Lothian group (Network/Route Speculation)

[LiviCrazy]

I doubt at this point Lothian will return to Blackridge, they could of with the 73 but they chose not to.

Honestly the long routes are a good way to cut down on services without having too many spread out to overcomplicate the network, West Lothian has been changed more times than East Lothian or Midlothian for that matter which is a shame for long time residents who can't get used to a bus for more than a couple years.

But the other problem lies with reliability, the 72 being an almost 2 hour long route (with traffic added) is prone to delays constantly, which is why i thought that route would be better split at Livingston, i can understand why they cut the 72 to Winchburgh to save time doing loops in Kirkliston, but will that and an added frequency be enough?

This is also my worry with the new 74 route, i get why they did it connecting one end of Livingston to another, but it feels so bulky, but this is just only the second step to a long awaited network change, heres hope it pays off.

The changes look an awful lot like they just don’t really know the area. The 74 going up Alderstone Road for example, there aren’t many traffic hotspots in Livingston but the bit going past the stadium up to the crossroads at the back of the hospital is probably the worst in the area. That had the potential to severely delay the 74, putting it around Howden South Road could have served the stop at the back of the hospital and avoided that traffic.

Similarly with the 72, I still don’t understand why it needs to do that long diversion over from Craigshill to the hospital when it passes so close later in the route (all of Firsts buses from Uphall always did the Hospital after the Centre). They could put 72 through Craigshill and divert one of the X27/X28 through Howden and it would shorten the route.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

I doubt at this point Lothian will return to Blackridge, they could have with the 73 but they chose not to.

The 73 wouldn’t have had enough time to run out to Blackridge in this format. With an hourly service the furthest you can get in a 2 hour circuit is Armadale. Had it not picked up Livingston Village then it might have just been able to manage it.

As I say, if 73 and 74 are changed to what I referenced, we might see a return to Blackridge at that point.

Should add the Eliburn Park problem would likely be solved by extending the X40 the closest stop to the depot if the 73 were rerouted away from it. It would add a 4th bus onto the X40.

The changes look an awful lot like they just don’t really know the area. The 74 going up Alderstone Road for example, there aren’t many traffic hotspots in Livingston but the bit going past the stadium up to the crossroads at the back of the hospital is probably the worst in the area. That had the potential to severely delay the 74, putting it around Howden South Road could have served the stop at the back of the hospital and avoided that traffic.

Similarly with the 72, I still don’t understand why it needs to do that long diversion over from Craigshill to the hospital when it passes so close later in the route (all of Firsts buses from Uphall always did the Hospital after the Centre). They could put 72 through Craigshill and divert one of the X27/X28 through Howden and it would shorten the route.

Whilst Alderstone Road might be prone to congestion. 3 routes are running along it. I agree one of the routes should’ve done Howden South, but for me I would have suggested the 73 was probably the better option. Ideally if the 73 were to do Livingston-Livingston Village-Blackburn-Bathgate, then it could probably pick up the stops at ASDA as well - only so it and 72 could share the same stop at The Centre.

I do agree, I see little need for the 72 to actually go into St John’s now. As you say it could do Craigshill, with presumably the X27 doing Howden. Though this could only really work if the frequencies of the 72, X27 and X28 were upped. I think it’d be too confusing otherwise with all having the 40 minute frequency and at the moment the 72 and X28 are not equally spaced - pretty much 30:10 rather than 20:20.

This would leave St John’s for the X27 and X28 which have to serve it as such. I would assume the X40 stays regardless.

 

[LiviCrazy]

The 73 wouldn’t have had enough time to run out to Blackridge in this format. With an hourly service the furthest you can get in a 2 hour circuit is Armadale. Had it not picked up Livingston Village then it might have just been able to manage it.

As I say, if 73 and 74 are changed to what I referenced, we might see a return to Blackridge at that point.

Should add the Eliburn Park problem would likely be solved by extending the X40 the closest stop to the depot if the 73 were rerouted away from it. It would add a 4th bus onto the X40.

Whilst Alderstone Road might be prone to congestion. 3 routes are running along it. I agree one of the routes should’ve done Howden South, but for me I would have suggested the 73 was probably the better option. Ideally if the 73 were to do Livingston-Livingston Village-Blackburn-Bathgate, then it could probably pick up the stops at ASDA as well - only so it and 72 could share the same stop at The Centre.

I do agree, I see little need for the 72 to actually go into St John’s now. As you say it could do Craigshill, with presumably the X27 doing Howden. Though this could only really work if the frequencies of the 72, X27 and X28 were upped. I think it’d be too confusing otherwise with all having the 40 minute frequency and at the moment the 72 and X28 are not equally spaced - pretty much 30:10 rather than 20:20.

This would leave St John’s for the X27 and X28 which have to serve it as such. I would assume the X40 stays regardless.

Not sure the frequency of the two separate routes would be a massive thing. The X27 and X28 frequently run together through Livingston and this would actually be opening up connections for both (giving Howden a much needed connection to Edinburgh and Craigshill would be connected to Uphall/Broxburn again). Don’t forget until Lothian ran the routes, the 27/28 actually did two separate routes through Livingston. I would actually say the 72 should go into St John’s but on the second half of the route, it would only be going very slightly off route from Alderstone Road rather than coming all the way along from Craigshill.

I know there are a few more houses around the Stadium now, but does that get that many passengers that it couldn’t just be served by the X40. The people around the top end would still have the stop at Geddes House.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Not sure the frequency of the two separate routes would be a massive thing. The X27 and X28 frequently run together through Livingston and this would actually be opening up connections for both (giving Howden a much needed connection to Edinburgh and Craigshill would be connected to Uphall/Broxburn again). Don’t forget until Lothian ran the routes, the 27/28 actually did two separate routes through Livingston. I would actually say the 72 should go into St John’s but on the second half of the route, it would only be going very slightly off route from Alderstone Road rather than coming all the way along from Craigshill.

I know there are a few more houses around the Stadium now, but does that get that many passengers that it couldn’t just be served by the X40. The people around the top end would still have the stop at Geddes House.

Yes it absolutely could just do it on the second half and as you say would be infinitely easier to do so. I’m just saying I doubt it would though as they’ve almost set a precedent with the way the 73 and 74 are set up. I reckon they should do as suggested, but the probable scenario if that did happen is that the main road stop at St John’s would be expected. Again, the First era routing of the X27 always did Howden. Lothian again tried both Howden and Dedridge West in the past on the X27. Mid Calder weirdly is the opposite to how First had it.

Alderstone Road does have the college and I’ve been on a few 72’s where it’s full on departure from that stop. Granted this would only be at certain times of day but it can happen.

I’m guessing the stops at Eagle Brae are no longer going to be served too? An oversight I’ve only just noticed now.

 

[LiviCrazy]

Yes it absolutely could just do it on the second half and as you say would be infinitely easier to do so. I’m just saying I doubt it would though as they’ve almost set a precedent with the way the 73 and 74 are set up. I reckon they should do as suggested, but the probable scenario if that did happen is that the main road stop at St John’s would be expected. Again, the First era routing of the X27 always did Howden. Lothian again tried both Howden and Dedridge West in the past on the X27. Mid Calder weirdly is the opposite to how First had it.

Alderstone Road does have the college and I’ve been on a few 72’s where it’s full on departure from that stop. Granted this would only be at certain times of day but it can happen.

I’m guessing the stops at Eagle Brae are no longer going to be served too? An oversight I’ve only just noticed now.

First was:
27 Bathgate-Deans South-Knightsridge-Ladywell-Craigshill—Centre-Dedridge West-Dedridge East-Mid Calder (bottom road)-East Calder Main Street-Edinburgh
28 Bathgate-Deans North-Knightsbridge-Ladywell-Howden—Centre-Dedridge East-Mid Calder Main Street-East Calder Langton Road-Kirknewton-Edinburgh

 

[overthewater]

Some new ideas for realistic West Lothian service changes based on the upcoming changes.

72 | Fauldhouse - Longridge - Whitburn - Blackburn - Eliburn - St John's - Livingston - St John's - Pumpherston - Uphall - Broxburn - Winchburgh
Every 30 minutes, 8 vehicles required.

I imagine demand will increase in the future for the 72 to operate every 30 minutes with two additional vehicles required. The service will be additionally extended in the west to Fauldhouse railway station.

73 | Livingston - Livingston Village - Blackburn - Wester Inch - Bathgate - Lower Bathville - Armadale
Every 60 minutes, 2 vehicles required.

The 73 will be re-routed again, operating direct from Livingston Village to Blackburn and then Bathgate via Wester Inch, a similar route to the former McGill's/First 21.

74 | Fauldhouse - Stoneyburn - Loganlea - Addiewell - West Calder - Dedridge West - Livingston
Every 30 minutes, 4 vehicles required.

Truncated to Livingston Bus Terminal but extended in the west to Fauldhouse railway station.

75 | Blackridge - Armadale - Bathgate - Boghall - Deans South - St Johns - Livingston - Dedridge East - Livingston South Stn
Every 60 minutes, 3 vehicles required.

New service, providing a faster link from Armadale and Bathgate to Livingston while also providing service to Livingston South, Dedridge East and Blackridge. Could potentially be increased in frequency to every 30 minutes between Livingston Centre and Armadale with an additional two vehicles.

This would be an increase in vehicle requirement from 12 to 17 for the local services.

Your over busing Fauldhouse who would end up with 4ph. It might be more worthwhile making 74 hourly from Fauldhouse to Livingston and then having an extra from Addiewell to Livingston. 72 needs to get out of Pumpherston to speed up the service for other passengers.

First was:
27 Bathgate-Deans South-Knightsridge-Ladywell-Craigshill—Centre-Dedridge West-Dedridge East-Mid Calder (bottom road)-East Calder Main Street-Edinburgh
28 Bathgate-Deans North-Knightsbridge-Ladywell-Howden—Centre-Dedridge East-Mid Calder Main Street-East Calder Langton Road-Kirknewton-Edinburgh

To be fair that was only until 2004? I still don't know why old D26/27 was switched away from Whitburn.

 

[LiviCrazy]

To be fair that was only until 2004? I still don't know why old D26/27 was switched away from Whitburn.

that was right up to the network refresh in 2017/18. I used to travel every day on them for work.

Here’s the timetable from 2011 which I uploaded.

https://www.railforums.co.uk/attachments/h_1307081333_2051_west-lothian-tt-bklt-web-pdf.183991/

And here’s a timetable from 2017

https://www.firstbus.co.uk/uploads/update-attach/27%2028%20TT-sep%2017.pdf

 

[overthewater]

I was suppose to mean " That was only FROM 2004" and not until; whoops .

 

[stevenedin]

that was right up to the network refresh in 2017/18. I used to travel every day on them for work.

Here’s the timetable from 2011 which I uploaded.

https://www.railforums.co.uk/attachments/h_1307081333_2051_west-lothian-tt-bklt-web-pdf.183991/

And here’s a timetable from 2017

https://www.firstbus.co.uk/uploads/update-attach/27%2028%20TT-sep%2017.pdf

The 2011 network would be great today. There really is nothing stopping Lothian from putting this network into place minus the 77 and The 29 could start and stop at Armadale.

 

[mb88]

I doubt at this point Lothian will return to Blackridge, they could of with the 73 but they chose not to.

But the other problem lies with reliability, the 72 being an almost 2 hour long route (with traffic added) is prone to delays constantly, which is why i thought that route would be better split at Livingston, i can understand why they cut the 72 to Winchburgh to save time doing loops in Kirkliston, but will that and an added frequency be enough?

To be honest, no. If you compare the current timetable with the one coming in next month, they are actually only allowing an extra 5 minutes on the journey from Fauldhouse to Winchburgh. Considering delays of 20-30 minutes currently aren’t uncommon, I can’t see this being enough to make it more reliable, even with the increased frequency. Having a bus every 40 minutes and therefore at different times past each hour is hardly user friendly and going to encourage growth either. Of course only time will tell and I’d be happy to be proven wrong.

 

[overthewater]

History as repeated it's self, go back 25 years and First pulled out of Harthill and Blackridge, that how some of the other smaller companies were able to get a foot hold. No one remembers Davidsons buses 501/502: Every 30mins Blackridge - Harthill - Whitburn - Blackburn - St Johns H - Livingston - Craigshill. When they went bust Blue bus has the 701/702 every 30mins from Harthill to Livingston ( 702 was hourly with one bus!)

The 72 needs to be speeded up, it needs to stop trying to cover everything. The fact it goes past that worse jct in Livingston twice each way AKA the one up from Football Stadium, as pointed out by others also doesn't help.

 

[LiviCrazy]

History as repeated it's self, go back 25 years and First pulled out of Harthill and Blackridge, that how some of the other smaller companies were able to get a foot hold. No one remembers Davidsons buses 501/502: Every 30mins Blackridge - Harthill - Whitburn - Blackburn - St Johns H - Livingston - Craigshill. When they went bust Blue bus has the 701/702 every 30mins from Harthill to Livingston ( 702 was hourly with one bus!)

The 72 needs to be speeded up, it needs to stop trying to cover everything. The fact it goes past that worse jct in Livingston twice each way AKA the one up from Football Stadium, as pointed out by others also doesn't help.

I know this has been shared before. But thought it worth sharing the network West Lothian used to have before all our small operators were forced out. This is from 2009. We’ll never see a network like that again sadly. You could pretty much get anywhere from anywhere.

 

[overthewater]

Sounds more like that councillor is being overzealous and stupid very stupid.. it's a cllr what do you expect? Kirkliston STILL has a direct bus to Livingston, Edinburgh, Fife with onward connections to Perth and Dundee, plus Falkirk,

I think the flash point has been a small number of people using the 72 to go to Broxburn Leisure central and the two big shops around it.

“I’m really concerned at the sudden loss of this service for local people, especially those without access or unable to use a car. With most of the current service funded by West Lothian Council,

The paper/cllr is also incorrect in saying the west Lothian council pay for most of the route. The section between Winchburgh and Broxburn is paid for via A bus route development grant which come from the house builders. As proved by the council it's self Here: https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/article/34282/Local-Bus-Services-Information

How can the councillor be that clueless, it shocking actually..

I know this has been shared before. But thought it worth sharing the network West Lothian used to have before all our small operators were forced out. This is from 2009. We’ll never see a network like that again sadly. You could pretty much get anywhere from anywhere.

Alas Bluebus going is what caused alot of problems, they did actually blamed Lothian for closing down as stated in the Daily Record, ( its been postage on here many times). I'm still surprised SD travel never tried to expand.

 

[SoloSR334022]

I thought of an idea to solve the issue of only serving half of Fauldhouse. Obviously the Fauldhouse bridge is a massive thorn in Lothian's side, but makes for quite the treck for anyone coming from that part of town.

Services serving Fauldhouse

Service 72 - Extended to Whitburn M8J4a. Curtailed from Whitburn Cross to improve reliability, no longer serving Fauldhouse and Longridge, see new Service 75.

Service 74 - No changes.

New Service 75 - Bathgate, Tesco to Fauldhouse Railway Station via Bathgate South Bridge Street, Bathgate Morrison's, Birniehill, Whitburn, Longridge and Fauldhouse Post Office.
Every 60 mins.

Replaces Service 72 from Whitburn Cross to Fauldhouse to improve reliability. Runs exclusively with single deckers, (possibly 1-10 as they've been rumoured for scrap.)

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

I thought of an idea to solve the issue of only serving half of Fauldhouse. Obviously the Fauldhouse bridge is a massive thorn in Lothian's side, but makes for quite the treck for anyone coming from that part of town.

Services serving Fauldhouse

Service 72 - Extended to Whitburn M8J4. Curtailed from Whitburn Cross to improve reliability, no longer serving Fauldhouse and Longridge, see new Service 75.

Service 74 - No changes.

New Service 75 - Bathgate, Tesco to Fauldhouse Railway Station via Bathgate South Bridge Street, Bathgate Morrison's, Birniehill, Whitburn, Longridge and Fauldhouse Post Office.
Every 60 mins.

Replaces Service 72 from Whitburn Cross to Fauldhouse to improve reliability. Runs exclusively with single deckers, (possibly 1-10 as they've been rumoured for scrap.)

Just checking, this would be to Heartlands (at J4A) rather than J4, which is where the warehouses are?

 

[SoloSR334022]

Just checking, this would be to Heartlands (at J4A) rather than J4, which is where the warehouses are?

Yeah my bad, typo.

 

[paravostok]

Just checking, this would be to Heartlands (at J4A) rather than J4, which is where the warehouses are?

I think it's silly that the x18 doesn't properly serve the Heartlands, it seems like an obvious interchange point for the Citylink 902, realistically is there any reason that it doesn't already?

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

I think it's silly that the x18 doesn't properly serve the Heartlands, it seems like an obvious interchange point for the Citylink 902, realistically is there any reason that it doesn't already?

The 902 being there is the main reason I can think why it doesn’t. Remember the 902 goes through Livingston, Uphall, Broxburn and Newbridge.

It would require a 9th bus to be added to the circuit as well. Though the X18 could do with this anyway.

 

[overthewater]

I thought of an idea to solve the issue of only serving half of Fauldhouse. Obviously the Fauldhouse bridge is a massive thorn in Lothian's side, but makes for quite the treck for anyone coming from that part of town.

Services serving Fauldhouse

Service 72 - Extended to Whitburn M8J4a. Curtailed from Whitburn Cross to improve reliability, no longer serving Fauldhouse and Longridge, see new Service 75.

Service 74 - No changes.

New Service 75 - Bathgate, Tesco to Fauldhouse Railway Station via Bathgate South Bridge Street, Bathgate Morrison's, Birniehill, Whitburn, Longridge and Fauldhouse Post Office.
Every 60 mins.

Replaces Service 72 from Whitburn Cross to Fauldhouse to improve reliability. Runs exclusively with single deckers, (possibly 1-10 as they've been rumoured for scrap.)

75 is a very good idea, However its been said Lothian don't want Single Deckers in Livingston depot on this forum, and the other problem is I doubt lothian would operate this route with 1 bus, which can be done since First, Blue bus, Passenger travel, Bulldog, were all able to do so, but the running time is around 27mins.

Lothian also needs to get back in the Heartlands, which first/Mcgills were able to do.

 

[paravostok]

With the council talking about axing private bus services to schools and instead relying on public transport an interesting point was raised about the money instead being spent on tendered bus services, improving the network for everyone, if this happened what routes do you think would come of it? Obviously I know that it's not as simple as this, but in ideal conditions, if the 3 million pounds currently used for school bus hires was used to instead improve the local network what would be first?

I'd imagine Blackburn-Armadale is a significant gap, especially school wise for St. Kents catchment, perhaps bringing back an Armadale-Livingston bus via Blackburn?

 

[Busman757]

Here is my input.

X18: Revised Route & Timetable
Increased to every 20 mins. Limited stop in Edinburgh from Maybury-Zoo. In Whitburn, X18 extended to Heartlands services via Righouse Estate.

X19: Revised Route & Timetable
Livingston Centre-Edinburgh, via Alderstone Road, St John’s Hospital, Pumpherston, Uphall Station, Uphall, Broxburn, Winchburgh, Kirkliston. Limited stop from Maybury to Zoo. Every 30 mins

X27: Revised Route & Timetable
Route extended from Livingston to Whitburn (Heartlands Services) via Eliburn, also now serves Dedridge West. - Every 30 Mins

X28: Revised Timetable
No change to route. Increased to every 30 mins.

43: Revised Timetable
Some Journeys replaced with Limited Stop X43 during Peak times.

X40: No Change

70: No Change

71: No Change

72: No Change

73: Revised Route & Timetable
Extended from Armadale to Blackridge, every 30 mins.

74: Revised Route & Timetable
Livingston South Railway Station - Bathgate via Murieston West Rd, Dedridge East, Livingston Centre, Polbeth, West Calder, Loganlea, Addiewell, Stoneyburn, Fauldhouse, Longridge, Whitburn, J4 M8, Birniehill, Bathgate Town Centre, Bathgate Railway station. Hourly

No Change to NIGHTBUS services.

New Service
75: Livingston Centre - Bathgate via
Howden, St John’s Hospital, Ladywell East, Livingston Village, Seafield, Blackburn, Wester Inch.

 

[overthewater]

There is a few issues with those suggest, and they partly remind me of some of the bad routes First used to operate. The big one is moving the X27 to Whitburn: you have now reduced the service to Craigshill, ladywell and Knightsbridge to every 30mins etc Trust me they wont like that. There is some positive like getting some services into Heartlands, a 30min head way to Broxburn and restoring a service to Birniehill,

 

[Busman757]

There is a few issues with those suggest, and they partly remind me of some of the bad routes First used to operate. The big one is moving the X27 to Whitburn: you have now reduced the service to Craigshill, ladywell and Knightsbridge to every 30mins etc Trust me they wont like that. There is some positive like getting some services into Heartlands, a 30min head way to Broxburn and restoring a service to Birniehill,

That is a valid point. When I drove the X27 to Whitburn it was busy. You could also change my X19 suggestion to then follow the X28 from the Centre to Craigshill Fire Station thus keeping the every 15 min Frequency and If the route is too long, it could possibly run the old X17 route via Deer Park instead of Pumpherston and Uphall Station. This would also enable driver change overs at Deer Park. Come to think of it, you could possibly cut back the 72 to Broxburn with the X19 covering the Broxburn-Winchburgh section.

 

[overthewater]

Was going to put this into main thread but tech this is speculation.. This could have knock on effect on the X19, I can't see how the route can complete in time etc, maybe Lothian saw the lack of train service and thought it might be able to grab some new cutometer's but I doubt the kids and OAP market will keep it float. I would pulled off the x19 and put the resources into make the 72 every 30mins and FASTER to Livingston.

NOTE: this thread is to talk about how this will effect the bus network around the village, there is another thread to discuss the train aspect else where in the forum.

Winchburgh to get long-awaited train station as plans granted by council

Granting of planning consent follows a period of focused work by partners including Winchburgh Developments Ltd, Transport Scotland, Network Rail, SEStran and West Lothian Council to progress the detailed business case for the station.

www.dailyrecord.co.uk

Winchburgh to get long-awaited train station as plans granted by council​

Granting of planning consent follows a period of focused work by partners including Winchburgh Developments Ltd, Transport Scotland, Network Rail, SEStran and West Lothian Council to progress the detailed business case for the station.

The outline business case, which is currently being reviewed by Transport Scotland, shows that the station will have very positive benefits in terms of carbon reduction through a significant reduction in car based journeys.

Planning consent for the new station, which is located adjacent to the new Winchburgh Town Centre, also includes a park and ride and electric vehicle charging points. The platforms on the Edinburgh – Linlithgow – Glasgow / Stirling line will be capable of accommodating trains of six carriages.

A funding solution for delivery of the station remains to be confirmed but granting of planning consent allows the council, with the support of partners, to progress a funding bid to the Scottish Ministers. It is expected that partners will finalise that bid next month.

 

[stevenedin]

If they extend the X19 to Bo'ness in Falkirk it could have a better purpose and if advertised properly and used it could pick up passengers in both Bo'ness and Winchburgh whilst maintaining the fast link in Edinburgh as well for residents in Kirkliston, Newbridge, Drum Brae etc.

 

[overthewater]

Bo'ness in Falkirk it could have a better purpose and if advertised properly and used it could pick up passengers in both Bo'ness and Winchburgh whilst maintaining the fast link in Edinburgh as well for residents in Kirkliston, Newbridge, Drum Br

would they go down the M9 or would they go via Linlithgow and then up to Bo'ness?

 

[paravostok]

If they extend the X19 to Bo'ness in Falkirk it could have a better purpose and if advertised properly and used it could pick up passengers in both Bo'ness and Winchburgh whilst maintaining the fast link in Edinburgh as well for residents in Kirkliston, Newbridge, Drum Brae etc.

But also surely, Lothian being "Lothian" wouldn't extend into Falkirk? I know Bo'ness was historically WestLo but I don't know how eager they'd be setting that precedent.

 

[EdinRH]

But also surely, Lothian being "Lothian" wouldn't extend into Falkirk? I know Bo'ness was historically WestLo but I don't know how eager they'd be setting that precedent.

Lothian have had Peebles and Dunfermline on their destination blinds.

 

[GusB]

Was going to put this into main thread but tech this is speculation.. This could have knock on effect on the X19, I can't see how the route can complete in time etc, maybe Lothian saw the lack of train service and thought it might be able to grab some new cutometer's but I doubt the kids and OAP market will keep it float. I would pulled off the x19 and put the resources into make the 72 every 30mins and FASTER to Livingston.

If there's a rail link between Winchburgh and Edinburgh there will definitely be a knock-on effect if taking the train is quicker.

But also surely, Lothian being "Lothian" wouldn't extend into Falkirk? I know Bo'ness was historically WestLo but I don't know how eager they'd be setting that precedent.

We've been down this route several times before; there is nothing to stop Lothian (or any other bus company) extending its routes beyond its traditional areas if it so chooses.

Whether or not it's a good idea is another matter.

 

[jb66]

I would like to see a bus stop under the M9 at winchburgh so the 909 citylink could give an express service now to edinburgh!