West Lothian buses

[Jordan Adam]

I'm unsure on the 600, surely it would have been better spending those 5 extra buses extending the 22 in to Edinburgh. Blackburn now has 10+ buses per hour, yet it has no links at all in to Edinburgh. It's almost as if First are beefing up services through Winchburgh to keep Lothian's paws away. Despite First still being ahead they'll need to do more than slightly alter times of buses within West Lothian if they really want to finish on top. That said if First were to pull out right now it would probably be hell for passengers in West Lothian given how useless Lothian Country's network manager is!

 

[overthewater]

I'm unsure on the 600, surely it would have been better spending those 5 extra buses extending the 22 in to Edinburgh. Blackburn now has 10+ buses per hour, yet it has no links at all in to Edinburgh. It's almost as if First are beefing up services through Winchburgh to keep Lothian's paws away. Despite First still being ahead they'll need to do more than slightly alter times of buses within West Lothian if they really want to finish on top. That said if First were to pull out right now it would probably be hell for passengers in West Lothian given how useless Lothian Country's network manager is!

I think there would have been better off just making the current 600 every 30mins, which it needs to be, and using the other 3 buses to provide a proper fast express, Whiteburn - St john - around parts of livingston - M8 - Airport - Gyles which give a new option.

 

[alchemy]

I think there would have been better off just making the current 600 every 30mins, which it needs to be, and using the other 3 buses to provide a proper fast express, Whiteburn - St john - around parts of livingston - M8 - Airport - Gyles which give a new option.

Should you be taking over from Mr Jarvis?

 

[Driver362]

I can see I'm clearly out numbered here ! , as stated I've seen our weekly numbers , it's a pity I can't post them as it would certainly clear up some of these statements, let's just see , if I'm wrong I will be the first to admit it ,partisan or not !!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I can see I'm clearly out numbered here ! , as stated I've seen our weekly numbers , it's a pity I can't post them as it would certainly clear up some of these statements, let's just see , if I'm wrong I will be the first to admit it ,partisan or not !!

You see that’s the problem - “I’m clearly outnumbered” - a binary me vs you approach. There are partisan views on both sides and I’d argue that it is 50/50.

Most people are on the fence as it doesn’t directly affect them. Appreciate that passenger figures on LCB will increase (unsurprisingly) though I am surprised that they are letting you look at the P&L. I never (in my day) let people look at the P&L and that was pre internet!!

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Amazing, no matter how many times a subject is brought on here it somehow most of the time ends up being taken personal.

at the end of the day we are all enthusiasts, and if we are just discussing what one company does right while the other does something not so right we shouldn’t take peoples opinions to heart because they are just opinions at the end of the day. We can state facts but let’s not get defensive or judge others for having different opinions, I get that this is the internet and folk debating on forums is nothing new but let’s not turn this into a battlefield when it doesn’t have too, let’s just play nice and keep the subjects relevant!

 

[Jordan Adam]

Amazing, no matter how many times a subject is brought on here it somehow most of the time ends up being taken personal.

at the end of the day we are all enthusiasts, and if we are just discussing what one company does right while the other does something not so right we shouldn’t take peoples opinions to heart because they are just opinions at the end of the day. We can state facts but let’s not get defensive or judge others for having different opinions, I get that this is the internet and folk debating on forums is nothing new but let’s not turn this into a battlefield when it doesn’t have too, let’s just play nice and keep the subjects relevant!

Sadly that's a prevalent issue on here, some members seem unable to differentiate suggestions/ideas, criticisms, and slating. Hey ho it's not gonna stop me posting.

 

[overthewater]

Worse still First are now doing draft things and wasting money. I will never understand companies who take the safe route, if you know your about to lose a ton of money then why not take the risk and try out brand new ideas? It may pay off in the long term.

I with LCB new routes passengers number will still go up, however if the X18 picking up 2/3 of it passenger within Edinburgh that not a great sign.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Amazing, no matter how many times a subject is brought on here it somehow most of the time ends up being taken personal.

at the end of the day we are all enthusiasts, and if we are just discussing what one company does right while the other does something not so right we shouldn’t take peoples opinions to heart because they are just opinions at the end of the day. We can state facts but let’s not get defensive or judge others for having different opinions, I get that this is the internet and folk debating on forums is nothing new but let’s not turn this into a battlefield when it doesn’t have too, let’s just play nice and keep the subjects relevant!

Absolutely.

There are so many factors in all of this in respect of both firms and tbh, we don’t know the facts.

Hence, can’t see why people of whatever persuasion are getting so bent out of shape.

 

[CM]

And yet in the last few posts we have people saying we should all respect other peoples opinions etc and yet it's these same people who slate other member(s) for having an opinion about a certain un-named operator that doesn't match their opinion...

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

And yet in the last few posts we have people saying we should all respect other peoples opinions etc and yet it's these same people who slate other member(s) for having an opinion about a certain un-named operator that doesn't match their opinion...

I think that may have been a different issue on a different thread.

The tenet is that we should be able to have informed debate with a balanced view on facts.

Discussion isn’t really furthered by simply slagging off First/Lothian (* delete as appropriate) and selective use of facts.

After all, if the mods have to intervene, then we’ve failed.

 

[In Focus]

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 ??

Exta buses to cover the gaps and do as LCB done originally and run 5 min or so in front of the competition, I expect in 6/8 weeks LCB shall do likewise and on it goes.

 

[In Focus]

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

Looks like it and the 21 service going to Whitburn with all journeys and none terminating in Bathgate I'd guess in response to the extended X18.

 

[In Focus]

I can see I'm clearly out numbered here ! , as stated I've seen our weekly numbers , it's a pity I can't post them as it would certainly clear up some of these statements, let's just see , if I'm wrong I will be the first to admit it ,partisan or not !!

Propaganda is a wonderful thing and some do it really well others not so ,you are driving them and seeing them on a daily basis so you can see for yourself what's happening, for my view I'd say any £££ LCB are making is being hosed away after 1800 at night.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Now LCB have posted a status on Facebook advertising the X17 timetable! Almost looks as if they forgot too last week when it was officially posted

 

[Jordan Adam]

Now LCB have posted a status on Facebook advertising the X17 timetable! Almost looks as if they forgot too last week when it was officially posted

Looks like Doret from the FirstBus social media team has joined Lothian...

 

[SpeedbirdA350]

Who is Doret?

 

[Jordan Adam]

Who is Doret?

One of the people on First's "twitter team" who consistently tells passengers inaccurate information.

 

[In Focus]

Who is Doret?

A social media Bot from Shared Services ,not the best idea First have ever had you would have to say !!

 

[overthewater]

I take it still no news on when the new coaches will be put into operation?

 

[In Focus]

New timetables for May 27th.

https://www.firstgroup.com/south-east-and-central-scotland/plan-journey/timetables/?source_id=3

 

[overthewater]

I see Glasgow really is taking control over FSW, back in the day you get proper timetables uploaded. This section has been left to rot.. https://www.firstgroup.com/south-east-and-central-scotland/routes-and-maps/route-maps

 

[In Focus]

I see Glasgow really is taking control over FSW, back in the day you get proper timetables uploaded. This section has been left to rot.. https://www.firstgroup.com/south-east-and-central-scotland/routes-and-maps/route-maps

Back in the day West Lothian council produced a book , unfortunately they couldn't keep up with service changes and done away with it ,gutted ...

 

[overthewater]

Back in the day West Lothian council produced a book , unfortunately they couldn't keep up with service changes and done away with it ,gutted ...

That is only half the story, Roy Mitchel was in Control of Passenger transport, once he left it all went to pot! He really was too good for West lothian council, now there just useless.

 

[In Focus]

Unlimited 7day travel around Edinburgh (Zone M area) for £10 from May 12th until June 1st ,not sure of the merits in this offer but I guess a £8 saving on weekly travel is always a good thing for anyone who uses it.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Unlimited 7day travel around Edinburgh (Zone M area) for £10 from May 12th until June 1st ,not sure of the merits in this offer but I guess a £8 saving on weekly travel is always a good thing for anyone who uses it.

Untill I saw the Zone M bit I thought LCB finally announced a weekly ticket

 

[Siemens Trains]

Unlimited 7day travel around Edinburgh (Zone M area) for £10 from May 12th until June 1st ,not sure of the merits in this offer but I guess a £8 saving on weekly travel is always a good thing for anyone who uses it.

Could be useful for people travelling between Kirkliston and Edinburgh city centre if First are trying to promote (or protect) the revamped 38. Not convinced this will be viewed as much compensation by disgruntled passengers - a bit like the delay repay scheme on trains. First's brand is already damaged here and it might take several years of investment to recover. However it seems they're unlikely to face competition any time soon, so they may have time.

 

[In Focus]

Could be useful for people travelling between Kirkliston and Edinburgh city centre if First are trying to promote (or protect) the revamped 38. Not convinced this will be viewed as much compensation by disgruntled passengers - a bit like the delay repay scheme on trains. First's brand is already damaged here and it might take several years of investment to recover. However it seems they're unlikely to face competition any time soon, so they may have time.

Yeah I agree Kirkliston, Newbridge and Ratho Station only real benefactors, although those who work in Dalmahoy will be happy with the saving I'd guess , as for most other First Passengers in West Lothian this offer wont make any difference .

 

[Jordan Adam]

Yeah I agree Kirkliston, Newbridge and Ratho Station only real benefactors, although those who work in Dalmahoy will be happy with the saving I'd guess , as for most other First Passengers in West Lothian this offer wont make any difference .

First are quite evidently planning ahead for if they were to loose in West Lothian by increasing the main Falkirk to Edinburgh service to deter Lothian heading in that direction. The enhancements to the 600 further show this.

 

[In Focus]

First are quite evidently planning ahead for if they were to loose in West Lothian by increasing the main Falkirk to Edinburgh service to deter Lothian heading in that direction. The enhancements to the 600 further show this.

Part of that is correct they are planning ahead but "losing " West Lothian is not in the thinking of Group ,more along the lines of let's see how much Lothian are willing to throw at this venture and if it gets really silly money being thrown it will eventually open up other opportunities in the City for First.
And without doing too much First shall reap more in the city than LCB ever will in the West Lothian escapade.