McGill’s Midland Bluebird

[stevenedin]

Although I may not agree with the logic, as far as I can see, it is timed to be 15 minutes after the X19 during the daytime.

That’s not too bad then at least it gives a bit of a gap.

 

[overthewater]

What are the odds, the X38 leaves Winchburgh first before the X19!

Unlikely going by the current passengers.

Although I may not agree with the logic, as far as I can see, it is timed to be 15 minutes after the X19 during the daytime.

That means it 15mins before the X19


As it stands from Newbridge the buses have been roughly every 10mins with X18, X19 and X38, so bang goes that, mind you the X18 run late half the time anyways..

 

[Stan Drews]

Why not time it so that the buses don’t run together and they are equally spaced so that both operators can gain passengers and also the public have a more frequent bus service?

That’s exactly what we’ve endeavoured to achieve during the main daytime hours. Lothian may decide to just retime the X19 back to 5 mins in front, but you never know, sense may prevail?

 

[Metal Mickey]

That’s exactly what we’ve endeavoured to achieve during the main daytime hours. Lothian may decide to just retime the X19 back to 5 mins in front, but you never know, sense may prevail?

Good luck with that because that’s exactly what they did every time First Scotland East amended a timetable in West Lothian during the two years between the launch of Lothian Country and the start of the Covid Pandemic.

 

[Flange Squeal]

I think we all saw this coming, and it makes sense, though what I don't get - does the exaggerated positivity really work? Do passengers really read it and get excited about journeys being retimed?

They might like it better if the times were right? The weekday Edinburgh-bound times between Falkirk and Linlithgow seem to have gone a bit awry? The screenshot below shows Falkirk 02/32, Laurieston 11/47, Polmont 17/53, Linlithgow 38/08 (then half hour apart thereafter, and throughout at weekends).

 

[Bus9120UK]

They might like it better if the times were right? The weekday Edinburgh-bound times between Falkirk and Linlithgow seem to have gone a bit awry? The screenshot below shows Falkirk 02/32, Laurieston 11/47, Polmont 17/53, Linlithgow 38/08 (then half hour apart thereafter, and throughout at weekends).

View attachment 172459

Looks like they accidentally left those two as they were on the old timetable! Presumably will be resolved in due course

 

[Metal Mickey]

I’m astonished at the amount of running time allocated between Polmont and Linlithgow.

 

[Siemens Trains]

Why not time it so that the buses don’t run together and they are equally spaced so that both operators can gain passengers and also the public have a more frequent bus service?

In that scenario passengers might be better served by only one operator running on the route at double the frequency.
Where two operators run the same route it's probably better in the short term if they're timed to run close together then passengers can decide which service they prefer.
But in the case of X38 and X19 these are long and short distance routes respectively. Maybe it's logical for the short distance double deck X19 to run slightly ahead of the long distance single deck X38, to avoid overloading it and leave room for those travelling further who won't have a choice.

 

[Baileygirl]

In that scenario passengers might be better served by only one operator running on the route at double the frequency.
Where two operators run the same route it's probably better in the short term if they're timed to run close together then passengers can decide which service they prefer.
But in the case of X38 and X19 these are long and short distance routes respectively. Maybe it's logical for the short distance double deck X19 to run slightly ahead of the long distance single deck X38, to avoid overloading it and leave room for those travelling further who won't have a choice.

Remember they are in competition with each other, they would not want Lothian to take all the customers. If you have a One Ticket you can take either service

 

[sannox]

I’m astonished at the amount of running time allocated between Polmont and Linlithgow.

Seems about right to be honest. Linlithgow is slow grind and about 10 minutes between Polmont Aldi to Linlithgow Bridge doesn't seem unreasonable.

 

[Mullac321]

Are McGills dropping the leading 0 on their streetlite fleet numbers? 0407 (SK63KKM) has been renumbered as 407 all around the bus.

 

[VioletEclipse]

Posting here as the tours thread is closed. The amount of Stirling branded tour buses in Edinburgh has been quite noticable for a while now, not sure that having tour buses running around with distinctive branding for a different city every day is really that good for their public perception. I wouldn't be shocked if this has caused one or two instances of confusion as to folk asking whether the heavily Stirling branded bus is going to Stirling.

 

[Dfatcontroller]

Posting here as the tours thread is closed. The amount of Stirling branded tour buses in Edinburgh has been quite noticable for a while now, not sure that having tour buses running around with distinctive branding for a different city every day is really that good for their public perception. I wouldn't be shocked if this has caused one or two instances of confusion as to folk asking whether the heavily Stirling branded bus is going to Stirling.

Thought there was only two Stirling branded ones (and one of them advertised all the brands and not specifically Stirling)? Hardly "The amount of"....

 

[Stan Drews]

Thought there was only two Stirling branded ones (and one of them advertised all the brands and not specifically Stirling)? Hardly "The amount of"....

Yes, there is only one Stirling Sightseer branded bus (8926), with sister bus 8924 carrying a generic “tours & airport connections“ branding.

 

[Siemens Trains]

Remember they are in competition with each other, they would not want Lothian to take all the customers. If you have a One Ticket you can take either service

I don't know about that. I suspect McGill's are not particularly interested in carrying passengers entirely within the X19 route. A bit like Stagecoach buses from Fife travelling along the A90 in Edinburgh. Obviously they'll do it if necessary, eg for concession and One-Ticket holders.
But generally these passengers seem more of an irritation to those travelling longer distances who are tied to the limited-capacity X38 alone.

 

[Stan Drews]

I don't know about that. I suspect McGill's are not particularly interested in carrying passengers entirely within the X19 route. A bit like Stagecoach buses from Fife travelling along the A90 in Edinburgh. Obviously they'll do it if necessary, eg for concession and One-Ticket holders.
But generally these passengers seem more of an irritation to those travelling longer distances who are tied to the limited-capacity X38 alone.

The corridor is nothing like the Stagecoach buses on the A90 corridor. Both Winchburgh and Kirkliston are major generators of customers to/from Edinburgh city centre so of significant interest and importance to the viability of the X38.
The Barnton - City A90 section is similar to the Maybury - City A8 section, although the latter is significantly busier.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The corridor is nothing like the Stagecoach buses on the A90 corridor. Both Winchburgh and Kirkliston are major generators of customers to/from Edinburgh city centre so of significant interest and importance to the viability of the X38.
The Barnton - City A90 section is similar to the Maybury - City A8 section, although the latter is significantly busier.

That's probably why Lothian are looking to compete

 

[CN04NRJ]

I see the Airport fares have increased for the second time now from tomorrow, £5 for a single! (Photo is showing the £5 increased fare)

 

[318266]

If £5 with Bright Bus is economy, is £5.50 with Lothian just 'economy plus' now?

 

[Bus9120UK]

I see the Airport fares have increased for the second time now from tomorrow, £5 for a single! (Photo is showing the £5 increased fare)

View attachment 173510

They've also started to advertise the service on stops along the route which they don't serve.

 

[VioletEclipse]

They've also started to advertise the service on stops along the route which they don't serve.

Really effecive at gaining more passengers when they see the branding on the bus stop, hail down the bus, and watch it go straight past them. Espescially so if the Airlink behind does actually stop.

 

[Volvodart]

Midland Bluebird are teasing the electric buses on their Facebook page, saying that they are "en route".

 

[overthewater]

We still don't know what type and what routes are getting them? Anyone have any clues?

 

[JumpinTrainz]

We still don't know what type and what routes are getting them? Anyone have any clues?

Looks like a Yutong from the photo.

Nice to see something new come Midland Bluebird.

 

[aswilliamsuk]

McGills got SCOTZEB2 funding for 42 vehicles, as I recall. I understood there was to be 12 deckers for Dundee, and 30 single-decks for Midland Bluebird this time around - all Yutongs. Obviously, someone else may be able to correct or confirm!

 

[Stan Drews]

We still don't know what type and what routes are getting them? Anyone have any clues?

The type has never been a secret. More Yutong E12s as used elsewhere within the group. They’ll be based at Larbert, so should see use on the Falkirk ‘local’ routes 1-5 and the 38 to Stirling.

 

[Metal Mickey]

The type has never been a secret. More Yutong E12s as used elsewhere within the group. They’ll be based at Larbert, so should see use on the Falkirk ‘local’ routes 1-5 and the 38 to Stirling.

Is the Stirling 38 going back to Single Deck operation?

 

[Stan Drews]

Is the Stirling 38 going back to Single Deck operation?

Yes, that’s the current plan along with an increased frequency.

 

[Dfatcontroller]

Yes, that’s the current plan along with an increased frequency.

Bet the ex-London e400s move to Dundee to rejoin the others to replace Geminis.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

McGills tend to favour singles over deckers with the exception of Xplore Dundee. I imagine given the capacity at Midland Bluebird - singles would be more appropriate anyway.