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Scotland Bus Operations

Scotland Bus Operations

#481
Malarkey
Malarkey
RE: Scotland Bus Operations
(22 Dec 2020, 8:21 pm)Andreos1 wrote https://scottishbusinessnews.net/mcgills...lore-more/

Didn't see this one coming. 

McGills purchase Nat Ex work in Dundee.

Quite interesting that given the current climate we are in that McGill's would look to further expand but wish them well with this new venture, I am surprised after heavy investment by NatEx they'd allow the E400MMC's purchased in the last 2 years go as part of the deal though.
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#482
IRHardy
IRHardy
RE: Scotland Bus Operations
(02 Jan 2021, 6:06 pm)Ex Malarkey wrote Quite interesting that given the current climate we are in that McGill's would look to further expand but wish them well with this new venture, I am surprised after heavy investment by NatEx they'd allow the E400MMC's purchased in the last 2 years go as part of the deal though.
NatEx have not sold the buses to McGills, they have leased all the Dundee allocated buses (except for 3 buses) to McGills for a period of "X" (it has not been announced how long "X" will be though). First did the same at Bolton when that depot was sold to Rotala and most of the buses have now been returned to First. 

Once McGills have managed to obtain replacement buses then the current Dundee vehicles will be returned to their owner NatEx, and will be used in the West Midlands, some will replace older vehicles in the NXWM fleet. So the E400MMCs will be back with NatEx soon.
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#483
IRHardy
IRHardy
RE: Scotland Bus Operations
(03 Jan 2021, 9:39 am)IRHardy wrote NatEx have not sold the buses to McGills, they have leased all the Dundee allocated buses (except for 3 buses) to McGills for a period of "X" (it has not been announced how long "X" will be though). First did the same at Bolton when that depot was sold to Rotala and most of the buses have now been returned to First. 

Once McGills have managed to obtain replacement buses then the current Dundee vehicles will be returned to their owner NatEx, and will be used in the West Midlands, some will replace older vehicles in the NXWM fleet. So the E400MMCs will be back with NatEx soon.
The lease of the buses from NX to McGills is for 10 years so it is very doubtful that any of the Dundee fleet will operate for NXWM as 2021 plus 10 is 2031 and considering that NXWM has a target to be an all zero emission fleet by 2030.

Unless McGills do what Diamond did in Bolton and buy 100+ new buses in a year or so, and was able to return all the E400 to First.
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#484
MetrolineGA1511
MetrolineGA1511
RE: Scotland Bus Operations
(15 Jan 2021, 8:46 pm)IRHardy wrote The lease of the buses from NX to McGills is for 10 years so it is very doubtful that any of the Dundee fleet will operate for NXWM as 2021 plus 10 is 2031 and considering that NXWM has a target to be an all zero emission fleet by 2030.

Unless McGills do what Diamond did in Bolton and buy 100+ new buses in a year or so, and was able to return all the E400 to First.
A few of them could still move to the West Midlands to replace older stock.  For example the latest Enviro 400s could replace some double deckers from the 00s.
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#485
IRHardy
IRHardy
RE: Scotland Bus Operations
(23 Jan 2021, 7:41 pm)Metroline1511 wrote A few of them could still move to the West Midlands to replace older stock.  For example the latest Enviro 400s could replace some double deckers from the 00s.
The person who organises the allocation of buses to garages and routes for NXWM has stated that he does not expect any of the buses currently on loan to McGills to ever work in the West Midlands, so it unlikely.

Also if I were McGills and I had got a mixture of virtually new buses & older buses, why would I get rid of the newer ones and keep the older buses which will be less fuel efficient & so are more expensive to run?
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#486
Storx
Storx
RE: Scotland Bus Operations
(23 Jan 2021, 10:03 pm)IRHardy wrote The person who organises the allocation of buses to garages and routes for NXWM has stated that he does not expect any of the buses currently on loan to McGills to ever work in the West Midlands, so it unlikely.

Also if I were McGills and I had got a mixture of virtually new buses & older buses, why would I get rid of the newer ones and keep the older buses which will be less fuel efficient & so are more expensive to run?

Depends on how the leases are done and how desirable they are, they might be based on the value of the bus so the older stock they will pay next to nothing to lease since NX have no use for them and they're just scrap whereas the Enviros etc might be inflated as they know there's value in them and they're useful if they get them back. As a result it would better to get arid of the expensive stock first and keep the cheaper leased buses until they're all eventually replaced. I can't imagine the leases being particularly good and they'll be inflated and making a fair profit for NX.
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#487
Michael
Michael
RE: Scotland Bus Operations
Yutong's largest order to date in the #UK! We have received an order of 55 electric E12s from @Buses_McGills. With the support from the Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme, those vehicles will be operated in #Glasgow and #Renfrewshire, to help reduce the CO2 emissions there.

https://twitter.com/YutongGlobal/status/...9048173569
Ooo Friend, Bus Friend.
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#489
Andreos1
Andreos1
RE: Scotland Bus Operations
(08 May 2021, 4:50 pm)Michael wrote Looks like Lothian have more E400 B5TL's arriving

Anyone know how many are arriving?, and what are they replacing?

After reading Clifton's post elsewhere, I assume the vehicles are being displaced to the Lothian Derwentside depot for ops there.
'Illegitimis non carborundum'
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#490
Clifton Hignett III
Clifton Hignett III
RE: Scotland Bus Operations
(08 May 2021, 5:13 pm)Andreos1 wrote After reading Clifton's post elsewhere, I assume the vehicles are being displaced to the Lothian Derwentside depot for ops there.

It's fantastic to see Lothian investing in the Derwentside area. I can't wait to see these new E500s pottering along the A693 on the rumoured Chester-Stanley-Consett-Tow Law express service.
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#491
Malarkey
Malarkey
RE: Scotland Bus Operations
(08 May 2021, 4:50 pm)Michael wrote Looks like Lothian have more E400 B5TL's arriving

Anyone know how many are arriving?, and what are they replacing?

90 of them due apparently which I would imagine will see off some of B9TL's that Lothian have fleet numbered 301-400/874-927/951-960/1000-1027 & 1050/1141-1153

More than likely will 301-350 & 874-927 as these are all 57/08/58/09 & 59 plated while the remainder are 11 reg and the batch 1000-27/1050 & 1141-1153 were what they bought up from London.
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#492
IRHardy
IRHardy
RE: Scotland Bus Operations
(09 May 2021, 2:28 pm)Malarkey wrote 90 of them due apparently which I would imagine will see off some of B9TL's that Lothian have fleet numbered 301-400/874-927/951-960/1000-1027 & 1050/1141-1153

More than likely will 301-350 & 874-927 as these are all 57/08/58/09 & 59 plated while the remainder are 11 reg and the batch 1000-27/1050 & 1141-1153 were what they bought up from London.

Currently a batch of 58 Volvo B5TL / ADL E400MMC are being delivered to Lothian which will be numbered 601 - 658.

Lothian had placed an order for 98 Volvo double deck buses with ADL bodies, there has been discussion on what chassis the other 40 will be, either more B5TLs or some B8Ls but I have heard that Lothian are having problems with the longer B8Ls and when they will arrive?

8 of the 98 are due for East Coast Buses and these 8 may be used to convert ECB single deck routes to double deck?
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v - Thumbs Up #493
Malarkey
Malarkey
RE: Scotland Bus Operations
Lothian Buses Service Changes From 12th September.

A service change will take effect across Lothian Buses, EastCoastbuses, Lothiancountry, Airport and NightBus services from Sunday 12 September.

Teams across Lothian have been analysing travel patterns and monitoring customer demand in order to best meet the needs of those travelling with us now that Covid restrictions in Scotland have moved past Level 0.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers and colleagues for their patience, understanding and ongoing support over the last 18 months.

Key changes to the network will include:

Service 15 – the morning and evening peak frequency will be increased up to every 10 minutes for staff and students travelling to Easter Bush Campus.
Service 25 – the Monday to Friday daytime frequency will be increased to every 10 minutes to provide additional capacity for students returning at Heriot-Watt and Napier Universities.
Service 33 – the service will be extended from Sheriffhall Park and Ride to the new housing development at Millerhill via Shawfair Park.
Service X33 – the service will be extended from Newtongrange Dalhousie Road to the new housing development at Orchard Grange via Newtongrange high street. An additional morning journey will also be introduced towards Edinburgh.
Service 45 – the service will be fully reintroduced between Heriot-Watt University and Queen Margaret University via Currie, Colinton, Bruntsfield, City Centre, Meadowbank, and Portobello, running every 30 minutes during the day on Mondays to Fridays.
Nighthawk N106 – the service will be reintroduced and will operate via Duddingston Park South, Fort Kinnaird, Newcraighall Road and Newhailes (with one journey on Saturday and Sunday mornings).
Lothian is pleased to now be in a position to reinstate bus panel information at stops across the city. Timetables will be in position for the service change taking effect on Sunday 12 September. Customers are encouraged to continue to refer to our website and app for the latest service information, or call bus information on 0131 555 6363 for assistance.

Details of the service change across the network can be found below.

Lothian Buses
Service 1
Minor timetable changes.

Service 2
Minor timetable changes.

Service 3
No change.

Service 4
Minor timetable changes.

Service 5
Revised timetable. The Monday-Friday and Saturday daytime frequencies are reduced to every 20 minutes.

Service 7
Minor timetable changes.

Service 8
Minor timetable changes.

Service 10
Revised timetable. The Saturday daytime frequency is reduced to every 20 minutes.

Service 11
Minor timetable changes.

Service 12
Minor timetable changes.

Service 14
Minor timetable changes.

Service 15
Revised timetable. The morning and evening peak frequency is increased up to every 10 minutes for students and staff travelling to Easter Bush Campus.

Service 16
Revised timetable. The morning and evening peak frequency on Mondays to Fridays is reduced to every 12 minutes.

Service 19
Minor timetable changes.

Service 21
Revised timetable. The Monday-Friday daytime frequency is reduced to every 15 minutes.

Service 22
Minor timetable changes.

Service 23
Revised timetable. The Saturday daytime frequency is reduced to every 20 minutes.

Service 24
No change.

Service 25
Revised timetable. The Monday-Friday daytime frequency is increased to every 10 minutes to provide additional capacity for students returning at Heriot-Watt and Napier Universities.

Service 26
Revised timetable. The Saturday daytime frequency is reduced to every 12 minutes.

Service X26
No change.

Service 27
Revised timetable. The Saturday daytime frequency is reduced to every 20 minutes.

Service 29
No change.

Service X29
No change.

Service 30
Revised timetable. The Monday-Friday, Saturday and Sunday daytime frequencies are reduced to every 12 minutes.

Service 31
Revised timetable. The Monday-Friday and Saturday daytime frequencies are reduced to every 12 minutes.

Service X31
No change.

Service 33
Revised route and timetable. Service 33 is extended from Sheriffhall Park & Ride to the new housing development at Millerhill via Shawfair Park.

Service X33
Revised route and timetable. Service X33 is extended from Newtongrange Dalhousie Road to the new housing development at Orchard Grange via Newtongrange High Street. An additional morning journey is introduced towards Edinburgh.

Service 34
Minor timetable changes.

Service 35
Minor timetable changes.

Service 36
No change.

Service 37
No change.

Service X37
No change.

Service 38
Revised timetable. Some early morning journeys on Saturday and Sunday are withdrawn due to low usage.

Service 41
Minor timetable changes.

Service 42
Minor timetable changes.

Service 44
Revised timetable. The Saturday daytime frequency is reduced to every 15 minutes.

Service X44
No change.

Service 45
Service fully reintroduced between Heriot-Watt University and Queen Margaret University via Currie, Colinton, Bruntsfield, City Centre, Meadowbank, and Portobello, running every 30 minutes during the day on Mondays to Fridays.

Service 47
No change.

Service 47B
No change.

Service 48
No change.

Service 49
Revised timetable on all days to allow coordination with revised Service 33 between Sheriffhall and North Bridge.

EastCoastbuses
Service X7
Minor timetable changes.

Service 104
No change.

Service 106
Minor timetable changes.

Service 113
Minor timetable changes.

Service 124
Minor timetable changes.

Service 139
Revised timetable. The Monday to Friday frequency is reduced to hourly.

Service 140
No change.

Lothiancountry
Service X18
No change.

Service X27
No change.

Service X28
No change.

Service 43
Minor timetable changes.

Service 275
Minor timetable changes.

Service 276
No change.

Service 280
No change.

Service 281
No change.

Airport Services
Airlink 100
No change.

Skylink 200
Revised timetable. The evening frequency is reduced to every 45 minutes.

Skylink 300
Revised timetable with some early morning and evening trips withdrawn due to low usage.  The service will also be withdrawn on Saturdays.

Skylink 400
Minor timetable changes.

NightBuses
NightBus N3
No change.

NightBus N11
No change.

NightBus N14
Revised timetable. An additional journey is introduced from St Leonard’s at 23:57 towards Muirhouse.

NightBus N16
No change.

NightBus N22
No change.

Nightbus N25
Revised timetable. The frequency is increased to every 30 minutes on all nights of the week.

NightBus N28
No change.

NightBus N30
No change.

NightBus N31
No change.

NightBus N37
No change.

NightBus N43
No change.

NightBus N44
No change.

NightBus N113
No change.

Nighthawk N106
Service reintroduced and revised route. The route between Edinburgh and Dunbar is changed to operate via Duddingston Park South, Fort Kinnaird, Newcraighall Road and Newhailes, served by one journey on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Nighthawk N124
Revised route. Nighthawk N124 is extended from Longniddry to North Berwick, served by one journey on Saturday and Sunday mornings.


A 
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#494
Rob44
Rob44
RE: Scotland Bus Operations
had the pleasure of visiting Edinburgh through the week with the fun police in tow. She hates bus travel but actually said " if our bus ran like this and had these fetures at these prices I might get rid of the car1"

Great service, price cap of 4.20 a day when using the same debit/credit card to tap on, real time arrival times at most bus stops. working monitors on the buses with relevant information being given out. All 3 companies up here could learn a thing or 2. And council owned if i'm not mistaken?
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#499
Malarkey
Malarkey
RE: Scotland Bus Operations
Stagecoach East Scotland have launched a new "Tour Service" in Edinburgh branded "Superbus.Com" which provides a luxurious sightseeing and afternoon tea experience.


One of the vehicles they are using is 50309 "SF13 FMO" which has been re-registered "A2 XXW" and was previously branded "Scottish Citylink Gold"
https://www.flickr.com/photos/blaircamer...202234836/


More details on https://www.superbus.com/ - they also have a discount code "July50" for 50% off.
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