News, debate and discussion on Scotland's Bus Operations.
Bus operators include the likes of Stagecoach, First, Arriva, Lothian Buses and many more.
To start the discussion, we'll kick off with Lothian Buses...
Some of the ten new Volvo Hybrids have arrived.
They are destined for service 1, and their rumoured commencement date is for 24th March or 13th April.
A photo of one (HY13 BUS) can be viewed below:
HY13BUS (Jamie056)
Had some information passed to me by Stuart Montgomery, a bus enthusiast from Edinburgh who is well respected to say the very least. He had this information given to him by management, after I asked him if he could find out for me.
'The new Hybrid 7900's are to be given sparkling treatment in an official launch with the Transport Minister Keith Brown cutting the tape and surrounded by celebrities. This will be on Saturday the 13th of April at 11am in Castle Street when a few of them will be paraded in public. They are expected to begin service proper a few days later.'
A further 20 new eco-friendly buses to join our fleet from Spring 2014
Thanks to the Scottish Green Bus Fund.
The Scottish Green Bus Fund was set up to help support and quicken the introduction of low carbon buses across Scotland.
In 2010 with the help of the Fund, we introduced 15 new hybrid double deck buses manufactured locally by Alexander Dennis into our fleet and have 10 hybrid single deck Volvo buses hitting the streets of Edinburgh next month.
We are delighted to announce, we will now be adding another 20 eco-friendly single deck buses to our fleet in Spring 2014 thanks to a further £1.5 million grant from the Government Fund.
Source: www.lothianbuses.com
- Read more here
For anyone wanting to book well in advance, Lothian Buses' Open Doors Day event this year will be hosted on 28th September. Doubt I'll be booking my tickets until mid-August though..!
I'll make a note of this date again nearer to the time.
I would actually really like to go to this event, I highly doubt I will, How much are the tickets Daniel.
(08 May 2013, 9:30 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote [ -> ]I would actually really like to go to this event, I highly doubt I will, How much are the tickets Daniel.
As far as I'm aware, the event itself is free... You've just gotta pay for train/coach tickets up and then a Lothian day ticket to get you to the depot! I shall ask my friend to confirm that though.
Worth a day out. The Newcastle to Edinburgh trip is cheap enough in advance. I might head up for it myself.
Been planning to get some photos of the Lothian fleet for ages. I quite frequently pass through Edinburgh for Glasgow, but never usually wait around for any period of time.
I had a trip up Glasgow this week, and had a bit of free time, so I had a wander out early to see what was out and about.
Last time I was up that way the whole McGill's/Arriva thing was up in the air with the competition commission, so most of their buses were in Arriva livery, with a McGill's sticker on them in place of the Arriva logo. Everything I seen this time was branded in McGill's livery - which is quite smart in my opinion. One thing I was hoping to get was a couple of photos of the McGill's branded Citaro artics, but I missed the only one I seen up there
Anyway, despite awkward sunlight, there's a few photos on my Flickr if anyone is interested:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aureolindn/...511950644/
Whats the deal with Arriva/McGills?
I havent been up there for a few weeks, but when I saw those McGills buses with Arriva paintwork in the past, just assumed it was old Arriva stock that hadnt been re-painted.
I like the fact there are several independants up there, both for local stuff and serving outlying areas too.
West Coast Motors have some decent stock for a small operator (they also have the City Sightseeing Tour in Glasgow).
Mind, some of the vehicles (one company in particular and I cant remember their name)rattling around heading along Argyle or Jamaica Street look as though they gave up the ghost a long time ago
I don't know the ins and outs of it, as I have no real interest in the network up there, but it was to do with the competition commission investigating the takeover of Arriva services when they pulled out of West Scotland.
I've found a bit of light reading if you're interested:
http://www.competition-commission.org.uk...t-takeover
Thanks. It answers my questions etc.
Always like healthy competition when passengers benefit, although it is nice to see a smaller operator win the battle.
(17 May 2013, 7:48 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]Thanks. It answers my questions etc.
Always like healthy competition when passengers benefit, although it is nice to see a smaller operator win the battle.
As I say I've no real interest in the network up there, but it seems to run like clockwork compared to what we have in the North East. A lot of it is down to the road planning in the City Centre though. The services appear to be nice and frequent too.
I was wondering if any of you could help me. I've received a request to draw the new Volvo 7900H from Lothian on Paint.
I know the chassis is the 7900H, but what's the body on it? I can't find anything anywhere.
(28 May 2013, 8:03 pm)Adam wrote [ -> ]I was wondering if any of you could help me. I've received a request to draw the new Volvo 7900H from Lothian on Paint.
I know the chassis is the 7900H, but what's the body on it? I can't find anything anywhere.
I'm not 100% sure, but if I had to make a call, I'd say that the 7900H was an integral. If you've got a definite answer, I wouldn't mind knowing for myself!
In other news, there are some upcoming changes to Lothian's night buses commencing 1st July 2013 - see
here for more details.
Something also noteworthy is that Chris Walton released the Annual Report & Accounts 2012 earlier this month. You can read it
here.
Loving the photos Stuart. I'm hoping to be back up Edinburgh soon
Changes to Night Buses from am 1 July 2013
N3 - Revised route & timetable: Buses will now serve D'Arcy Road & Oak Place in Mayfield and City-bound journeys will serve Gore Avenue.
N11 - SERVICE WITHDRAWN but partly replaced with an extension of N16.
N15 - NEW summer only service (1 July to 15 September inc.); Runs between Queen Margaret University and Hyvots Bank, serving Milton Road & Mountcastle/Northfield in the east and Morningside/Buckstone/Mortonhall in the south.
N16 - Revised route & timetable; NEW north link as route is extended from City Centre to Silverknowes via Leith Street, Leith Walk, Constitution Street, Newhaven, Granton & Muirhouse.
N22 - Minor timetable changes.
N25 - Minor timetable changes.
N26 - Minor timetable changes.
N30 - Minor timetable changes.
N31 - Revised route & timetable; Buses now serve Hopefield on outbound journeys and will now start from Haymarket instead of the West End.
N34 - Minor timetable changes; City-bound journeys will now operate as N34 to Leith Street (No longer changes to N11 at Lothian Road).
N37 - Revised route & timetable; Buses no longer serve Ladywood instead running a one-way loop through Penicuik via John Street, Town Centre, Bog Road, Rullion Road, Deanburn and back to City via Queensway.
N44 - Revised route & timetable; Buses now serve Pinkie, MacBeth Moir Road & Wallyford (Fa'side Avenue). Linkfield Road is no longer served. New weekday journey introduced from City Centre to Balerno at 0030hrs.
More awesome shots. Thanks for sharing. I really fancy a trip up to Edinburgh myself now to get a few of the Lothian fleet. I never seem to have any time free when I'm up that way, as I'm generally passing through to go somewhere else.
I'm off to Edinburgh Zoo with my Business class in a fortnight's time and...surprise surprise... they left me in charge of transport, so it's my responsibility to sort out the trains and the buses.
Anyway, a couple of small questions regarding the buses:
1) Are Gemini's usually operated on the 31?
2) What usually operates on the 12/X12?
Thank you
(27 Jun 2013, 9:11 pm)Adam wrote [ -> ]I'm off to Edinburgh Zoo with my Business class in a fortnight's time and...surprise surprise... they left me in charge of transport, so it's my responsibility to sort out the trains and the buses.
Anyway, a couple of small questions regarding the buses:
1) Are Gemini's usually operated on the 31?
2) What usually operates on the 12/X12?
Thank you
From Haymarket we got the 26 which was a Gemini. On the way back from the Zoo, we got a First SPD. Get the airport bus or one of the Glasgow services and you have the luxury of a coach
Love the colour's.
Looks great together.