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

[Baileygirl]

Agreed. As a passenger I just find it strange because the ex-Londons and the existing XLBs seem /seemed to perform efficiently.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 May 2026 ==

The article mentions opportunity charging. Is that where a bus can charge up at a terminus during layover for example? Would that be an option for Lothian: to charge up during the day using a pantograph or whatever, at the airport stop?

They tried to put in opportunity charging in Edinburgh/Midlothian before for the second batch of Volvo 700H but they could not get planning permission so the idea was dropped.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

They tried to put in opportunity charging in Edinburgh/Midlothian before for the second batch of Volvo 700H but they could not get planning permission so the idea was dropped.

If memory serves me correctly, only Harrogate ended up with those vehicles. Now withdrawn of course.

 

[Lothianbus703]

If memory serves me correctly, only Harrogate ended up with those vehicles. Now withdrawn of course.

Withdrawn because doing something as logistically specific is that would rather be avoided by most companies as great as it is.
Similar reason to why most buses arent branded for specific routes anymore.

 

[Jordan1296]

Spotted bus 183 on the 26 today. Seemed to be coping with the passengers loads on Princes Street.

 

[Acfb]

I am really happy with the state of the Lothian Buses network TBH, I am fortunate to have bought a whole year bus pass that is valid until 2027. I signed a petition that the 18 bus should be extended to Fort Kinnaird in 2004 but it didn't happen until 2017. I am 37 years old, I work at Sight Scotland so have a good view of the network rail access point at Gorgie Junction as well. Maybe the frequency of the 38 could be increased but I live between Buckstone and Oxgangs so am in a basically ideal position for using the buses.

 

[Lx008]

I am really happy with the state of the Lothian Buses network TBH, I am fortunate to have bought a whole year bus pass that is valid until 2027. I signed a petition that the 18 bus should be extended to Fort Kinnaird in 2004 but it didn't happen until 2017. I am 37 years old, I work at Sight Scotland so have a good view of the network rail access point at Gorgie Junction as well. Maybe the frequency of the 38 could be increased but I live between Buckstone and Oxgangs so am in a basically ideal position for using the buses.

Have to agree, had to re-locate to Newcastle for 6 months and to say that stagecoach north east is a downgrade compared to Lothian is an understatement. Now that I’m back, I will only be singing Lothian praises, especially the Nb 9 is likely one of the best run bus services in the country.
Not once has it failed to turn up or been more than 5-10min late, meanwhile the Newcastle equivalent (NB.1) would frequently just not show up, making the morning commute a gamble everyday.

 

[Scott mac]

Will the 12.8 xlb be a downgrade for the 100?less seats?

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Will the 12.8 xlb be a downgrade for the 100?less seats?

I suspect it will be offset by standard Lazzerini Pratico high back seating being on these new ones as opposed to the current bigger GTS’. A frequency increase also seems inevitable.

 

[Lx008]

I suspect it will be offset by standard Lazzerini Pratico high back seating being on these new ones as opposed to the current bigger GTS’. A frequency increase also seems inevitable.

Makes sense, there’s really no need for the GTS seats on Airlink or the ECB singles, they’re not much more comfortable and make the cabin feel quite claustrophobic

 

[Lothianbus703]

Makes sense, there’s really no need for the GTS seats on Airlink or the ECB singles, they’re not much more comfortable and make the cabin feel quite claustrophobic

They also vastly reduce seating capacity on already extremely busy routes X7/100.
Although I can imagine the East Coast Eclipse 3's were not envisioned to have such heavy passenger loadings.
I do think a bigger solution to the X7 or atleast the Dunbar-Edinburgh route should be found, perhaps services via the A1 or a look into higher capacity buses (not happening given the new evoras). Maybe passenger numbers and where they mostly get on should be looked at to see if the low bridges can be avoided on every 1 in 2 services and ran by a double decker.

 

[NorthEastern]

They also vastly reduce seating capacity on already extremely busy routes X7/100.
Although I can imagine the East Coast Eclipse 3's were not envisioned to have such heavy passenger loadings.
I do think a bigger solution to the X7 or atleast the Dunbar-Edinburgh route should be found, perhaps services via the A1 or a look into higher capacity buses (not happening given the new evoras). Maybe passenger numbers and where they mostly get on should be looked at to see if the low bridges can be avoided on every 1 in 2 services and ran by a double decker.

How about bendy-buses? They’d have high capacity AND go under low bridges (joking of course…..non-standard vehicles)

 

[NorthClyde320]

They also vastly reduce seating capacity on already extremely busy routes X7/100.
Although I can imagine the East Coast Eclipse 3's were not envisioned to have such heavy passenger loadings.
I do think a bigger solution to the X7 or atleast the Dunbar-Edinburgh route should be found, perhaps services via the A1 or a look into higher capacity buses (not happening given the new evoras). Maybe passenger numbers and where they mostly get on should be looked at to see if the low bridges can be avoided on every 1 in 2 services and ran by a double decker.

If the new Evora's are going to be to the same spec as the existing ones in the City fleet that would be an extra 9 seats over the current Eclipse 3's, not much but seems to be the best option out there. I had thought that down the line some of 66-95 would get transferred to East Coast to upgrade the X7 but never imagined it would be new stock instead. To think by the time they arrive the current X7 buses will have spent 10 years ploughing up and down the A1 and will deserve a much needed overhaul.

 

[Lx008]

How about bendy-buses? They’d have high capacity AND go under low bridges (joking of course…..non-standard vehicles)

Something in between would be great, maybe a UK version of the Volvo 8900 on BZR Chassis

 

[Lothianbus703]

How about bendy-buses? They’d have high capacity AND go under low bridges (joking of course…..non-standard vehicles)

Would be brilliant.

 

[Resuwen]

I've always thought more of a coach-spec vehicle would make sense on Xs 5 and 7

 

[Avenger20]

I've always thought more of a coach-spec vehicle would make sense on Xs 5 and 7

Only for those making end to end journeys. Not very handy for local journeys from say East Linton to Haddington or from Gullane to Aberlady.

 

[overthewater]

Plus you can;t stand on the coaches, which is no use for passenger going from Haddington to Asda Jewel. I keep on seeing standing loads on the X7

 

[scosutsut]

If the new Evora's are going to be to the same spec as the existing ones in the City fleet that would be an extra 9 seats over the current Eclipse 3's, not much but seems to be the best option out there. I had thought that down the line some of 66-95 would get transferred to East Coast to upgrade the X7 but never imagined it would be new stock instead. To think by the time they arrive the current X7 buses will have spent 10 years ploughing up and down the A1 and will deserve a much needed overhaul.

9 is still a more than 20% uplift in seats, plus the visibility of available seats will be much better. I've got everything crossed these are for ECB.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

9 is still a more than 20% uplift in seats, plus the visibility of available seats will be much better. I've got everything crossed these are for ECB.

I know the Stagecoach 12.9m Evoras up in Inverness seat 50 which is a great number, Not far off Coach seating numbers, I'd imagine these will be the same, The Evora is a solid choice, the ones in the City fleet still look immaculate, Mental these are nearly 6 years old already

 

[9143180]

I know the Stagecoach 12.9m Evoras up in Inverness seat 50 which is a great number, Not far off Coach seating numbers, I'd imagine these will be the same, The Evora is a solid choice, the ones in the City fleet still look immaculate, Mental these are nearly 6 years old already

For all their flaws, MCV have really nailed the EvoRa

 

[Lx008]

For all their flaws, MCV have really nailed the EvoRa

The only complaint I have (and it is very minor) is that they could very much use a front-end facelift given they’re not the most aesthetically pleasing design, maybe something similar to the front end of the BZL single.

 

[Bus9120UK]

Looks like all nine GB Kite's are now taxed with registrations SV26 OFA/B/C/D/E/G/H/J/K.

 

[Resuwen]

Fleet numbers 1-9 I’d imagine

 

[overthewater]

The New MSP for Midlothian North AKA Colin beattie, has asked the Parliament to recognise what it sees as the need for a cohesive bus network in rural areas. Especially in-conection with the No46 being withdrawn.

He also welcomes the commitment to a £2 fare cap but notes that I must coincide with an improvement to the rural bus networks.

PIC: Outline what is stated above:

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

The New MSP for Midlothian North AKA Colin beattie, has asked the Parliament to recognise what it sees as the need for a cohesive bus network in rural areas. Especially in-conection with the No46 being withdrawn.

He also welcomes the commitment to a £2 fare cap but notes that I must coincide with an improvement to the rural bus networks.

PIC: Outline what is stated above:

I’m not sure how Colin Beattie can make such a claim without any supporting evidence. I find it hard to believe a single deck every 30 minute bus, which didn’t have the best evening or Sunday service either, can damage the local economy. The second claim I can get, but how many people have actually been affected?

As stated countless times previously, it is the responsibility of the council to provide an adequate service in that regard. This just feels like a classic politician move. Claim to have done something, but in reality, done nothing at all.

 

[overthewater]

The fact the local council refuses to pay for a bus between Rosewell up to ERI tells you all you need to know that there was no demand.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

The fact the local council refuses to pay for a bus between Rosewell up to ERI tells you all you need to know that there was no demand.

It's the tale as old as time, service gets replaced, people complain, new service gets withdrawn and replaced with something new and People still complain, I understand the arguments but let's be fair, Rosewell is not the only village that has no link to the RIE, Loanhead (not counting the X33), Roslin and Penicuik also do not have links to the Hospital and it's not like people are outraged about that, people need to plan around the fact that not every bus service will get them right to the door, Lothian clearly have no plans to reinstate the link, and the council aren't paying for it either, so it's just going to have to deal.

 

[route101]

For all their flaws, MCV have really nailed the EvoRa

Only issue I have noticed with Evoras is the openable windows are very small.

 

[scosutsut]

Wished I’d been quick enough on the ball to snap a picture, but just earlier today around 4pm I saw an MCV Evotor in all grey with the dest blinds displaying Lothian Motorcoaches passing Riddrie on the M8 Westbound (I presume headed to Volvo Cardonald). It didn’t have any vinyls on it but I could see clearly that it said Lothian Motorcoaches on the dest blinds (in the same font their other coaches have) & it was in the exact same grey as other LMC vehicles so I can only assume vinyls would be applied soon. If anyone else knows anything about this feel free to add on.

Did these ever materialise?

 

[JD2168]

Only issue I have noticed with Evoras is the openable windows are very small.

They look a similar sized opening gap to a StreetDeck/Gemini 3