https://www.scotrail.co.uk/tickets/smartcard
This is only six months ago! -
http://www.passengertransport.co.uk/2016/03/summer-of-smart-will-take-scotland-forward/
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!
Does Lothian Buses go where we want to travel?
(93 posts)-
Posted 7 years ago #
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From last link
"
Scotland’s major bus companies – Stagecoach, First, Lothian Buses. McGill’s and National Express – have pledged to deliver multi-operator smart ticketing across Scotland’s largest cities in 2016/17. These cities – Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow, and their surrounding areas – account for almost three-quarters (73%) of Scotland’s population.
"
Posted 7 years ago # -
Contactless card reader so you could use third party debit or credit cards?
Was struck by the ease I could buy coffee at the Commuter Challenge cafe end point. Imagine if buying transport was as fast?
Useful for those just arriving in town.Not everyone has of course but banks seem keen to have this tech.
Posted 7 years ago # -
The tramstop ticket machines don't have touch-n-go contactless payment enabled, despite the spot on the machine with the logo where there reader should be. How daft is that.
I can't recall if the fixed machines LB installed (then removed) a few years back at busy stops gave change or took cards. Don't think so?
Posted 7 years ago # -
"Don't think so?"
Think they only took £1 coins for a single ticket.
Fares went up to £1.10 and LB gave up the '9% discount' fairly soon afterwards...
Posted 7 years ago # -
The irony of lusting after oyster cards after they've been nearly completely replaced by individuals contactless cards (or suitably equipped smart phone) in TFL areas. I read a report that the banks expect this approach to be rolled out to the rest of the country in the next 10 years!
Posted 7 years ago # -
"The irony of lusting after oyster cards after they've been nearly completely replaced"
That's true, so maybe it will be easier for LB/SG/TS to implement(?)
Posted 7 years ago # -
The thing is there is no incentive for them to do so, at least on the buses.
The cash delivers itself to the office, over payment is probably widespread especially since the fare went up to £1.60 and the day ticket structure favours them; there will be a good proportion of people who use it for only two journeys but buy just in case or people who end up buying 3+ single tickets. Financially there is no reason to implement a tap n go system. That ignores the potential growth in business from providing a better service but my experience that kind of nebulous business case is a pretty hard sell internally.
The trams are another story, the gear is there to take contactless, the minimum spend is ridiculous when people will "switch" a mars bar and the fees for a low value transaction are tiny which would likely offset the cost of collecting hundreds of kilos of change.
Posted 7 years ago # -
The future of buses, 1972 style. Edinburgh Corporation trialled an electric "Shoppabus" that did an inner city loop of shopping destinations. I imagine Princes St., George St., Lothian Road and the Bridges were on the route.
Crompton Electricars CWO 516K 2 by George, on Flickr
Posted 7 years ago # -
Can't remember if it was G and P, loop was via Lauriston Place.
Posted 7 years ago # -
There used to be a similar electric "City Hopper" service between main railway stations in Manchester in the 1970s, I seem to recall...
Posted 7 years ago # -
should have read the comments, I should have; a small circular route (Princes Street, Bridges, Meadows, Lothian Road)
I suppose your typical 1970s shopper would manage the walk form Princes Street to George Street without demanding parking at their destination.
Posted 7 years ago # -
According to Eeninoo comments past, shoppers in the 1970s were able to park their car right outside places like Menzies on Princes Street whilst they nipped in for a newspaper and a packet of cigarettes.
Posted 7 years ago # -
And I think they're right!
Posted 7 years ago # -
Pretty sure I rode on one of these as a kid in the mid-1970s.
EX61. XVU 387M: Greater Manchester Transport by chucklebuster, on FlickrAlso they used wee LDV minibuses later on, if I recall. You hopped on and off, free of charge.
Posted 7 years ago # -
AS predicted on this forum;
Lothian Buses to introduce new service to South Queensferry
The Edinburgh Reporter has been told that from 4 June 2017 they will be introducing a new service to South Queensferry with their new bus company called Lothian Country.
The bus firm will be wholly owned by Lothian Buses but will operate as a standalone business with its own buses and products.
So what was Lothian Country buses is now East Coast Buses (bits of the old First/SMT empire) and now what was old Midland Scottish / Bluebird / Stagecoach / Fife Scottish territory is now being nibbled at by Lothian Country.
This is good news for all on 4 wheels or fewer.
Posted 6 years ago # -
I couldn't fns a thread for Bus News, so here it is.
Don't know if anyone else has noticed, but I became aware of the change to the 35 bus service nearly two weeks ago through my son who uses the route regularly.
The 35 is now the Skylink 300. Still the same route, presumably a similar time to get to airport, but now consciously rebranded as an airport service. Nice new hybrid buses, very shiny, in a bright blue and white livery.
Oh the other change is apparently "Fares to Edinburgh Airport on Skylink 300 will be brought into line with those on our other airport services ". No more slow but cheap £1.50 rides to/rom the airport on the 35 then...
https://lothianbuses.co.uk/news/article/introducing-skylink-300
Also running on Easter Road (plus the temporary gyratory in Abbeyhill) are the new all electric buses for service No.1. I've seen quite a few whizz quietly past: have yet to try one but hope to soon when the opportunity presents itself.
https://lothianbuses.co.uk/news/article/Lothian-introduce-the-first-all-electric-buses-to-Edinburgh
Posted 6 years ago # -
Yes the 300 is exactly the same service as the 35 (apart from the paintwork) until you want to travel past Newbridge.
It goes to the airport from Ocean Terminal, the same as the 200 does (another new Airport service), but the latter goes via Pilton and West Edinburgh.
Posted 6 years ago # -
"Oh the other change is apparently "Fares to Edinburgh Airport on Skylink 300 will be brought into line with those on our other airport services ". No more slow but cheap £1.50 rides to/rom the airport on the 35 then..."
Interestingly from the Lothian Buses link:
"Single tickets will still be available for journeys between the Airport/Airport Hotel and Maybury - £2.50 adult, £1.50 child."
This surely gives an opportunity for split ticketing.
Pay £1.60 to get to Maybury then a further £2.50 to get to the Airport.
Total cost £4.10 compared to £4.50 for an airport single. That's 40p to spend in Caffe Nero.I wonder if the bus driver would support this?
Posted 6 years ago # -
Yes, we use the 35 to get to the airport a lot (it is very convenient unless we are flying very early/late or have a really large amount of stuff). So we are a bit grumpy about having to pay more for it! But I guess we will do so.
Posted 6 years ago # -
@cb, you'd be better off just buying an open return: £3.75 each way (£1.50 each way for sproglets). Assuming you're coming back that is... ;-)
Posted 6 years ago # -
I was a pretty regular user of the 35 as I live on the route. Got stung for the first time the other Sunday. Next time I go, I'm walking from the park and ride (if I have time)
Posted 6 years ago # -
If you have a bus pass, monthly or annual, then you can use these buses without paying extra is my understanding
Posted 6 years ago # -
That's 40p to spend in Caffe Nero.
16% of a regular latte if you want to be precise.
Posted 6 years ago # -
The 35 route wasn't deserving of a flagship re-brand.
The flat city fare was just about compensation for the absurd journey time.
I need to leave a flat 60 minutes between my flat and the airport by tram, including a walk to York Pl, while the 300 is scheduled 70-90 minutes to do the same job and you just never know what fun you'll encounter in Sighthill.
The 200 (Ocean Terminal - Granton - Airport) is by contrast 50 minutes for the full route and reasonable to charge a premium.
Posted 6 years ago # -
"The flat city fare was just about compensation for the absurd journey time."
Yes, I do recall one occasion where I had to jump into a taxi at the Gyle centre because the bus was proceeding exceedingly slowly. Nearly missed the flight!
Having said that, we are planning to get the Skyline 300 tomorrow to the airport. Tram is just that bit too far away, taxi is ludicrously expensive these days. Just got to get up a bit earlier...
Posted 6 years ago # -
the pictures here are really nostalgic.
Posted 6 years ago # -
I saw a piece, either on here, on Twitter or otherwise online, claiming that passengers are not as reluctant to change buses or make transfers as previously thought (especially if integrated ticketing allows).
Can anyone remember where that article was posted?
Have tried Google / Twitter search, but no avail...
Posted 6 years ago # -
There was an article I saw recently about a Spanish city which had completely changed its bus routes - was that the one?
Posted 6 years ago # -
Singles up to £1.70 from 25th February, and some other changes: https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/our-region/edinburgh/lothian-buses-reveal-fare-increase-and-route-changes-1-4662918
Posted 6 years ago #
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