Independent Operators in the Lothians

[Porty]

Prentice are to be doing a service change in the start of April

Forthcoming Timetable Changes - Prentice of Haddington

prenticeofhaddington.info

Looks like the 109 is getting split into two different services, the 110A will become the 112, and the 118 will no longer serve the Wisp/Royal Infirmary and instead run via Milton Road, Asda and terminate at Fort Kinnaird.

Nice to see paper timetables available for all routes on the 109 this morning, two weeks ahead of the changes coming into effect. Excellent service by Prentice, especially when many operators rely on online only.

Interesting to see how the DRT will work in practice with 3 timings into Tranent and 4 from Tranent from and to the smaller villages to the south. The bus then forms the 109 via Blindwells, Longniddry, Gladsmuir to Haddington. On the face of it, if I lived in these remoter rural areas, it's potentially a big improvement, albeit that journeys have to be planned one working day in advance. I wonder how people in these types of area like this type of service, compared with the current operation. Operationally the costs ought to be broadly similar.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Out of curiosity what do folk prefer?

the link between Royal Infirmary and Fort Kinnaird via The Wisp

or

the link between Brunstane and Fort Kinnaird via Asda

Because the 118 route as just changed drastically because of it, both ideas are good as The Wisp did not have a bus service in years (now it no longer has one) and as far as I’m aware there has never been a bus connecting Brunstane to Fort Kinnaird

 

[DDavies22]

Out of curiosity what do folk prefer?

the link between Royal Infirmary and Fort Kinnaird via The Wisp

or

the link between Brunstane and Fort Kinnaird via Asda

Because the 118 route as just changed drastically because of it, both ideas are good as The Wisp did not have a bus service in years (now it no longer has one) and as far as I’m aware there has never been a bus connecting Brunstane to Fort Kinnaird

First Scotland East briefly routed the Haddington - Fort Kinnaird 108 via Milton Rd East and Brunstane shortly before they pulled out of East Lothian, but apart from that there hasn't been a direct bus up to now.

From personal observations the 118 has looked fairly busy this week running via Brunstane and I've noticed it loading / unloading a few times in the area, so hopefully it continues.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

First Scotland East briefly routed the Haddington - Fort Kinnaird 108 via Milton Rd East and Brunstane shortly before they pulled out of East Lothian, but apart from that there hasn't been a direct bus up to now.

From personal observations the 118 has looked fairly busy this week running via Brunstane and I've noticed it loading / unloading a few times in the area, so hopefully it continues.

Oh yeah I remember that actually, was that not so they could run the route via double deckers?

Well that’s very good to hear, especially considering Fort Kinnaird has a better bus network now than it did 10 years ago

 

[LothianBusesPh]

E&M were operating Ex-Lothian 630 today, with a few Ex-Lothian B9TLs at Wallyford P&R for Shuttles.

 

[ScotRail158725]

E&M were operating Ex-Lothian 630 today, with a few Ex-Lothian B9TLs at Wallyford P&R for Shuttles.

Horsburgh only have second hand B7TLs not B9TLs

 

[LothianBusesPh]

Horsburgh only have second hand B7TLs not B9TLs

Sorry I meant to say B7TL, I'm just used to typing B9TL because all of the B7TL's have been withdrawn. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[scosutsut]

Eve Coaches have a new acquisition - SN22 AZZ - a Iveco Rosero Connect seen today in full livery operating the 123, I couldn't get a picture as I was driving.

A quick Google suggests despite the misleading URL below, Rosero are a Slovakian company:

Connect - Noone

KEY FEATURES​

-30 Seater Low Entry Wheelchair Accessible
-Iveco 70C18
-ZF 8 Speed Fully Automatic Transmission
-Rear Air Suspension
-Smart Tachograph
-In Dash Drivers Air Conditioning
-Upgraded Drivers comfort seat with Arm Rest
-Low Entry with Fold out Ramp
-Stainless Steel Structure
-26 upgraded Comfort seats with three points seat belts and aisle arm rests
-Four Tip Seats with lap belts
-One Wheelchair Space
-One Standee
-Passenger USB Charging Points
-Wood Flooring
-Reversing Camera
-Digital Destination Signs
-Bode Masats Double Doors
-Rear Boot
-Internal Luggage Pen

PASSENGER COMFORT​

The Connect is setting New standards of comfort in its class. Manufactured on the New Iveco 70C18 chassis with Rear Air Suspension as standard. Upgraded passenger seats for added comfort with 25mm of extra padding guaranteeing increased passenger comfort. The body is fully insulated thus reducing any potential road noise.

PERFORMANCE
The Connect is equipped with the New ZF 8 Speed Full Automatic transmission providing a smooth a comfortable experience for all passengers. The 3Lr 180hp engine boasts class leading performance and fuel economy.

 

[LothianBusesPh]

Eve Coaches have a new acquisition - SN22 AZZ - a Iveco Rosero Connect seen today in full livery operating the 123, I couldn't get a picture as I was driving.

A quick Google suggests despite the misleading URL below, Rosero are a Slovakian company:

Connect - Noone

I saw it a few weeks ago, it was also sitting in the depot for a bit. I don't really like the look of the bus or the scrolling main destination, but as long as it works.

 

[scosutsut]

I saw it a few weeks ago, it was also sitting in the depot for a bit. I don't really like the look of the bus or the scrolling main destination, but as long as it works.

Like a lot of modern day conversion type minibuses so many of them look unwieldy and clumsy, this seems to be no exception.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Suspect if they want to continue buying diesel or similar they'll be playing with different things for a while as they've been a pretty solid optare customer until recently but of course you can no longer buy diesel buses from them and and they don't seem particularly keen to go over to ADL.

 

[LothianBusesPh]

Suspect if they want to continue buying diesel or similar they'll be playing with different things for a while as they've been a pretty solid optare customer until recently but of course you can no longer buy diesel buses from them and and they don't seem particularly keen to go over to ADL.

They hav ebought 2 buses from ADL, not sure they like them though?

 

[Blindtraveler]

The impression I got was that they did not

 

[LiviCrazy]

Has Horsburgh picked up a couple of new buses for the Sky Shuttle or is someone else running it now? Two new buses (Enviro 200s?) going around Livingston branded up for Sky.

 

[Observer]

Horsburgh no longer run it, Cobra Corporate Services do, based at Sky:

Vehicle Operator Licensing - GOV.UK

www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk

1 MACINTOSH ROAD, MACINTOSH ROAD, LIVINGSTON, EH54 7BW, GB - licensed for 3 vehicles

 

[LiviCrazy]

Horsburgh no longer run it, Cobra Corporate Services do, based at Sky:

Vehicle Operator Licensing - GOV.UK

www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk

Thanks. Horsburgh aren’t left with much now, down to two council routes now and now lost the Sky Shuttle.

 

[stevenedin]

I wonder how much longer Horsburgh have. I know that they used to do a lot of school routes but the state of their buses is bad at times. It’s a shame as they used to be the second biggest operator in West Lothian.

 

[LiviCrazy]

I wonder how much longer Horsburgh have. I know that they used to do a lot of school routes but the state of their buses is bad at times. It’s a shame as they used to be the second biggest operator in West Lothian.

They are pricey for their private hires too and there is plenty of competition in the area. Just have to wonder where they are getting their business from now.

I’ve not seen many of their newer solos about for a long time either, I wonder if they’ve sold them on with the loss of their local contracts.

 

[Graham Alexand]

I’ve not seen many of their newer solos about for a long time either, I wonder if they’ve sold them on with the loss of their local contracts.

I believe Optare took them back.

They're at their new operators in England now.

 

[mb88]

Has Horsburgh picked up a couple of new buses for the Sky Shuttle or is someone else running it now? Two new buses (Enviro 200s?) going around Livingston branded up for Sky.

I followed an electric BYD/E200 MMC through Forth on the A706 the other day in Sky branding. Wondered what it was for, got my answer now.

 

[LothianBusesPh]

Horsburgh no longer run it, Cobra Corporate Services do, based at Sky:

Vehicle Operator Licensing - GOV.UK

www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk

So is the company owned by Sky?

 

[Blindtraveler]

Horsburgh still do the 40 and x 40 I believe? Was an old Volvo on it last time I used, thoroughly enjoyable trip around the bypass

 

[Bus9120UK]

Horsburgh still do the 40 and x 40 I believe? Was an old Volvo on it last time I used, thoroughly enjoyable trip around the bypass

Yes they do, usually an ex-Lothian Eclipse or Dart.

 

[stevenedin]

Horsburgh still do the 40 and x 40 I believe? Was an old Volvo on it last time I used, thoroughly enjoyable trip around the bypass

I think that they have RIG 6491 and RIG 6492. Last time I was on one it smelt of dampness which is a shame that they are letting them go that way.

 

[90019]

Horseburgers maintenance regime appears to be to do the absolute bare minimum to get through an mot (and occasionally not even that), so the condition of their fleet isn't really much of a surprise.

 

[Observer]

I wonder how much longer Horsburgh have. I know that they used to do a lot of school routes but the state of their buses is bad at times. It’s a shame as they used to be the second biggest operator in West Lothian.

Still keeping themselves busy with other council school contracts too such as in Falkirk where they took a whole load off of First years ago...nobody else wanted them. They have contracts in Fife and Midlothian too.

And yes you can see how much they barely invest with the service fleet, in comparison to SD Travel for example who keep getting modern service buses for their West Lothian contracts.

 

[LothianBusesPh]

Eve seems to have another one of those strange Ivecos, not sure if they've had it for a long time because of the old plate? I only thought that they had the first one that was shown.

Eve Coaches BF70MBO

In East Linton

www.flickr.com

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Jul 2022 ==

Still keeping themselves busy with other council school contracts too such as in Falkirk where they took a whole load off of First years ago...nobody else wanted them. They have contracts in Fife and Midlothian too.

And yes you can see how much they barely invest with the service fleet, in comparison to SD Travel for example who keep getting modern service buses for their West Lothian contracts.

That is a point, they have an extensive fleet of double-deckers which makes them an excellent option for Marathon Runs and those types of contracts. I think they should invest in the fleet to get it modernised or else they are at the end of the road.

 

[overthewater]

Still keeping themselves busy with other council school contracts too such as in Falkirk where they took a whole load off of First years ago...nobody else wanted them. They have contracts in Fife and Midlothian too.

And yes you can see how much they barely invest with the service fleet, in comparison to SD Travel for example who keep getting modern service buses for their West Lothian contracts.

Has anything been said about those Falkirk contracts if Horsburgh has managed to keep them?

 

[Dfatcontroller]

So is the company owned by Sky?

No they aren't.

Cobra Corporate services, based in Fleet, Hampshire, also have a SKY Staff contract down in England too.
Apparently the e200s are temporary, awaiting new BYD/e200EVs to be delivered.

 

[LothianBusesPh]

No they aren't.

Cobra Corporate services, based in Fleet, Hampshire, also have a SKY Staff contract down in England too.
Apparently the e200s are temporary, awaiting new BYD/e200EVs to be delivered.

Right Cheers for that.

On the E&M Driver Shortage situation, although it was already pretty obvious but they've started a campaign on a £300 p/w contracts, not sure if they're temporary or not.