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

[ScotRail158725]

Edinburgh to trial 7-7-7 bus lanes on 44 route from Greenside to Duddingston

Second phase, between Haymarket and Balerno, to follow later

www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com

EEN reporting implementation of the 7-7-7 bus lane trial later in the year. Comments on Facebook so far are against it, understandably from motorists who feel that every scheme that comes along is to the detriment of car users. I can see both sides and feel that intervention is needed for the bus service to be more reliable but also feel like bus stop rationalising would be a better option first. I've never seen a bus noticeably slowed down because cars were using the bus lane.

Its another war on car drivers that isnt needed, if you want to speed up bus journeys remove all the stupid bollards and pointless cycle lanes that would be a good start

 

[computerSaysNo]

I'm hoping we can see some enhances in the East, especially with the 106, I'm not sure how popular it has become as a service, as I can't help but feel like East Coast are forcing folk to use it by having it serve the Western General

I don't think any enhancements which increase the vehicle requirement can happen anywhere unless some cuts also happen, as the fleet as it currently is is fully utilized and Musselburgh and North Berwick depots are both full so can't take any extra buses. I suppose some evening Haddington to Musselburgh 106s could be replaced with 107s, and the 106s vehicles run off service from Haddington to Dunbar depot but I don't think there are spare staff at Dunbar (or anywhere) to drive them. More services could also be operated out of Marine but I'm not sure if that's the direction the company wants to go in.

 

[ScotRail158725]

The latest Traveline National Dataset servicereport.csv file seems to have exposed the route terminus changes specifically for Lothian Country, no maps or timetables but the route detail/name itself has changed. They now show, where the title has changed:

• X18 - Edinburgh - Whitburn Heartlands
• X19 - Edinburgh - Livingston via Winchburgh
• 72 - Broxburn - Fauldhouse

The X19/72 change is a wise one as it keeps the X19 relevant. I assume it will use a faster route from Uphall instead of serving Pumpherston?

 

[computerSaysNo]

Its another war on car drivers that isnt needed, if you want to speed up bus journeys remove all the stupid bollards and pointless cycle lanes that would be a good start

Every cyclist using those lanes is either one fewer driver to be stuck behind at traffic lights, or one fewer passenger delaying the bus talking to the driver.
Cycling is also much more climate-friendly than driving and I would think than taking a diesel bus too, which I feel should not be overlooked.
What might actually help would be giving cars somewhere else to park so they don't have to park in the bus lanes, and moving the eastbound Meadowbank House bus stop further west to the west of the pedestrian crossing traffic lights so that buses aren't having to wait one Jock's Lodge traffic light cycle to get into the stop, another one to be able to pull out from the stop and get into the lane to turn right, and then sometimes a third to actually get through that junction. My buses routinely lose 1-3 minutes just from those traffic lights.

 

[Busman757]

X19 - Livingston Centre-St Johns-Deer Park-Uphall-Broxburn-Winchburgh-Kirkliston-Edinburgh.
72 - Fauldhouse-Broxburn (Kilpunt Roundabout) (I’ve heard via Dechmont, but not sure on that).
Both timed to create an every 10 mins service through Broxburn (assuming they are including the X18 in that)

 

[overthewater]

HOORAY, if that is correct and X19 goes up and down Fastlink, then at long last Lothian has started to sort out the mess. I don't think it will be timed to create a bus every 10mins thought Broxburn that would mean X19 being every 30mins, and bumping up the 72 to every 30mins, If that does happen it will make a real boost to everyone. Lothian can be praised ( took them long enough)

 

[TheEastCoaster]

X19 - Livingston Centre-St Johns-Deer Park-Uphall-Broxburn-Winchburgh-Kirkliston-Edinburgh.
72 - Fauldhouse-Broxburn (Kilpunt Roundabout) (I’ve heard via Dechmont, but not sure on that).
Both timed to create an every 10 mins service through Broxburn (assuming they are including the X18 in that)

I would think that with the X19 running via Deer Park there would be no need for them to change the 72 between Broxburn and Livingston.

HOORAY, if that is correct and X19 goes up and down Fastlink, then at long last Lothian has started to sort out the mess. I don't think it will be timed to create a bus every 10mins thought Broxburn that would mean X19 being every 30mins, and bumping up the 72 to every 30mins, If that does happen it will make a real boost to everyone. Lothian can be praised ( took them long enough)

In all fairness this sounds like a positive change going forward, this could be the kick that Lothian need.

Now to hear the rest of the tea!

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

These changes do feel rather more useful.

Indeed they are surely likely to need extra resources to make this work. Possibly 941-945, with 946 returning to ECB?

 

[TheEastCoaster]

This just begs the question on what they have in store of East and Mid Lothian, the 37A/39A will probably take folk off guard!

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

I don't think any enhancements which increase the vehicle requirement can happen anywhere unless some cuts also happen, as the fleet as it currently is is fully utilized and Musselburgh and North Berwick depots are both full so can't take any extra buses. I suppose some evening Haddington to Musselburgh 106s could be replaced with 107s, and the 106s vehicles run off service from Haddington to Dunbar depot but I don't think there are spare staff at Dunbar (or anywhere) to drive them. More services could also be operated out of Marine but I'm not sure if that's the direction the company wants to go in.

You think they would go through the trouble to run off service to Dunbar kusy to run a garage run back to Musselburgh? only thing I can think of is the 106 is a double decker service whilst the 107 is single decker, maybe throw in some extra 107's starting from Dunbar and time them in Haddington for any terminating 106's

 

[Busman757]

I would think that with the X19 running via Deer Park there would be no need for them to change the 72 between Broxburn and Livingston.



In all fairness this sounds like a positive change going forward, this could be the kick that Lothian need.

Now to hear the rest of the tea!

Honestly I have no idea, however I do know the residents of Dechmont want a service to Livingston and their local MP has been in discussions with LothianCountry about it.

 

[overthewater]

YET for years the did have a direct service, First operated into the Dechmont with service 21A no one used it, before that West Lothian council operated the 31 in to Dechmont, the service went from St johns H somehow to Deans Road then along A89 to the village and no one used it. It was alot easier when Banger hospital was open.


Maybe they will get it proper service when Barratt @ Bangour Village grows bigger.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

YET for years the did have a direct service, First operated into the Dechmont with service 21A no one used it, before that West Lothian council operated the 31 in to Dechmont, the service went from St johns H somehow to Deans Road then along A89 to the village and no one used it. It was alot easier when Banger hospital was open.


Maybe they will get it proper service when Barratt @ Bangour Village grows bigger.

It's the classic arguement of use it or lose it!

Guess we'll see if this time is any different, I do have hope Lothian will salvage this time!

 

[davp]

Maybe they will get it proper service when Barratt @ Bangour Village grows bigger.

I suspect if they do anything they'll just divert the X18 in there.

Honestly I have no idea, however I do know the residents of Dechmont want a service to Livingston

The 700 residents should have used the ones they've had before then. It's a change of bus or a few minutes walk to the 31 and soon the X19 too. Many people in Livingston have a longer walk to a bus stop.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

I just checked the Lothian page and it says the 32 is apparently getting extended to West Granton?

 

[Bus9120UK]

I just checked the Lothian page and it says the 32 is apparently getting extended to West Granton?

You're right, good spot, I had actually made a personal proposal suggesting such an extension just a few weeks ago but I didn't think it was realistic enough for it to actually happen. That's good news and, depending on routings, hopefully will improve service reliability. That's assuming the vehicle requirement will double - this will add room to pad the timetable and make it possible for the buses to have a layover.

( https://bustimes.org/services/lbao032 shows up to date traveline data on this. Like the Lothian Country routes the timetables, stops, routings themselves are not available yet).

 

[SoloSR334022]

The 700 residents should have used the ones they've had before then. It's a change of bus or a few minutes walk to the 31 and soon the X19 too. Many people in Livingston have a longer walk to a bus stop.

The issue with this particular argument is that it is no longer 700 residents, it's now over 1,000 and will continue to grow with two new housing estates being built on each side of the village.

Another counter is that a large percentage of people in the village are elderly and that few minutes walk can easily turn into 20 minutes and possibly longer for others living at the opposite side of the village. The village also doesn't receive a Sunday service to Livingston, apart from the 16 which runs twice a day, which the X19 would change.

Whilst I myself will be more than grateful to take the walk there are many others whose commutes or leisurely travels would be greatly improved and maybe even attract more people onto the buses.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

I just checked the Lothian page and it says the 32 is apparently getting extended to West Granton?

Wow the old 24/64 route is being resurrected. Surprised at that.

I assume this will run down to Davidson’s Mains from Cramond, then serve Ferry Road, Pennywell Road and West Granton Road.

A direct bus from Muirhouse to Davidson’s Mains would therefore be restored. Ironically returning for the first time since the previous 32 was withdrawn to make way for the 200 in 2017.

 

[ScotRail158725]

You're right, good spot, I had actually made a personal proposal suggesting such an extension just a few weeks ago but I didn't think it was realistic enough for it to actually become reality. That's good news and, depending on routings, hopefully will improve service reliability (assuming the vehicle requirement will double - this will add room to pad the timetable and/or increase layover).
( https://bustimes.org/services/lbao032 shows up to date traveline data on this. Like the Lothian Country routes the timetables, stops, routings themselves are not available yet).

I wonder if it will go via Lauriston Farm Road or the more obvious Davidsons Mains route

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

I wonder if it will go via Lauriston Farm Road or the more obvious Davidsons Mains route

The turn into Lauriston Farm Road is unsuitable for longer vehicles. Doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen, but it shouldn’t.

 

[ScotRail158725]

The turn into Lauriston Farm Road is unsuitable for longer vehicles. Doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen, but it shouldn’t.

Aye i thought there was something that didnt allow buses that way but wasnt sure

 

[TheEastCoaster]

You're right, good spot, I had actually made a personal proposal suggesting such an extension just a few weeks ago but I didn't think it was realistic enough for it to actually happen. That's good news and, depending on routings, hopefully will improve service reliability. That's assuming the vehicle requirement will double - this will add room to pad the timetable and make it possible for the buses to have a layover.

My hope with this change would be to see the 32 finally Have a Sunday service, so hope this comes with it!

Wow the old 24/64 route is being resurrected. Surprised at that.

I assume this will run down to Davidson’s Mains from Cramond, then serve Ferry Road, Pennywell Road and West Granton Road.

A direct bus from Muirhouse to Davidson’s Mains would therefore be restored. Ironically returning for the first time since the previous 32 was withdrawn to make way for the 200 in 2017.

I didn't think about that actually, I'm sure the locals in the area would be happy to hear this, plus this gives Sighthill and Currie a direct link to Granton!

The turn into Lauriston Farm Road is unsuitable for longer vehicles. Doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen, but it shouldn’t.

I did wonder that at one point, it would save a lot of time on the route but not sure if it would be viable.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

I didn't think about that actually, I'm sure the locals in the area would be happy to hear this, plus this gives Sighthill and Currie a direct link to Granton!

I did wonder that at one point, it would save a lot of time on the route but not sure if it would be viable.

A slow one, but a direct one for sure.

The limit for the turn is 10m long. Anything over that is not permitted to make the turn. Given the 7900’s, Eclipse2’s and especially the Evora’s are all longer than this, it basically rules that out completely.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Also, I'm sure we will find this out soon enough, but on the related subject on the changes, is there any word on Lothian regaining the 13?

A slow one, but a direct one for sure.

The limit for the turn is 10m long. Anything over that is not permitted to make the turn. Given the 7900’s, Eclipse2’s and especially the Evora’s are all longer than this, it basically rules that out completely.

Maybe one day if we had something super short, but even then I doubt they would go through all that trouble, they would be aswell catering to the public at Davidson Mains!

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

Also, I want to give a shout to this separate forum for route speculation specifically in the Lothian network, incase folk would rather discuss on that forum rather than here!

Lothian group (Network/Route Speculation)

Equally, the 100 is busy enough as it is with airport travellers. They pay a premium for the express service so it shouldn't be diverting into local facilities IMO.

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Bungle965]

To save me going through deleting a lot of posts, please do use the Lothian Speculation thread

 

[DunsBus]

A slow one, but a direct one for sure.

The limit for the turn is 10m long. Anything over that is not permitted to make the turn. Given the 7900’s, Eclipse2’s and especially the Evora’s are all longer than this, it basically rules that out completely.

The ban applies to lorries 10m or over - there's an exemption for service buses.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

Good to see the X18 eventually serving the Heartlands stops now, New Tesco & Home Bargains opened there now as well

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Good to see the X18 eventually serving the Heartlands stops now, New Tesco & Home Bargains opened there now as well

Just wonder if it’s going to serve Rigghouse Road first.

So down Polkemmet Road, through Colliery Lane, then back up Rigghouse Road and then turning at J4A sitting outside the services.

They’re going to have to add a 9th bus either way, so they may as well make it do something.

Is Bangour ready to be served? If so this may have forced their hand with the 9th bus.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Just wonder if it’s going to serve Rigghouse Road first.

So down Polkemmet Road, through Colliery Lane, then back up Rigghouse Road and then turning at J4A sitting outside the services.

I assumed it would just go direct to Heartlands

 

[styles]

Not wanting to get in the way of all the juicy service change chat, I'm also eagerly awaiting the news.

Edinburgh to trial 7-7-7 bus lanes on 44 route from Greenside to Duddingston

Second phase, between Haymarket and Balerno, to follow later

www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com

EEN reporting implementation of the 7-7-7 bus lane trial later in the year. Comments on Facebook so far are against it, understandably from motorists who feel that every scheme that comes along is to the detriment of car users. I can see both sides and feel that intervention is needed for the bus service to be more reliable but also feel like bus stop rationalising would be a better option first. I've never seen a bus noticeably slowed down because cars were using the bus lane.

Is this Edinburgh's only bus lane which isn't 7:30-9:30/16:30-18:30 or the small number of 24 bus lanes?

 

[Edirim]

Some timetables pulling through now on bus times.
28 via Kirk brae and station road to gilmerton terminus.
37a and 39a 2 am trips and 1 pm trip
32 is hourly over existing route and hourly balerno to cramond so needs 5 buses now