Lothian Buses and ECB Discussion

[ScotRail158725]

Small observation on service 3. I have noticed it has been running with several older vehicles lately.

Using today as an example - there were 8 B7TL's and 2 B9TL's operating on it. The rest mainly coming from it's usual pool of 401-430. It appears that the 33 now operates almost exclusively from this pool meaning the 3 has to use several older vehicles.

thats exactly why, quite enjoy having a good few B7TLs on the 3 reminds me of it pre 2014

 

[stantheman]

Trams question ...do they still carry fleet numbers anywhere .

 

[ScotRail158725]

Trams question ...do they still carry fleet numbers anywhere .

on the carriges yes

 

[overthewater]

The company is heading for a strike come Friday: https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman....rike-after-drivers-reject-pay-offer-1-4972207

BUS drivers are set to go on strike from the first day of the Fringe after drivers voted to reject a last-minute offer from bosses.

Drivers had threatened strike action over what they claim is “hostile” and “bullying” management at Lothian Buses.The Unite union gave notice that Lothian bus drivers will walk out from 3am on Friday August 2. Bosses had tried to halt the action after offering a 2.7 per cent pay increase. But Unite have confirmed that drivers on Friday voted to reject the offer. Other measures rejected by the drivers included bringing in external experts to look at the management culture, which could lead to managers being sent on one-day courses, and a commitment that management would abide by company policies. An official ballot of Unite members last month produced 91 per cent support for a strike over what the union called a “toxic culture” of bullying and harassment.

 

[Darklord8899]

That's not a timetable, that's a basic guide to service that advertises "at least every 10 minutes". In reality it's registered to operate on a 7/8 minute frequency during peaks, 8 minutes offpeak, 9 minutes on Saturdays. There are periods where there's a 10 minute frequency (M-F late Afternoon, early morning/evening), however it's a 8 minute frequency right now.

Oops, my bad! I stand corrected, Thank you Jordan.
(Probably not helped by the fact if you follow link for timetable, that's what you get.....the guide, not a proper timetable)

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

In my own view I’d rather the strike went ahead as why should I pay more for my bus because of a poor management style, most regular passengers won’t understand that but oh well and why should drivers be bullied around by management - To think this may have all started from a closed Facebook group - Though I’m an outsider so I’m not 100% sure about it.

Just for some clarity not all drivers will be in the union and are there any other unions concerned within the company that have not voted for strike, basically if it happens will we still see a partial service or no service at all?

 

[SpeedbirdA350]

In my own view I’d rather the strike went ahead as why should I pay more for my bus because of a poor management style, most regular passengers won’t understand that but oh well and why should drivers be bullied around by management - To think this may have all started from a closed Facebook group - Though I’m an outsider so I’m not 100% sure about it.

Just for some clarity not all drivers will be in the union and are there any other unions concerned within the company that have not voted for strike, basically if it happens will we still see a partial service or no service at all?

I disagree. There has to be more to this than just a closed facebook page which contained a picture of a jesture with RH face on it. Has to be. Otherwise this would have been all sorted before now. That was reported December last year if I recall correctly with the driver in question being sacked and 10 others being suspended. So for them to call strike action now, why wait SO long to do it and not in Feb, or March etc.. There has to be something else that has happened in the last couple of months that we might not be privvy too.

This strike if it goes ahead will have an profound effect on general public. Forget about toursits for a moment, but what about the nurses who need to get to work, or the care team, or those who work in health care but can't drive? What about residents with medical appointments who have to get there? I have been waiting since Feb 19th for an appointment, and got one for the 2nd August. Of course, when I was speaking with the staff 2 weeks ago to confirm something for my appointment I asked what the effect would be if strike happened and I had to reschedule and they said that at that moment, I'd be waiting until end of November so I know that would be December if not January now. And some will be worse than that however specialists do have long wait lists.

As for partial service. I'd HOPE to see those who voted for no strike, those who are not part of the union, LCB, ECB, LMC and tour bus drivers taking some routes. Like a Christmas day/Sunday service (depending on how many drivers are availible) it might be but it's better than nothing. Still would mean many people would struggle with getting to and from work (ie nurses, care staff) and stop folk going about their general business.

I have a large amount of empathy for those who are being bullied however but there is much more to this action than we are being told.

As for what routes they'd have as a priority, Christmas Day 2018 they ran 3, 7, 8, 16, 22, 26, 30, 34, 37, 44 and 100.

I am suprised First have not tried to take advantage of this though...

 

[Auld reekie]

I disagree. There has to be more to this than just a closed facebook page which contained a picture of a jesture with RH face on it. Has to be. Otherwise this would have been all sorted before now. That was reported December last year if I recall correctly with the driver in question being sacked and 10 others being suspended. So for them to call strike action now, why wait SO long to do it and not in Feb, or March etc.. There has to be something else that has happened in the last couple of months that we might not be privvy too.

This strike if it goes ahead will have an profound effect on general public. Forget about toursits for a moment, but what about the nurses who need to get to work, or the care team, or those who work in health care but can't drive? What about residents with medical appointments who have to get there? I have been waiting since Feb 19th for an appointment, and got one for the 2nd August. Of course, when I was speaking with the staff 2 weeks ago to confirm something for my appointment I asked what the effect would be if strike happened and I had to reschedule and they said that at that moment, I'd be waiting until end of November so I know that would be December if not January now. And some will be worse than that however specialists do have long wait lists.

As for partial service. I'd HOPE to see those who voted for no strike, those who are not part of the union, LCB, ECB, LMC and tour bus drivers taking some routes. Like a Christmas day/Sunday service (depending on how many drivers are availible) it might be but it's better than nothing. Still would mean many people would struggle with getting to and from work (ie nurses, care staff) and stop folk going about their general business.

I have a large amount of empathy for those who are being bullied however but there is much more to this action than we are being told.

As for what routes they'd have as a priority, Christmas Day 2018 they ran 3, 7, 8, 16, 22, 26, 30, 34, 37, 44 and 100.

I am suprised First have not tried to take advantage of this though...

A decent post.
I don’t know what it would take to call of the strike now.

 

[VioletEclipse]

City Sightseeing Gemini Two number 254 has been sighted in service.

 

[VioletEclipse]

I disagree. There has to be more to this than just a closed facebook page which contained a picture of a jesture with RH face on it. Has to be. Otherwise this would have been all sorted before now. That was reported December last year if I recall correctly with the driver in question being sacked and 10 others being suspended. So for them to call strike action now, why wait SO long to do it and not in Feb, or March etc.. There has to be something else that has happened in the last couple of months that we might not be privvy too.

This strike if it goes ahead will have an profound effect on general public. Forget about toursits for a moment, but what about the nurses who need to get to work, or the care team, or those who work in health care but can't drive? What about residents with medical appointments who have to get there? I have been waiting since Feb 19th for an appointment, and got one for the 2nd August. Of course, when I was speaking with the staff 2 weeks ago to confirm something for my appointment I asked what the effect would be if strike happened and I had to reschedule and they said that at that moment, I'd be waiting until end of November so I know that would be December if not January now. And some will be worse than that however specialists do have long wait lists.

As for partial service. I'd HOPE to see those who voted for no strike, those who are not part of the union, LCB, ECB, LMC and tour bus drivers taking some routes. Like a Christmas day/Sunday service (depending on how many drivers are availible) it might be but it's better than nothing. Still would mean many people would struggle with getting to and from work (ie nurses, care staff) and stop folk going about their general business.

I have a large amount of empathy for those who are being bullied however but there is much more to this action than we are being told.

As for what routes they'd have as a priority, Christmas Day 2018 they ran 3, 7, 8, 16, 22, 26, 30, 34, 37, 44 and 100.

I am suprised First have not tried to take advantage of this though...

Yeah the strike is going to cause a huge mess in Edinburgh, I too hope that they at least keep a few services running so that people can still get around.

 

[SpeedbirdA350]

City Sightseeing Gemini Two number 254 has been sighted in service.

Slightly suprised it is numbered 254 as that is a tram number. I'd have thought 278-283 or 290-300.

 

[robertclark125]

Slightly off topic, but I wonder what Stagecoach East Scotland might do here. I'm referring to the Express services to and from Edinburgh, which stop, after the Forth Bridge, at only Barnton traffic lights, and Blackhall shops. Moreso for journeys from Edinburgh, that could lead to passengers heading for Fife, and beyond, possibly, and I stress POSSIBLY, finding their services busier than usual. Can Stagecoach East Scotland change the stopping arrangements, e.g. citybound stop to set down only at barnton and Blackhall, Fife bound stop to pick up only at Blackhall and Barnton? How much notice would they need to give the traffic commissioner, on stopping arrangement changes to existing stops, even on a temporary basis?

 

[buslad1988]

I disagree. There has to be more to this than just a closed facebook page which contained a picture of a jesture with RH face on it. Has to be. Otherwise this would have been all sorted before now. That was reported December last year if I recall correctly with the driver in question being sacked and 10 others being suspended. So for them to call strike action now, why wait SO long to do it and not in Feb, or March etc.. There has to be something else that has happened in the last couple of months that we might not be privvy too.

This strike if it goes ahead will have an profound effect on general public. Forget about toursits for a moment, but what about the nurses who need to get to work, or the care team, or those who work in health care but can't drive? What about residents with medical appointments who have to get there? I have been waiting since Feb 19th for an appointment, and got one for the 2nd August. Of course, when I was speaking with the staff 2 weeks ago to confirm something for my appointment I asked what the effect would be if strike happened and I had to reschedule and they said that at that moment, I'd be waiting until end of November so I know that would be December if not January now. And some will be worse than that however specialists do have long wait lists.

As for partial service. I'd HOPE to see those who voted for no strike, those who are not part of the union, LCB, ECB, LMC and tour bus drivers taking some routes. Like a Christmas day/Sunday service (depending on how many drivers are availible) it might be but it's better than nothing. Still would mean many people would struggle with getting to and from work (ie nurses, care staff) and stop folk going about their general business.

I have a large amount of empathy for those who are being bullied however but there is much more to this action than we are being told.

As for what routes they'd have as a priority, Christmas Day 2018 they ran 3, 7, 8, 16, 22, 26, 30, 34, 37, 44 and 100.

I am suprised First have not tried to take advantage of this though...

You also have to consider/appreciate that those drivers who aren’t part of the union etc. may not want to turn up to work on any strike days for fear of the discontent they’ll receive from their colleagues!

IF this strike action does go ahead you’d hope those who choose to strike respect the decision of those who still turn up for work (for whatever reason... not part of union, unable to afford to lose a days pay etc.) As if those drivers are bullied/harassed as a result then that’s totally hypocritical against what they are actually striking for.

And yet whilst they want to strike the cavalcade still goes ahead tomorrow provided by driving staff who’ve volunteered to come in and do it on their days off.

 

[ScotRail158725]

City Sightseeing Gemini Two number 254 has been sighted in service.

seen the back of one earlier, looks nice. do they still retain their BF60 UU* number plates or are they LXZ like the rest of the batch

 

[Jordan Adam]

seen the back of one earlier, looks nice. do they still retain their BF60 UU* number plates or are they LXZ like the rest of the batch

They still have the BF60 plates for now.

 

[overthewater]

Slightly off topic, but I wonder what Stagecoach East Scotland might do here. I'm referring to the Express services to and from Edinburgh, which stop, after the Forth Bridge, at only Barnton traffic lights, and Blackhall shops. Moreso for journeys from Edinburgh, that could lead to passengers heading for Fife, and beyond, possibly, and I stress POSSIBLY, finding their services busier than usual. Can Stagecoach East Scotland change the stopping arrangements, e.g. citybound stop to set down only at barnton and Blackhall, Fife bound stop to pick up only at Blackhall and Barnton? How much notice would they need to give the traffic commissioner, on stopping arrangement changes to existing stops, even on a temporary basis?

No. However lcb 43 will still be running and you have to remember half the fife express are now non stop. Most likely outcome is x55 dups.

 

[SpeedbirdA350]

What is it exactly their demands are for strike action? Removal of RH? Removal of all upper management? I have not seen any demands and usually when you say you're going on strike, there are a list of demands, usually about pay but this is not.

 

[Jordan Adam]

I think the lesson that can be learnt here is that you can't bribe your workforce with a 2.7% pay increase when you're the issue.

 

[Auld reekie]

I think the lesson that can be learnt here is that you can't bribe your workforce with a 2.7% pay increase when you're the issue.

Good point.
I've looked at LB website and and I quote "A small minority have voted for industrial action." What a lot of cobblers.
Who comes out with these stupid statements.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Good point.
I've looked at LB website and and I quote "A small minority have voted for industrial action." What a lot of cobblers.
Who comes out with these stupid statements.

91% sounds like a "minority" to me!

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

91% sounds like a "minority" to me!

Is that 91% of the workforce, or 91% of the Union?

And if it is the latter, what percentage of the workforce are part of the Union?

 

[takno]

Good point.
I've looked at LB website and and I quote "A small minority have voted for industrial action." What a lot of cobblers.
Who comes out with these stupid statements.

Presumably it was 91% of people who voted, and only just more than half of the workforce voted. I'll be interested to see how much actual support they get if there wasn't a high turnout and the union were recommending they accept the offer.

 

[A330Alex]

Is that 91% of the workforce, or 91% of the Union?

And if it is the latter, what percentage of the workforce are part of the Union?

Union members. Unite claim they have 1700 members in Lothian and Lothian say they have 1700 drivers so... a lot?

91% voted to support the strike. Of those 1700, 59.4% then rejected the offer by management. Interesting definition of small minority.

 

[SpeedbirdA350]

Is there a flaw on Lothian bus tracker today? 1065 is on service 1 (never thought in a million years the B8L would be on service 1) but it's near the zoo, and 1066 and 1069 on service 104 but at the airport.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Is there a flaw on Lothian bus tracker today? 1065 is on service 1 (never thought in a million years the B8L would be on service 1) but it's near the zoo, and 1066 and 1069 on service 104 but at the airport.

All of those are on the 98, must be some sort of error.

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

 

[Auld reekie]

What a lot of BS.

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

What a lot of BS.

If this forum had a like button, this post would have got one.

 

[lastbus]

City Sightseeing Gemini Two number 254 has been sighted in service.

There was one broken down on Waverley bridge earlier.

Also a guy taking passenger numbers of BBT at dynamic earth.

 

[takno]

What a lot of BS.

In what sense? The numbers aren't under dispute, and the union did recommend the deal. At this point it's entirely unclear what the people who voted against it actually want. Makes it an incredibly difficult strike to support tbh, and one which will probably fall flat on its arse quite quickly.