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

[Graeme Duncan]

Now that e766,778 and 779 are in service I am assuming that 369,373 and 375 have been moved to Longstone leaving only 380 to be reallocated.

 

[LothianBusesPh]

Historically the 123 did Tranent to Haddington all days I think, with no circle. Haddington-Bolton-Gifford-Pencaitland-New Winton-Tranent.

There was also a 133 Musselburgh to New Winton, which ran via Whitecraig, Crossgatehall and Elphinstone.

The 110 used to extend beyond Elphinstone to Dalkeith and I’m sure this was the precursor to the 328/329/330. I suspect this would’ve been for operational convenience though as it allowed First to run the 110 from Dalkeith rather than Musselburgh.

Apologies, I got confused with the 121. It served Gifford, Pencaitland and Tranent on Sundays instead of the 123. In later years this stretch simply operated as 123.

The 110 was mainly Elphinstone to Cockenzie with occasional runs to Prestonpans, however there was one to Dalkeith around Midday (I assume for schools), similarly around 4 in the evening and the last journey as it was Dalkeith based. On Sundays the extension to Dalkeith ran every 3 hours. I believe the 133 was peaks only but happy to be corrected.

 

[Edirim]

Can confirm for the 110 and 133

 

[stevenedin]

Can confirm for the 110 and 133

Thanks for posting this. As we can see networks have got worse rather than better. Lothian should've left the network to First.

 

[Busman757]

Thanks for posting this. As we can see networks have got worse rather than better. Lothian should've left the network to First.

Bearing in mind it was first that pulled out of East Lothian. Not like Lothian forced them.

 

[stevenedin]

Bearing in mind it was first that pulled out of East Lothian. Not like Lothian forced them.

After lots of competition from Lothian. The same reason why West Lothian went badly and every area is a shell of what it used to be now which is a shame.

 

[computerSaysNo]

Can confirm for the 110 and 133

Thanks for these. I've noticed the service between Edinburgh/Portobello and Seton Sands is absent but there is a local service every 10 minutes between Musselburgh and Seton Sands - did the Edinburgh service run only as far as Musselburgh at that time?

Thanks for posting this. As we can see networks have got worse rather than better. Lothian should've left the network to First.

124 used to run only every hour on a Sunday, now runs twice an hour. X5 didn't exist. Fast service Edinburgh to Haddington finished in the early evening whereas now contributes into late evening. Pencaitland only had one service an hour, now has two.

 

[stevenedin]

Thanks for these. I've noticed the service between Edinburgh/Portobello and Seton Sands is absent but there is a local service every 10 minutes between Musselburgh and Seton Sands - did the Edinburgh service run only as far as Musselburgh at that time?

124 used to run only every hour on a Sunday, now runs twice an hour. X5 didn't exist. Fast service Edinburgh to Haddington finished in the early evening whereas now contributes into late evening. Pencaitland only had one service an hour, now has two.

The original 129 used to go to Silverknowes from Seton Sands via Edinburgh city centre.

There was an X5 of some sort at some point with First but point taken.

 

[ScotRail158725]

Just seen 351 in a new wrap for JD, not sure if 352 has been done too

 

[Resuwen]

Anyone have any update on the new Airlinks?

Also are we expeting next year‘s batch of EVs, as per the annual report, to be more BZL double deckers? Or will the company have had some pressure applied to go for ADL? Or might it be a batch of single deckers?

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Just seen 351 in a new wrap for JD, not sure if 352 has been done too

I’ve seen both today. Just 351 at the moment. 352 still Square.

 

[DunsBus]

It was Very short lived, I'm sure the service change information is in this thread many page back the way.

EDIT: P480:

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

The only reason I've ever been able to come up with myself for this is maybe they want to leave space between the numbers of different batches and eliminate the possibility of batches being numbered in a different series which could be used for a future order of vehicles. For example the last...

www.railforums.co.uk

It was a response to First starting up in Edinburgh. When First pulled its city network, the 15 was cut back to Tranent. Dates of operation of the 15 running to Haddington were 20/08/2001 - 20/07/2002.

 

[Lx008]

Anyone have any update on the new Airlinks?

Also are we expeting next year‘s batch of EVs, as per the annual report, to be more BZL double deckers? Or will the company have had some pressure applied to go for ADL? Or might it be a batch of single deckers?

I can’t find an annual report from 2025 (or 2024) could you link to said document?

 

[Bus9120UK]

I can’t find an annual report from 2025 (or 2024) could you link to said document?

LOTHIAN BUSES LIMITED filing history - Find and update company information - GOV.UK

LOTHIAN BUSES LIMITED - Free company information from Companies House including registered office address, filing history, accounts, annual return, officers, charges, business activity

find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk

07 Jul 2025

Group of companies' accounts made up to 28 December 2024

View PDF (68 pages)

Page 16

 

[Lx008]

LOTHIAN BUSES LIMITED filing history - Find and update company information - GOV.UK

LOTHIAN BUSES LIMITED - Free company information from Companies House including registered office address, filing history, accounts, annual return, officers, charges, business activity

find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk

Page 16

Thanks, makes sense now where the figure of 44 new electrics next year comes from

 

[Devon Sunset]

Apologies, I got confused with the 121. It served Gifford, Pencaitland and Tranent on Sundays instead of the 123. In later years this stretch simply operated as 123.

The 110 was mainly Elphinstone to Cockenzie with occasional runs to Prestonpans, however there was one to Dalkeith around Midday (I assume for schools), similarly around 4 in the evening and the last journey as it was Dalkeith based. On Sundays the extension to Dalkeith ran every 3 hours. I believe the 133 was peaks only but happy to be corrected.

That version of the 133 was a truncated version of the original that ran in the 80’s and early 90’s from Edinburgh bus station to Haddington via Danderhall, Millerhill, Musselburgh, Whitecraig, Elphinstone, Tranent, New Winton, Pencaitland, East Saltoun and Bolton crossroads.

 

[paravostok]

After lots of competition from Lothian. The same reason why West Lothian went badly and every area is a shell of what it used to be now which is a shame.

Honestly, as someone living in West Lothian we all welcomed Lothian with open arms, people would just watch as First buses went by and wait for the cheaper Lothian ones. And yes today the networks everywhere are pitiful but that lies on covid more than anything, and most of the big holes in the WestLo network have been plugged now.

 

[Steve440]

Honestly, as someone living in West Lothian we all welcomed Lothian with open arms, people would just watch as First buses went by and wait for the cheaper Lothian ones. And yes today the networks everywhere are pitiful but that lies on covid more than anything, and most of the big holes in the WestLo network have been plugged now.

I have an Eastern Scottish allocation list from January 1976 and it's hard to believe the number of vehicles allocated to their depots. For example, Dalkeith had 73 vehicles, Bathgate 83 as well as the huge Edinburgh allocation of 266!

 

[Baileygirl]

Honestly, as someone living in West Lothian we all welcomed Lothian with open arms, people would just watch as First buses went by and wait for the cheaper Lothian ones. And yes today the networks everywhere are pitiful but that lies on covid more than anything, and most of the big holes in the WestLo network have been plugged now.

Not all. Lothian may have been cheaper on single tickets as long as you did not cross a zone line, First was cheaper on day and weakly tickets. Both Lothian Country and First were losing money when they came in and they were sharing the drivers, hence shortages and service cancellations. Bus service is now dire, a wee bit better than last year, causing more traffic which delays the buses more.

 

[NorthEastern]

Apologies, I got confused with the 121. It served Gifford, Pencaitland and Tranent on Sundays instead of the 123. In later years this stretch simply operated as 123.

The 110 was mainly Elphinstone to Cockenzie with occasional runs to Prestonpans, however there was one to Dalkeith around Midday (I assume for schools), similarly around 4 in the evening and the last journey as it was Dalkeith based. On Sundays the extension to Dalkeith ran every 3 hours. I believe the 133 was peaks only but happy to be corrected.

Hard to imagine these carried many people especially on a 3 hour frequency

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Hard to imagine these carried many people especially on a 3 hour frequency

I suppose it wasn’t meant to. It appears as if it was purely for driver swaps.

 

[stantheman]

1153 showing on the 9 justnow

 

[overthewater]

Honestly, as someone living in West Lothian we all welcomed Lothian with open arms, people would just watch as First buses went by and wait for the cheaper Lothian ones. And yes today the networks everywhere are pitiful but that lies on covid more than anything, and most of the big holes in the WestLo network have been plugged now.

Not all. Lothian may have been cheaper on single tickets as long as you did not cross a zone line, First was cheaper on day and weakly tickets. Both Lothian Country and First were losing money when they came in and they were sharing the drivers, hence shortages and service cancellations. Bus service is now dire, a wee bit better than last year, causing more traffic which delays the buses more.

I still saw plenty of full First/Mcgill buses during the battles and it appear more that half the passengers who had passes, didn't care who operated the route. I have to agree the network is still dire and you can't blame covid for that. I hope in spring 2026 we will see some further improvements and we will get proper network.

I'm still looking at this X19 and it still doesn't seem to be setting the heather on fire, the only time I see it remotely busy is on Saturday morning but that was always the case on the X38.

After lots of competition from Lothian. The same reason why West Lothian went badly and every area is a shell of what it used to be now which is a shame.

While yes Lothian has streamlined the Mid-Lothian operations especially with routes going into Edinburgh, it must be highlighted that the new train line has taken alot of the customer base in the area.

 

[Bus9120UK]

A number of additional buses at Central just now:
From Longstone: 1150/3 (no longer required) - 556 (moved to Central after receiving interior displays rather than returning to Longstone).
From Marine: 409, 474 and 794e.


409, 474, 556 and 794e have now returned. Odd one.

 

[stantheman]

1153 showing back on 33 now

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

1153 showing back on 33 now

It’s still at Central, on a 23.

 

[Butts]

I have to travel between Falkirk and Livingston getting the McGills X38 to Winchburgh and changing onto the Lothian Country 72.

I am a little worried about the longevity of the 72 as there never seems to be many passengers on it.

It has never failed to turn up unlike the X38 and it's timekeeping is better.

 

[paravostok]

I have to travel between Falkirk and Livingston getting the McGills X38 to Winchburgh and changing onto the Lothian Country 72.

I am a little worried about the longevity of the 72 as there never seems to be many passengers on it.

It has never failed to turn up unlike the X38 and it's timekeeping is better.

I can't speak for the later sections, but certainly fauldhouse-whitburn-blackburn-livi always seems to be busy, on it right now and despite being 10am it's still quite full

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

I am a little worried about the longevity of the 72 as there never seems to be many passengers on it.

I wonder if the revised route of the 72 in Winchburgh has contributed to this? Many of us highlighted this at the last change as being a mistake with it now missing out most of the existing parts and focusing solely on the new houses. It really should’ve been made to share the route and terminus with the X19 from Tally Ho, but still serving the school campus.

The section is subsidised through a grant with an expectation that eventually it could run commercially. Makes you wonder if eventually the route could be curtailed to Broxburn and a less frequent subsidised alternative added to replace it.

 

[UK Bus Spotter]

1153 LX11 CWT Is covering service 1 currently passed Stenhouse cross heading towards clermiston