(30 Apr 2015, 9:16 pm)aureolin I noticed two of Lothian's Presidents seem to have 'hybrid' destination screens. White LED destination and route number, with a traditional blind for the calling points.


Lothian_693_SN04AEG by aureolindn, on Flickr

(30 Apr 2015, 9:24 pm)Robert A feature which I understand is being rolled ou across the fleet. A lot of presidents are like that now at least. 

(26 Apr 2015, 5:41 pm)Tom Oh dear...

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/islands-15million-eco-bus-fleet-drive-5585137

Daily Record readers voted:

Did Arran need their new bus fleet?


YES
37%
NO
63%

(03 May 2015, 4:05 pm)Tommy_1581 I find that rather ungrateful, the previous fleet of B10Ms wouldn't have been able to carry any luggage as they were step entrance making it difficult for heavy luggage.

The fleet was 15+ years old, breakdowns were likely and I'm sure that 63% of the island population would like to sit on a bus broken down in the middle of nowhere. 

(03 May 2015, 5:41 pm)northern156 But it's something that worked just fine and what people were used to.

The main problem is the replacements - I cannot understand why Streetlites were chosen as good alternatives to B10Ms; if the buses were decent-sized replacements that had the power the B10Ms had, it wouldn't be such a problem.

What the residents were also annoyed about was the lack of consultation and understanding which is why the Streetlites and Solo SRs were ordered without such luggage space, and why they were ordered in the first place. If you read the article some people say the Streetlites struggle to get up some hills - I don't get why this is being ungrateful.

B10Ms can carry large luggage. The step isn't that much of a problem, as I'd dare say most people visiting would be walking anyway so people would be able to lift a bag onto a step a foot from the ground!

(03 May 2015, 5:57 pm)Kuyoyo A small matter of nothing being DDA compliant might have had something to do with it.............

(03 May 2015, 6:20 pm)northern156 Well yes that's a very valid point but I'd assume there's plenty new DDA-compliant vehicles being built that are more suitable. An example I can give is ADL E300s...

It's still a good year or two until DDA comes into force isn't it? The locals like them so there wouldn't have been much point of getting rid of them quickly (breakdowns yes but I don't think Arran had that many?)

(03 May 2015, 6:24 pm)Dan 1 January 2016 for single decks, and 1 January 2017 for double decks.

(29 May 2015, 6:06 pm)Robert Lothian now have their first Streetdeck:

Lothian Bus Wrightbus StreetDeck by Robin Parkes, on Flickr

(29 May 2015, 6:09 pm)Michael That is very smart, the colours work so well, any idea what service(s) they will be on?

(29 May 2015, 6:11 pm)Robert I can't help you with that one unfortunately. Sorry! I agree, it looks very smart but to be honest, the Lothian livery suits all buses.

(29 May 2015, 6:06 pm)Robert Lothian now have their first Streetdeck:

Lothian Bus Wrightbus StreetDeck by Robin Parkes, on Flickr

(29 May 2015, 7:27 pm)Malarkey I dont think that is a StreetDeck, I think this is the New Volvo B5LH with Wrightbus Bodywork.

(29 May 2015, 7:33 pm)Robert According to Volvo's B5LH page, they only display the body for the B5LH to be the Wright Gemini bodywork:
http://www.volvobuses.com/bus/uk/en-gb/bus%20and%20coach/bus/pages/b5lh.aspx

(29 May 2015, 7:39 pm)Malarkey It just says Wrightbus Bodywork, and the Vehicle above has Wrightbus Bodywork, if you look at the other photos on Robin Parkes Flickr Page you will see that it is a Hybrid, should be noticeable by looking at the rear overhang on the above image alone.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/13073434@N03/

(31 Oct 2014, 9:48 pm)Malarkey http://www.route-one.net/industry/finance/operators-benefits-scotlands-biggest-ever-green-grant/

Winners of the SGBF5 are:

• First Glasgow – four ADL Enviro 350H ‘virtual electric’ buses and 43 Wrightbus StreetLite Micro Hybrids
  
  
• Wilson’s of Rhu – two Wrightbus StreetLite Micro Hybrids
  
  
• Secure Airparks – two Wrightbus StreetLite Micro Hybrids
  
  
• First Scotland East – five ADL Enviro400 MMC flywheel hybrids
  
  
• Lothian Buses – 20 double-deck hybrids Volvo B5LH/ADL Enviro400
  
  
• Stagecoach North Scotland – five Optare Solo all-electrics
  
  
• Deveron Coaches – one Optare Solo all-electric
  
  
• Orkney Islands Council – one Optare Solo all-electric.
  
  

(29 May 2015, 7:46 pm)Robert I must admit, when you brought up the B5LH, I did notice that the rear end looked slightly different to the Streetdeck on Sapphire 38 in Derby. Volvo's website is a bit mis-leading if you (and most probably) are correct.