First Midland Bluebird

The clueless competition authorities are taking an interest in the ECB 'takeover' of FSE in East Lothian.

It appears that if LB had not bought the depots and not TUPE-d the staff but simply put on new services after FSE decided to pull out, it would be OK. So that will teach you to look after the workers.

They have put in some absurd restrictions - no integration of IT - but none of these are retrospective before this week.

oldman said:

The clueless competition authorities are taking an interest in the ECB 'takeover' of FSE in East Lothian.

It appears that if LB had not bought the depots and not TUPE-d the staff but simply put on new services after FSE decided to pull out, it would be OK. So that will teach you to look after the workers.

They have put in some absurd restrictions - no integration of IT - but none of these are retrospective before this week.

Click to expand...

So the TUPE is the reason for the new livery and colours. Lets hope this stupid arrangement can be killed off and LCB with the green can be expanded.

Lots of Tridents reported withdrawn by FSE/Midland Bluebird. Do we know if they have gone or will be scrap? Or will they be cascaded to other First companies?

Whiteway215 said:

Lots of Tridents reported withdrawn by FSE/Midland Bluebird. Do we know if they have gone or will be scrap? Or will they be cascaded to other First companies?

Click to expand...

ALL duel door have gone to scrappy, plenty still in use with schools work in Falkirk and Stirling.

Do you have fleet details?

Kernow Dave said:

Do you have fleet details?

Click to expand...

I believe it still being worked upon, and all fleet movement is yet to be fully completed. Duel doors are deffo gone.

Has anyone seen the accounts, there due by 31 December 2016, but since tomorrow is a Saturday there should have been sent in today.

overthewater said:

Has anyone seen the accounts, there due by 31 December 2016, but since tomorrow is a Saturday there should have been sent in today.

Click to expand...

They've probably been submitted in time but won't appear in the public domain for a little while.

It usually takes some time for Companies House to update for items lodged, particularly at this time of year.

I shall give them there dues, for last year, as there were pretty fast.

#######

What going to happen to the new Falkirk ticket? its last day is tomorrow but there is no sign of any updates https://www.firstgroup.com/south-east-and-central-scotland/more/save-falkirk

It might be kept but a price increase could happen, it could be killed off but then were back to square one.

I'm lead to believe the new Falkirk Ticket should be staying and become permittee, while further changes to the zone might at last come out.

Also the company has some nice route maps on its website:

Falkirk:
https://www.firstgroup.com/uploads/maps/Falkirk Area Network Map-Jan_17.pdf

Stirling: https://www.firstgroup.com/uploads/maps/Stirling Area Network Map-Jan_17_0.pdf

Gala:
https://www.firstgroup.com/uploads/maps/Borders Area Network Map-Jan_17.pdf

* Falkirk map first appeared in September but it now been rolled out to other areas, and has also been updated.

https://www.firstgroup.com/south-ea...dates/news/most-mticket-prices-frozen-changes

• Some changes are taking place shortly:
• Cost of tickets purchased on mTickets frozen, to encourage quicker boarding, ticketing and journey times (except Falkirk zonal tickets)
• Lower prices for longer distance zonal tickets
• All day ticket in West Lothian reduced to £4.30
• Falkirk Zonal ticket extended to include Bo'Ness, in response to customer feedback
• Two Zone LM Day Ticket price reduced on mTickets and Zone M extended to Dalmahoy, Newbridge, Kirkliston and Queensferry
• New £4.50 day ticket on mTickets only for Stirling and Clackmannanshire services 60/62/63
• No changes to prices of Group Weekend Tickets
• Some tickets purchased on buses and from PayPoint will see a small increase from Sunday 5 February, as the business aims to continue to deliver high quality services for customers

See new Network Ticket prices from Sunday 5 February

Today we've announced that some fares will change from Sunday 5 February, as we look to continue to deliver high quality services for you, and encourage more people to adopt the mTicket app.

We've frozen the prices of most fares across the region for tickets that are bought via the mTicket app and we've simplified our fare zone structure, with our 3-5 zone ticket renamed 3+, covering the full network, giving great savings and replacing our 6+ ticket.

First Borders area

Adult single fares up to £5.90 will increase by 10p, with single fares from £6.00 and above increasing by 20p. Most Adult return, Child single and Child return tickets will increase in line with revised Adult single fares.

We've announced further changes to simplify fares, including removal of the 6+ zone ticket, with the 3-5 zone ticket renamed 3+ and covering the full network.

First Midland Bluebird area

Adult single fares will increase by 10p. Most Adult return, Child single and Child return tickets will increase in line with revised Adult single fares.

In response to customer feedback, for a trial period, we'll extend our Falkirk FirstDay & Week tickets to cover Bo'ness, with a revised price of £4.60 for a day's unlimited travel or £16 for a week's unlimited travel, bringing reductions for a vast number of people who will benefit from a travel option that's over £10 a week cheaper than before.

We're reducing our Two Zone LM Ticket by 30p to £7 as a special offer on mTickets only, giving cheaper travel between West Lothian and Edinburgh.

For services 60/62/63, which provide regular links between Stirling and Clackmannanshire, we're introducing a new route network Day Ticket on mTickets only, priced at £4.50.

We've announced further changes to simplify fares, including removal of the 6+ zone ticket, with the 3-5 zone ticket renamed 3+ and covering the full network.

First West Lothian area

Adult single fares will increase by 10p. Most Adult return, Child single and Child return tickets will increase in line with revised Adult single fares.

The cost of an all day ticket for unlimited travel throughout the West Lothian area will reduce to £4.30, a saving of 40p.
The current £4 off-peak day ticket will continue to be available on mTickets.

We're reducing our Two Zone LM Ticket by 30p to £7 as a special offer on mTickets only, giving cheaper travel between West Lothian and Edinburgh.

We're extending Zone M to include Dalmahoy, Newbridge, Kirkliston and Queensferry, available on mTickets

We've announced further changes to simplify fares, including removal of the 6+ zone ticket, with the 3-5 zone ticket renamed 3+ and covering the full network.

mTicket App

Our mTicket App is easy to use and is available for free via the App Store and Google Play. Simply download the app, register, select from a variety of tickets, and navigate the secure payment system. Once the payment section is complete, bus tickets live in a virtual wallet ready for you to show the driver. if you're a repeat user, you need only select the required ticket and confirm your debit/credit card’s security code.

http://www.midlothianadvertiser.co.uk/news/first-bus-denies-plans-to-cut-rural-bus-route-1-4354143

First Bus has been quick to deny that it plans to cut one of its services, which is relied upon by residents in rural parts of Midlothian. It had been reported elsewhere that First Bus was looking to cut the x95 service to three daily journeys from Hawick to Edinburgh. This sparked fear in Midlothian villages, including North Middleton which relies on this vital bus link. The X95, which also services Birkenside, Newtongrange, Newbattle and Eskbank, was only recently cut from a half-hourly service to hourly. Moorfoot Community Council secretary Kate Buxton told the Advertiser: “The X95 is the only way in which those without cars can get to work, access medical and dental services and leisure facilities such as libraries, swimming pools and leisure centres, never mind shops, full-sized Post Offices etc. “In addition, the only way to access the Borders Railway from North Middleton and nearby is by the X95 bus. “At a time when so many new houses are being built along the A7 corridor, with exhortations from Midlothian Council to use public transport, it is horrifying to think that the one available bus service might be reduced to only three daily journeys.” A First Scotland East spokesperson said: “We continue to assess the performance of the market in respect of our services, no decisions have been made at this stage.”

Click to expand...

overthewater said:

http://www.midlothianadvertiser.co.uk/news/first-bus-denies-plans-to-cut-rural-bus-route-1-4354143

Click to expand...

“In addition, the only way to access the Borders Railway from North Middleton and nearby is by the X95 bus"

Yes, I wonder what the problem is here... ..

The X95 has taken a huge knock with borders rail but I think First are maybe looking at the bigger picture here. The service does well through midlothian but after a certain point I can only assume its running empty as foalk for Stow and Gala will now use the train not the bus? What we need is a cut off point from where the route is no longer comercially viable and then if First dont want it another opperater should take it over.

Blindtraveler said:

The X95 has taken a huge knock with borders rail but I think First are maybe looking at the bigger picture here. The service does well through midlothian but after a certain point I can only assume its running empty as foalk for Stow and Gala will now use the train not the bus? What we need is a cut off point from where the route is no longer comercially viable and then if First dont want it another opperater should take it over.

Click to expand...

I dont think it even does will in Midlothian. It by-passes Gorebridge by going down A7, I've never seen anyone use the bus stop at the top of the road. Mind you its the only bus that goes down Newbattle road, again thats seen better days.

Strange thing is the bus used to be able to do Gala - Edinburgh in around 1 hours just shy of what the train now takes. Its a joke how bad the traffic has got in Edinburgh that its added up to 20mins to the running time...

You have to wonder how much of a hit Lothian has taken, if you live in Newtongrange or Gorebridge, you could be saving 40mins off peak..

https://assets.publishing.service.g...00008/first-scotland-east-coast-buses-ftd.pdf

Some interesting points from the CMA: [] means date cut to the public

As such, FirstGroup conducted a detailed review of how it could improve its operations if the Undertakings were lifted. This review showed that cutting loss-making routes, closing loss-making depots and restructuring the fares would allow the FSEL business to grow again. In that context, the East Coast Bus Business was the worst performing part of the FSEL business in that [] per cent of the losses at FSEL were attributable to the bus routes operating from the East Coast Bus Business, but the business itself only accounted for only 8 per cent of its bus fleet. The Depots and associated operations were therefore identified as needing to close.

Click to expand...

In early 2015, prior to FirstGroup’s formal request for the Undertakings to be reviewed, FirstGroup conducted a review of FSEL to decide what to do with the business if the mileage floor and price cap were removed. A FirstGroup internal document setting out the analysis of this review from May 2015, concluded that any unprofitable route would be stopped and, on that basis, Musselburgh and North Berwick should be closed.16

Click to expand...

A FirstGroup board document from May 2015 confirmed the internal analysis referred to at (a) above and noted that ‘FSEL has been a prolonged poor financial performer despite repeated attempts to resolve’ and that Therefore it was indented for the Musselburgh and North Berwick Depots to close if FirstGroup is released from the Undertakings

Click to expand...

Ahead of the public announcement indicating that the East Coast Bus Business would close and the routes it operated would cease, FirstGroup was progressing plans for the Depots associated with the East Coast Bus Business to be sold to a property developer. Specifically; (i) FirstGroup contacted [] (a [] which had shown an interest in purchasing the Depts in the past) to inform them that it was considering selling the Depots in the event that it was released from the Undertakings in late February 2016. The Seller submitted that it

Click to expand...

The evidence above clearly shows that, as part of its restructuring plans, FirstGroup had planned to close its East Coast Bus Business for some time preceding consideration of a sale of it to the Acquirer. Even before it had been
released from the Undertakings, FirstGroup had taken steps to effect the exit of the East Coast Bus Business through the sale of the Depots to a property developer. It is clear that these steps were decisive and had been taken independently of any consideration to sell to the Acquirer. The CMA is therefore confident, based on all the above mentioned factors, that there is
compelling evidence that the first limb of the exiting firm test is met

Click to expand...

overthewater said:

https://assets.publishing.service.g...00008/first-scotland-east-coast-buses-ftd.pdf

Some interesting points from the CMA: [] means date cut to the public

Click to expand...

It means commercially sensitive information omitted.

Whiteway215 said:

Lots of Tridents reported withdrawn by FSE/Midland Bluebird. Do we know if they have gone or will be scrap? Or will they be cascaded to other First companies?

Click to expand...

I'm aware that I'm replying to a post from September 2016, but former Scotland East/Midland Bluebird Tridents 33093 (LN51 NRJ) & 33138 (LT02 ZFK) have both been transferred to First Glasgow, the former having gone into service at Blantyre, the latter still being prepped for service at Caledonia.

Strathclyder said:

I'm aware that I'm replying to a post from September 2016, but former Scotland East/Midland Bluebird Tridents 33093 (LN51 NRJ) & 33138 (LT02 ZFK) have both been transferred to First Glasgow, the former having gone into service at Blantyre, the latter still being prepped for service at Caledonia.

Click to expand...

Many thanks for that.

Whiteway215 said:

Many thanks for that.

Click to expand...

No problem. Shall keep my ear to the ground for any more FSE/FMB -> FiG transfers.

There is update fleet list on this page: http://scotbus.com/scotbus/fleetlists/jan2017/Jan 17 PDF/

Big talk of the week has been the fact 3? Volvo B7RLE have been give Royal route branding for the no38. Alot of talk has been suggesting said buses are going back on to the 38. What a lot of people seem to have failed to notice is the 38 has always had those Volvo B7RLE. I dare say First are just making everything have the same branding.


It should also be noted, Streetlites have extremely high fuel savings even with the problems.

Further changes are planned for May, some cuts some improvements: It seems the inform is from Falkirk Council.

Service Route Proposed Changes
2, 2A, 2B Falkirk – Bonnybridge – Denny - Dunipace
• Service 2A to be extended from Dunipace to Stirling Bus Station and Stirling University (Monday to Saturday).
• Revised timetable.
• 2A/2B frequency unchanged but times altered to provide more even service between Denny and Stirling. Sunday service reduced from every 20 mins to every 30 mins.

3, 4, 4A, 4B Grangemouth –Falkirk –Tamfourhill / Camelon - Banknock - Croy
• Revised timetable. Monday to Saturday
• Service reduced from every 15 mins to every 20 mins (Service 4B to Croy unchanged at every 60 mins)

29, 29A, 29C, F29 Falkirk – Shieldhill - California – Avonbridge - Bathgate
• Most journeys extended from Bathgate to serve Broxburn.
• Service withdrawn from residential streets in western Shieldhill.
• Will now operate via Glen Brae in Shieldhill and will not serve Greenmount Drive, Greencraig Avenue, Parkend Crescent and Paterson Drive (this change is due to narrow roads/tight corners and parked cars)

38, 38A, X38, X9 Stirling - Edinburgh
• Additional peak hour departures (including new Service X9) between Falkirk and Edinburgh.
• Minor timetable revisions to accommodate above.

X39 Stirling – Denny – Glasgow
• Some journeys extended from Stirling Bus Station to Stirling University/Wallace Monument.
• Minor timetable revisions to accommodate above
• Journeys from Glasgow to run 5 minutes later between Whins of Milton and Stirling.

For a starter for ten: what old bus route does these changes bring back?

Overthewater, you've got me there. I'll have a total stab in the dark, at the X19 that Midland Bluebird used to run from Alloa - Falkirk - Edinburgh.

I would say at a guess the X9 will go Falkirk Grangemouth Bo'ness M9 Ratho A8 City Centre. If they use coaches it will likely flop unless they targat it a commuters.

They may also start a price war with citylinks 909, unless that gets cut totally?

robertclark125 said:

Overthewater, you've got me there. I'll have a total stab in the dark, at the X19 that Midland Bluebird used to run from Alloa - Falkirk - Edinburgh.

Click to expand...

Close about the old X19, but the answer was old No81 going the same as the 2A now, including Stirling uni!

Blindtraveler said:

I would say at a guess the X9 will go Falkirk Grangemouth Bo'ness M9 Ratho A8 City Centre. If they use coaches it will likely flop unless they targat it a commuters.

They may also start a price war with citylinks 909, unless that gets cut totally?

Click to expand...

I would be very surprised if it operated via Bo'ness and Granagemouth, since X19 still runs at peak times.

Interesting changes from First. Some cuts, but also some rare enhancements. Is it just possible that First East Scotland has turned a corner and is beginning to trade better? The network has been severely pruned over the last few years (have a look at the maps that they added to the website late last year to see just how thin things have got compared to say a decade ago), but presumably what’s left is showing some promise. Still think they need to work on some of their fares – the Stirling area day/weekly tickets are still sky high (£23 for a week in Stirling; £30 for Stirling – Alloa)

If your traveling between Stirling and Alloa all week your cheaper buying the 60/62/63 day tickets.