West Lothian buses

[overthewater]

Lanarkshire is not west Lothian council problem so if nobody funds it not worth going there

Yes all three council do provide councils services outwith there areas. Falkirk with the no1 , No45/46 to linlithgow. SPT 800 to Blackridge and of course WLC 449.

I think I remember seeing it now, actually. While the 909 does exist I think something with more frequency could be useful. Taking another look at the 909's timetable it's quite dire.

909 PLUS C19 provides around 12 buses a day each way to Edinburgh, if the Bo'ness people can't fill them up what is the point in a new service?

In other news: It was one of two ideas, the other being to pay First to keep the 29 going to Bathgate. I wonder if this was picked as a cheap stop gap until council network review next spring,.

https://news.westlothian.gov.uk/art...-to-ensure-bus-service-continues-in-Westfield

Council steps in to ensure bus service continues in Westfield
West Lothian council is set to establish a Demand Responsive Taxibus service to serve the Westfield area.

17 OCTOBER

The service will partly replace the commercial 29 bus service which is set to be withdrawn from Westfield from 21 October following a decision made by the bus operator which would largely leave the village unserved by public transport.

The council has a Passenger Transport Strategy in place which aims to have 90% of communities in West Lothian served by at least an hourly bus service.

The Demand Responsive Taxibus service put in place by the council will ensure that the strategy is met and will allow passengers to travel to and from Westfield to Armadale where they can board other services for onward travel if required.

The service will operate differently to a traditional bus service as passengers will be required to pre-book their journey before travelling.

Passengers can book their journey by contacting West Lothian Private Hire on 01506 434343 at least one hour in advance of travelling.

Executive Councillor for Development and Transport, Cathy Muldoon said: "Following the decision by the commercial operator to remove the 29 service, West Lothian Council has had to step in to ensure that the residents of Westfield are not cut off from the rest of the county.

"Bus services often change however on this occasion there would be no alternative in the Westfield area. The establishment of the Demand Responsive Taxibus service will mean that the residents of Westfield will continue to have the option of travelling by public transport beyond 21 October."

Details of the Demand Responsive Taxibus service as are follows:

DRT Taxibus 29: Westfield - Armadale
The Taxibus Service will operate Monday - Saturday and can pick up/drop off passengers using any of the recognised bus stops between Hillhead and Armadale Cross.

Passengers require to pre-book their journey at least one hour in advance of travel.

Journeys can be booked for arrival/departure at Armadale Cross at the following times:

0652 0752 0852 0952 1052 1152 1252 1352 1452 1552 1652 1752 1852 1952
The fare for the Taxibus Service is as follows:

• Adult Single: £2.60
• Child Single: £1.60

National Entitlement Card holders (free bus pass) will travel free of charge.

Passengers should note the service will not operate on Dec 25/26, Jan 1 or 2.

 

[Siemens Trains]

This point gets made a lot – ie. Lothian are restricted to operating within the old Lothian Region. Is it actually true, or just enthusiast talk? Have the shareholders forbidden it? The only restriction would be a self-imposed one - there's no other reason why Lothian shouldn't operate anywhere they want. Seems odd to have a commercial venture operating with one hand tied behind its back, but maybe there is some restriction dating back to the early days of running as an arms-length company?

As far as I'm aware, it's just another bit of guesswork from the same kind of people who brought you "Lothian expected First to abandon West Lothian after only a few weeks" and other tales...

From memory, Lothian/ LRT have worked to North Queensferry (Deep Sea World) in the past, they used to have Peebles on some destination blinds - the idea that they can't run beyond the borders of the Lothians seems like canteen gossip - other local authority owned bus companies run beyond their "natural" boundaries (or did so in days when they were still municipally controlled). For example, Nottingham's locally owned buses run to Loughborough, Reading's ones run to other towns in the Thames Valley, you get red TfL buses over the borders of the capital.

It may not be a complete myth. I think it's written into an agreement document I read not so long ago. Can't remember exactly word for word but it was something pretty loose like if Lothian Buses wanted to operate a route largely outside the former Lothian Region area they'd need to "ask" the shareholding councils. Which in practice probably means more like "tell".

 

[Siemens Trains]

It may not be a complete myth. I think it's written into an agreement document I read not so long ago. Can't remember exactly word for word but it was something pretty loose like if Lothian Buses wanted to operate a route largely outside the former Lothian Region area they'd need to "ask" the shareholding councils. Which in practice probably means more like "tell".

It's this part of the Transport for Edinburgh agreement from a few years ago that I'd read. Not what you'd call especially limiting, but it sets out the expectations of Edinburgh Council at least:

 

[overthewater]

Nothing stopping them to operate a bus to Shotts, Eastfield, Bo'ness or Falkirk, or even Glasgow..

 

[oldman]

Nothing stopping them to operate a bus to Shotts, Eastfield, Bo'ness or Falkirk, or even Glasgow..

Only in response to an aggressive move, which would be difficult to argue.

I assume the evening journeys on the 29 are paid for by Falkirk and when that contract ends, they will shorten it to the daytime route.

 

[nessapean]

Are lothiancountry struggling to keep drivers?

 

[scotrail158713]

Are lothiancountry struggling to keep drivers?

I think I read that they’ve had to draft in LB drivers to cover so I think they do struggle for staff

 

[Edirim]

Quite the opposite I've heard...they had LCB drivers seconded to Tours over summer and LB/ECB have had LCB drivers covering shifts. If anything LB and ECB are the ones struggling for staff.

 

[Jordan Adam]

I think I read that they’ve had to draft in LB drivers to cover so I think they do struggle for staff

It is true, however we've had this discussion before and it clearly hurt the souls of certain members so i'll comment no further!

 

[scotrail158713]

It is true, however we've had this discussion before and it clearly hurt the souls of certain members so i'll comment no further!

Now that you day that I remember it as well. I’m staying away.

 

[Cartaker]

Quite the opposite I've heard...they had LCB drivers seconded to Tours over summer and LB/ECB have had LCB drivers covering shifts. If anything LB and ECB are the ones struggling for staff.

I understand they have poached a few drivers from the smaller companies like Horsburgh due to the better wages.

 

[Cartaker]

Does anyone know the reason why the new X38 is to terminate in Linlithgow Bridge. I would think there must be a market for an express bus between Linlithgow and Falkirk at certain times of the day. When I travel that way mid morning there are still a few commuters on there way to work.

 

[Cartaker]

Now the the Linlithgow L1 town service has reduced its hours it would make sense if the EX2 had a fare for within Linlithgow only. Only the silver haired brigade use it within Linlithgow as they have their pass. No one else uses it as £5 minimum fair is a bit steep.

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Does anyone know the reason why the new X38 is to terminate in Linlithgow Bridge. I would think there must be a market for an express bus between Linlithgow and Falkirk at certain times of the day. When I travel that way mid morning there are still a few commuters on there way to work.

It’s the same terminus at the Ex2 in Justinhaugh Drive, probably keeping in line within the Lothian region as mentioned above and marketing towards the commuters in Winchburgh and Kirkliston

 

[alangla]

Now the the Linlithgow L1 town service has reduced its hours it would make sense if the EX2 had a fare for within Linlithgow only. Only the silver haired brigade use it within Linlithgow as they have their pass. No one else uses it as £5 minimum fair is a bit steep.

Which is probably why there’s no local fare- £2.60 or whatever it works out as for a couple of stops probably suits Lothian nicely!

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Which is probably why there’s no local fare- £2.60 or whatever it works out as for a couple of stops probably suits Lothian nicely!

Well once the X38 comes in to Linlithgow they will have 1.70 for the fare zone within the area

 

[Siemens Trains]

Are lothiancountry struggling to keep drivers?

It's rare that you hear of any bus company that doesn't struggle to keep drivers, so I don't think you can read very much into that.

 

[Bluebirdscot66]

38 fare is £1.60 from lithgow bridge to Lithgow x But I somehow think folk will go with quality of service between 38 &X38

Well once the X38 comes in to Linlithgow they will have 1.70 for the fare zone within the area

 

[overthewater]

38 fare is £1.60 from lithgow bridge to Lithgow x But I somehow think folk will go with quality of service between 38 &X38

That has only half worked in the rest of West lothian, I bet the people of Winchburgh will look at the tickets on option and decided First is safer bet as its cheaper and covers more days. HOWEVER Kirkliston is gone to LCB, no question because Rider and fares are better. Linlithgow will most should be sticking with the EX2, and only really few stop passengers using the X38 out of linlithgow.

 

[Weemidi135]

I understand they have poached a few drivers from the smaller companies like Horsburgh due to the better wages.

Poached do you people have left for another job

we have more ex first drivers than we do horsburgh

 

[wlbusser]

That has only half worked in the rest of West lothian, I bet the people of Winchburgh will look at the tickets on option and decided First is safer bet as its cheaper and covers more days. HOWEVER Kirkliston is gone to LCB, no question because Rider and fares are better. Linlithgow will most should be sticking with the EX2, and only really few stop passengers using the X38 out of linlithgow.

For me on the 38 it's price really. I know I've had issues with First, but since I can travel at least 6 days a week and multiple times each day (not just to and from) I'd obviously stick with first as I can get a full 7 day weekly ticket for £21.50 on the mobile app.

 

[overthewater]

For me on the 38 it's price really. I know I've had issues with First, but since I can travel at least 6 days a week and multiple times each day (not just to and from) I'd obviously stick with first as I can get a full 7 day weekly ticket for £21.50 on the mobile app.

Winchburgh will be the battleground over this new route, which also seem a major new housing continuing to added. I wonder which way the public will go, it could go either way...

 

[A330Alex]

Perhaps I’m being stupid/the First website is terrible but do they really not offer a monthly/direct debit ticket just for zone M?

For someone from Kirkliston that gets weekly tickets a Ridacard is £1 more but that’s pretty good considering you also get unlimited Lothian/Airlink/Tram. Amusingly it’s cheaper for students than the First weekly ticket.

 

[livi man]

Think you find first do month m tickets

 

[livi man]

Good luck with the quality

 

[Bluebirdscot66]

Good luck with the quality

That’s what I’m getting at , would you say first have a quality service on the 38 ? , vehicles, tickets , information, Etc versus Lothian country .

 

[overthewater]

That’s what I’m getting at , would you say first have a quality service on the 38 ? , vehicles, tickets , information, Etc versus Lothian country .

On tickets yes miles ahead over LCB. Information, well TT are on no38, and the website isn't too bad. Only place that holds timetables is council office/library however not even LCB makes sure that well stocked up at time. ( ST Johns H is another bad place for both operators not keep tabs) Vehicles, if it's not streetlite then first has a chance, if it is Streetlite then LCB wins hands down.

 

[Stopper]

Winchburgh will be the battleground over this new route, which also seem a major new housing continuing to added. I wonder which way the public will go, it could go either way...

if you knew First’s reputation around the Linlithgow/Winchburgh area you’d realise First have a lot of work to do.

 

[overthewater]

if you knew First’s reputation around the Linlithgow/Winchburgh area you’d realise First have a lot of work to do.

Don't tell me tell the others around here... But LCB prices are alot higher..

 

[TheEastCoaster]

The talk on what part of the X38 route will be the most popular is definitely an interesting one.

Like OTW and others have stated before Kirkliston will be the big winners on this with the Ridacard revenue and will no doubt be the reason this service is every 20 minutes!

Winchburgh is obviously a gamble but I guess only time will tell, if the residents are looking to travel to somewhere specific in Edinburgh besides the city centre then LCB is no doubt for them

Now it’s the gamble on it the X38 will serve Bridgend Village...

Linlithgow eitherway will have the Ex2 for the faster journey or another alternative for local journeys, if the residents are pleased with the standards of the Ex2 then I have no doubt the X38 will have its users so to speak

Then again this is all just a gamble and the route starts in less than 4 weeks so it would be very interested to say the least