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

[TheEastCoaster]

I suspect it’s probably a temporary timetable being introduced due to the Gorgie Road closure.

I know its 6 months but considering the only stop effected is Saughton Rose Gardens, i would be surprised if they revised the timetable for this diversion, has it made that much of an impact in terms of running times?

It seems service no31 going into West Craigs is in doubt right now as the bus gate is now in dispute.

I did think it was odd for this to be announced so pre-maturely, and a shame that nothing is sorted as of yet, i think Lothian should of waited and then announced it when the time was right before getting folks hopes up, who knows how long it will take for them to divert via Turnhouse and West Craigs.

 

[overthewater]

Lothian were/are trying to get ahead of the game and make it's point very public and very clear. I don't blame them one bit in this game since councils etc never do the right thing half the time for bus passengers. It would interesting to know if Lothian is getting any housing development money to direct the 31 into the estate.

 

[DunsBus]

Lothian were/are trying to get ahead of the game and make it's point very public and very clear. I don't blame them one bit in this game since councils etc never do the right thing half the time for bus passengers. It would interesting to know if Lothian is getting any housing development money to direct the 31 into the estate.

Prior to deregulation the 31 also ran along Turnhouse Road - albeit on evenings and Sundays when service 85, which provided the daytime link between Turnhouse and the city centre, wasn't running. Back then, the evening and Sunday service ran every 20 minutes with 1bph serving Turnhouse and 2bph serving East Craigs. The Turnhouse 31s turned at the cargo terminal.

 

[Graeme Duncan]

Does anybody know if 669 is on the mend.

 

[LothianBusesPh]

Does anybody know if 669 is on the mend.

It is indeed.

 

[Highland050261]

I see 193 is for sale.

 

[computerSaysNo]

I see 193 is for sale.

Is that the only one of the 200MMCs which still works?

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

I see 193 is for sale.

I suspect a separate ad for 191/2 will appear shortly.

 

[mb88]

Bus 32 out on the 43 this morning filling in for bus 572 which decided right before the traffic lights at Queensferry Street would be a good place to break down! Can’t remember the last time I saw a single deck on the 43. Used to happen occasionally when Country had singles.

 

[Kilmux]

Bus 32 currently on service 43 to Queensferry!

 

[Edirim]

Looking at September 2025 Vs February 2026 PVRs and journey counts:
Sunday
ECB PVR was 30, now 26 (individually translates as +1 on X4, -2 on X7, -1 on 113, -1 on 124) / Was 331 journeys, now 299 (-3 on 106, -8 on 113, -14 on 124, +9 on X4, -14 on X7)
LCB PVR was 47, now 45 (individually translates as -3 on X19) / Was 448 journeys, now 429 (-16 on X19)
LOTH PVR was 273, now 271 (individually translates as +1 on 22, -1 on 25, -2 on 46) / Was 3537 journeys, now 3480 (-16 on 22, -2 on 26, +1 on 30, +1 on 31, +1 on 44, -38 on 46, -5 on 48, -1 on 22A, +2 on N30)

Saturday
ECB PVR was 46, no 45 (individually translates as -1 on 139) / Was 498 journeys, now 478 (+4 on 106, -20 on 139, -2 on X7)
LCB PVR was 49, now 48 (individually translates as -3 on X19) / Was 529 journeys, now 504 (-22 on X19)
LOTH PVR was 371, now 366 (individually translates as +1 on 12, -1 on 22, +1 on 3, +1 on 31, -7 on 46) / Was 4511 journeys, now 4408 (-2 on 12, -25 on 22, -10 on 26, +1 on 30, +1 on 31, -3 on 34, -69 on 46, +3 on 48, -1 on 22A, +2 on N30)

Friday
ECB PVR was 48, now 46 (individually translates as -1 on 139, -1 on 140, -1 on X6) / Was 541 journeys, now 503 (-6 on 106, -24 on 139, -3 on X6, -5 on X7)
LCB PVR was 53, remains 53 (individually translates as +1 on X27) / Was 561, now 546 (-14 on X19)
LOTH PVR was 415, now 407 (individually translates as +1 on 12, -2 on 22, -1 on 26, +1 on 29, +1 on 31, -7 on 46, +3 on 48, -1 on 9) / Was 5066 journeys, now 4989 (-1 on 9, +3 on 12, -1 on 17, -34 on 22, -7 on 26, +1 on 30, +3 on 31, +1 on 34, +2 on 44, -69 on 46, +24 on 48, -1 on 22A, +2 on N30)

 

[Auld reekie]

Why has bus 1063(2019) plate now a 68 plate?

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

Why has bus 1063(2019) plate now a 68 plate?

It's been a 68 plate from new It's never been a 19 plate, was used before March 2019

 

[Auld reekie]

It's been a 68 plate from new It's never been a 19 plate, was used before March 2019

Thanks.
Just noticed it today on the 11.
Just wondered the reason for this.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

big day today! wonder how the residents of rosewell are enjoying the long awaited 31

 

[overthewater]

ll are enjoying the long awaited 31

It will Unfortunley be overshadowed by the complaints of the 46 getting taken off. However there is still no sign of Midlothian council paying for any replacement.

 

[JKP]

It will Unfortunley be overshadowed by the complaints of the 46 getting taken off. However there is still no sign of Midlothian council paying for any replacement.

Midlothian Council expect operators to provide services commercially. Their bus subsidy budget was always minuscule.

 

[NorthClyde320]

It will Unfortunley be overshadowed by the complaints of the 46 getting taken off. However there is still no sign of Midlothian council paying for any replacement.

I can't see a council paying for a replacement service given that other services exist even if it does mean passengers having to change onto different services to complete journeys. The best hope is for the new 39 to be extended to Rosewell at the next service change as even the current timetable has enough room to accommodate this.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

The best hope is for the new 39 to be extended to Rosewell at the next service change as even the current timetable has enough room to accommodate this.

It doesn’t. It has a 50 minute running time towards Dalkeith. Extending it would increase this by 7 minutes, giving just a 3 minute layover. Only if Tesco were cut, could it be done. It often loses time getting round Woodburn so changing the layover time at the Dalkeith Campus time would not be a good idea.

 

[roadierway77]

It doesn’t. It has a 50 minute running time towards Dalkeith. Extending it would increase this by 7 minutes, giving just a 3 minute layover. Only if Tesco were cut, could it be done. It often loses time getting round Woodburn so changing the layover time at the Dalkeith Campus time would not be a good idea.

Extending the 39 to Rosewell would mean you'd either have to add an additional bus to the allocation or cut out Hopefield. Or decrease the frequency.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Extending the 39 to Rosewell would mean you'd either have to add an additional bus to the allocation or cut out Hopefield. Or decrease the frequency.

Hence why I suggested removing Tesco as the only practical way. Though Hopefield may also be an option as you say.

Though given it’s somewhat of a niche, I think Rosewell residents will just have to get used to switching buses in Bonnyrigg for Tesco and Dalkeith, and at Kaimes for the Infirmary.

 

[overthewater]

If the council wont pay, then there is no demand.

Does the community minibus scheme still operate in the area? Maybe they could run a bus from Rosewell and bonny to ERI at certain times?

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Does the community minibus scheme still operate in the area? Maybe they could run a bus from Rosewell and bonny to ERI at certain times?

They do, but most only run once or twice a week. Not really practical for a hospital connection.

 

[NorthClyde320]

It doesn’t. It has a 50 minute running time towards Dalkeith. Extending it would increase this by 7 minutes, giving just a 3 minute layover. Only if Tesco were cut, could it be done. It often loses time getting round Woodburn so changing the layover time at the Dalkeith Campus time would not be a good idea.

Yeah I agree it would be tight but could you cut the 10 min layover at the campus to say 5-8 mins, I looked at the revised X19 service and it has only a 7 min layover at each end and this is tight esp for a City route

 

[Edirim]

Deleted

 

[UK Bus Spotter]

With the changes today bus 172 SN60 EOE is on the service 2 between hermiston gait and the jewel but is this a cover for today or has 172 transferred to longstone or is there a run done by marine now

 

[ScotRail158725]

It doesn’t. It has a 50 minute running time towards Dalkeith. Extending it would increase this by 7 minutes, giving just a 3 minute layover. Only if Tesco were cut, could it be done. It often loses time getting round Woodburn so changing the layover time at the Dalkeith Campus time would not be a good idea.

Serving hopefield and a few new houses that would be better to cut than tesco. Withdrawing the 46 was a stupid idea. Even having the 46 from the Royal to Rosewell only would have worked better

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Serving hopefield and a few new houses that would be better to cut than tesco. Withdrawing the 46 was a stupid idea. Even having the 46 from the Royal to Rosewell only would have worked better

I disagree. I was in favour of removing the 46 purely as it was a total ball-ache when mixed in with the 48. Do I think the solution with the 39 is perfect? Not at all. I do wonder if part of the previous 39 may end up returning over time though. Not all the way to Gorebridge, but possibly to Mayfield via Newtongrange.

For me, if Rosewell and Bonnyrigg need a direct Infirmary link, then so does Penicuik.

I’m curious to see how they would make this trial X33 route permanent if it were successful. No idea what would could do this.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

I disagree. I was in favour of removing the 46 purely as it was a total ball-ache when mixed in with the 48. Do I think the solution with the 39 is perfect? Not at all. I do wonder if part of the previous 39 may end up returning over time though. Not all the way to Gorebridge, but possibly to Mayfield via Newtongrange.

For me, if Rosewell and Bonnyrigg need a direct Infirmary link, then so does Penicuik.

I’m curious to see how they would make this trial X33 route permanent if it were successful. No idea what would could do this.

Either they create a new local route starting from Loanhead (or Straiton P&R) as a potentially better terminus running out to Newtongrange, or they tinker with the 39 or 140 (potentially rerouting it via Straiton Retail Park), but it's early days and who knows if this will even last a few months?

 

[ScotRail158725]

I disagree. I was in favour of removing the 46 purely as it was a total ball-ache when mixed in with the 48.

I didnt think so i thought they worked well, i used them somewhat and they were a useful link

On another note, 366 and 367 at Central again