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

CSB0241

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22 Apr 2023
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I have feeling the 7900s will be gone before the B7RLEs
That’s pretty much an absolute at this point, only 17 of the remaining 33 still showing on bustimes have been out in the last week. If I recall correctly an ad listing for some of them went up a couple months ago but I’m unsure if any have been sold.
 
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TheEastCoaster

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Today I sampled both the extension of the 32 and the new 28:

On the 32 I got on at Hermiston Gait and apart from the 10 people who made journeys along the existing part of the route, including myself there was a maximum of 8 people on the bus on the new part of the route.

On the 28 I got the 1520 departure from Mansfield Place, and during the journey there was a maximum of 18 people on the bus which was good to see for a brand new service with the busiest section being between Leith Street & The Murrays, with 3 people getting off on Gilmerton Station Road at the new developments.

That's good news about the 28, they seemed to have really hit the market with that route, I can already see a Sunday service in the cards next chance I imagine.

32 seems to be a slow start but it's only it's third day of the extension, perhaps it will pick up once folk catch on how handy the link is, it proves to be a faster service to the Gyle compared to the 22.
 

alexf380

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I’m hearing the singles decks from ECB will be painted Madder once the 20 Evora’s have been delivered to ECB (which I assumed were for LB) and heading to Longstone for service 2.

My understanding is that the first will be completed sooner due to the vehicle requirement reduction at the change. Tracking suggests this will be 51, but we'll give it a few more days out of service to increase certainty.
I'm assuming there's been no further updates regarding when the Evoras will arrive, other than some time towards the end of this year?
 
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I'm assuming there's been no further updates regarding when the Evoras will arrive, other than some time towards the end of this year?
They must be fairly quick in getting them built in Egypt cause there's always loads of Brand new Evoras hitting the road all around the Country, Would imagine Volvo have a lot of dealer stock about as well, They've hit the nail on the head with the Evora though it's a solid product, Tri-Axle Evosetis seem to be doing well too, Volvo B8R and B8L engines seems to be good on MPGs
 

gingerheid

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32 seems to be a slow start but it's only it's third day of the extension, perhaps it will pick up once folk catch on how handy the link is, it proves to be a faster service to the Gyle compared to the 22.
I am completely out of touch, but my gosh the 32 has become a mutant since the one I remember!!!
 

TheEastCoaster

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I am completely out of touch, but my gosh the 32 has become a mutant since the one I remember!!!

Was the last one you remember the Granton - Clovnestone service? lol

Actually it's pretty full circle thinking about the 32 getting extended into Granton, it's like a welcome back!
 

DunsBus

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Duns
Was the last one you remember the Granton - Clovnestone service? lol

Actually it's pretty full circle thinking about the 32 getting extended into Granton, it's like a welcome back!
The original 32 started in 1971 - Foot of Leith Walk to Clovenstone. It was extended in 1974, becoming Hay Drive to Hyvots Bank, then again in 1975 to form a full circle. Renumbering to 32/52 was in 1981. In 2002 it was renumbered again, to 32/32A, before being split in 2003 becoming the 18 and 32. By the time the 32 finished in 2008 it was a mere shadow of its former self and had gone from being a seven days a week, full day service to running on Mondays to Fridays at peak hours only.
 

Bus9120UK

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That's good news about the 28, they seemed to have really hit the market with that route, I can already see a Sunday service in the cards next chance I imagine.

32 seems to be a slow start but it's only it's third day of the extension, perhaps it will pick up once folk catch on how handy the link is, it proves to be a faster service to the Gyle compared to the 22.
The existing stretch seems to have done well - it does have a consistent set of passengers, and the run I was on earlier was particularly above average with each seat pair taken up by at least one passenger, some of which fully taken, and a few people choosing to stand. A good chunk of us (including myself) got off at Hermiston Gait, and I reckon many of the others got off at the Gyle. Indeed it's early days, and it is a supported service, but hopefully it does pick up on the new stretch.
Worth adding that the new stretch is necessary to maintain a reliable service, the previous setup was unsustainable and the 32 was very unreliable. That could also make the service more attractive generally.
 

gavin1985

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1 Jul 2019
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Edinburgh
The existing stretch seems to have done well - it does have a consistent set of passengers, and the run I was on earlier was particularly above average with each seat pair taken up by at least one passenger, some of which fully taken, and a few people choosing to stand. A good chunk of us (including myself) got off at Hermiston Gait, and I reckon many of the others got off at the Gyle. Indeed it's early days, and it is a supported service, but hopefully it does pick up on the new stretch.
Worth adding that the new stretch is necessary to maintain a reliable service, the previous setup was unsustainable and the 32 was very unreliable. That could also make the service more attractive generally.
It will pick up more passengers when the bus gate is up and running on Turhouse Road. I'm on the West Craigs Facebook page and many folk want a service that runs to the Gyle and tram stops. A service we said we'd use if we wanted to go to the Gyle, not use the car and it be chucking it down outside, as it will be a door to door service for us.
When it will come via West Craigs it will be a welcomed service. Just hope it becomes viable enough for a Sunday and half hourly service.
 

Bus9120UK

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I'll assume it relates to the fact Longstone have gone from 44 singles in March to 43 single decks now despite the service increase on the 32.

The bus that previously ran the 20 may just be acting as breathing room during the day in case a different single deck elsewhere needs replacing. For a while the 20 also ran between peak extras on the 38, though that seemed to stop in recent times.

For those interested at the before and after:

March: 16/7, 19-28, 30 (13), 66-95 (30), 172 (1)
Now: 21/2, 24-30, 32/3 (10), 66-95 (30), 197-199 (3)
 
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stantheman

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17 Nov 2017
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Noticed lots of schoolchildren getting on to a 32 mid afternoon on Monday in Currie didn’t have this route down as one for kids ?
 

TheEastCoaster

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Noticed lots of schoolchildren getting on to a 32 mid afternoon on Monday in Currie didn’t have this route down as one for kids ?

It's probably handy for them, another alternative to get into Balerno, and a direct link down to Sighthill, Hermiston and the Gyle, honestly as long as the route is well used that's a bonus.
 

Bus9120UK

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Noticed lots of schoolchildren getting on to a 32 mid afternoon on Monday in Currie didn’t have this route down as one for kids ?
I've noticed this as well. Indeed there was enough of them recently that I had to stand because there were no seats left.
 
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Does anyone know why lothian country operate a extra service (in the mornings) on their 74 from Blackburn to (a short stop) Bathgate 5 minutes in front of the regular service.

Presumably for the school (Bathgate Academy) but not sure?
 

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