Lothian Buses

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 12 Dec 2008, 17:16

Its a small iritation that fares are rising once again.

Adult singles going up to £1.20.

A ridacard will cost £540 per year instead of the present £444.

Fare rises and its not even to maintain service as there have been a fair few service cuts/reductions over the past few months.

Evening News wrote:BUS passengers in the Capital are to be hit with a 10p hike in the price of a single ticket and a near-£100 jump in the cost of an annual Ridacard as Lothian Buses seeks to combat falling revenues.

The bus company has confirmed it will increase the price of adult single tickets to £1.20 and the cost of day tickets by 50p to £3 from January 18.

There will also be rises for other tickets, including an increase in the cost of an annual Ridacard from £444 to £540, as the firm looks to plug a financial black hole caused by falling passenger numbers and the cost of fuel.

Lothian Buses said the decision was due to the current "economic and operational climate" and in response to fuel tax changes announced in Chancellor Alistair Darling's Pre-Budget Report.

The company had previously said that the Scottish Government was unlikely to adopt measures laid out by the Chancellor, which would have seen a reduction in fuel duties paid by bus firms.

Ian Craig, Lothian Buses' managing director, said: "Any kind of fare increase is regrettable. However, the current economic and operational climate we find ourselves in means we must look at generating sufficient revenue to balance our books."

Last month, Lothian Buses blamed a fresh round of cuts to services on "city-wide roadworks" and the economic downturn.

The decision to withdraw or cut back five more routes followed on from the scrapping of 11 routes the previous month, and passenger numbers are down seven per cent on last year.

The new fares come into force the same day as the most recently announced cuts are made to services, and follow a 10p rise in the price of a single ticket in April.

Councillor Mark McInnes, the city's Tory transport spokesman, said: "These are very large increases and I'm very disappointed that they have been brought in at a time when patronage is actually going down.

"I also think it's disappointing the Scottish Government has not passed on the fuel tax rebate which will benefit bus firms down south."

The Rev. Jim Jack, minister at Duddingston Kirk, has spoken out against cuts to bus provision in Duddingston Village affecting his congregation.

He said: "If they are going to put up prices at least have a proper service. It is not a proper service when I am being told I can't get home from town after 8pm and there is no bus on a Sunday.

"My concern is that people are going to have to pay it and it is hitting the vulnerable and the weak."

Lothian Buses said that fares compare favourably with the cost of parking in the city centre, and the price of bus tickets in other UK cities – a day ticket in Glasgow costs £3.20, £4 in Aberdeen and £3.70 in Manchester.

Pilmar Smith, Lothian Buses' chairman, added: "We have always prided ourselves on being able to offer low fares to customers. Even with these fare increases, Lothian Buses continue to have some of the lowest bus fares in the UK."

Scorpion · Post by **Scorpion** » 12 Dec 2008, 20:31

Tell me about

Luckily for me I've just renewed my annual pass but I'll have to face it eventually. If the reason for the rise is due to the fall in revenue, I'm not sure whether this rise will help to encourage more people to use public transport especially in these difficult times.

PortyConvert · Post by **PortyConvert** » 12 Dec 2008, 22:34

Not too happy - the services I use have been cut & i'm going to pay more now.... not good.

Robin! · Post by **Robin!** » 14 Dec 2008, 23:04

Seems a bit off, considering prices at the pump for diesel have dropped just below a £1.

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 15 Dec 2008, 07:05

Robin! wrote:Seems a bit off, considering prices at the pump for diesel have dropped just below a £1.

But thats not only reason.

falling passenger numbers it also says, so it therefore is getting less revenue.

Look at all those new buses they have bought, the 49s now have new buses. Must have cost a fortune. (Although the previous 49 buses were fairly new, its the 21's that are a bit old n shabby.)

seashell · Post by **seashell** » 15 Dec 2008, 10:14

michael_traill wrote: falling passenger numbers it also says, so it therefore is getting less revenue.

A report I read said that since the start of the roadworks for the trams and the subsequnet disruption, bus usage had fallen - seems a clear correlation. I've just completed a transport survey at work and significant numbers of people stated that the tram works in the centre of town and the road works at Willowbrae and Portobello had caused so many delays with buses they'd gone back to their cars.

The high price of bus fares was also mentioned. And now fares are rising again. It's hardly a way to tempt passengers back to the buses, is it?

What we need is some joined-up thinking. But I'm sure that's beyond Edinburgh Council, whose idea of planning is less useful that a chocolate fireguard.

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 25 Dec 2008, 20:32

How nice of Lothian Buses to be handing out free chocolates on the buses today!

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 26 Dec 2008, 00:34

So few buses, not surprised they wanted every passenger to feel special
There's areas of Edinburgh that could only be reached by a long walk, taxi or car
Leith to Portobello meant catching a bus on the hour, half hour wait at Princes St then bus to Porty, so about an hours journey in all
Luckily Clanger 1 passed her driving test this year

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 26 Dec 2008, 00:36

Oh and forget trying to get to Musselburgh before noon

PortyConvert · Post by **PortyConvert** » 26 Dec 2008, 00:43

Yea - not too chuffed with them in general.. 20% hike in my bus pass costs and they are cutting routes....

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 26 Dec 2008, 09:10

I never had any problems with them on Christmas day.

I was away to work early doors so took a nice stroll to Lochend. Made sure I left in plenty time etc; And then when it was time to leave I took a wonder up Easter Road to where it joins London Road to get the 26 home to Porty, the bus turned up slightly early, the driver was cheery and the bus wasnt jam packed. Sure it was a bit more hassle that usual but cant expect every bus service to run on Christmas day. Although a few more would be nice I suppose.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 26 Dec 2008, 10:59

Yeah but you're fit and able
My dad is in his 70s,has back problems, just out of hospiatl with pnemonia, has liver cancer so a brisk walk up Easyer Road is not an option anymore
And there were no buses AT ALL going past my mother in laws or even into the vicinity
Clanger 1 is working today so is using the car

Eck · Post by **Eck** » 04 Jan 2009, 00:05

Car users have been suffering this fate since the introduction of bus lanes:

Less road for cars= higher Road Tax.

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 07 Jan 2009, 08:19

BeachBum wrote:Look at all those new buses they have bought, the 49s now have new buses. Must have cost a fortune. (Although the previous 49 buses were fairly new, its the 21's that are a bit old n shabby.)

Turns out that after the route & fare changes are made on the 18th, the 21 route will be served by low-floor single deck buses. Presumably like the ones used presently on the 49 & 22.

portyallmydays · Post by **portyallmydays** » 07 Jan 2009, 08:40

BeachBum wrote:
BeachBum wrote:Look at all those new buses they have bought, the 49s now have new buses. Must have cost a fortune. (Although the previous 49 buses were fairly new, its the 21's that are a bit old n shabby.)
Turns out that after the route & fare changes are made on the 18th, the 21 route will be served by low-floor single deck buses. Presumably like the ones used presently on the 49 & 22.

Great, when there hasn't been a 21 from Crewe Toll for over an hour (not the most reliable service in late afternoon, and its a half hour service to Porty!) and one comes, what's the chances of getting on it? They can be jam packed when its a double deckers - anyone know what the capacity of the single deckers are comapred to the double deckers?

And the 22 is changing to a double decker.

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 07 Jan 2009, 09:49

portyallmydays wrote: And the 22 is changing to a double decker.

I seen that on the Lothian Buses website, I wondered if the buses serving the 21 will be the ones currently being used for the 22 route.

The revised timetable for the 21 is on the Lothian Buses website.

Grunk · Post by **Grunk** » 07 Jan 2009, 13:32

[quote = And the 22 is changing to a double decker.[/quote]

Excellent News, we need more capacity to Leith. Currently only 25% of all lothian buses go there, and there will only be one tram link there soon.

I think they should build a few helipads perhaps maybe a monorail and underground metro, but it still might not be enough.

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 18 Jan 2009, 10:00

Today is the first day of the new fares.

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 18 Jan 2009, 14:28

Well I did think the 21's were gonna be serviced by the buses that were getting used on the 22 route since thats changing to a double decker.

The buses today serving the 21 was of the same type which used to serve the 13 and 49 routes.

PortyConvert · Post by **PortyConvert** » 19 Jan 2009, 20:18

BeachBum wrote:Well I did think the 21's were gonna be serviced by the buses that were getting used on the 22 route since thats changing to a double decker.

The buses today serving the 21 was of the same type which used to serve the 13 and 49 routes.

Yes i noticed the old thing trundling along the high street this morning!!

Lots of people on my 26 getting on with £1.10 - driver sensibly letting them on today without demanding another 10p ! I'm sure the drivers are advised to do that anyway.

Grunk · Post by **Grunk** » 20 Jan 2009, 09:35

I'm sure tickets are still £1 from the vending machines in the city centre.

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 20 Jan 2009, 10:20

PortyConvert wrote:
BeachBum wrote:Well I did think the 21's were gonna be serviced by the buses that were getting used on the 22 route since thats changing to a double decker.

The buses today serving the 21 was of the same type which used to serve the 13 and 49 routes.
Yes i noticed the old thing trundling along the high street this morning!!

Lots of people on my 26 getting on with £1.10 - driver sensibly letting them on today without demanding another 10p ! I'm sure the drivers are advised to do that anyway.

The old thing? The buses being used on the 21's are fairly recent over the past couple of years. And certainly alot younger than the double deckers that were servicing the 21's.

I have to say though there aint much space on the 21 now at peak times. It gets very cosy!

portyallmydays · Post by **portyallmydays** » 20 Jan 2009, 16:08

BeachBum wrote:
PortyConvert wrote:
BeachBum wrote:Well I did think the 21's were gonna be serviced by the buses that were getting used on the 22 route since thats changing to a double decker.

The buses today serving the 21 was of the same type which used to serve the 13 and 49 routes.
Yes i noticed the old thing trundling along the high street this morning!!

Lots of people on my 26 getting on with £1.10 - driver sensibly letting them on today without demanding another 10p ! I'm sure the drivers are advised to do that anyway.
The old thing? The buses being used on the 21's are fairly recent over the past couple of years. And certainly alot younger than the double deckers that were servicing the 21's.

I have to say though there aint much space on the 21 now at peak times. It gets very cosy!

Aye, to and from work yesterday, and coming to work today I had to sit at the back wheel arch!! Not the comfiest!!

Grunk · Post by **Grunk** » 21 Jan 2009, 13:27

Strange that they would make the 21 route so poor, it does go to Leith after all.

I suspect that not many executive workers live out the east though, so there's probably no point having a decent service.

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 21 Jan 2009, 13:33

Grunk wrote:Strange that they would make the 21 route so poor, it does go to Leith after all.

I suspect that not many executive workers live out the east though, so there's probably no point having a decent service.

If you recall though the desire to have the 21 service changed to low floor buses was driven by customer feedback saying that this is whats needed.

Mind you, perhaps people had the unrealistic expectation that these new floor buses would be double deckers, but id have though that unlikekly when they have so many unused/under used single deckers laying around from other service cuts.

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 31 Jan 2009, 13:36

Some people were getting a little treat on my 49 into town this morning.

The ticket machine wasnt working so the driver was letting people on for free, which was a wee saving for people, well ones that didnt have passes or ridacards atleast.

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 14 Mar 2009, 14:17

BeachBum wrote:
BeachBum wrote:Look at all those new buses they have bought, the 49s now have new buses. Must have cost a fortune. (Although the previous 49 buses were fairly new, its the 21's that are a bit old n shabby.)
Turns out that after the route & fare changes are made on the 18th, the 21 route will be served by low-floor single deck buses. Presumably like the ones used presently on the 49 & 22.

Not a fan of the 21 being served by the present style of low floor buses. Most 21s are now served by the type of bus formerly used on the 13's with only a few of the same style as the 49s.

The style of the bus used on 49s would be great. Plenty of room. But the style being used on most 21's is a bit on the cramped side.

Anyone agree?

I think at peak times the 21 would benefit from either a double decker (low floor or not) or a 21 in the same bus style as the 49s.

Though I do commend Lothian Buses for keeping such a modern and accessable fleet.

Post by **wangi** » 14 Mar 2009, 17:54

Those crap heap painted pink junk buses on the 15 route have a sign plastered on the front of today saying it's their last day of service. Thank god. It wasn't so much their age, but rather the lack of headroom upstairs. Ouch.

Still too new to sell onto First Bus though...

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 14 Mar 2009, 20:45

wangi wrote:Those crap heap painted pink junk buses on the 15 route have a sign plastered on the front of today saying it's their last day of service. Thank god. It wasn't so much their age, but rather the lack of headroom upstairs. Ouch.

Still too new to sell onto First Bus though...

There was a story in the Evening News about that today.

PortyConvert · Post by **PortyConvert** » 15 Mar 2009, 19:20

Always thought those number 15 style buses smelt damp - also a stupidly small amount of room between the seats at the back downstairs.

As for the single decker 21 - i hate it.. means that the scumbads that would normally sit upstairs at the back have to sit on the same floor as me... playing music from their mobile phones on speaker and shouting and swearing.... god i sound like a moany old git - but its true!!!

portyallmydays · Post by **portyallmydays** » 16 Mar 2009, 09:25

PortyConvert wrote:Always thought those number 15 style buses smelt damp - also a stupidly small amount of room between the seats at the back downstairs.

As for the single decker 21 - i hate it.. means that the scumbads that would normally sit upstairs at the back have to sit on the same floor as me... playing music from their mobile phones on speaker and shouting and swearing.... god i sound like a moany old git - but its true!!!

I must be a moany old git too, coz thats what I thought when they announced the changes to the 21, and its like that most days. Coming home from Crewe Toll, you get some lovely characters on the bus!

BeachBum · Post by **BeachBum** » 16 Mar 2009, 09:29

Pity there wasnt a forum like this for discussing Lothian Buses.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 16 Mar 2009, 18:01

I hear that a bus exploded/caught fire aroung the Mouncastle-Northfield area.
Dont know if it was a LRT bus though

It was heard by shoppers in Morrisons!

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 16 Mar 2009, 19:05

Number 4 Lothian bus outside the Piershill library near Morrisons about 1 ish. Two fire appliances attended and the road was closed for a while. Flames were seen to be coming from under a wheel arch, according to my source!

PortyConvert · Post by **PortyConvert** » 19 Mar 2009, 22:26

On the 26 into town this morning (approx 0845) i was sitting upstairs and there was a complete nutcase on the bus. Shaved head, in his late 30's - sitting there on his own and shouting about how he was going to stab / batter / take a hammer to somebody. "Male or Female I'll kill them all" was once snippet - another was "Fat b**tard pushing me around - fat b**tard with a wee willy".

Scary stuff !! Anyone else seen this guy? Clearly major mental health problems.....