 34A already generally covers with direct connection to the First Glasgow Service 266 and in half the time.

 

[Observer]

Found the timetable through the Falkirk Council Facebook page. All they have provided is an image, sorry.

Falkirk Council

New revised bus service/timetable for Tamfourhill

www.facebook.com

New revised bus service/timetable for Tamfourhill

Falkirk Council and Midland Bluebird restore bus service for Tamfourhill

Falkirk Council and Midland Bluebird restore bus service for Tamfourhill

www.falkirk.gov.uk

Falkirk Council has helped to restore bus services to the Tamfourhill area after working with Midland Bluebird to redirect existing services.

The proposed changes come in response to widespread apprehension following the discontinuation of the fully commercial No. 6 bus route on August 14, 2023.

Two community meetings were held in July attended by elected members, Midland Bluebird representatives and latterly, officers from Falkirk Council.

Following these discussions, Falkirk Council collaborated closely with Midland Bluebird to devise an alternative plan that would accommodate the needs of the Tamfourhill community.

The proposed solution involves an amendment to the existing F14 bus route – which is fully funded by Falkirk Council – and will offer a two-hourly service from 7 am to 7 pm, Monday to Saturday. The revised bus service is scheduled to begin operations on August 28, 2023.

Councillor Paul Garner, spokesperson for Economic Development explained: “Working closely with the three local members in the area along with Midland Bluebird, we have devised a solution that in the main, addresses the significant concerns of the community.

“We recognised that this commercial route was essential and by working closely together, everyone around the table has contributed to this outcome.”

An ongoing review of all subsidised bus services is taking place, and a report will be brought to committee in November 2023.

 

[WestieBus]

Past experience shows otherwise. For example the X38 and EX2 only going to Linlithgow when clearly the latter should've continued to Falkirk and it might not have failed so spectacularly, likewise services in West Lothian only ever going as far as Whitburn. If they weren't willing to do it during the more rebellious Richard Hall era then i can't see Lothian launching any services that operate outwith the Lothian council regions anytime soon.

I doubt there is much if any demand for the 23 to Shotts as it is. The only reason Eastern Scottish (at the time First West Lothian) extended their services to Shotts was because they won the tender for the 701 (Whitburn - Shotts) which they later integrated in to the X22. I would expect the main market from there would be to Livingston which the Stuart's 34A already generally covers with direct connection to the First Glasgow Service 266 and in half the time.

They went as far as Blackridge once with the 280, which is just west of and a few minutes from Harthill in North Lanarkshire but probably only because the village is in West Lothian. McGills now do the run to Blackridge on the 21. SD visits Blackridge from Harthill on evening journeys

 

[Jordan Adam]

They went as far as Blackridge once with the 280, which is just west of and a few minutes from Harthill in North Lanarkshire but probably only because the village is in West Lothian. McGills now do the run to Blackridge on the 21. SD visits Blackridge from Harthill on evening journeys

They key difference is that Blackridge is within the West Lothian Council region, Harthill and Shotts are not.

 

[stevenedin]

They key difference is that Blackridge is within the West Lothian Council region, Harthill and Shotts are not.

Hence why they are partly funded by SPT.

 

[Voyager lad]

Has anyone else noticed that the Midland Bluebird twitter bio and recent posts have links to a ‘midlandbluebird.com’ instead of the McGill’s Scotland East site that’s still in use? The link always redirects to there, but I’m wondering if separate websites are coming?