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

[Cesarcollie]

Yes, my original question was what can each depot actually fit in terms of buses.

The license if anything confuses things, as has been demonstrated there are often multiple licenses in one depot and as you say that’s purely licensed buses and not actual capacity.

Usually operators (at least established ones with no issues over finance etc) will try and obtain authorisation for the maximum number of buses a depot can hold. if there is more than one licence occupying the same site each must (nowadays) be shown on a plan to demonstrate that the total number fits in, can enter/exit without reversing on the highway, and there is sufficient space, however organised, for drivers to carry out walk round checks. Whilst the rules have got tighter in recent years, the basis principles are unchanged.

 

[buslad1988]

Don’t forget with all the work going on to accommodate charging for electric buses each garages capacity for vehicles will be gradually decreasing in the next few years.

 

[Cesarcollie]

Don’t forget with all the work going on to accommodate charging for electric buses each garages capacity for vehicles will be gradually decreasing in the next few years.

Don’t forget with all the work going on to accommodate charging for electric buses each garages capacity for vehicles will be gradually decreasing in the next few years.

Yes that is correct. Another of the many challenges which come with electric vehicles!

 

[InOban]

WRT allocations, I thought that Seafield was entirely devoted to maintenance and not a base for operational buses which are based in Marine etc.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

WRT allocations, I thought that Seafield was entirely devoted to maintenance and not a base for operational buses which are based in Marine etc.

That’s correct. Anything in Seafield is not in use, for whatever reason that may be as it’s entirely for maintenance. Be it new, repaint, repair, withdrawn.

 

[LKF747R]

It looks like 751e is out on a 14 this afternoon - first use of it in service I think.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

It looks like 751e is out on a 14 this afternoon - first use of it in service I think.

Yes it is the first of the second batch of 48 in service. 752, 753, 756 and 757 probably not far behind. Last of the first batch 732 is also now out too.

754 is in Loughborough now, presumably as Lothian have had issues with accepting it. Left Edinburgh on Monday and arrived yesterday.

 

[lothian14]

Random question, but why have the last two large batches of buses Lothian have received totalled up to 98?

Surely batches of 100 makes more sense!

 

[Edirim]

Looks like 466 has returned to marine depot as a result of 751e entering service now

 

[stevenedin]

Looks like 466 has returned to marine depot as a result of 751e entering service now

Looks like 467 has as well it's on a 19 ahd 465 is at Marine just now not sure if it is a transfer or not.

 

[Bus9120UK]

Looks like 467 has as well it's on a 19 ahd 465 is at Marine just now not sure if it is a transfer or not.

467 is on a Central peak run. It'll continue onto an 8 and then run the 37 all day.

 

[stevenedin]

467 is on a Central peak run. It'll continue onto an 8 and then run the 37 all day.

Thanks for clarifying

 

[citybus2500]

Random question, but why have the last two large batches of buses Lothian have received totalled up to 98?

Surely batches of 100 makes more sense!

Why does 100 make more sense?

 

[Lx008]

Why does 100 make more sense?

Because it’s a round number???

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Why does 100 make more sense?

I think it’s more that Lothian traditionally ordered in batches of numbers ending in 5 or 10. Though recently this has changed somewhat.

 

[roadierway77]

Looks like 752, 753 and 757 have all entered service today.

 

[Bus9120UK]

Looks like 752, 753 and 757 have all entered service today.

756 is also on the road on running ACDC extras.

 

[ScotRail158725]

935 running about in a new black wrap already. Square the brand seems to be called

 

[Scotrail314209]

935 running about in a new black wrap already. Square the brand seems to be called

Was this the one that was advertising some sort of drink? 934 is still advertising Aperol Spritz I believe.

I quite like seeing the white ones get advertising wraps, adds a bit of colour to the network.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Was this the one that was advertising some sort of drink?

Red Bull Summer Edition it had.

 

[LothianLover88]

Why isn't 933 getting wraps? They'd make more money advertising on 3 buses instead of 2, no?

 

[stevenedin]

Why isn't 933 getting wraps? They'd make more money advertising on 3 buses instead of 2, no?

I thought the same about 931 as well.

 

[Lothiangem22]

756 is also on the road on running ACDC extras.

Appeared on a service 30 to Westside plaza for probably the first and last time! Missed opportunity for a rare picture…

 

[ScotRail158725]

Appeared on a service 30 to Westside plaza for probably the first and last time! Missed opportunity for a rare picture…

Aswell as a 25 to Balgreen? i think

 

[CN04NRJ]

Appeared on a service 30 to Westside plaza for probably the first and last time! Missed opportunity for a rare picture…

Are the 75x- batch meant for Marine or are they permanent Central allocations?

 

[Edirim]

Are the 75x- batch meant for Marine or are they permanent Central allocations?

Would imagine the 78x/79x ones will be marine

 

[Lothiangem22]

I’m expecting a fairly even split between the second batch with around 20 being marine allocated. Unsure on numbers, however take into account Marine also has electrically powered tour buses and it’s somewhat behind central in its electrification stage.

The 23 seems to be the next central route being upgraded with the new arrivals.

The newer arrivals also have different destination screen controllers - unsure what the advantages are on these.

 

[computerSaysNo]

I’m expecting a fairly even split between the second batch with around 20 being marine allocated. Unsure on numbers, however take into account Marine also has electrically powered tour buses and it’s somewhat behind central in its electrification stage.

The 23 seems to be the next central route being upgraded with the new arrivals.

The newer arrivals also have different destination screen controllers - unsure what the advantages are on these.

Have chargers started being installed to Longstone yet?

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

I’m expecting a fairly even split between the second batch with around 20 being marine allocated. Unsure on numbers, however take into account Marine also has electrically powered tour buses and it’s somewhat behind central in its electrification stage.

The 23 seems to be the next central route being upgraded with the new arrivals.

The newer arrivals also have different destination screen controllers - unsure what the advantages are on these.

I’m fairly close to this. Up to 780 at Central allowing the 1, 23 and 27 to finish off the job. The new 100’s allow the old lot to go on the 37 and then those MMC’s from it onto the 29. I’d then expect some further Gemini2’s to depart Central.

781-798 for Marine for 5 and 45. We know the 5 will be done. I can’t see a route fitting the requirement for the small number of remaining vehicles other than the 45. This also allows Central to be consistent with their 45 runs on a Sunday which are almost certainly bound to be BZL’s.

 

[Bus9120UK]

Central is 66 plate free with 464 now at Marine. 17 plates 467/8 remain but not for long.