West Lothian buses

[RomeoCharlie71]

The posts were deleted probably because they had nothing to do with Lothian Country buses expanding into West Lothian!

 

[Jordan Adam]

Agreed, it's a shame the posts were deleted and no reason given.

It was posted that apparantly First are going to use Plaxton Presidents on the service which seems a bit of a backward step considering Lothian's tour fleet is still relativley recent and very well known. I can't see First lasting on this venture.

I know who wrongly reported the post and it's not who you think it is....

On another note I can't see it lasting long either, Edinburgh's current tour network is already very expansive and highly commended. How First think they can take a share with life expired Presidents is beyond me!

 

[CM]

The posts were deleted probably because they had nothing to do with Lothian Country buses expanding into West Lothian!

It IS relevant though as Lothian have expanded to West Lothian and in turn, First's response is to start a tourist service within Edinburgh against Lothians well respected and established services.

 

[Jordan Adam]

The posts were deleted probably because they had nothing to do with Lothian Country buses expanding into West Lothian!

It is relevant as it relating to First acting in retaliation to Lothian expanding in to West Lothian.

In addition to that, on the whole the vast majority of active posters here use this thread more as a discussion for all operators in the "battle", not just LC. I (and i'm sure i'm not alone in this) have always been under the impressive that that's what this thread is for.

 

[OmniCity999]

A First open top tour of Edinburgh wont last very long methinks...

Led to believe its ex Glasgow 51 plates (and older..) good luck to them.

 

[SpeedbirdA350]

They can't honestly be serious then if they are going to run 18 year old buses on a tour. I can only think that because Glasgow is getting the LEZ, Edinburgh does not have one yet so try it for a year and see. It will be interesting to see their route plan, pricing structure and if it will be on the same model as LB with hop on hop off or if it will be prebookable only.

 

[CM]

They can't honestly be serious then if they are going to run 18 year old buses on a tour. I can only think that because Glasgow is getting the LEZ, Edinburgh does not have one yet so try it for a year and see. It will be interesting to see their route plan, pricing structure and if it will be on the same model as LB with hop on hop off or if it will be prebookable only.

And It'll be interesting to see if they start/finish on Waverley Bridge. With the existing Lothian Tours AND Airlink services already using Waverley Bridge it's going to be a bit crowded.

 

[lastbus]

A First open top tour of Edinburgh wont last very long methinks...

Led to believe its ex Glasgow 51 plates (and older..) good luck to them.

My post earlier was deleted but there is at least one ex city sightseeing bus from down south in Caledonia depot.

 

[Driver362]

I also think think they are on a hiding to nothing there. But nothing ventured nothing gained I suppose. I dare say there will be more LC related chat soon enough when the coaches are introduced ,and not on what people think there going on ! (Tin hat ready)

 

[OmniCity999]

They can't honestly be serious then if they are going to run 18 year old buses on a tour. I can only think that because Glasgow is getting the LEZ, Edinburgh does not have one yet so try it for a year and see. It will be interesting to see their route plan, pricing structure and if it will be on the same model as LB with hop on hop off or if it will be prebookable only.

I believe its a copy of the City Sightseeing brand with similar colours and advertising. Also a rumour that they are copying the 22, 26 and 100.

 

[overthewater]

I also think think they are on a hiding to nothing there. But nothing ventured nothing gained I suppose. I dare say there will be more LC related chat soon enough when the coaches are introduced ,and not on what people think there going on ! (Tin hat ready)

The talk is the X18, however the coaches have been sitting around nothing now for weeks, and if coaches are going on something new then thats another 8 week, expensive coaches are sitting around doing nothing. Great logic here. IE LCB

I believe its a copy of the City Sightseeing brand with similar colours and advertising. Also a rumour that they are copying the 22, 26 and 100.

There would be draft to operate 22 or 26, There already have 7/8 service down A8, If there can;t fill up those buses what another 6 going to do? There would be smarter going after uni markets.

First may have gone after the right market, the tours ie the big bucks, Have Adult ticket cost £12 and family £30, It will forces them to cut there cost and hit Lothian bottom line. First could break even while making sure Lothian lose money.

 

[CM]

First may have gone after the right market, the tours ie the big bucks, Have Adult ticket cost £12 and family £30, It will forces them to cut there cost and hit Lothian bottom line. First could break even while making sure Lothian lose money.

Who's going to want to do a tour on an unfamilliar brand with life expired vehicles when there is an alternative, well known brand using fresh, modern vehicles and a 5 star rating available.....nobody!

 

[GusB]

Who's going to want to do a tour on an unfamilliar brand with life expired vehicles when there is an alternative, well known brand using fresh, modern vehicles and a 5 star rating available.....nobody!

Guide Friday seemed to do okay when they first introduced their Edinburgh tours

 

[CM]

Guide Friday seemed to do okay when they first introduced their Edinburgh tours

And were they not eventually taken over by Lothian, along with Mac Tours?

 

[GusB]

And were they not eventually taken over by Lothian, along with Mac Tours?

I'm not sure how accurate the Wiki article is, but it suggests that Guide Friday was acquired by City Sightseeing.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_Sightseeing

Ensignbus acquired City Sightseeing's biggest rival, Guide Friday, which had a base in Stratford-upon-Avon and operated tours across the UK and in major European cities. Operations were either re-branded as City Sightseeing, or absorbed into existing operators where Guide Friday had been a direct competitor. The acquisition brought City Sightseeing's operations up to nearly 70 cities worldwide with nearly 250 vehicles.

Going back a couple of decades, all open-top tours utilised life-expired vehicles, Lothian included. When I look at a fleetbook from 1989, it shows that their open toppers were from the BFS-L batch, many of which were marked as withdrawn. The concept of a new open-top vehicle is relatively recent. We are straying well off-topic, though - perhaps a new thread is in order?

 

[LiviCrazy]

This could be a successful venture by First if they play their cards right. Since Lothian took over all the tours I think Edinburgh Tours has become like London Tours and become prohibitively expensive. If First do this in a similar fashion to what Megabus are doing for London it could work.

Lothian are £16 for a single tour for the whole Day. If First offer it at say £10 it could make a difference. Your average visiting tourist isn’t going to notice the difference in ages of buses.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Apologies for asking (and having missed now deleted posts) but what is actually being said?

There’s a possible sightseeing tour op with fully depreciated kit? What else? What are the sources for this and other moves?

It’s all a bit confusing as to what is actually happening, what might be happening, what has supporting evidence and what is speculation (and I’m easy confused)

 

[OmniCity999]

This could be a successful venture by First if they play their cards right. Since Lothian took over all the tours I think Edinburgh Tours has become like London Tours and become prohibitively expensive. If First do this in a similar fashion to what Megabus are doing for London it could work.

Lothian are £16 for a single tour for the whole Day. If First offer it at say £10 it could make a difference. Your average visiting tourist isn’t going to notice the difference in ages of buses.

Not looking forward to having 20 year old sh*t boxes floating around our streets belching out fumes with panels hanging off.

First defenders and rationalists will defend this, however if you look at the companies practices over the years, especially in East Lothian and the Borders it proves itself. Although the West Lothian depatment seems to be upping its game. Although i feel we may find out that the small guys will come out tops, Lothian (small in comparison to first nationwide), SD, Horsburgh (although not much better than first...) etc.

Apologies for asking (and having missed now deleted posts) but what is actually being said?

There’s a possible sightseeing tour op with fully depreciated kit? What else? What are the sources for this and other moves?

It’s all a bit confusing as to what is actually happening, what might be happening, what has supporting evidence and what is speculation (and I’m easy confused)

Three open top tridents in Red sitting at one of first depots (caledonia i think they call it?). The numerous job adverts for a tours manager, drivers and ticket sellers of firsts website and trade press. Insider knowledge. Their also said to be looking at an Airlink alternative. And of course Lothian's obvious challenge in the West Lothian market.

Interesting times ahead, with Lothian planning more West Lothian services.

 

[In Focus]

Apologies for asking (and having missed now deleted posts) but what is actually being said?

There’s a possible sightseeing tour op with fully depreciated kit? What else? What are the sources for this and other moves?

It’s all a bit confusing as to what is actually happening, what might be happening, what has supporting evidence and what is speculation (and I’m easy confused)

Why ask it will just get deleted ?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Why ask it will just get deleted ?

Thought I’d ask as obviously, I don’t know what was deleted.

In fairness, the mods do have to make a judgment call (and I’ve fallen foul before).

 

[overthewater]

I have sent you a PM with details, not sure WHY its been deleted... its on the First group website.

 

[In Focus]

Not looking forward to having 20 year old sh*t boxes floating around our streets belching out fumes with panels hanging

That's pretty presumptuous I'd say .
To be fair though I didnt want our streets of West Lothian being overrun by city folk clogging up bus stops and stances and advertising how they "keeping Edinburgh moving " whilst operating between Blackridge and Livingston on "our streets".
Unfortunately we dont always get what we want in life !

 

[OmniCity999]

That's pretty presumptuous I'd say .
To be fair though I didnt want our streets of West Lothian being overrun by city folk clogging up bus stops and stances and advertising how they "keeping Edinburgh moving " whilst operating between Blackridge and Livingston on "our streets".
Unfortunately we dont always get what we want in life !

I mean i live in in Bathgate, so ive used both companies thoroughly.

Clean, well presented buses, polite drivers and a good timetable...

I know who i'd rather have.

 

[OmniCity999]

And if anyone is concerned. This is entirely on topic as this is Firsts retaliation to Lothian being in West Lothian.

 

[In Focus]

I mean i live in in Bathgate, so ive used both companies thoroughly.

Clean, well presented buses, polite drivers and a good timetable...

I know who i'd rather have.

Mostly ex First drivers ,strange how a change of uniform seems to give a personality injection ,(or does it).

 

[OmniCity999]

Mostly ex First drivers ,strange how a change of uniform seems to give a personality injection ,(or does it).

Not just a change of uniform. Change of working conditions. A change of environment, a change of resources, a change of management, a change of routes, a change of engineering.

Totally different.

 

[overthewater]

Clearly it's NOT a change or routes, its the same route First have doing for years. Yes it's Totally Different from first, Lothian lot are about to Strike. Grass is not always greener..

 

[OmniCity999]

Clearly it's NOT a change or routes, its the same route First have doing for years. Yes it's Totally Different from first, Lothian lot are about to Strike. Grass is not always greener..

Not confirmed.

I work for the company.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Not just a change of uniform. Change of working conditions. A change of environment, a change of resources, a change of management, a change of routes, a change of engineering.

Totally different.

And Lothian are known for their great working conditions, that's why the ever so joyful drivers are threatening to strike.

 

[overthewater]

Not confirmed.

I work for the company.

You are biased then