Scottish Citylink

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Tbh, with it actually running as a semi-local through Uphall, Broxburn etc it makes sense for it would make sense for it to run from the same place as the LCB and formerly the First/McGills ran from as that’s where the West Lothian public are used to.

I agree. It may as well share the same stops in the city centre as the X18.

 

[Observer]

Why are Citylink ending this service after such a short time?

SPT issued an emergency tender and somehow Citylink of all companies managed to win it, with the service being operated by HH Coaches who usually just put on whatever service bus they had for the job, as opposed to a Citylink coach which would have been overkill.

Stuarts Coaches are taking on the 23 from 14th July, perhaps the company most would have expected to get it before anyway given their other work in the area.

 

[Dfatcontroller]

SPT issued an emergency tender and somehow Citylink of all companies managed to win it, with the service being operated by HH Coaches who usually just put on whatever service bus they had for the job, as opposed to a Citylink coach which would have been overkill.

Stuarts Coaches are taking on the 23 from 14th July, perhaps the company most would have expected to get it before anyway given their other work in the area.

Citylink initially insisted that HH use a coach and that is why the electric Yutong coach was purchased.
After a few weeks operational experience; HH managed to persuade Citylink that a bus was more suited to the route.
Citylink however, stated they did not want the bus to be in Citylink livery; hence the Scania, and then the newer Scania/East Lancs being purchased.

 

[Observer]

Citylink initially insisted that HH use a coach and that is why the electric Yutong coach was purchased.
After a few weeks operational experience; HH managed to persuade Citylink that a bus was more suited to the route.
Citylink however, stated they did not want the bus to be in Citylink livery; hence the Scania, and then the newer Scania/East Lancs being purchased.

And now seem to be using random Solos from McNairns (the ones purchased from Dunns) as well. They bought another Optare (AA57 GHA I think) but it hasn't been seen on the road yet.

 

[overthewater]

Edinburgh Bus Station is running at full capacity. Thats why the 902 and the Flix 090 aren't using it.

Are you sure about that, there is plenty of space at the top end around Gate H and J, Mind you it's a pain to get into them.

 

[KeiranS0601]

Are you sure about that, there is plenty of space at the top end around Gate H and J, Mind you it's a pain to get into them.

Trying to stick full sized coaches into them, especially the Panoramas, would be a pain and probably result in regular damage. The stances up that end tend to have been mostly used by minibuses and stuff going on tours, and sit around for ages.

 

[Spsf3232]

Trying to stick full sized coaches into them, especially the Panoramas, would be a pain and probably result in regular damage. The stances up that end tend to have been mostly used by minibuses and stuff going on tours, and sit around for ages.

The 15m length coaches do fit without issue on the end bays but they are kept free for overspill usually

 

[route101]

Seen a Panorama on the 902 yesterday.

I have noticed on a Saturday which is the only day I have used the 902 its all elites but during the week it gets more variety.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Seen a Panorama on the 902 yesterday.

I have noticed on a Saturday which is the only day I have used the 902 its all elites but during the week it gets more variety.

A lot of the early weekday runs seem to have no specific allocation. I’ve seen a large variety of stuff on it, including an ex gold Panorama yesterday.

 

[duffers2324]

I also witnessed a Pano on it within the 1st week of the new timetable, it was the 1655 peak short working from Glasgow to Livingston only, made me quite excited to see there being doubles on it.

 

[stevenedin]

None of the Edinburgh bus stops seem to have the 902 on them. It’s confusing where they stop.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

None of the Edinburgh bus stops seem to have the 902 on them. It’s confusing where they stop.

It’s confusing for the drivers too I think. Last night the driver stopped at Stop JD, got out to consult her phone and then figured out where Stop YB is.

 

[KeiranS0601]

A lot of the early weekday runs seem to have no specific allocation. I’ve seen a large variety of stuff on it, including an ex gold Panorama yesterday.

Look at what some of the early morning and late at night runs do after their 902, There is a few that do a 902 as far as livi before coming back to Glasgow and doing an M9.

 

[route101]

I also witnessed a Pano on it within the 1st week of the new timetable, it was the 1655 peak short working from Glasgow to Livingston only, made me quite excited to see there being doubles on it.

I also seen a plain white Volvo coach too.

 

[Dfatcontroller]

Look at what some of the early morning and late at night runs do after their 902, There is a few that do a 902 as far as livi before coming back to Glasgow and doing an M9.

The 08:22 Coatbridge - Livingston and 09:23 Livingston - Glasgow seems to be run by whatever is left in the yard at Blantyre.
Last week one day it was a Panorama which then ran back to the depot; the next day it was an Elite which then fell onto a 900.

The 06:05 Greenrigg - Glasgow is booked for the Hairy Haggis Yutong EV coach.


== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Jun 2024 ==

I also witnessed a Pano on it within the 1st week of the new timetable, it was the 1655 peak short working from Glasgow to Livingston only, made me quite excited to see there being doubles on it.

The 16:55 Glasgow - Livingston and 18:53 Livingston - Glasgow is booked for a Kilmarnock Panorama.

 

[computerSaysNo]

I noticed that Astromega YJ14 LFM (50275) has been partly tracking today and on one journey took the road from Forfar direct to Perth via Coupar Angus. I've traced this back and I think this is the 1630 M92 Aberdeen to Edinburgh via Edinburgh Airport as this service does miss Dundee (goes non-stop Aberdeen to Perth Broxden). Is using this route rare? I've only used the via Airport service once, it was going northbound, and the service took the usual route but just stayed on the dual carriageway in Dundee.

 

[BobbyBKinross]

I noticed that Astromega YJ14 LFM (50275) has been partly tracking today and on one journey took the road from Forfar direct to Perth via Coupar Angus. I've traced this back and I think this is the 1630 M92 Aberdeen to Edinburgh via Edinburgh Airport as this service does miss Dundee (goes non-stop Aberdeen to Perth Broxden). Is using this route rare? I've only used the via Airport service once, it was going northbound, and the service took the usual route but just stayed on the dual carriageway in Dundee.

I would think it's pretty rare, yep. I've seen a few M92 exit the M90 at Junction 8 (Northbound) and take the A91, A92 route to Dundee.

 

[computerSaysNo]

I would think it's pretty rare, yep. I've seen a few M92 exit the M90 at Junction 8 (Northbound) and take the A91, A92 route to Dundee.

Thanks for confirming.

Ah right, is that very rare too?
Google Maps thinks via the A91/A92 is shorter but I guess staying on the dual carriageway to Dundee is probably easier and safer.

 

[overthewater]

Mind you, doing that route would avoid the busy Kingsway around Dundee. I have seen a few citylink service take the A91 and A92 from Kinross to Dundee.

 

[Spsf3232]

I think in all my time doing Citylink ive only used that route once on direct Citylink golds. It's a gamble to which way to go as you replace Dundee with going through Perth. When the new road opens I think it will be a game changer avoiding Dundee.

As for direct to Kinross, it's actually quicker going through Fife and used that a lot on M92s that skipped Perth

 

[route101]

Never known the M92s to go via the A91/A92. I suppose they only go that way when the route is blocked rather than driver preference.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Jun 2024 ==

I think in all my time doing Citylink ive only used that route once on direct Citylink golds. It's a gamble to which way to go as you replace Dundee with going through Perth. When the new road opens I think it will be a game changer avoiding Dundee.

As for direct to Kinross, it's actually quicker going through Fife and used that a lot on M92s that skipped Perth

Is that the new road from the A9 across the Tay to the North of Perth that is currently under construction?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Jun 2024 ==

I used the 900 from Edinburgh Airport last night at 2 am. I would say around 15 people got on the Glasgow bound 900. One risk of using the 900 from the airport is if the 900 is full after an event before it picked up at the airport.

 

[BobbyBKinross]

I think the A91/A92 option will be used a lot less at the moment due to the major works on the Tay Bridge.

 

[ld0595]

When I was at uni in Dundee 10 years ago, I'd often take the M91/M92 to Kinross and it would often go via the A91/A92. There didn't seem to be a hard and fast rule about it, just down to driver preference.

 

[route101]

When I was at uni in Dundee 10 years ago, I'd often take the M91/M92 to Kinross and it would often go via the A91/A92. There didn't seem to be a hard and fast rule about it, just down to driver preference.

What was the M91 service?

I thought usually they stick to dual carriageways where possible.

 

[Spsf3232]

What was the M91 service?

I thought usually they stick to dual carriageways where possible.

M91 service was Edinburgh to Perth and Inverness via Dunfermline, Kinross, Milnathort and direct to Perth. Think there's some confusion over buses that used the A91/92 to Dundee from Kinross and the service M91 and M92. Only the M92 would go that route avoiding Perth via Fife

 

[sannox]

It’s confusing for the drivers too I think. Last night the driver stopped at Stop JD, got out to consult her phone and then figured out where Stop YB is.

I'm surprised at how many people the air service has to knock back who have bought the 902 tickets between the airport and Glasgow and vice versa.

 

[computerSaysNo]

I'm surprised at how many people the air service has to knock back who have bought the 902 tickets between the airport and Glasgow and vice versa.

Why would people buy tickets for the 902, are they cheaper between Glasgow and the Airport than the AIR service?

 

[Buzby]

Why would people buy tickets for the 902, are they cheaper between Glasgow and the Airport than the AIR service

The AIR service was always touted as a Premium service along with a fleet of the latest vehicles. Indeed on launch they wouldn’t take Saltire/NEC cardholders (but this changed in 2022 or thereabouts).

 

[voidwxrranty]

The AIR service was always touted as a Premium service along with a fleet of the latest vehicles. Indeed on launch they wouldn’t take Saltire/NEC cardholders (but this changed in 2022 or thereabouts).

believe it changed when the U22 free travel came in.

 

[sannox]

Why would people buy tickets for the 902, are they cheaper between Glasgow and the Airport than the AIR service?

No, but travelling on the AIR this week, they refused 3 passengers who had 902 tickets and directed them to the next stand.