Bright Bus Airport Express service

[AndrewTaylor95]

All of the ex-Glasgow Enviro300s had those from new.

The one shown on the tweet is one of the Ex First Borders E300s

 

[Christmas]

I'd reduced dead mileage by registering buses going to and from Livingston as a service. There's bound to be some custom between Livingston Centre and either Edinburgh Airport or the city centre.

 

[markymark2000]

I'd reduced dead mileage by registering buses going to and from Livingston as a service. There's bound to be some custom between Livingston Centre and either Edinburgh Airport or the city centre.

I thought about that (as as some others will say, I am a big advocate for converting dead mileage to operational mileage) but to divert to Livingston Centre wouldn't save a huge amount of dead mileage, you'd be extending the drivers day by quite a bit because of the diversion, and they would have to pay the additional departure fee (which seems to be quite high) and so they would need to make at least enough revenue to cover that departure fee else they'd make a loss by extending.

 

[CN04NRJ]

I thought about that (as as some others will say, I am a big advocate for converting dead mileage to operational mileage) but to divert to Livingston Centre wouldn't save a huge amount of dead mileage, you'd be extending the drivers day by quite a bit because of the diversion, and they would have to pay the additional departure fee (which seems to be quite high) and so they would need to make at least enough revenue to cover that departure fee else they'd make a loss by extending.

I've been told it's £20, open to correction if someone has definite information. I doubt extra fuel and driver's wages, and those charges would offset any revenue (and fuel rebate) though.

 

[markymark2000]

I've been told it's £20, open to correction if someone has definite information. I doubt extra fuel and driver's wages, and those charges would offset any revenue (and fuel rebate) though.

Yeah, you couldn't make that pay. The only dead mileage run that would be worth doing is Deans, none stop to M9 Jct 1 then do the few stops there into the Airport. That's no additional cost fuel/driver wise and the departure charge would be paid already for towards Edinburgh. No point in doing the dead mileage run though as you wouldn't earn anything

 

[318266]

Would make more sense to register the deadrun for all the Bright Bus Tours, given that they usually trundle down the A8 from Newbridge to Waterloo Place, as after all almost every McGill's Scotland West deadrun is registered (minus FlixBus to Inchinnan although this is understandable)

 

[Stan Drews]

Unusually, Edinburgh Airport Limited do not charge per departure. They agree a ‘fee’ per passenger (boarding at the airport) with the operator, as part of their contract.

 

[markymark2000]

Unusually, Edinburgh Airport Limited do not charge per departure. They agree a ‘fee’ per passenger (boarding at the airport) with the operator, as part of their contract.

So if no one boards, there is no fee to pay or is there a minimum fee?

 

[Stan Drews]

So if no one boards, there is no fee to pay or is there a minimum fee?

There is a minimum sum guaranteed within the contract.

 

[route101]

Perhaps this may change in summer months. It was certainly like this yesterday but it's only the start of the year.

I was at Edinburgh Airport today and some international arrivals were using this international arrivals 1, Ryanair arrivals.

I used the BrightBus service today from Waverley Steps. It seems to run frequently, though I wasn't sure if it was running to timetable. There was another BrightBus E300 behind ours. I never got a ticket as the machine broke, the driver tried to get it working but we were blocking the the stop for Lothian services. I was the only passenger onboard all the way to the airport. Some services had a few people onboard and others none.

 

[Bus9120UK]

I was at Edinburgh Airport today and some international arrivals were using this international arrivals 1, Ryanair arrivals.

Without wanting to go off-topic, were these flights other than ones from Dublin/Cork?

 

[route101]

Without wanting to go off-topic, were these flights other than ones from Dublin/Cork?

Barcalona and Bratislava. This arrivals hall is near the Bright Bus Express stop at the airport.

 

[Ding Ding]

Dear Dear Dear. and so it begins. Two weeks in, and already cancellations on a brand new service, looking good isn't it? Along with the various breakdowns, it certainly looks like no change from McGill's usual offering here in the east. Oh and I must add, virtually empty buses, freezing cold, with less than cheery drivers.

 

[Blindtraveler]

If I didn't know any better I'd say the drivers are fed up shuttling back and forth on the same route and picking up nobody or very few. This, along with the fact that if the service gets pulled after about three months, will affect their jobs as not all of them could be accommodated on the tours work or private hire or coaching operations. It's probably doing untold things to staff morale and mental health. I only hope the service survives long enough for me to try it in the spring as the lower fare is certainly attractive now that I've moved South and no longer get a Scottish concession discount.

 

[overthewater]

What did people expect? Bright bus appears and everyone ditches the tram straight away? I have seen busy journeys I have also seen them run empty, but they are picking up passengers. However there is no indication that the buses stop at Waverly steps, which is useless.

It's good to see that people have clicked on here that one of the international arrivals is just next to the Bright bus stop. For years people would ask if the Stagecoach 747 or Lothian 300 goes to the city.

 

[Observer]

If I didn't know any better I'd say the drivers are fed up shuttling back and forth on the same route and picking up nobody or very few. This, along with the fact that if the service gets pulled after about three months, will affect their jobs as not all of them could be accommodated on the tours work or private hire or coaching operations. It's probably doing untold things to staff morale and mental health. I only hope the service survives long enough for me to try it in the spring as the lower fare is certainly attractive now that I've moved South and no longer get a Scottish concession discount.

Need to see what happens with the City of Edinburgh Council tendered services they have in the coming months whether they retain them, gain more or lose them altogether.

If they lose them, no doubt there will be some changes taking place. Whether that involves increasing the airport service or doing something else entirely.

 

[stevenedin]

What did people expect? Bright bus appears and everyone ditches the tram straight away? I have seen busy journeys I have also seen them run empty, but they are picking up passengers. However there is no indication that the buses stop at Waverly steps, which is useless.

It's good to see that people have clicked on here that one of the international arrivals is just next to the Bright bus stop. For years people would ask if the Stagecoach 747 or Lothian 300 goes to the city.

At Waverley Steps the service is on the bus stop flag and there is a big poster inside the bus shelter with the timetable. They also have people standing selling tickets for tours and airport bus.

I have seen more people using them in recent weeks and even people looking at the poster in the bus shelter but I also see them empty as well. It may take some time to build up and since it is one of the quietest months of the year it is likely to be quiet.

 

[overthewater]

At Waverley Steps the service is on the bus stop flag and there is a big poster inside the bus shelter with the timetable. They also have people standing selling tickets for tours and airport bus.

Thankfully someone sorted out that issues

 

[route101]

Thankfully someone sorted out that issues

It's ts not the best stop to board the bus from. Multiple buses are vying to stop and it's a super busy area with lots of foot traffic. I find it unpleasant waiting there for any bus. You can easily miss a bus if it's unable to come into the stand.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Jan 2024 ==

Dear Dear Dear. and so it begins. Two weeks in, and already cancellations on a brand new service, looking good isn't it? Along with the various breakdowns, it certainly looks like no change from McGill's usual offering here in the east. Oh and I must add, virtually empty buses, freezing cold, with less than cheery drivers.

Although you get a wee Irn Bru and sweetie as onboard refreshments.

 

[Deerfold]

It's ts not the best stop to board the bus from. Multiple buses are vying to stop and it's a super busy area with lots of foot traffic. I find it unpleasant waiting there for any bus. You can easily miss a bus if it's unable to come into the stand.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Jan 2024 ==


Although you get a wee Irn Bru and sweetie as onboard refreshments.

Onboard refreshments seem to have finished.

I caught the 1030 service from Edinburgh on Monday morning. No passengers got on at the first stop, 4 at the Steps where I joined and by the time we got to the airport (about 5 minutes late, largely as people thinking of joining had questions for the driver) there were 21 of us. A member of staff at the airport was helping those with luggage (a surprisingly small number of us) off the bus. There were no staff at Waverley Steps.

 

[LothianBusesPh]

I caught the 1030 service from Edinburgh on Monday morning. No passengers got on at the first stop, 4 at the Steps where I joined and by the time we got to the airport (about 5 minutes late, largely as people thinking of joining had questions for the driver) there were 21 of us. A member of staff at the airport was helping those with luggage (a surprisingly small number of us) off the bus. There were no staff at Waverley Steps.

I don't think they are strictly following schedules despite having them on their website.

 

[Deerfold]

I don't think they are strictly following schedules despite having them on their website.

It seemed to start on time, though I don't know if the ones either side did.

Any reason you don't think they are?

 

[Bus9120UK]

Onboard refreshments seem to have finished.

I caught the 1030 service from Edinburgh on Monday morning. No passengers got on at the first stop, 4 at the Steps where I joined and by the time we got to the airport (about 5 minutes late, largely as people thinking of joining had questions for the driver) there were 21 of us. A member of staff at the airport was helping those with luggage (a surprisingly small number of us) off the bus. There were no staff at Waverley Steps.

Good to hear your service was busier. I have noticed Google Maps now directs you to Bright Bus Express from Waverley which may have lead to an increase in passengers.

 

[Deerfold]

Good to hear your service was busier. I have noticed Google Maps now directs you to Bright Bus Express from Waverley which may have lead to an increase in passengers.

There seems to be some teething problems - I could not manage to buy a ticket in advance on their website which listed the cost of a single as £4.50 but was going to charge £4 online.

It only cost £4 buying on the bus.

 

[Bus9120UK]

I've just noticed they've yet again introduced a new weekly ticket for the service, this one for staff only, costing £15. This beats a Lothian Ridacard by £6 on a four week basis, or £7 a week. I guess they've been reading comments noting this? Clearly a keen effort to take passengers away from Airlink. I don't think this has been mentioned either but they reduced the price of the Edinburgh Explorer by around £10 to £31.50 within a week of the service starting.

 

[Stan Drews]

I've just noticed they've yet again introduced a new weekly ticket for the service, this one for staff only, costing £15. This beats a Lothian Ridacard by £6 on a four week basis, or £7 a week. I guess they've been reading comments noting this? Clearly a keen effort to take passengers away from Airlink. I don't think this has been mentioned either but they reduced the price of the Edinburgh Explorer by around £10 to £31.50 within a week of the service starting.

The weekly ticket was initially £20, but now reduced to £15 for staff.

 

[megabusser]

Interesting to see a Bright Bus sponsored post on Facebook advertising tickets to Murrayfield from the city centre (£2) and the airport (£4). A contrast to Lothian who never promote AirLink for anything but airport journeys as far as I know.

Also encourages you to “book your seat today” - presumably that’s not meant literally, but can’t imagine it’s the kind of service anyone would book in advance! Do they really have a system to book a place on a specific service?

Touch down for the Scotland vs France Six Nations rugby clash at Murrayfield with Bright Bus Airport Express! *Running every 15 minutes we can get you to the stadium from Edinburgh Airport or the city centre . Book your seat today and let's ruck and roll!

Image text:

scrum down to Murrayfield for the Six Nations


£2 from Edinburgh City Centre


£4 from Edinburgh Airport on our AirPort Express

(Link: https://www.facebook.com/1000891054...2tSsHsqeQDPruaSS3hDpfcfjHdg7ZwQfV1mUFenN18ql/)

 

[Ding Ding]

Interesting to see a Bright Bus sponsored post on Facebook advertising tickets to Murrayfield from the city centre (£2) and the airport (£4). A contrast to Lothian who never promote AirLink for anything but airport journeys as far as I know.

Also encourages you to “book your seat today” - presumably that’s not meant literally, but can’t imagine it’s the kind of service anyone would book in advance! Do they really have a system to book a place on a specific service?





Image text:


(Link: https://www.facebook.com/1000891054...2tSsHsqeQDPruaSS3hDpfcfjHdg7ZwQfV1mUFenN18ql/)

Why on earth would Lothian advertise rugby on the Airlink? The 12, 26, 31 and X18 all pass Murrayfield on Corstorphine Rd, as well as the Airlink service, so there's more than enough provision for fans going to the rugby. The tram also takes you right to the door, as well as Lothian services using the Approach Rd. It is obviously just to try and attract away fans who may not know their way around. God knows they need someone using the service. I see them passing every day and I have to say, in the main, that they are running empty or with a few passengers. I may add, Lothian also run with light loads at times, but I have to wonder, how can Bright Bus be making any money from this venture?

 

[Theproinsider]

Why on earth would Lothian advertise rugby on the Airlink? The 12, 26, 31 and X18 all pass Murrayfield on Corstorphine Rd, as well as the Airlink service, so there's more than enough provision for fans going to the rugby. The tram also takes you right to the door, as well as Lothian services using the Approach Rd. It is obviously just to try and attract away fans who may not know their way around. God knows they need someone using the service. I see them passing every day and I have to say, in the main, that they are running empty or with a few passengers. I may add, Lothian also run with light loads at times, but I have to wonder, how can Bright Bus be making any money from this venture?

They're plainly not making money, but it's a typical Hornby-esque thing to make a lot of noise, look shiny and new, while the rest of the business goes downhill.

Their performance has been woeful, and there's only so long you can hoodwink the Traffic Commissioner with the driver shortage excuse. How they haven't been called to a Public Inquiry via a Bus Users Scotland investigation baffles many.

They've owned the east business for over 18 months now, and compared to the west, is poorly run. The McGills cheerleaders here, seem to think it's some kind of messiah, but it's just another cobbled together operator, busy blaming everyone but themselves for their woes.

 

[overthewater]

Why does everything around here has to be about McGills cheerleaders or Lothian cheerleaders can we please just get past this...

I have seen it many times now, simple truth is its a mix bag the amount of passengers on it, it can be empty and it can be busy.