Lothian group (Network/Route Speculation)

[TheEastCoaster]

The 63 is already confirmed as every 60 mins between Queensferry and The Gyle.

I know but this is a speculation forum specifically, but saying that it's not like we can't discuss what is already confirmed either.

I believe depending on what is going on, they could either keep it as it is confirmed or merge another tender route or run the remainder of it commercially? Much like the suggested 63 route above.

Needless to say the waiting about makes it suspenseful, hoping it's Lothian Country that picks it up, guess we won't know untill the time is right.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

The 63 is already confirmed as every 60 mins between Queensferry and The Gyle.

The contract is. Like I said before, it doesn’t mean the route is.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

The contract is. Like I said before, it doesn’t mean the route is.

True, we could end up getting something combined or short and direct. Guess we won't know till an official announcement will be made in a few months.

 

[SoloSR334022]

I wonder if LCB will look at running services via Livingston Village? Maybe something between Blackridge and Balerno could work? Would kill 2 birds with 1 stone...

 

[TheEastCoaster]

I wonder if LCB will look at running services via Livingston Village? Maybe something between Blackridge and Balerno could work? Would kill 2 birds with 1 stone...

I do wonder if they will consider reviving that link, the old 24 hasn't run that way since 2016 I believe.

Balerno definitely could do with some additional bus services, I know it's only a matter of time before the 63 is cut back and the new Cramond service will take over.

 

[SoloSR334022]

I do wonder if they will consider reviving that link, the old 24 hasn't run that way since 2016 I believe.

Balerno definitely could do with some additional bus services, I know it's only a matter of time before the 63 is cut back and the new Cramond service will take over.

I would run it this way...

71 - Blackridge to Balerno via Armadale, Bathville, Bathgate, Boghall, Livingston Village, St. John's Hospital, The Centre, Mid Calder, East Calder (Langton Rd.),
and Kirknewton. Every 45 minutes.

Could maybe extend to Straiton Retail Park every 90 minutes?

 

[mb88]

Is there really any demand for a service from Livingston to Balerno? As far as I’m aware, previous incarnations of such a route have always been tendered.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Is there really any demand for a service from Livingston to Balerno? As far as I’m aware, previous incarnations of such a route have always been tendered.

The biggest indication would be either school children for Balerno heading to Kirknewton, or residents in Balerno needing to go to St Johns Hospital; they might have been tenders but it makes sense.

I would run it this way...

71 - Blackridge to Balerno via Armadale, Bathville, Bathgate, Boghall, Livingston Village, St. John's Hospital, The Centre, Mid Calder, East Calder (Langton Rd.),
and Kirknewton. Every 45 minutes.

Could maybe extend to Straiton Retail Park every 90 minutes?

I could see this working as a legitimate route.

 

[Auld reekie]

I do wonder if they will consider reviving that link, the old 24 hasn't run that way since 2016 I believe.

Balerno definitely could do with some additional bus services, I know it's only a matter of time before the 63 is cut back and the new Cramond service will take over.

I couldn't agree more with your second paragraph.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

I couldn't agree more with your second paragraph.

It's only a matter of time, because with the X44 only serving East Lothian (despite having multiple express options and could easily be cut back). Balerno will be back to potentially having a better bus service, the 90 minute service finishing before 5pm is hardly viable for anyone.

 

[Auld reekie]

It's only a matter of time, because with the X44 only serving East Lothian (despite having multiple express options and could easily be cut back). Balerno will be back to potentially having a better bus service, the 90 minute service finishing before 5pm is hardly viable for anyone.

Maybe the 25 could be extended to Balerno.

 

[SoloSR334022]

Is there really any demand for a service from Livingston to Balerno? As far as I’m aware, previous incarnations of such a route have always been tendered.

I would run it this way...

71 - Blackridge to Balerno via Armadale, Bathville, Bathgate, Boghall, Livingston Village, St. John's Hospital, The Centre, Mid Calder, East Calder (Langton Rd.),
and Kirknewton. Every 45 minutes.

Could maybe extend to Straiton Retail Park every 90 minutes?

Could run it tendered between Balerno to Livingston Village and then commercial from Livingston Village to Blackridge?

 

[InOban]

I'm mystified by the addiction of certain posters to buses through the green fields between MidCalder and Balerno.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Maybe the 25 could be extended to Balerno.

There was peak runs many years ago, but they were scrapped unfortunately.

Could run it tendered between Balerno to Livingston Village and then commercial from Livingston Village to Blackridge?

That could work, assuming also that LCB have plans to return to Blackridge.

I'm mystified by the addiction of certain posters to buses through the green fields between MidCalder and Balerno.

The old bus stop outside Beechgrove Farm still has Blue Bus stickers on it, clearly has been forgotten about by the council, not sure if they are any more bus stops between that old stop and Kirknewton however.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 May 2024 ==

I couldn't agree more with your second paragraph.

Also as an update, Lothian have applied for the Balerno to Cramond tender which is meant to run between 8am to 8:30pm I believe Monday to Saturday.

 

[stevenedin]

I have thought of a new route for Lothian Country:

Kirknewton - Livingston North Station

Route:
Kirknewton B7031 stop just before tue junction of A71 then does a one way loop back via A71, Station Road then up through the village and out the other side at Linburn Road, A71, Wilkieston, B7015, Calderwood (via Nethershiel Road - the old X27 route), East Calder Main Street, East Calder Langton Road, A71 (past Oakbank Ind. Estate to Lizzie Bruce Roundabout), Bankton Road, Alderstone Road, Almondvale Road, Almondvale Blvd, Almondvale Drive, A899, Howden East Road, Howden West Road, St John’s Hospital, Alderstone Road, Ladywell West Road, Ladywell East Road, Knightsridge East Road (left at T junction instead of right), Knightsridge West Road, Carmondean Centre Road & Deans North Road at Livingston North Railway Station

It could run using single deckers or smaller buses.

 

[iij]

On the topic of route numbers do you think Lothian will use 70 and 71 for any further expansion in West Lothian?

You were half correct. https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...il-tender-services.254308/page-7#post-6796513

Registration numberOperator nameService numberStart pointFinish point
PM1050765/84
NewEAST COAST BUSES LIMITED71Gyle CentreQueensferry
PM1050765/83
NewEAST COAST BUSES LIMITED70Gyle CentreHermiston Park &
Ride

 

[NorthClyde320]

You were half correct. https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...il-tender-services.254308/page-7#post-6796513

Pity the current 73 service wasn't originally numbered 71 which meant the new Queensferry tender could have been 73, tying it in with the 43. Also the East Coast registrations have been replaced with Lothian Country ones.

 

[iij]

Pity the current 73 service wasn't originally numbered 71 which meant the new Queensferry tender could have been 73, tying it in with the 43. Also the East Coast registrations have been replaced with Lothian Country ones.

I have a feeling this was intentional. The higher the 7x number, the further west (the starting point of) the route goes.

 

[Bus9120UK]

I have a feeling this was intentional. The higher the 7x number, the further west (the starting point of) the route goes.

I think the newer routes were just numbered following on from the 72. Why they decided 72 for the (originally) Livingston to Kirkliston tender, I don't know.
70/71 obviously chosen so they can use 75-79 in the future when the West Lothian network is finally improved.

 

[stevenedin]

I wonder how long before the X27 is renumbered 77 and the X28, 78. The X18 I have no idea what they would renumber that one if at all.

 

[Bus9120UK]

I wonder how long before the X27 is renumbered 77 and the X28, 78. The X18 I have no idea what they would renumber that one if at all.

Never - there is a difference between these services and the ones numbered in the 70s.
These are the express buses that run into Edinburgh, with limited stopping patterns in the city. They are also now established services so it would be silly to change the numbers.

 

[danielhogg2005]

I have a speculative Lothian Country service which I would like to put forward for opinions and feedback based on my current research into West Lothian Buses.

Service Number: 75
Route: Blackridge - Gyle Centre
Via: Armadale, Bathville, Bathgate, Blackburn, Seafield, Livingston Village, Livingston Centre, Howden, St. John's Hospital, Fastlink, Uphall, Broxburn, Newbridge, Ratho Station.
Days of Operation: Mon-Sun
Frequency: Hourly (Some Early morning journeys could be ran Livingston - Gyle to then run as services 70/71).

 

[iij]

How about a service 500 stopping only at:

Linlithgow Bridge, Station Road Linlithgow, Springfield Road Linlithgow, Ratho Station, Airport, Gyle Centre, Hermiston Gait, Westside Plaza, Straiton P&R, Straiton Retail Park, Station Road Loanhead, Laird and Dog Lasswade, Bonnyrigg Toll, Newtonloan Toll, Gore Avenue, Birkenside

 

[CSB0241]

I have a speculative Lothian Country service which I would like to put forward for opinions and feedback based on my current research into West Lothian Buses.

Service Number: 75
Route: Blackridge - Gyle Centre
Via: Armadale, Bathville, Bathgate, Blackburn, Seafield, Livingston Village, Livingston Centre, Howden, St. John's Hospital, Fastlink, Uphall, Broxburn, Newbridge, Ratho Station.
Days of Operation: Mon-Sun
Frequency: Hourly (Some Early morning journeys could be ran Livingston - Gyle to then run as services 70/71).

I like the concept between Blackridge & Livingston, but past that, it’s basically just a clone of the Citylink 902.

How about a service 500 stopping only at:

Linlithgow Bridge, Station Road Linlithgow, Springfield Road Linlithgow, Ratho Station, Airport, Gyle Centre, Hermiston Gait, Westside Plaza, Straiton P&R, Straiton Retail Park, Station Road Loanhead, Laird and Dog Lasswade, Bonnyrigg Toll, Newtonloan Toll, Gore Avenue, Birkenside

This feels very random to be combined into one route. Personally, I’d split this into two routes.

X41 • Livingston to Loanhead Town Centre
The Centre, St. Johns, Fastlink, Broxburn, Newbridge Ind. Estate, Ratho, Dalmahoy, Hermiston P&R, A720, Straiton P&R, Straiton Mains, Clerk Street.

X75 • Linlithgow to Edinburgh
Linlithgow Bridge, Linlithgow Town Centre, Springfield, M9, Ratho Station, then X18 route to Edinburgh (basically the same as the Greenarrow EX2).

 

[danielhogg2005]

I like the concept between Blackridge & Livingston, but past that, it’s basically just a clone of the Citylink 902.

In this concept it would allow Citylink to make the route a but faster by removing some stops making it a bit more "express" for travellers for the Airport.

Alternatively, my 75 idea could be cut down to just Blackridge - Livingston (edited to serve St. John's Hospital and Howden) and interwork with another concept route similar to the 73/74:

Service Number: 76
Route: Livingston - Linlithgow
Via: Alderstone Road, St. John's Hospital, Fastlink, Dechmont, Boghall, Bathgate, Torphichen.
Days of Operation: Mon-Sun
Frequency: Hourly (would interwork with Service 75).

 

[SoloSR334022]

In this concept it would allow Citylink to make the route a but faster by removing some stops making it a bit more "express" for travellers for the Airport.

Alternatively, my 75 idea could be cut down to just Blackridge - Livingston (edited to serve St. John's Hospital and Howden) and interwork with another concept route similar to the 73/74:

Service Number: 76
Route: Livingston - Linlithgow
Via: Alderstone Road, St. John's Hospital, Fastlink, Dechmont, Boghall, Bathgate, Torphichen.
Days of Operation: Mon-Sun
Frequency: Hourly (would interwork with Service 75).

This is fine but instead of serving Torphichen I would send it along to Armadale then up the B8084 till the A801 from then turn right at the roundabout on to the A706 to Linlithgow. This is to reinstate the direct link from Armadale and Livingston.

 

[Bus9120UK]

In this concept it would allow Citylink to make the route a but faster by removing some stops making it a bit more "express" for travellers for the Airport.

Alternatively, my 75 idea could be cut down to just Blackridge - Livingston (edited to serve St. John's Hospital and Howden) and interwork with another concept route similar to the 73/74:

Service Number: 76
Route: Livingston - Linlithgow
Via: Alderstone Road, St. John's Hospital, Fastlink, Dechmont, Boghall, Bathgate, Torphichen.
Days of Operation: Mon-Sun
Frequency: Hourly (would interwork with Service 75).

I would consider the already existing service 31. Your service feels very much like a rearranged version of it.

 

[iij]

I like the concept between Blackridge & Livingston, but past that, it’s basically just a clone of the Citylink 902.

This feels very random to be combined into one route. Personally, I’d split this into two routes.

X41 • Livingston to Loanhead Town Centre
The Centre, St. Johns, Fastlink, Broxburn, Newbridge Ind. Estate, Ratho, Dalmahoy, Hermiston P&R, A720, Straiton P&R, Straiton Mains, Clerk Street.

X75 • Linlithgow to Edinburgh
Linlithgow Bridge, Linlithgow Town Centre, Springfield, M9, Ratho Station, then X18 route to Edinburgh (basically the same as the Greenarrow EX2).

Agreed. I also thought of a four-stop bus route that would connect the west and east in around 30 minutes.

Gyle Centre for services 12, 20, 21, 22, 32, 36, 70, 71, 400, 902, TRAM
Turnhouse Road (at Maybury Junction for U-turn) for services 31, 100, 200, 900, 909, X18, X38
A720 and A1 non-stop
Fort Kinnaird for services 30, 46, 48, 49, 106, 108, 111, 112, 253
Milton Link for services 2, 4, 49, 253, X5, X6, X7

 

[SoloSR334022]

Agreed. I also thought of a four-stop bus route that would connect the west and east in around 30 minutes.

Gyle Centre for services 12, 20, 21, 22, 32, 36, 70, 71, 400, 902, TRAM
Turnhouse Road (at Maybury Junction for U-turn) for services 31, 100, 200, 900, 909, X18, X38
A720 and A1 non-stop
Fort Kinnaird for services 30, 46, 48, 49, 106, 108, 111, 112, 253
Milton Link for services 2, 4, 49, 253, X5, X6, X7

Would Lothian run this? I thought it could be a Citylink Route, could number it 903?

 

[iij]

Would Lothian run this? I thought it could be a Citylink Route, could number it 903?

It is within city boundaries so I'd imagine Lothian could run this as a city service, maybe numbered X41 or X50.

Citylink could work, but its services are more intercity and long-distance. (with the exception of the 23 Shotts/Whitburn due to the McGills saga)