(13 Jun 2018, 11:53 am)Pulsar wrote [ -> ]Interesting, very unusual for Lothian to order ADL. Think the only Enviro's in the fleet are the Enviro 400H's.
Wonder if these are Volvo B5LH or B5TL. If they are B5TL I think that may be the first time ADL has bodied that chassis?
I’d like to think the ADL aspect is to keep the business in Scotland, about time they moved back to a local manufacturer.
Would expect B5TL, as they didn't have much luck with their Hybrids with some having been converted to diesel by EYMS. Probably why they've stayed clear of ADL for so long.
(13 Jun 2018, 12:51 pm)RBZ 5459 wrote [ -> ]I’d like to think the ADL aspect is to keep the business in Scotland, about time they moved back to a local manufacturer.
Would expect B5TL, as they didn't have much luck with their Hybrids with some having been converted to diesel by EYMS. Probably why they've stayed clear of ADL for so long.
Doubtful that it has anything to do with keeping the business in Scotland, although no doubt that message will be used for PR (as Transdev do for Optare in Yorkshire).
They've had a fair few issues with Wrightbus not getting the Hanover specification correct in recent orders, I understand, with local Hanover service engineers having to right the wrongs which ought to have been spotted in the manufacturing process (much like Go North East and Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancs!) ADL not much better (worse if anything), I believe, but bus manufacturers will promise the earth...
It's pretty well-known that Wrightbus' sales are down and knowing that Lothian invest heavily each year, I'd imagine ADL would have offered a cracking deal to Lothian, hoping that future sales will come to them too. If Wrights lose Lothian, then it's another kick in the teeth for them, and would potentially mean they have to lay off (more) staff...
(13 Jun 2018, 2:46 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Doubtful that it has anything to do with keeping the business in Scotland, although no doubt that message will be used for PR (as Transdev do for Optare in Yorkshire).
They've had a fair few issues with Wrightbus not getting the Hanover specification correct in recent orders, I understand, with local Hanover service engineers having to right the wrongs which ought to have been spotted in the manufacturing process (much like Go North East and Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancs!) ADL not much better (worse if anything), I believe, but bus manufacturers will promise the earth...
It's pretty well-known that Wrightbus' sales are down and knowing that Lothian invest heavily each year, I'd imagine ADL would have offered a cracking deal to Lothian, hoping that future sales will come to them too. If Wrights lose Lothian, then it's another kick in the teeth for them, and would potentially mean they have to lay off (more) staff...
Certainly isn't great for Wright at all, big blow. I always think the same with Optare, but then they seem to miraculously land a large overseas order to push them along nicely. Wright not so much.
When the other Volvo option being MCV till now, that'll be another factor to why Wright have particularly done well, being the better option.
The flop of the StreetAir for Lothian another red mark, so one wonders if these from ADL are single or double-decker, just clicked it doesn't actually specify.
The above post reminded me of something Scotland-related:
EastCoastTours to begin operating hourly between North Berwick and Edinburgh every day between 30th June and 31st August and then every weekend in September. The service will use some of the former-Lothian Omnicitys that operated on service 35 before it was replaced by 300.
https://eastcoastbuses.co.uk/open-top-to...ast-buses/
Lothian Country Buses have announced that they are expanding to West Lothian from August 19, with very little accompanying information other than that the services will run to Bathgate and Whitburn.
https://lothiancountry.co.uk/
The announcement comes shortly after some of the ex-London Volvo B9TLs were spotted at Wrightbus wearing the Lothian Country base livery.
https://flic.kr/p/28JVGUi
Also spotted at Wrightbus in the building process was one of a potential 15 Volvo B5TLs for the EastCoastBuses division which, once ready, will help to replace the 56-plate Volvo B7TLs (20794 - 20800) currently in use.
https://flic.kr/p/K5YjXX
https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/o...ssion=true
New fleet launched.
I like the following quote:
'...
Since starting operations in the area where bus usage had seen year on year decline, we have in the last two years seen customer growth of over 52 per cent which is a real testament to our dedicated workforce who deliver a fantastic customer experience every day. This proves undoubtedly that by designing routes and services based on what our customers want, coupled with investment and high standards of service delivery, we can reverse much of the decline that is being seen in bus usage across the country.”
Don't know how common knowledge it is but there is a Lothian Bus Tracker at:
http://visualedinburgh.co.uk
You can find the location of any bus or tram from the fleet number or click on the map to see what the fleet number is of a particular bus/tram. You can also look at individual routes only.
Note that for buses in the 10000 and 20000 series the 2nd number is not included in the ID. So the ID of 20794 is 2794 on the tracker. The exception to this is 10051-10065 which are 3051-3065 to avoid duplication with 1051-1062.
(13 Jun 2018, 3:38 pm)RBZ 5459 wrote [ -> ]Certainly isn't great for Wright at all, big blow. I always think the same with Optare, but then they seem to miraculously land a large overseas order to push them along nicely. Wright not so much.
When the other Volvo option being MCV till now, that'll be another factor to why Wright have particularly done well, being the better option.
The flop of the StreetAir for Lothian another red mark, so one wonders if these from ADL are single or double-decker, just clicked it doesn't actually specify.
Recent news reminded me on that I never actually responded to this post.
Wrightbus wins orders for more than 200 buses
Read more:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-45760896
Like Optare, they've seemingly had success overseas too.
With reference to Lothian, I was told a few weeks ago that these vehicles would actually be a bit more interesting than one would have first thought... Apparently these Volvo/ADLs are in line to be tri-axle B8TLs, quite likely dual-door, with ADL Enviro 500 bodywork. A UK first.
Reading Buses tendered out a very similar specification to various bus builders a year or two back and nobody could deliver it, which is why they ended up with the dual-door Scania/ADLs on the purple 17 with two BCIs having also been ordered for peak-time journeys to provide extra capacity.
Announcing Phase 3 of our West Lothian expansion
Lothiancountry have today, 19th October, announced afurther expansion of their network in West Lothian from the start of December. An overwhelming response from the local community and new customers has prompted the business to bring forward further network development and expansion plans to this side of the year.
https://lothiancountry.co.uk/announcing-...expansion/
9003 (SN18 CVV) was at the MetroCentre today, caught it leaving at 4pm thanks to a tip off from Ray Parnaby who I seen whilst at the MetroCentre -
https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalark...ed-public/
I was speaking to the Driver who advised me some of the new Enviro500's will go on Airlinks, 2 will be for Lothian Motor Coaches TBC with the remaining for normal service work, Driver also mentioned they'll be expanding further with the Motor Coaches also in 2019.
With regard to an updated Lothian fleet list:
I have no connection to the following website but there is a Lothian fleetlist to early Dec in xls format. See the following site and click on the Lothian section.
http://glasgowbuses.000webhostapp.com/index.html
This seems to get updated monthly.
Lothian Buses are to acquire a further 14 double-decks from London - currently planned to be refurbished at Thorntons.
244 had an electrical fault at ocean terminal on the majestic tour earlier on.
Has it been confirmed which services the 42 Enviro400XLB's are going on when they enter service?
(04 Feb 2019, 8:04 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Has it been confirmed which services the 42 Enviro400XLB's are going on when they enter service?
No confirmation on services, but it was confirmed at the event yesterday that they would be entering service in early March
https://twitter.com/on_lothianbuses/stat...2731915265
(04 Feb 2019, 8:12 pm)S813 FVK wrote [ -> ]No confirmation on services, but it was confirmed at the event yesterday that they would be entering service in early March
https://twitter.com/on_lothianbuses/stat...2731915265
May as well take that with a pinch of salt given previous confirmation they'd enter service last month!
A bizarre decision not to have them registered as "19" plates if they're not to be used until March.
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