West Lothian buses

[CM]

It's still a service change though as it's a "change" to their network of services.

It's actually an addition to their network of services. A change would mean an alteration of an existing service or network of services. They aren't changing, they are adding to it.

 

[Jordan Adam]

It's actually an addition to their network of services. A change would mean an alteration of an existing service or network of services. They aren't changing, they are adding to it.

An addition to their network is still a change, this is just getting downright petty now.

 

[lastbus]

LCB still looking for drivers I see. What’s the shift patterns and how many hours are you paid each day roughly?

 

[In Focus]

It's still a service change though as it's a "change" to their network of services.


It will as it's half hourly. Even if you just increased the current route to half hourly you're already talking 4 buses, the extension to Whitburn and Ingliston is where the other 3 buses come in.

Will every bus go the full route ?

 

[In Focus]

LCB still looking for drivers I see. What’s the shift patterns and how many hours are you paid each day roughly?

All bus companies are always looking for drivers.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Will every bus go the full route ?

I'd assume so. At a rough guess the 22 and 600 would be timed to offer a 15 Minute frequency from Livingston to Whitburn, that being said i'm unsure how the 21 would fit in.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

An addition to their network is still a change, this is just getting downright petty now.

Sorry mate you were right I was just having a wee silly wind up, guess we all have different definitions through!

 

[Gingerbus1991]

All bus companies are always looking for drivers.

Thats because theress better jobs out there.

 

[In Focus]

Thats because theress better jobs out there.

There are also worse jobs ...

 

[reb0118]

It has an exact change hopper box.....

This will be for speed of boarding. Having the ability to accept contactless payments will negate the "exact change" policy somewhat.

Rear doors too?.....

This will be for speed of alighting and, more importantly, for easier wheelchair access/egress.

 

[christopherrfc]

New x17 timetable now on lcb website

 

[Jordan Adam]

To coincide with the above post here's a link to the timetable.

https://lothiancountry.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/X17_190512-WEB.pdf

 

[In Focus]

That's some amount of buses running those corridors with LCB,First and Blue Bus

 

[Jordan Adam]

I'm a little disappointed the X17, X18 & X27/X28 are not timed to offer a 15 minute frequency from Edinburgh. Instead they offer an unbalanced 10/20 minute frequency. In addition to this the X17 & X27/X28 leave Edinburgh together. They should have the X18 & X27/X28 leave together with the X17 timed 15 minutes between them offering a solid 15 minute frequency from Edinburgh to Livingston and Edinburgh to Broxburn.

The same issue applies to the X17/281, from Livingston they offer a 9/21 minute frequency rather than a solid 15 minute frequency.

On a positive note the Gemini 3 on the front cover looks nice.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

To coincide with the above post here's a link to the timetable.

https://lothiancountry.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/X17_190512-WEB.pdf

Called it! Fauldhouse is in Zone C! so that’s a 5.70 single from Edinburgh to Fauldhouse! Officially the same as a single from Edinburgh to Dunbar!

Still surprised the last bus from Edinburgh is before 9PM, i know Fauldhouse is a long way from the city but it’s surprising, it’s bad timing though from the city, though at least the last few X17’s short running to Livingston Terminal can still supply connections to the X27/X28 to Edinburgh!

 

[Lothian285]

Deleted

 

[In Focus]

Called it! Fauldhouse is in Zone C! so that’s a 5.70 single from Edinburgh to Fauldhouse! Officially the sam

Wont be anyone buying it so that wont really matter .

 

[In Focus]

Called it! Fauldhouse is in Zone C! so that’s a 5.70 single from Edinburgh to Fauldhouse! Officially the same as a single from Edinburgh to Dunbar!

Still surprised the last bus from Edinburgh is before 9PM, i know Fauldhouse is a long way from the city but it’s surprising, it’s bad timing though from the city, though at least the last few X17’s short running to Livingston Terminal can still supply connections to the X27/X28 to Edinburgh!

Or you can get there in no time faster and cheaper on the train ,think it's a no brainer for anyone living in Fauldhouse / West Calder

 

[In Focus]

I'm a little disappointed the X17, X18 & X27/X28 are not timed to offer a 15 minute frequency from Edinburgh. Instead they offer an unbalanced 10/20 minute frequency. In addition to this the X17 & X27/X28 leave Edinburgh together. They should have the X18 & X27/X28 leave together with the X17 timed 15 minutes between them offering a solid 15 minute frequency from Edinburgh to Livingston and Edinburgh to Broxburn.

The same issue applies to the X17/281, from Livingston they offer a 9/21 minute frequency rather than a solid 15 minute frequency.

On a positive note the Gemini 3 on the front cover looks nice.

They aint interested in times its just about flooding the area with vehicles and trying to be in front of other companies ,but as they are finding out 2 can play that game and I'd say 9 months in it is not going as they had planned or thought it might.
Never mind though I'm sure by the time we get to phase 473 they will have conquered the universe and everyone else will have submitted

 

[overthewater]

Again Craigshill getting more buses, why does everything need to go via Craigshills? or did there see First getting lots of passengers for Morrisons and the range?

Also Blue bus has nothing to worry about with Cheaper fares and much faster happier service.

Maybe First should just extend the X23 and make it a Circular?

 

[Jordan Adam]

Again Craigshill getting more buses, why does everything need to go via Craigshills? or did there see First getting lots of passengers for Morrisons and the range?

I just noticed that, seems really odd and pointless to be honest. There's enough buses round there.

Or you can get there in no time faster and cheaper on the train ,think it's a no brainer for anyone living in Fauldhouse / West Calder

I suspect the main market for the X17 would be between Fauldhouse & Livingston and Broxburn & Edinburgh. With Fauldhouse First will probably have the edge due to higher frequency (Potentially away to be increased further). Broxburn it's harder to predict.

 

[Driver362]

Are Lothian even serving Knightsridge during this road closure?
The diversion into the scheme at Cameron Way is to say the least tight ,First are planning to use most if not all the Darts they have on it during these roadworks.
281 and now X17 are there to simply take revenue away from First and Blue Bus on the A71 corridor.

Correct ;look at the big picture ,ask yourself some why they are duplication services ,

They aint interested in times its just about flooding the area with vehicles and trying to be in front of other companies ,but as they are finding out 2 can play that game and I'd say 9 months in it is not going as they had planned or thought it might.
Never mind though I'm sure by the time we get to phase 473 they will have conquered the universe and everyone else will have submitted

Correct! ?it's going better

 

[overthewater]

I suspect the main market for the X17 would be between Fauldhouse & Livingston and Broxburn & Edinburgh. With Fauldhouse First will probably have the edge due to higher frequency (Potentially away to be increased further). Broxburn it's harder to predict.

Running times: Fauldhouse to Livingstone
Blue bus: 28mins
First: 36 mins
LCB: 39 mins

Correct ;look at the big picture ,ask yourself some why they are duplication services ,

Because LCB has no original ideas? I can tell you right now there are few original ideas that could be tried....

Correct! ?it's going better

Not really, what's is it given its customers? longer journey times, higher unlimited travel tickets? Who in their right mind would pay £5.60 one way to edinburgh from Fauldhouse. Who on earth is silly enough to buy A city west ticket? Jump on the 20 or 63 and save ££££

 

[TheEastCoaster]

It’s weird how they have the timetable ready on their website but no post on Facebook or twitter to advertise it?

 

[Driver362]

The same people who have been getting fleeced by first for years I suspect? Why don't you nip down the centre and ask them , I clearly can't get through to you . I know what our weekly figure look like .your not telling me that ain't hurting finances at deans ? And if our routes are that rubbish why are first putting on extra buses ? Why would they commit all those resources to cover off rubbish routes that have no pax don't get the logic in that ??

 

[Volvodart]

The new timetables for the May changes are now online in the forthcoming timetables section of the First website.

 

[overthewater]

So the extra five buses is for the 600 while the other 2 is for the new X23 journeys, making that every 30mins.

 

[lastbus]

The same people who have been getting fleeced by first for years I suspect? Why don't you nip down the centre and ask them , I clearly can't get through to you . I know what our weekly figure look like .your not telling me that ain't hurting finances at deans ? And if our routes are that rubbish why are first putting on extra buses ? Why would they commit all those resources to cover off rubbish routes that have no pax don't get the logic in that ??

To stop the opposition getting passengers it’s not rocket science. It’s called protecting your service.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The same people who have been getting fleeced by first for years I suspect? Why don't you nip down the centre and ask them , I clearly can't get through to you . I know what our weekly figure look like .your not telling me that ain't hurting finances at deans ? And if our routes are that rubbish why are first putting on extra buses ? Why would they commit all those resources to cover off rubbish routes that have no pax don't get the logic in that ??

To stop the opposition getting passengers it’s not rocket science. It’s called protecting your service.

Quite right. Let's take the partisan and rather biased opinions for what they are, and look at the reality of the situation.

First are understandably wanting to suffocate LCB by putting on additional services - denying LCB revenue and stopping the potential for more passengers to move to LCB. That is entirely logical and yes, it will be hurting First.

Meanwhile, LCB are continuing to invest in West Lothian. The £6m figure, provided by Lothian, gets bandied about. They are investing for the future and have factored in losses at the beginning. Now, that is understandable. Whether 18 months down the road, they are still losing a substantial sum, that will elicit more questions.

I'd anticipate that First are losing, and that Lothian are probably losing more.

 

[Big Ralphie]

Quite right. Let's take the partisan and rather biased opinions for what they are, and look at the reality of the situation.

First are understandably wanting to suffocate LCB by putting on additional services - denying LCB revenue and stopping the potential for more passengers to move to LCB. That is entirely logical and yes, it will be hurting First.

Meanwhile, LCB are continuing to invest in West Lothian. The £6m figure, provided by Lothian, gets bandied about. They are investing for the future and have factored in losses at the beginning. Now, that is understandable. Whether 18 months down the road, they are still losing a substantial sum, that will elicit more questions.

I'd anticipate that First are losing, and that Lothian are probably losing more.

Yeh totally agree with what you are saying there is no doubt both companies will loose money and both will have budgeted for this period how long they can keep up any loseing money will probably determine who comes out on top of this same as any situation when 2 company going for same customers