Independent Operators in the Lothians

[VioletEclipse]

I've noticed that this one has a nearside CCTV camera at the top front which former Demo 299 didn't feature. I do agree it is believable nonetheless. Edit: Looking further into it, SN19 FJA is former 191-D-37522 formerly operating at Dublin Airport.

Thanks! I was looking through my photos and videos of Lothian 299 and even the interior is seemingly identical, which would explain some incorrect assumptions that they're the same bus. Edinburgh Coach Lines SN19 FJA ex 191-D-37522 is chassis number Vo B8RLE YV3T7U524KA194444, body number MCV NB1002 and was delivered in April 2019 according to bus lists on the web ( https://www.buslistsontheweb.co.uk/ ). while ex lothian demonstrator 299 (BV19 LND) is chassis number Vo B8RLE YV3T7U526KA194543, body number MCV NB1005 and was delivered in June 2019, so it would make sense for them to leave the factory virtually identical. It makes sense that this has caused some confusion, with one being re-registered from an Irish plate to an Edinburgh plate and the other seemingly disappearing without a trace in Edinburgh around the same time and while both were still in plain white.

 

[Jordan Adam]

In this Flickr post https://www.flickr.com/photos/barberbus/50593174626/ someone has commented that Edinburgh Coach Lines Evora SN19 FJA is ex Lothian demonstrator 299 (BV19 LND). Is this true? I don't see why it would have been reregistered, but I also can't find a trace of 299 after it was a Lothian demonstrator or find any info on FJA before it started service on the 13, and a Bus Lists on the Web search for SN19FJA doesn't show any results, so it's believable.

It was myself that commented. It was believed at the time that they were the same vehicle, however it has since become apparent that they're not. Interestingly BV19LND has had an expired MOT since 2021.

 

[LothianBusesPh]

It was myself that commented. It was believed at the time that they were the same vehicle, however it has since become apparent that they're not. Interestingly BV19LND has had an expired MOT since 2021.

Buses tend to show up like that on car websites, so make sure you're using a good one. I am pretty sure it is with Volvo.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Buses tend to show up like that on car websites, so make sure you're using a good one. I am pretty sure it is with Volvo.

I was using the Government website...

 

[ChrisPJ]

In this Flickr post https://www.flickr.com/photos/barberbus/50593174626/ someone has commented that Edinburgh Coach Lines Evora SN19 FJA is ex Lothian demonstrator 299 (BV19 LND). Is this true? I don't see why it would have been reregistered, but I also can't find a trace of 299 after it was a Lothian demonstrator or find any info on FJA before it started service on the 13, and a Bus Lists on the Web search for SN19FJA doesn't show any results, so it's believable.

BV19LND has been exported, according to gov. car tax check website. Don’t know where to.

 

[Dfatcontroller]

BV19LND has been exported, according to gov. car tax check website. Don’t know where to.

BV19LND is now 191-D-45622 with Furey, Drumcliffe.

 

[danielhogg2005]

On bustimes.org it says that from the 4th September Prentice of Haddington will be running a Service 151 between Royal Infirmary/Easter Millerhill and Musselburgh Tesco/Grammar School, anyone know any idea of what will happen to Service 111?

 

[GusB]

On bustimes.org it says that from the 4th September Prentice of Haddington will be running a Service 151 between Royal Infirmary/Easter Millerhill and Musselburgh Tesco/Grammar School, anyone know any idea of what will happen to Service 111?

Where on bus times.org does it say this? Please post the full link to the relevant information.

 

[danielhogg2005]

151 - Millerhill - Musselburgh Tesco

Prentice Coaches

bustimes.org

That's the link (I hope because im not bery good at linking stuff).

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

On bustimes.org it says that from the 4th September Prentice of Haddington will be running a Service 151 between Royal Infirmary/Easter Millerhill and Musselburgh Tesco/Grammar School, anyone know any idea of what will happen to Service 111?

Whatever it is, that is a really complex route. There’s no way the number should be the same throughout if it’s doing so many different things. Even if it meant using A/B variants.

It’ll be a contract of some sorts, probably funded by relevant councils and/or new housing developers.

The 111 has also been changed as well from the same date, with all journeys running via Fort Kinnaird instead. The 151 is clearly Millerhill’s odd replacement.

 

[Devon Sunset]

Whatever it is, that is a really complex route. There’s no way the number should be the same throughout if it’s doing so many different things. Even if it meant using A/B variants.

It’ll be a contract of some sorts, probably funded by relevant councils and/or new housing developers.

The 111 has also been changed as well from the same date, with all journeys running via Fort Kinnaird instead. The 151 is clearly Millerhill’s odd replacement.

Looks like it's in connection with roadworks for the new housing developments in the area. Millerhill Road closed for 12 weeks.

Diversion plans as closure of Old Craighall Road for 12-weeks set to go ahead

Old Craighall Road will close for 12 weeks as Cala carry out upgrading work as part of a new 620-house development

www.edinburghlive.co.uk

 

[TheEastCoaster]

The 111 has also been changed as well from the same date, with all journeys running via Fort Kinnaird instead. The 151 is clearly Millerhill’s odd replacement.

I'm guessing they will still be running to Royal Infirmary? Via the Wisp?

 

[markymark2000]

It’ll be a contract of some sorts, probably funded by relevant councils and/or new housing developers

Funded by Mid Lothian and East Lothian Councils according to the registration

PM1089522/26 – bustimes.org

Supported by subsidy?Yes, Midlothian Council East Lothian Council

 

[Porty]

I'm guessing they will still be running to Royal Infirmary? Via the Wisp?

Forthcoming Timetable Changes - Prentice of Haddington

www.prentice.info

Tried to post a link but not sure how to do so. New page on the Prentice website with the 111 and 151 explained with pdfs of the new timetables from 4th September.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Forthcoming Timetable Changes - Prentice of Haddington

www.prentice.info

Tried to post a link but not sure how to do so. New page on the Prentice website with the 111 and 151 explained with pdfs of the new timetables from 4th September.

So it's just temporary till the road reopens? Guess that makes sense!

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

So it's just temporary till the road reopens? Guess that makes sense!

Phew. I thought they’d broken one of the best routes in the whole area!

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Phew. I thought they’d broken one of the best routes in the whole area!

To be fair maybe the new route 151 could stick around afterwards? The Wisp could do with a new service.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

To be fair maybe the new route 151 could stick around afterwards? The Wisp could do with a new service.

It’d be a tricky addition, but not impossible.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

It’d be a tricky addition, but not impossible.

The only advantage with this change currently is that it gives Prestonpans, Port Seton and Longniddry a link to Fort Kinnaird, and gives Haddington a later evening service from the Fort, something which was taken away from the 106, if the reroute proves to be popular it might be awkward to take it away.

 

[Avenger20]

The rerouting between Longniddry and Port Seton seems to be an awful long way for a shortcut. Is this due to the current routing often being closed for works?

 

[stevenedin]

Does anyone know what is happening to the single decker fleet that E&M Horsburgh have after they stop operating their public routes? I can’t imagine that there would be much private hires requiring them?

Most are around 17 or 18 years old and probably not far off heading to the scrap yard.

 

[Ding Ding]

Does anyone know what is happening to the single decker fleet that E&M Horsburgh have after they stop operating their public routes? I can’t imagine that there would be much private hires requiring them?

Most are around 17 or 18 years old and probably not far off heading to the scrap yard.

I think you are 100% correct. The majority of their buses are only of scrap value, and that includes their coaches, they are done, heating not working, air conditioning not working, smell inside, not maintained properly. I have driven them, believe me they are done. I don't know what their end game is, because there is only value in their property portfolio. I appreciate they have a lot of school contracts that pay well, due to the fact that the cost of the vehicles used is at the very bottom end, but I don't know if you can use the contracts when calculating the goodwill of the business.
But yes scrap.

 

[stevenedin]

I think you are 100% correct. The majority of their buses are only of scrap value, and that includes their coaches, they are done, heating not working, air conditioning not working, smell inside, not maintained properly. I have driven them, believe me they are done. I don't know what their end game is, because there is only value in their property portfolio. I appreciate they have a lot of school contracts that pay well, due to the fact that the cost of the vehicles used is at the very bottom end, but I don't know if you can use the contracts when calculating the goodwill of the business.
But yes scrap.

I was on RIG 6492 yesterday and they had black tape on the seats where they must’ve been ripped and yes they have that damp smell inside. I was also on the ex Coakley dart I think it is. Very powerful still but again lights held with tape and looking very worn.

 

[UK Bus Spotter]

Is there anyone that knows what type of vehicle Horsburgh operates for the 09.13 7 To St John's Hospital service?

 

[LothianBusesPh]

Is there anyone that knows what type of vehicle Horsburgh operates for the 09.13 7 To St John's Hospital service?

I would assume it would be Optare Solos or Dennis Darts.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Is there anyone that knows what type of vehicle Horsburgh operates for the 09.13 7 To St John's Hospital service?

I don't think Horsburgh have any specific vehicle allocation for their routes. It's usually just between Solos, Darts or B7RLEs.

 

[stevenedin]

Sometimes they use those small minibuses with a piece of paper in the window for a number from what I can remember.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I've had a couple of horsburgh coaches on rail replacement over the years and haven't had a problem, are they simply turning out the best of the fleet for grail replacement or are they trying to refocus to being more concentrated on coaching operations generally? The most recent was earlier this year during the wcml block and whilst my vehicle lacked the USB chargers of some of the others on display at Carlisle that morning the air conditioning on our service did what it was told when it was told to, the seats hadn't collapsed and were in decent enough shape, driver was friendly but I think it lacked a toilet, certainly the two concert going girlys in the row behind me had drunk probably considerably more than their own body weight in fizzy pop on the first half of the journey and then had to ask for a toilet stop at bigar which the driver gladly provided. Do they operate any coaches with on board facilities?

 

[Busman757]

They have just received new (to them) 3 Levante coaches from Aaron’s of Wick.

FJ60 HXY
FJ60 EFY
FJ61 EVY

All currently 48 seaters but toilets being removed and converted to 70 seaters.

 

[Blindtraveler]

They do better to keep one or two with bogs for their rail replacement contracts, but equally can see why they want the 70-seat capacity for schools