Tracking the Bus Trackers

It was the eagle eyed members of the Leith Central Community Council who first alerted us to the mystery of the disconnected bus tracker signs on Leith Walk. So intrigued, we made a few calls, and at last we have a written statement of what is going to happen next, and when it's going to happen from TIE. Their spokesman said:

"During the Mudfa works power was removed to some Bus Tracker units.  With the expected imminent start of Infraco works it was not restored as it would have been disconnected again almost at once.

 Given the current situation, we are now actively pursuing reconnection.  Clear Channel (the shelter owners) will be providing quotes and anticipated time scales for reconnection from Scottish Power. The original request for this went out on 02/02/10 and, following a conversation Yesterday with Clear Channel,  Scottish Power have now acknowledged receipt of the request.

In the past it has taken up from four to six weeks for Scottish Power to issue a quotation. Upon payment of the quote Scottish Power will confirm and the connection will be made anywhere  8 to 10 weeks thereafter.

 Six locations are to be reconnected."

It turns out that the Bus Tracker signs were not included in the first contract issued for the "MUDFA" works (this was the first phase of roadworks on Leith Walk that diverted all the utilities) because when the contract was drawn up - the Bus Tracker signs weren't there!

"The current situation" refers to the various contractual wrangles between TIE and it's subcontractors, which have lead to a delay between the MUDFA work and the second phase of work to lay the track - the so called 'INFRACO" work.

As we understand it, there are more than six bus trackers signs that are currently disconnected. However, some of them are in areas where work is likely to be ongoing - so there's little point in connecting those ones up.

It's pretty clear from this statement that the hold up is not with TIE - it's with Scottish Power. It's astonishing that it can take them up to 4 months to complete a job!

Whilst it may be weeks before the signs on Leith Walk are fixed, there is some good news on the bustracker front. It looks as though bus users on Easter Road are soon to get the signs.

Of course, if you've got an iPhone - you don't need the signs. You can download the Edinbus iphone app.

Thanks to Jonathan from the Edinburgh Blog for the photo.

Comments

[Gordon Christie]

Thanks for another mention!

Also, the council released an update to their mobile site, http://mobile.mybustracker.co.uk - will work for Android and other smartphones. The old one is at http://wap.mybustracker.co.uk/ for older phones.

[James]

Actually, I noticed the EdinBus app wasn't able to connect today. Gutting! Anyone got any idea why?

[Dougal Stanton]

I'm glad someone got round to following this up. I've been meaning to call and ask about the bustracker at the Leith Walk/Dalmeny Street corner for some time but it's easy to forget these things. I'm not sure it's ever been connected, certainly not in the last 18 months.