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

[Lothianbus703]

What will happen to the 7900s on the 36 after the new buses arrive ? Any idea what will operate the 32 thanks

32 is B7RLE's most days and will probably continue to be.

 

[jacoblikesbus]

Buses 1e,2e,5e and 1 other is at central at the moment

 

[GordonT]

Are the schedule boards which Lothian drivers refer to when operating a journey compiled to show the entire day's work for the bus? Has the current system prevailed since time began?

 

[LothianBusesPh]

Are the schedule boards which Lothian drivers refer to when operating a journey compiled to show the entire day's work for the bus? the current system prevailed since time began?

Yes.

 

[Busman757]

Are the schedule boards which Lothian drivers refer to when operating a journey compiled to show the entire day's work for the bus? Has the current system prevailed since time began?

A typical running board showing which each journey a bus should take throughout the day. For bus routes exceeding 50Km in length, bus operators tend to split the routes (normally at the half waypoint), with a set down time. An example of this was Lothian Country’s service X17 from Fauldhouse to Edinburgh, which would be two journeys. Screened as “X17 Livingston, Then Edinburgh” with journeys changed in the ticket machine at Livingston Centre.

 

[NorthEastern]

A typical running board showing which each journey a bus should take throughout the day. For bus routes exceeding 50Km in length, bus operators tend to split the routes (normally at the half waypoint), with a set down time. An example of this was Lothian Country’s service X17 from Fauldhouse to Edinburgh, which would be two journeys. Screened as “X17 Livingston, Then Edinburgh” with journeys changed in the ticket machine at Livingston Centre.

Very interesting to see this, thanks for posting it. I can recall when I was a kid seeing the drivers timetable cards in the cabs back in the day, the other side would have the service number followed by a slash/ then another number which I suppose was the board number. Anyway on the one you posted, could you please explain what the Block is, also the Tn 53, and the D230 v 0. Thanks in advance!

 

[computerSaysNo]

Very interesting to see this, thanks for posting it. I can recall when I was a kid seeing the drivers timetable cards in the cabs back in the day, the other side would have the service number followed by a slash/ then another number which I suppose was the board number. Anyway on the one you posted, could you please explain what the Block is, also the Tn 53, and the D230 v 0. Thanks in advance!

I think "block" and "board" are used interchangeably to mean the same thing (the list of services a vehicle will work).
"Tn" is the trip number, I'm not sure how these are arrived at or if they have any meaning of themselves though.
The other bit I'm not sure, I've not seen that on a board before.

 

[alexf380]

The "D" and "V" numbers are the codes for the old mobitech powerblinds I'm sure, meaning destination and via respectively.

 

[mb88]

A typical running board showing which each journey a bus should take throughout the day. For bus routes exceeding 50Km in length, bus operators tend to split the routes (normally at the half waypoint), with a set down time. An example of this was Lothian Country’s service X17 from Fauldhouse to Edinburgh, which would be two journeys. Screened as “X17 Livingston, Then Edinburgh” with journeys changed in the ticket machine at Livingston Centre.

Back in the early days of Lothian Country when many of the running times were hopelessly unachievable. That 05:30 service X28 from Bathgate to Edinburgh scheduled for 1 hour 41 minutes gets 2 minutes shy of 2 hours these days!

 

[Baileygirl]

It's strange that bustimes hasn't 1-9e on their list yet. When the BZL's came some were listed for months before they came.

 

[Bus9120UK]

It's strange that bustimes hasn't 1-9e on their list yet. When the BZL's came some were listed for months before they came.

The old tracking system tracked buses irrespective of whether they were in service or not, so as soon as they were turned on at Seafield they were on the list. Now buses only track in service so 1e-9e won't show up till they hit the road.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Anyone have any idea what Lothian are planning to unveil at the Gyle tomorrow?

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

Anyone have any idea what Lothian are planning to unveil at the Gyle tomorrow?

New Wright GB Kites I'd imagine

 

[stantheman]

There was a madder vehicle on Calder Road at about 1030 stationary city bound showing X27 boards ?

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

There was a madder vehicle on Calder Road at about 1030 stationary city bound showing X27 boards ?

It was 380. I seen it go past me.

 

[Busman757]

New bus journeys to improve access to work at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary | Midlothian Council

Midlothian Council has secured £245,000 to improve bus links to key employment opportunities, including Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, making it easier for residents to get to work and training.

www.midlothian.gov.uk

 

[TheEastCoaster]

New bus journeys to improve access to work at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary | Midlothian Council

Midlothian Council has secured £245,000 to improve bus links to key employment opportunities, including Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, making it easier for residents to get to work and training.

www.midlothian.gov.uk

Interesting.. so the 39A will no doubt be the current 39 route extended to Rosewell past Polton, and then beyond Dalkeith Centre to the Royal Infirmary via the 48 route.

37A is quite a puzzler, could it run up to Straiton then turn on the Bypass following the X40 route? or up to Kaimes Crossroads then turn following the 7 route? (unless it does something else entirely) but at least this finally give Penicuik a link to Royal Infirmary after... well, now that you mention it i don't seem to recall Penicuik ever having a service to the RIE.

Guess this means folk will stop moaning about the lack of links!

 

[JKP]

New bus journeys to improve access to work at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary | Midlothian Council

Midlothian Council has secured £245,000 to improve bus links to key employment opportunities, including Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, making it easier for residents to get to work and training.

www.midlothian.gov.uk

I assume that Lothian will also retain any fares collected and monies paid for concessionary travel. Thought that it initially sounded a lot to pay but when you look more closely sounds quite reasonable.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

I’m curious to see how these work. Particularly the timings are not clear other than morning and evening.

Busy enough to justify using a decker? Not sure. For me, it seems more likely that these will be tied onto the single deck rota. We’ll see.

Though it suggests a wider service change in the autumn is likely.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

I’m curious to see how these work. Particularly the timings are not clear other than morning and evening.

Busy enough to justify using a decker? Not sure. For me, it seems more likely that these will be tied onto the single deck rota. We’ll see.

Though it suggests a wider service change in the autumn is likely.

It does make me think if they will change a few things in midlothian themselves to compliment this? perhaps the 39 will get extended to Rosewell, and how is the new X33 doing?

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

It does make me think if they will change a few things in midlothian themselves to compliment this? perhaps the 39 will get extended to Rosewell, and how is the new X33 doing?

The 39 could only extend to Rosewell if it is removed from Hopefield and Brixwold. I’m not sure how much of a success this part has been, but certainly an option.

 

[Jonathan Lynch]

Can see the 37A going down wadingburn road then gilmerton - station road - drum street - ferniehill or possibly Lang Loan - pretty big hosing development here without any bus links at the moment.

 

[Lothianbus703]

Can see the 37A going down wadingburn road then gilmerton - station road - drum street - ferniehill or possibly Lang Loan - pretty big hosing development here without any bus links at the moment.

37A follows the 37 to Kaimes from Penicuik then the 7.

 

[CSB0241]

How is the new X33 doing?

Staying in Bonnyrigg temporarily at the moment so have had the joy of getting the X33 home a couple times for a laugh & I have to say, once you’re past Mayfield there’s seldom more than about 6 people on at a time, & once you’re past Bonnyrigg Toll it might as well just be a deadrun straight back to Longstone.

Can see the 37A going down wadingburn road then gilmerton - station road - drum street - ferniehill or possibly Lang Loan - pretty big hosing development here without any bus links at the moment.

Not been down Lang Loan in a fair while (upwards of about 3 years now) but if I recall correctly Lang Loan isn’t ideal for buses since it’s fairly narrow & quite windy at points as well.

 

[buslad1988]

I’m curious to see how these work. Particularly the timings are not clear other than morning and evening.

Busy enough to justify using a decker? Not sure. For me, it seems more likely that these will be tied onto the single deck rota. We’ll see.

Though it suggests a wider service change in the autumn is likely.

Seems these adjustments are specifically targeted for workers… rather than shoppers/hospital goers (which the latter seemed to gain more press attention). So there’ll still be complaints.

Could see a few of these journeys finishing/starting at the Royal Infirmary coming off or going on to 49’s.

 

[Trident638]

Seems these adjustments are specifically targeted for workers… rather than shoppers/hospital goers (which the latter seemed to gain more press attention). So they’ll still be complaints.

Could see a few of these journeys finishing/starting at the Royal Infirmary coming off or going on to 49’s.

Most likely BZL’s that’ll come off or go onto 7/8/24s?

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Seems these adjustments are specifically targeted for workers… rather than shoppers/hospital goers (which the latter seemed to gain more press attention). So they’ll still be complaints.

Could see a few of these journeys finishing/starting at the Royal Infirmary coming off or going on to 49’s.

Certainly with weekdays there are a couple of 49’s that could do it. 24’s also and possibly even nearby routes such as the 9, 11, 14 and 33.

The council will be hoping these are eventually busy enough to justify commercial operation, which may then open doors to an all day service. Time will tell.

The fact these run 7 days a week is interesting, as it should mean the departure times are fairly consistent across the week.

 

[Dfatcontroller]

2e - SV26OFB was on display to the public today at the Gyle Centre.

2 - SV26OFB

Seen on local demonstration to the public at the Gyle Shopping Centre is brand new Lothian Buses Wrightbus GB Kite electroliner 2e - SV26OFB. One of nine battery-electric single decker buses to shortly enter service.

flic.kr

2 - SV26OFB

Seen on local demonstration to the public at the Gyle Shopping Centre is brand new Lothian Buses Wrightbus GB Kite electroliner 2e - SV26OFB. One of nine battery-electric single decker buses to shortly enter service.

 

[stevenedin]

2e - SV26OFB was on display to the public today at the Gyle Centre.

2 - SV26OFB

Seen on local demonstration to the public at the Gyle Shopping Centre is brand new Lothian Buses Wrightbus GB Kite electroliner 2e - SV26OFB. One of nine battery-electric single decker buses to shortly enter service.

flic.kr

Looks very smart. I've noticed that they have changed the logo to just say Lothian instead of having the circle at the beginning. I wonder if that will becone standard now or just for these.

 

[buslad1988]

Certainly with weekdays there are a couple of 49’s that could do it. 24’s also and possibly even nearby routes such as the 9, 11, 14 and 33.

The council will be hoping these are eventually busy enough to justify commercial operation, which may then open doors to an all day service. Time will tell.

The fact these run 7 days a week is interesting, as it should mean the departure times are fairly consistent across the week.

Considering they’re only funding this until March it only gives them 6 months - that’s quite the challenge. They’re definitely targeting the fare paying adult Hospital workers for sustainability, no one will be using this for appointments or to nip to Tesco!

It will be interesting to see what happens in March… if this isn’t a success and the funding stops I’m sure Lothian will have no qualms at pulling the plug just to prove a point!

I don’t hold much hope for an all day service materialising! Look how long it took for the 18 to get to where it is today (albeit in its various forms over the years).