Lothian group (Network/Route Speculation)

[gomango]

There's a difference between being allowed and wanting to, though.

I know I was just wondering if it was possible or not. Thanks for the replies.

 

[bobdoe]

An airport service directly from Midlothian or East Lothian via the bypass could take a lot of cars off the road during the holidays.

 

[enginedin]

[new topic created]

 

[EdinRH]

I know I was just wondering if it was possible or not. Thanks for the replies.

Dunfermline and Peebles have appeared on destination blinds, so Lothian must be permitted to run services outside the Lothians.

 

[GusB]

This might be slightly offtopic (mods feel free to spin it off into a new thread if you wish) but it massively annoys me there's an airport public transport tax, with both the tram and and bus having an airport zone. Other airports don't feel the need to do this (e.g Liverpool, where you can get a standard network single to outside the terminal building). I assume this is the aiport mandating this, rather than Lothian Transport / Edinburgh Trams?

Of course, what many people do is ignore the signs at Ingliston P&R which say "no pedestrian route to airport", which there clearly is, and walk the final km

It is off-topic and you're welcome to start a new thread if you wish to discuss this issue - in the appropriate section of the forum.

 

[Siemens Trains]

Dunfermline and Peebles have appeared on destination blinds, so Lothian must be permitted to run services outside the Lothians.

My understanding is that they're allowed to do so but would need to inform the shareholders. Up to now, the question of operating outside the Lothian Region boundary defined in the 1970s hasn't arisen as there was never any desire on the company's part.
Peebles and Dunfermline were never serious prospects but no reason why they couldn't serve those areas if circumstances were right.

 

[GusB]

My understanding is that they're allowed to do so but would need to inform the shareholders. Up to now, the question of operating outside the Lothian Region boundary defined in the 1970s hasn't arisen as there was never any desire on the company's part.
Peebles and Dunfermline were never serious prospects but no reason why they couldn't serve those areas if circumstances were right.

There is no "Lothian Region" any more. There is nothing to stop Lothian Buses and its sister operations from running services outwith the boundaries of East, West and Midlothian if it so desired.

If Lothian Buses wanted to run a service to London, for example, there is no legal impediment. Whether or not it would be a good idea is a completely different matter.

Shareholders will should be quite happy to go along with anything that provides them with a decent return on their investment. This applies regardless of the ownership model, whether it be private or public.

 

[houndlover]

Would be interested to hear any thoughts on a future Lothian Country route which utilises the new Motorway Junction at Winchburgh, potential for an express service into town using this, could compete with McGill's X38. Very quickly came up with this possible service below. Happy to hear any thoughts.

X79 Armadale - Bathgate - Uphall - Broxburn - Winchburgh School Campus - Winchburgh M8 Junction - Hermiston Gait - Bankhead - Broomhouse - Stenhouse - Gorgie Road - W Approach Road - Princes Street - Waterloo Place

This service would use the new road due to serve the new town centre in Winchburgh and I have it exiting the motorway at Hermiston as Newbridge seemed too short of a run on the motorway and would be rather pointless.

 

[InOban]

The problem in the Winchburgh area is that it's in West Lothian while apart from Edinburgh itself, the main journey is likely to be to Tesco in Queensferry in Edinburgh The two authorities need to collaborate.

 

[Siemens Trains]

Would be interested to hear any thoughts on a future Lothian Country route which utilises the new Motorway Junction at Winchburgh, potential for an express service into town using this, could compete with McGill's X38. Very quickly came up with this possible service below. Happy to hear any thoughts.

X79 Armadale - Bathgate - Uphall - Broxburn - Winchburgh School Campus - Winchburgh M8 Junction - Hermiston Gait - Bankhead - Broomhouse - Stenhouse - Gorgie Road - W Approach Road - Princes Street - Waterloo Place

This service would use the new road due to serve the new town centre in Winchburgh and I have it exiting the motorway at Hermiston as Newbridge seemed too short of a run on the motorway and would be rather pointless.

It might suffer a similar fate to other express services from Bathgate and Linlithgow routed along the motorways. That said, Transport Scotland's M9 and M8 bus lanes might make a small difference at peak times, and of course Winchburgh is still waiting for its railway station.

 

[SoloSR334022]

X79 Armadale - Bathgate - Uphall - Broxburn - Winchburgh School Campus - Winchburgh M8 Junction - Hermiston Gait - Bankhead - Broomhouse - Stenhouse - Gorgie Road - W Approach Road - Princes Street - Waterloo Place

Would the X79 serve Dechmont or bypass via the A89?

 

[jb66]

I think this would make a good permanent route for N18!

 

[TheEastCoaster]

I think this would make a good permanent route for N18!

Didn't one of the former First West Lothian night buses do something similar? I'm not saying it's a bad idea because it kills two birds with one stone here, but I'm confident someone is going to say it's not viable or something etc.

 

[jb66]

Didn't one of the former First West Lothian night buses do something similar? I'm not saying it's a bad idea because it kills two birds with one stone here, but I'm confident someone is going to say it's not viable or something etc.

Yes the N25 It was called, added a wee but extra time but gave a bit more coverage

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Yes the N25 It was called, added a wee but extra time but gave a bit more coverage

I suppose at the end of the day that is the more important factor, maybe one day depending on how the Lothian Country network does this year.

Speaking of which anyone here notice how the 72/73/74 and X40 are doing in West Lothian? any comments and suggestions for how they can improve?

 

[freddiem]

I suppose at the end of the day that is the more important factor, maybe one day depending on how the Lothian Country network does this year.

Speaking of which anyone here notice how the 72/73/74 and X40 are doing in West Lothian? any comments and suggestions for how they can improve?

72 is certainly popular (particularly between Livingston Centre and Whitburn) can't comment on the other section.
73 is moderate, think the quicker link to Bathgate is useful and being used
Can't say about the 74, not really seen it about enough.
X40 proving itself with the link to Westside Plaza, with it growing in popularity, especially with shoppers and some extra capacity between E Calder and the Centre on top X27

 

[stevenedin]

I took a trip to Livingston today and the X27 or X28 wasn’t as busy but the 72 heading towards Kirkliston from Livingston centre was packed. I’m guessing most will be heading to Pumpherston, Uphall Station, Uphall or Broxburn.

 

[SoloSR334022]

I took a trip to Livingston today and the X27 or X28 wasn’t as busy but the 72 heading towards Kirkliston from Livingston centre was packed. I’m guessing most will be heading to Pumpherston, Uphall Station, Uphall or Broxburn.

I'm thinking if they'll increase the frequency of the 72 sometime this year, but I also think they'll probably make some changes to the 73 and 74

 

[wlbusser]

Yes the N25 It was called, added a wee but extra time but gave a bit more coverage

Wasn't there also a 22B, that diverted via Krikliston and Winchburgh then onto Broxburn via Niddry Rd, and also went into Newbridge rather than straight on past the car showrooms?
I'm sure that's the one I used to get home after work, was around 2016/17 I used it, and was handy when I finished late as the X38 didn't run past 10.45.

If I remember correctly it was the 22B I got one night that didn't bother turning up to Kirkliston and went straight onto Broxburn meaning I was left in Broxburn needing to get to Winchburgh.

 

[GusB]

Just a reminder that this thread is intended to be used for posting ideas about new routes or suggestions for changes to the network. If you wish to discuss things as they are now, use the other Lothian thread. Thanks

 

[mb88]

I'm thinking if they'll increase the frequency of the 72 sometime this year, but I also think they'll probably make some changes to the 73 and 74

I can see the 72 increasing to half hourly also, however from my experience the Broxburn to Kirkliston section is very quiet so probably won’t warrant an increase. Perhaps every second bus could terminate at East Mains in Broxburn giving a half hourly service Broxburn to Fauldhouse?

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

I can see the 72 increasing to half hourly also, however from my experience the Broxburn to Kirkliston section is very quiet so probably won’t warrant an increase. Perhaps every second bus could terminate at East Mains in Broxburn giving a half hourly service Broxburn to Fauldhouse?

Both 928 and 931 have recently moved to Seafield as well. It got me considering the possibility of further service improvements. Either a new 71, or more likely, some frequency increases and route adjustments.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

I can see the 72 increasing to half hourly also, however from my experience the Broxburn to Kirkliston section is very quiet so probably won’t warrant an increase. Perhaps every second bus could terminate at East Mains in Broxburn giving a half hourly service Broxburn to Fauldhouse?

I can't really comment as I'm not a West Lothian/West Edinburgh resident, but if the 72 was to increase in frequency I would think it would have to be either the entire route or at least between Fauldhouse and Livingston to make it more reliable. Since Broxburn to Fauldhouse on the 72 takes approximately 1 hour and 19 minutes exactly and an extension would add another 18 minutes onto the route.

Both 928 and 931 have recently moved to Seafield as well. It got me considering the possibility of further service improvements. Either a new 71, or more likely, some frequency increases and route adjustments.

I would like to think that before a new route is introduced they would modify the existing network and strengthen what they got, as stated above it seems the 72 is the most popular of the new LCB services, following the 73 and then the 74.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

I would like to think that before a new route is introduced they would modify the existing network and strengthen what they got, as stated above it seems the 72 is the most popular of the new LCB services, following the 73 and then the 74.

I still think the 73 is overall a bizarre route. It’s there due to limited resources but ideally it should be going elsewhere when it reaches Bathgate, down to Fauldhouse via J4 Distribution Centre? If a new 71 was created similar to the old First/McGill’s 21 that would probably cover Wester Inch and Blackburn better. Both ideas would also negate the need to increase the 72 as well.

 

[SoloSR334022]

I can see the 72 increasing to half hourly also, however from my experience the Broxburn to Kirkliston section is very quiet so probably won’t warrant an increase. Perhaps every second bus could terminate at East Mains in Broxburn giving a half hourly service Broxburn to Fauldhouse?

It could also serve the the Strathbrock Centre in Broxburn, a bit like the old X23 that First used to run.

 

[jb66]

I think partly the 72 is quiet between broxburn and winchburgh is that its an hourly service and its regularly late. Folk may choose to visit Edinburgh or linlithgow over waiting for a bus that in peak times isn't showing up.

 

[SoloSR334022]

Since the timetable/route changes are coming up I thought I'd have a go at the LCB network.


Peak time extension in Bold

X18 - Current route between Whitburn and Edinburgh increased to every 15 minutes at peak times

New Service X19 - Linlithgow to Edinburgh via Bridgend, Threemiletown, Winchburgh, Kirkliston, Queensferry, Dalmeny, Scotstoun Terminus, Crammond, Barnton, Clermiston, Muarryfield and Haymarket.

X27/X28 - X27 extended to Whitburn via Seafield, Blackburn and East Whitburn. X28 Current route between Edinburgh and Bathgate increased to every 30 minutes.

X40 - Extended to Fort Kinaird via Newcraighall Rd, for Southern Orbit

New Service 40 - Queensferry to Balerno via Kirkliston, Newbridge, Ratho and Kirknewton for connections with X18, X27/X28 and 43 and 72

43 - No Changes

72 - Route modified between Livingston Centre and Fauldhouse (Extends to Fauldhouse Railway Station) via Polbeth, West Calder, and Stoneyburn

New Route 73 - Linlithgow to Livingston Centre via Torphichen, Bathgate, Blackburn, Seafield, Livingston Village and St. John's Hospital

New Route 74 - Livingston South Railway Station to Fauldhouse (Railway Station) via Livingston Centre, St. John's Hospital, Ladywell, Knightsridge, Deans North (W-bound), Deans South (E-bound), Tesco Distribution, Boghall, Bathgate, Armadale, Whitburn Cross, and Longridge.

New Service 75 - Queensferry to Bathgate/Pyramids Bussiness Park via J4M8 Ferrymuir, Kirkliston, Broxburn, Uphall, Uphall Station, Pumpherston, Craigshill, Livingston Centre, Fastlink, Deerpark, Dechmont, Tesco Distribution, Bathgate, J4M8, Pyramids Business Park.

 

[LothianBusesPh]

New Service 40 - Queensferry to Balerno via Kirkliston, Newbridge, Ratho and Kirknewton for connections with X18, X27/X28 and 43 and 72

No. There is a reason why the 63 won't go to Balerno soon and it would compete with the 63 - a tendered route.

 

[stevenedin]

No. There is a reason why the 63 doesn't go to Balerno anymore and it would compete with the 63 - a tendered route.

I thought that the 63 did go to Balerno still?

 

[Auld reekie]

I thought that the 63 did go to Balerno still?

It does.