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

[Bus9120UK]

Looks very smart. I've noticed that they have changed the logo to just say Lothian instead of having the circle at the beginning. I wonder if that will becone standard now or just for these.

The rear still has it. No idea why the front doesn't, seems like they just copied the BZLs which don't have it either (only because of a lack of space), as for the side there is genuine space constraints.

 

[JKP]

Considering they’re only funding this until March it only gives them 6 months - that’s quite the challenge. They’re definitely targeting the fare paying adult Hospital workers for sustainability, no one will be using this for appointments or to nip to Tesco!

It will be interesting to see what happens in March… if this isn’t a success and the funding stops I’m sure Lothian will have no qualms at pulling the plug just to prove a point!

I don’t hold much hope for an all day service materialising! Look how long it took for the 18 to get to where it is today (albeit in its various forms over the years).

Surely it will be 8 months? Are the registrations going the full six week period or will Midlothian and CoE give dispensation to allow early implementation?

If these journeys do not cover their costs then the company has every right to withdraw. Hopefully revenue collected will be sufficient to enable the journeys proposed to continue past March 2027.

 

[ScotRail158725]

Not been down Lang Loan in a fair while (upwards of about 3 years now) but if I recall correctly Lang Loan isn’t ideal for buses since it’s fairly narrow & quite windy at points as well.

theres tighter roads on the network that buses manage with just fine

Considering they’re only funding this until March it only gives them 6 months - that’s quite the challenge. They’re definitely targeting the fare paying adult Hospital workers for sustainability, no one will be using this for appointments or to nip to Tesco!

It will be interesting to see what happens in March… if this isn’t a success and the funding stops I’m sure Lothian will have no qualms at pulling the plug just to prove a point!

It seems set up to fail this way as its a select handful of people its targeted for

I don’t hold much hope for an all day service materialising! Look how long it took for the 18 to get to where it is today (albeit in its various forms over the years).

The 18 was held back by being tendered out to First all those years ago, only being a Lothian service for a couple peak journeys meant during the day people with daytickets/ridacards etc.. would avoid it. Look how quick its first service change was after Lothian took it over fully it went from hourly to half hourly and extended to Fort Kinnaird 6 months later

 

[Scotrail88]

2e - SV26OFB was on display to the public today at the Gyle Centre.

2 - SV26OFB

Seen on local demonstration to the public at the Gyle Shopping Centre is brand new Lothian Buses Wrightbus GB Kite electroliner 2e - SV26OFB. One of nine battery-electric single decker buses to shortly enter service.

flic.kr

So Monday go live??

What routes we expecting

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

So Monday go live??

What routes we expecting

They’re for the 36 and should enter service from Sunday onwards.

 

[overthewater]

Seems these adjustments are specifically targeted for workers… rather than shoppers/hospital goers (which the latter seemed to gain more press attention). So there’ll still be complaints.

Could see a few of these journeys finishing/starting at the Royal Infirmary coming off or going on to 49’s.

The council will be hoping these are eventually busy enough to justify commercial operation, which may then open doors to an all day service. Time will tell.

The fact these run 7 days a week is interesting, as it should mean the departure times are fairly consistent across the week.

It was the workers who made the biggest fuss over these changes. I do have to say Midlothian have been extremely slow when it comes to reacting to people complaints.

I do have to wonder where the extra 48 journey is going does that mean it will be every 15mins at 6am period?

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

I do have to wonder where the extra 48 journey is going does that mean it will be every 15mins at 6am period?

I suspect the 48 will be every 20 minutes an hour earlier than it currently is. The 0559 from Birkenside revised to be a 0549 departure, with a new 0609 journey that would arrive at the Infirmary just before 0700 and arriving at Musselburgh around 0735.

This new journey would be an extension of the board that begins with the 0751 departure from Musselburgh.

 

[nick291]

Just seen this photo of the GB Kite. my my what a piece of kit in the Lothian burgundy and white! https://flic.kr/p/2skQEs7

Seen on local demonstration to the public at the Gyle Shopping Centre is brand new Lothian Buses Wrightbus GB Kite electroliner 2e - SV26OFB. One of nine to shortly enter service.

 

[Metal Mickey]

2e - SV26OFB was on display to the public today at the Gyle Centre.

2 - SV26OFB

Seen on local demonstration to the public at the Gyle Shopping Centre is brand new Lothian Buses Wrightbus GB Kite electroliner 2e - SV26OFB. One of nine battery-electric single decker buses to shortly enter service.

flic.kr

Personally, I think they would’ve been better sticking with Volvo/MCV products.

 

[Lothianbus703]

Personally, I think they would’ve been better sticking with Volvo/MCV products.

Its nice to see them buying the in my opinion much better looking Wrightbus products.
These also have 40 seats which is an increase of 6 from the 7900's they are replacing.

 

[cam22]

Just seen this photo of the GB Kite. my my what a piece of kit in the Lothian burgundy and white! https://flic.kr/p/2skQEs7

Seen on local demonstration to the public at the Gyle Shopping Centre is brand new Lothian Buses Wrightbus GB Kite electroliner 2e - SV26OFB. One of nine to shortly enter service.

Personally, I think they would’ve been better sticking with Volvo/MCV products.

Just seen this photo of the GB Kite. my my what a piece of kit in the Lothian burgundy and white! https://flic.kr/p/2skQEs7

Seen on local demonstration to the public at the Gyle Shopping Centre is brand new Lothian Buses Wrightbus GB Kite electroliner 2e - SV26OFB. One of nine to shortly enter service.anyone

Noticed the Lothian logo isn’t on this bus. Anyone know why? Are they planning dropping or changing it?

 

[ejstubbs]

Noticed the Lothian logo isn’t on this bus. Anyone know why? Are they planning dropping or changing it?

See Bus1029UK's post earlier. The fact that the logo is present on the rear of the new bus would seem to suggest that it's still intended to be used.

 

[computerSaysNo]

Does anyone know why 940/941/943 and 944 are listed under Lothian (city) in the Lothian Vehicle Finder instead of under Lothian Country?

 

[Resuwen]

Looks very smart. I've noticed that they have changed the logo to just say Lothian instead of having the circle at the beginning. I wonder if that will becone standard now or just for these.

It has the circle with the logo on the back of the vehicle

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Does anyone know why 940/941/943 and 944 are listed under Lothian (city) in the Lothian Vehicle Finder instead of under Lothian Country?

I have tried to update these countless times but I’ve kind of given up on it to be honest. I haven’t had the time to keep it as up to date as it should be.

 

[Megafuss]

Seems these adjustments are specifically targeted for workers… rather than shoppers/hospital goers (which the latter seemed to gain more press attention). So there’ll still be complaints.

Could see a few of these journeys finishing/starting at the Royal Infirmary coming off or going on to 49’s.

I'd argue the only regular bus users to a hospital are workers, so it makes sense.

 

[Gflynorw]

Anyone hazard a guess which buses will go when the new fleet starts to arrive? I'm assuming the B8's for LC and ECB will cascade B5tls newer back to city? Are the LXZ batch to go before the 11 batch of B9tls?

 

[Resuwen]

Anyone hazard a guess which buses will go when the new fleet starts to arrive? I'm assuming the B8's for LC and ECB will cascade B5tls newer back to city? Are the LXZ batch to go before the 11 batch of B9tls?

Certainly some of the ex Londons are already withdrawn so I’d imagine it’s them first before the native 11s

 

[Bus9120UK]

2e has entered service, 172 has also made its move to Central.

 

[DespacitoPlayz]

2e has entered service, 172 has also made its move to Central.

2e, 3e & 4e are in service. They're much better quality than the BZLs I'd say.

Update 07:34 - bus 7e is in service

 

[mb88]

Can anyone tell me what services used the turning circle on Old Dalkeith Road at Fernieside Drive please and roughly what year did it stop being used?

 

[EdinRH]

I saw a new Lothian electric bus on the 36 today. The destination display said "Part Route Gyle Centre".

Gyle Centre is the normal terminus though. Was this a mistake or was a section of the intermediate route being skipped?

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Can anyone tell me what services used the turning circle on Old Dalkeith Road at Fernieside Drive please and roughly what year did it stop being used?

I think the 33 used to?

 

[Dfatcontroller]

I saw a new Lothian electric bus on the 36 today. The destination display said "Part Route Gyle Centre".

Gyle Centre is the normal terminus though. Was this a mistake or was a section of the intermediate route being skipped?

Six of the nine new buses entered service today.

 

[Gaelan]

I saw a new Lothian electric bus on the 36 today. The destination display said "Part Route Gyle Centre".

Gyle Centre is the normal terminus though. Was this a mistake or was a section of the intermediate route being skipped?

Generally, if skipping part of the intermediate route, I’d expect the diversion icon (the wiggly arrow) rather than the “Part Route”.

 

[Boff]

I saw a new Lothian electric bus on the 36 today. The destination display said "Part Route Gyle Centre".

Gyle Centre is the normal terminus though. Was this a mistake or was a section of the intermediate route being skipped?

I beleive that display is usually shown when there's a fire alarm test at the Gyle Centre, which results in the 36 terminating just outside the Gyle Centre, but not technically completing its route.

 

[EdinRH]

Generally, if skipping part of the intermediate route, I’d expect the diversion icon (the wiggly arrow) rather than the “Part Route”.

So would I, but using "Part Route" for a deviation in the intermediate route is not unprecedented. I remember back in 2005 seeing morning journeys on the 37 which took a deviation into the Bush displaying "Part Route". IIRC 37A was already used for journeys that omitted Loanhead (this became the separately numbered 47 in March 2006). Perhaps the "Route Diverted" display didn't exist at the time. I don't recall seeing it until the diversions for the Hogmanay Street Party at the end of 2007.

 

[JKP]

I think the 33 used to?

Yes, the 33. There was also a 49 Eastfield to Ferniehill. Did this route disappear at deregulation or just before?

 

[Busman757]

I think the 33 used to?

Both the 7 and 33 used to terminate at Ferniehill.

 

[JKP]

Both the 7 and 33 used to terminate at Ferniehill.

That terminus point though is not the one on Old Dalkeith Road which was being asked about.