496-510 were the only buses delivered in it and also the only buses to ever have it. Yes 496 is the only one.
571-590 were new with madder interiors.
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Lothian Group discussion (Lothian City, Lothian Country Bus and East Coast Buses)
- Thread starter GusB
- Start date
571-590 were new with madder interiors.
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LothianBusesPh
Member
Airlink is not getting Yutongs.
Official source please.
The official statement to their staff a few months ago…….
Vehicles
Our fleet strategy for 2026 includes 9 single deck Wrights vehicles as well as a number of diesel Volvo/ADL double decks. It's been a long time in the making and I'm genuinely delighted that we have managed to bring 2 important manufacturers in our industry back together.
The Volvo/ADL vehicles are believed to be for Airlink.
stevenedin
Established Member
It looks like bus 5 has been sold according to bustimes and 945 and 946 withdrawn.
alexf380
Established Member
Correct, 945 and 946 now surplus following last week's changes.
Was this not originally also meant to include further electric doubles (presumably more BZL‘s)?
It would be strange if diesels were bought, only for them to leave in a few years once fleet is fully electric.
Resuwen
Member
Diesels for Airlink, which will release some XLBs to city fleet. More electric DDs for the city fleet. Should see off the remaining ex Londons and then make a start on the native 11 plates
LothianBusesPh
Member
As far as I’m aware no more BZLs are coming.
AndrewTaylor95
Member
JMB Travel have bought 905 and 906
Resuwen
Member
The annual report (from memory) projects about 40 new electrics this year so it’ll be interesting to see if there are something else
Auld reekie
Member
- Joined
- 23 Jun 2018
- Messages
- 452
Would this be a financial decision or a new direction?
AndrewTaylor95
Member
Probably down to the fact they take ages to be delivered due to being built in Egypt, It's all well and good with them being Volvos, Smooth and Nice to drive but holding a charge is horrendous
Given there are so many 11 plate deckers to replace, but then the next age bracket is 14 plates (not due off until 2029) I'd expect them to chip away gradually at these with EV decker deliveries every year, with some of the 11 plate native B9s therefore getting an extended stay of execution.
Given that with time EV products will continue to improve, this seems wise.
Given that with time EV products will continue to improve, this seems wise.
roadierway77
Member
If these two reasons (long delivery time and low range) are behind the decision to not pursue any more BZLs in the near future, then it seems logical Lothian might opt for Wright Electroliners and/or ADL Enviro400EVs. Delivery times would be faster as they're manufactured in the UK and they both have good range - up to 600km for the second generation Electroliner and 620km for the second generation Enviro400EV, compared to 300km for the BZL DD, though I don't think there's any doubt that Volvo will also introduce an improved second generation variant at some point.
Last time I was on the 11 plates, they were in pretty good nick. I didn't realise that there is a fair few of them in the fleet.
I assume the ADL or Wright don't weigh half of the Volvo, so if this is the case its looking like a horrific mismatch (or some serious over claiming going on from the UK...)
Auld reekie
Member
- Joined
- 23 Jun 2018
- Messages
- 452
Thanks for that.
That specification table is a little odd as Volvo's own specification of the BZL double decker has a maximum seating capacity of 65.
Lothians only seat 64 of course which I suspect may also be a factor in deciding whether to order any more.
Lothians only seat 64 of course which I suspect may also be a factor in deciding whether to order any more.
computerSaysNo
Established Member
- Joined
- 14 Dec 2018
- Messages
- 1,669
Is this because Lothian's are a shorter length than most of their diesel double deckers?
They are a bit shorter.
Oddly Volvo only offer the BZL double decker in one length, 10.9m, but the single decker is available in seven different lengths.
VioletEclipse
Member
Any word on where it has been sold to? I'm curious as to which operators might want a singlar second hand hybrid single deck.
I guess this marks the end of an era. The first Wright Eclipse Geminis (often known as Gemini 1s) were new to Lothian in September 2005, and that's now the final two of a total of 225 gone after 20 and a half years. Unless you count part of 942.
buslad1988
Member
- Joined
- 28 Dec 2018
- Messages
- 662
I think capacity will (and should) have played a big part in any decision to move away from BZL’s.
Many of the frequencies Lothian run post covid cannot sustain short deckers, regularly you’ll see rammed BZL’s on 14’s, 27’s etc - the 14’s in particular needed a frequency uplift as it was, the allocation has exasperated the problem.
5 was sold to GTG for mechanics to work and train on as far as I'm aware.
VioletEclipse
Member
Thanks! It'll be in good company with former 173.
Lothianbus703
Member
2 decades is impressive for a single type.
Resuwen
Member
Saw a BZL on 37 this morning which strikes me as an unusual allocation
There is a 37 which moves onto the 27 for the rest of the day.
roadierway77
Member
Agreed. They are nice buses but they often get very busy, in particular the lower deck.