Because those MMC’s go onto the 121 and 123. This in turn displaces the full length single deckers onto the traditionally single decker operated X5. Today for example the X5 had 2 double deckers on it. Admittedly there’s school holidays at the moment, but there’s usually at least 1 X5 that is a decker.
Are 191-193 even reliable enough warrant repainting or could Lothian source something more aligned to the fleet, could those StreetAirs be repurposed in some way or is that a conversation for another day?
I would've thought ECB would buy the shortest Evora to keep with the Volvo theme at least, even the dealer stock ones have all the bells and whistles like Lothians 70 plate ones
It was supposed to be for 48 months so there would be about 3 years left depending on the exact start date, which was around now.
I’m not convinced that they’ll re-bid for the 121 or 123. The 120 fits nicely into ECB’s network so I would expect them to make an effort for that.
No doubt the contract could be terminated early if needs be or even subcontracted possibly to Prentice?
The 121 and 123 route maybe do, but the operating environment definitely doesn’t.
A lack of competition rarely improves things. I'd be careful what you wish for.
Indeed. I remember, back in the noughties, passengers wanting to see the back of First in the Edinburgh area. They certainly got their wish in the end, but as to whether services have improved, that's another matter entirely.
That was the case up until 1986.
Unfortunately I remember pre deregulation when the nationalised operator in East Lothian could not be entirely relied on. This also applied very much so to the Borders and resulted in all services with exception of the 100/101 at the time being worked only by Borders depots.
Yes I think given the entire Lothian group does operate non volvos minibuses such as sprinters (there are some non bus ones already) that this idea would work.
I do think an effort should (and possibly already is made) to make the operating enviroment work as it would be a shame to give up a bus route over an unsuitable fleet being attempted to be used on it.
I've tried the 121 on a Sunday just recently to visit the Museum of Flight, with only 3 and 4 on the bus the both times I used it.
I wouldn’t say they’re well used. In summer they pick up a few more tourists/walkers but the busiest I’ve seen it is 10-15 on board; and that was on a nice day after leaving the Museum of Flight. Not many travel end to end it’s more off/on throughout.
I thought they were sold?
Maybe but them and 1-10/18/49 are all at Seafield works currently.
I didn't think they'd want to put 12-13m buses on the wee rural routes if there was a risk of accdents and such, but it seems they did and not to great results. Glad to see 191-193 return though!
193 aswell
