First Group: General Discussion

[overthewater]

I cannot comment on West Lothian, but I imagine the reopening of the Bathgate rail line did not help.

With regards to West Lothian, I would refer back to my post in the East Scotland thread. The biggest factor with the current network is mainly down to Scotrail and the controlled routes.

If anything has been learnt from this disastrous experience, it’s not to give a local bus company control over the local rail franchise, as its done nothing not allowed the current bus network to be overhauled. To be fair First has tried, in the past on a few new ideas but gave up 5-6 months down the line. The management in the depot has changed a few times including a team from Larbart being sent, but alas even these fine people have failed to stop the losses.

I can’t think of any rail franchises which has to deal with such issues? Is Scotrail the only rail company which has had such conditions clamped on the franchise?

The current bus network has completely and utterly failed to keep up with the major developments:

* One of Edinburgh’s Key employment (Hermiston gait/RBS/Sighthill) and students areas, which have been built up over the past 10 years are close by.
* Livingston is now classed as one of the top three shopping areas in Scotland, ie lots of visitors and workers.
* Livingston itself has a major Hospital and many industrial estates.

Can the whole situation, be linked to the “controlled routes”? possible...... but it just sounds like a cop out.

Whatever happens, to Livingston, a clean sweep to the whole bus network will be the only cure. This will happen, either by a new company or by First itself in April 2015 ( If First loses Scotrail)

 

[DunsBus]

Maybe mismanagement, but it also had to contend with Lothian. Lothian started to compete within a 10 mile radius of the city centre with lower fares at a modest additional PVR. I guess the shorter routes around Edinburgh like Balerno and Midlothian were among the more profitable for SMT. Later Lothian introduced the flat fare which was very generous to the longer distance passengers who were SMT's mainstay.

SMT put on the Sprinter network within the city. I don't know how profitable it was, but the fact that such midibus services do not survive in other cities suggests it was not. Once Lothian had the only full network in town, they were guaranteed to get the heavy bus users to themselves.

There was the brief bus war some ten years ago, but First didn't persist and once that was done, it was only a matter of time. I remember in the late 2000's wondering why First were keeping on competing services, often with inferior vehicles, with no hope of success, so you could say mismanagement consisted of not being more radical sooner.

I cannot comment on West Lothian, but I imagine the reopening of the Bathgate rail line did not help.

The Sprinter network was very profitable and this was noticed by GRT when they took over SMT in 1994. GRT intended to update the City Sprinter fleet with Dennis Darts, however Lothian Regional Council made it known that they would not tolerate this and instead a deal was reached where Lothian would pull out of West Lothian and South Queensferry in return for SMT giving up most of its City Sprinter network. Just over a year after this happened, SMT was no more as First split its area between Lowland and Midland Bluebird although the name was kept for a spell for vehicles running out of the former SMT depots.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The Sprinter network was very profitable and this was noticed by GRT when they took over SMT in 1994. GRT intended to update the City Sprinter fleet with Dennis Darts, however Lothian Regional Council made it known that they would not tolerate this and instead a deal was reached where Lothian would pull out of West Lothian and South Queensferry in return for SMT giving up most of its City Sprinter network. Just over a year after this happened, SMT was no more as First split its area between Lowland and Midland Bluebird although the name was kept for a spell for vehicles running out of the former SMT depots.

Indeed, and DB may also shed more light on it, but the SMT business went back largely to its old ESOL patch. Then you had the second bus war and there is a body of thought (though might be canteen rumours) that Lothian were in real trouble but that First blinked. After that.....well you know the rest

 

[oldman]

instead a deal was reached where Lothian would pull out of West Lothian and South Queensferry in return for SMT giving up most of its City Sprinter network.

Doesn't sound like a great deal to me - giving up a very profitable city network in exchange for LRT giving up a couple of spoiler routes outwith their core area. What were the Council going to do if SMT upgraded the Sprinters?

Interesting to read this report from the time of the takeover. I wonder if you'd get £11.1 million for it now.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I go back and reiterate my initial point. If you look at the pre merger areas, the ones that have done badly have all been ex GRT. Yes, I know Bristol and Halifax have had issues, but look at the pre merger areas, Northampton has closed, Lowland has been scaled back, SMT has also been scaled back, with Livingston now struggling, Midland Bluebird has lost a couple of contracts to Stagecoach and has had a few meetings with the Traffic Commissioner, Leicester has seen a slowdown in investment, though it hasn't always been bad, and Eastern Counties may well be trying to compete with Ipswich Buses, but it too has seen areas hived off, with parts going to Norfolk Green, and Bury St Edmunds depot closed, though the X1 is doing well.

Now, look at the pre merger Badgerline group areas. Well, Llanelli depot of South Wales has closed, and Rock Ferry and Chester depots of what was PMT have gone to Stagecoach. Western National has also scaled back, but this was mainly due to council tendering, and this occurred in First days.

Post merger areas have seen Barnstaple close with Stagecoach coming in, Wigan go to Stagecoach, and London sold.

When the GRT bus group existed, Moir Lockhead was the boss. It's therefore interesting that the ex GRT areas are the ones to have suffered most under the Firstbus regime. The ex Badgerline group areas have only encountered problems since the "merger" with GRT.

I'm not 100% sure, but was the Firstbus style regime in use when GRT group existed, i.e. limited decisions by local management, or did it happen after the merger?

I don't think it's quite so simple to say that if it's ex Badgerline, then it somehow will have done better. Take somewhere like Potteries. Yes, it's lost an enlarged Chester and Rock Ferry, but that's not all. It's lost Crewe depot, closed Burslem depot, closed Cheadle outstation, and they would've closed Newcastle under Lyme had they chance; as it is, it's on a sale and lease back.

To look at where First went wrong, the seeds really were with the ousting of Trevor Smallwood. Increasing centralisation of decision making was one thing but the necessity/obsession with margin was the real problem. That manifested itself in a number of ways.

• Inability to win tendered services in many instances, enabling competitors to take market share, gain regular income and then be bold to compete commercially.
• Loss of tendered services means fewer vehicles to spread fixed overhead across
• Withdrawal of "marginal services" (i.e. not high enough margins for First) compounded the fixed cost pressures

You can add loss of good people who couldn't work within the stifling environment from the top man, and when they overstretched themselves with Laidlaw, a drying up of capital in which to invest in fleet replacement. Hence, lost mileage spiralled and with counter productive, above inflation fare increases, passenger figures began to slump. I could go on....

Now, I really do think the mindset has changed. Take a firm I know very well, First Somerset and Avon (aka Badgerline). It was still running a bevy of step floor Darts, was losing tendered work to Rotala, Bakers, Crosville, Faresaver etc. Also, there was a steady erosion in commercial services. In the last 18 months...

• 6 new deckers for Weston to update the main X1
• 8 new deckers for Bath for the Park and Ride - now operating 7 days a week
• 19 new single decks for Bath
• Bath to Warminster service extended commercially to Salisbury, reinstating the lost link and replacing a council tender
• Corsham town service won on tender - first Wiltshire Council tender won in how long?
• New A2 service won on tender from North Somerset Council
• 121 Weston to Bristol (back road) service - taken on commercially replacing council tender
• Radstock to Bristol Sunday tender - won back from Rotala
• Bath Uni services - replaced Rotala as "official provider" to the student union
• Plus a raft of other enhancements across the network (e.g. Bath to Radstock frequency increase) and cascades of newer fleet from Bristol to replace elderly fleet

I do realise that not everywhere has had the full treatment and there are still things that they need to get right even down in Badgerline territory. Certainly, whilst Bristol has benefited from the paintbrush, new Olympia livery isn't common in Weston or Wells with some decidedly tatty Eclipses. However, for most areas, the changes are definitely happening. For me, the really interesting episode will be how they fare in the Cornwall tenders
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I go back and reiterate my initial point. If you look at the pre merger areas, the ones that have done badly have all been ex GRT. Yes, I know Bristol and Halifax have had issues, but look at the pre merger areas, Northampton has closed, Lowland has been scaled back, SMT has also been scaled back, with Livingston now struggling, Midland Bluebird has lost a couple of contracts to Stagecoach and has had a few meetings with the Traffic Commissioner, Leicester has seen a slowdown in investment, though it hasn't always been bad, and Eastern Counties may well be trying to compete with Ipswich Buses, but it too has seen areas hived off, with parts going to Norfolk Green, and Bury St Edmunds depot closed, though the X1 is doing well.

Now, look at the pre merger Badgerline group areas. Well, Llanelli depot of South Wales has closed, and Rock Ferry and Chester depots of what was PMT have gone to Stagecoach. Western National has also scaled back, but this was mainly due to council tendering, and this occurred in First days.

Post merger areas have seen Barnstaple close with Stagecoach coming in, Wigan go to Stagecoach, and London sold.

When the GRT bus group existed, Moir Lockhead was the boss. It's therefore interesting that the ex GRT areas are the ones to have suffered most under the Firstbus regime. The ex Badgerline group areas have only encountered problems since the "merger" with GRT.

I'm not 100% sure, but was the Firstbus style regime in use when GRT group existed, i.e. limited decisions by local management, or did it happen after the merger?

I don't think it's quite so simple to say that if it's ex Badgerline, then it somehow will have done better. Take somewhere like Potteries. Yes, it's lost an enlarged Chester and Rock Ferry, but that's not all. It's lost Crewe depot, closed Burslem depot, closed Cheadle outstation, and they would've closed Newcastle under Lyme had they chance; as it is, it's on a sale and lease back.

To look at where First went wrong, the seeds really were with the ousting of Trevor Smallwood. Increasing centralisation of decision making was one thing but the necessity/obsession with margin was the real problem. That manifested itself in a number of ways.

• Inability to win tendered services in many instances, enabling competitors to take market share, gain regular income and then be bold to compete commercially.
• Loss of tendered services means fewer vehicles to spread fixed overhead across
• Withdrawal of "marginal services" (i.e. not high enough margins for First) compounded the fixed cost pressures

You can add loss of good people who couldn't work within the stifling environment from the top man, and when they overstretched themselves with Laidlaw, a drying up of capital in which to invest in fleet replacement. Hence, lost mileage spiralled and with counter productive, above inflation fare increases, passenger figures began to slump. I could go on....

Now, I really do think the mindset has changed. Take a firm I know very well, First Somerset and Avon (aka Badgerline). It was still running a bevy of step floor Darts, was losing tendered work to Rotala, Bakers, Crosville, Faresaver etc. Also, there was a steady erosion in commercial services. In the last 18 months...

• 6 new deckers for Weston to update the main X1
• 8 new deckers for Bath for the Park and Ride - now operating 7 days a week
• 19 new single decks for Bath
• Bath to Warminster service extended commercially to Salisbury, reinstating the lost link and replacing a council tender
• Corsham town service won on tender - first Wiltshire Council tender won in how long?
• New A2 service won on tender from North Somerset Council
• 121 Weston to Bristol (back road) service - taken on commercially replacing council tender
• Radstock to Bristol Sunday tender - won back from Rotala
• Bath Uni services - replaced Rotala as "official provider" to the student union
• Plus a raft of other enhancements across the network (e.g. Bath to Radstock frequency increase) and cascades of newer fleet from Bristol to replace elderly fleet

I do realise that not everywhere has had the full treatment and there are still things that they need to get right even down in Badgerline territory. Certainly, whilst Bristol has benefited from the paintbrush, new Olympia livery isn't common in Weston or Wells with some decidedly tatty Eclipses. However, for most areas, the changes are definitely happening. For me, the really interesting episode will be how they fare in the Cornwall tenders

 

[DunsBus]

Doesn't sound like a great deal to me - giving up a very profitable city network in exchange for LRT giving up a couple of spoiler routes outwith their core area. What were the Council going to do if SMT upgraded the Sprinters?

Interesting to read this report from the time of the takeover. I wonder if you'd get £11.1 million for it now.

Although Lothian was by then (and still is) an arms-length company, it and the council had and still have a huge say as to what went on regarding competition in Edinburgh. When a private operator, Murray Shepherd, competed on the City Centre-Torphin section of service 10 in early-1992, LRT responded by running departures either side of the Shepherd journeys using the Leyland Lynxes. The result was that Shepherd not only came off the service but also left town, relocating to Dalkeith to set up the Lothian Transit operation.

 

[Mr Manager]

"and Eastern Counties may well be trying to compete with Ipswich Buses"

And very badly also may i add.

the service 53 is just a cherry picking route but the people of Ipswich vote with their Bums and let the Worst bus go in favour of Ipswich Buses. quite a lot will be happening in Ipswich over the next Quarter trust me. Worst in Ipswich is on very rocky ground. only the 66 and the 70 series routes to Felixstowe are keeping it afloat. And a recent article on a Blog site stated that Worst in Ipswich would wait till the council sold off Ipswich Buses then pounce. well they will be waiting along time trust me. And Watch Ipswich Buses and new route Registrations very soon. this should sound the death bell for Worst. they have a sore Bum over losing the park and ride back to Ipswich Buses and seem to think that they are untouchable. I don't want to quote figures but a recent survey on timing of departures on the 53 from the Brookwood terminus was shocking to say the least and worst are one step away from a Pi i can assure you all of that.

 

[oldman]

When a private operator, Murray Shepherd, competed on the City Centre-Torphin section of service 10 in early-1992, LRT responded by running departures either side of the Shepherd journeys using the Leyland Lynxes.

I remember LRT seeing off one man and his bus on the 10, running hourly off-peak Charlotte Square-Colinton with a break for lunch. It seemed like a slight overreaction to a minor irritant. The competition with SMT was another matter, with SMT running duplicate routes along Morningside Road as well as the sprinters. But I guess neither company had the reserves to sustain all-out competition indefinitely.

 

[DunsBus]

I remember LRT seeing off one man and his bus on the 10, running hourly off-peak Charlotte Square-Colinton with a break for lunch. It seemed like a slight overreaction to a minor irritant. The competition with SMT was another matter, with SMT running duplicate routes along Morningside Road as well as the sprinters. But I guess neither company had the reserves to sustain all-out competition indefinitely.

LRT were very protective of their territory so anyone who dared to start up in it was seen as a serious threat. Hence the rather OTT response when Shepherd started up on the 10. A few years earlier when Guide Friday was setting up its Edinburgh operation, LRT was approached to ask if they were interested in working in partnership. LRT not only said no but claimed that the new venture would not last due to the vagrancies of Edinburgh's weather, so Guide Friday opted to go it alone and made a killing on their first day of operation in Edinburgh.

LRT's response was to introduce their own similar tour, initially using newly-delivered Leyland Olympian coaches and their own two resident Atlantean open-toppers while Atlanteans recently retired from front-line action were converted to open-top, and went on to establish competing operations in Oxford, York and later Cambridge. You may also remember that Guide Friday started up their own Edinburgh Airport express service in competition with Lothian's long-established one.

 

[Deerfold]

LRT not only said no but claimed that the new venture would not last due to the vagrancies of Edinburgh's weather, so Guide Friday opted to go it alone and made a killing on their first day of operation in Edinburgh.

Is that vagaries? Or does the weather in Edinburgh suffer from homelessness?

 

[DunsBus]

Is that vagaries? Or does the weather in Edinburgh suffer from homelessness?

Pictures up a pretty funny image! Indeed, I meant vagaries.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
April 20th is the LDO by First on the 43:

PM0000923/268 - FIRST SCOTLAND EAST LTD, CARMUIRS HOUSE, 300 STIRLING ROAD, LARBERT, FK5 3NJ
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Edinburgh Bus Station and Queensferry Scotstoun Estate, Dechmont or Bo'ness Bus Station given service number 43/X4/X43 effective from 20-Apr-2014.

 

[Blindtraveler]

i notice the Bo'ness extenders have gone too - good news for Prentice Westwoods X19, also a tendered run!

 

[KendalKing]

April 20th is the LDO by First on the 43:

PM0000923/268 - FIRST SCOTLAND EAST LTD, CARMUIRS HOUSE, 300 STIRLING ROAD, LARBERT, FK5 3NJ
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Edinburgh Bus Station and Queensferry Scotstoun Estate, Dechmont or Bo'ness Bus Station given service number 43/X4/X43 effective from 20-Apr-2014.

So once again First gives-in to Stagecoach, just like the X80 in Devon.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

So once again First gives-in to Stagecoach, just like the X80 in Devon.

You don't think it strange that First is quite happy to compete in places like Barnsley (with the 22) and to acquire Finglands in the heart of Stagecoach Manchester territory.

However, a couple of instances where they've seen Stagecoach register and then First just walk away..... it's almost like some sort of deal has been done on the quiet away from the prying eyes of the CC.....

 

[freetoview33]

It is odd

 

[mbonwick]

I fail to see why its odd that First are competing in money making areas (Barnsley), but not bothering in areas where they're already losing money without competition!

They've said that the 43 is marginal at best for them as it is now, and they don't believe there is a sustainable future against Stagecoach. Given the losses racked up by FSE on the last set of accounts, you can see why First are unwilling to even try.

 

[Robertj21a]

You don't think it strange that First is quite happy to compete in places like Barnsley (with the 22) and to acquire Finglands in the heart of Stagecoach Manchester territory.

However, a couple of instances where they've seen Stagecoach register and then First just walk away..... it's almost like some sort of deal has been done on the quiet away from the prying eyes of the CC.....

Good heavens - surely not !!


Robert

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I fail to see why its odd that First are competing in money making areas (Barnsley), but not bothering in areas where they're already losing money without competition!

They've said that the 43 is marginal at best for them as it is now, and they don't believe there is a sustainable future against Stagecoach. Given the losses racked up by FSE on the last set of accounts, you can see why First are unwilling to even try.

Alternatively, there is the view that First would be perceived merely as a pushover so Stagecoach could target any allegedly marginal operation safe in the knowledge that First will not even try to compete. Would that be a signal that you'd wish to send out?

As regards Plymouth, First are quite happy to fight against Go Ahead yet not Stagecoach, again with an operation that has suffered some significant losses...

 

[Robertj21a]

Alternatively, there is the view that First would be perceived merely as a pushover so Stagecoach could target any allegedly marginal operation safe in the knowledge that First will not even try to compete. Would that be a signal that you'd wish to send out?

As regards Plymouth, First are quite happy to fight against Go Ahead yet not Stagecoach, again with an operation that has suffered some significant losses...

I think it's fairly understandable that First might attempt to compete with GoAhead, but not Stagecoach. Brian Souter has a reputation for fierce retaliation if/when necessary and his general standards. and quality, will usually win the day.

First Group still have enough problems, for the time being, without trying to take on Stagecoach. Perhaps they might consider it later, when they've rebuilt the company a fair bit more.

Robert

 

[90sWereBetter]

"and Eastern Counties may well be trying to compete with Ipswich Buses"

And very badly also may i add.

the service 53 is just a cherry picking route but the people of Ipswich vote with their Bums and let the Worst bus go in favour of Ipswich Buses. quite a lot will be happening in Ipswich over the next Quarter trust me. Worst in Ipswich is on very rocky ground. only the 66 and the 70 series routes to Felixstowe are keeping it afloat. And a recent article on a Blog site stated that Worst in Ipswich would wait till the council sold off Ipswich Buses then pounce. well they will be waiting along time trust me. And Watch Ipswich Buses and new route Registrations very soon. this should sound the death bell for Worst. they have a sore Bum over losing the park and ride back to Ipswich Buses and seem to think that they are untouchable. I don't want to quote figures but a recent survey on timing of departures on the 53 from the Brookwood terminus was shocking to say the least and worst are one step away from a Pi i can assure you all of that.

Well, the 60/61 routes seem fairly well-used along the Nacton Road/Landseer Road corridor (although Ipswich Buses have just started the X1 route in competition with the 61). The 53 to me seems to carry less passengers than route 70, which was one of the routes that First pulled off in November (and a bloody useful route for me as well. )

The 66 could really do with some investment, the 53 reg B7TL deckers on it are in an absolutely lamentable condition (apart from 32494, which was deroofed in 2012, which got repaired and repainted). I hear the next buses to be repainted at Ipswich are these ones, but probably nothing for the interiors.

A shame really because with the 58 reg B7RLEs, First do have some decent kit in the town. But they could do some much better.

 

[overthewater]

I think we can all agree, both sides have made valid points, about this situation.

My concern has been how this will affect the Livingston depot, but that press release would imply the route is no longer the cash cow it once was. This year’s accounts for the First Scotland east will be interesting to see if they have managed to cut the huge losses.

Personally, I don’t think a deal has happened, simply because the company is in the red…..

 

[Polo Mint]

It isn't odd that First have started competing with Stagecoach in Manchester (extension of route 18 and purchase of Finglands) as the company is profitable, unlike Edinburghshire and Devon. The purchase of Finglands could be used to hold something above Stagecoach's head, as Stagecoach purchased Bluebird, which is in First territory, so if Stagecoach plan anything then First may retaliate there therefore cancelling it out.

I expect the situation is similar in South Yorkshire, where First have a solid foundation and are generating income to be able to sustain frays with Stagecoach.

It will be interesting to see if First do anything with Berkshire as they seem to have some good routes like the Heathrow Express and the Greenline routes, but have an old fleet on town routes. Perhaps the Citaro's that are being replaced by hybrids will be used on local routes.

 

[BurtonM]

But First sold Wigan to Stagecoach last year, and the Finglands sale was (according to Finglands) because they were going down the pan anyway. It was more to save the jobs in the company, than as a competitive measure.
I think it's just misfortune that First are competing with Stagecoach as a result: at the end of the day, it's the same drivers with different fares and buses that are part of a big company, instead of a small one that only really attracted System One pass holders and occasional travellers.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

But First sold Wigan to Stagecoach last year, and the Finglands sale was (according to Finglands) because they were going down the pan anyway. It was more to save the jobs in the company, than as a competitive measure.
I think it's just misfortune that First are competing with Stagecoach as a result: at the end of the day, it's the same drivers with different fares and buses that are part of a big company, instead of a small one that only really attracted System One pass holders and occasional travellers.

So why did First buy a competitive operation in Finglands that was losing money, especially with limited scope to change operating costs?

Another little thing was the announcement on the First website to say that.... "To ease the transition from one operator to the other, First has also made arrangements for season tickets, and particularly scholar passes, to be honoured by the new operator for a set period of time."

So Stagecoach decided to accept First season tickets and scholar passes for FREE.....and you still don't think that's odd?

 

[KendalKing]

So Stagecoach decided to accept First season tickets and scholar passes for FREE.....and you still don't think that's odd?

I am NOT aware of Stagecoach, accepting any First season tickets in Manchester or elsewhere.

But First sold Wigan to Stagecoach last year, and the Finglands sale was (according to Finglands) because they were going down the pan anyway. It was more to save the jobs in the company, than as a competitive measure.
I think it's just misfortune that First are competing with Stagecoach as a result: at the end of the day, it's the same drivers with different fares and buses that are part of a big company, instead of a small one that only really attracted System One pass holders and occasional travellers.

First sold Wigan, because Wigan was losing money!, Now that Stagecoach are running Wigan, its making a profit!

EYMS, where going to close Finglands down, again due to it losing money!, Be interesting to see, if First can get Rusholme to make a profit!

 

[mbonwick]

Wigan was not losing money, it was making a small margin of profit (but much smaller than an operation of that size and nature should have been).

Stagecoach have honoured First tickets in the areas where they have bought operations.

 

[winston270twm]

Wigan was not losing money, it was making a small margin of profit (but much smaller than an operation of that size and nature should have been).

Stagecoach have honoured First tickets in the areas where they have bought operations.

Wigan was making a bigger profit than that.

At the time of sale the turnover was quoted as £13.2 Million, with an operating profit of £1.5 Million

http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=7256&categoryid=0

 

[Deerfold]

I am NOT aware of Stagecoach, accepting any First season tickets in Manchester or elsewhere.

They accepted them on the Wigan depot routes.

It'd be silly not to as otherwise you're going to alienate regular customers from day one.

I'd expect the price they paid anticipated any such costs.

 

[anthony263]

First are going to start offering mobile tickets from next week with customers being required to download a app so they can purchase their tickets. One tickets are downloaded to the phone the ticket is saved so that it can be acessed without a wi-fi connection.

This is only being trialled in Worcester and Aberdeen at the moment however it is hoped that if the trial is sucessful it will be rolled out nationwide.

Worcester and Hereford depots are due to receive a batch of new enviro 200 darts to replace our older darts which came from Jersey. The optare solo's at Worcester will remain. I do wish we could get rid of the volvo's we received from Veolia

 

[GaryMcEwan]

First are going to start offering mobile tickets from next week with customers being required to download a app so they can purchase their tickets. One tickets are downloaded to the phone the ticket is saved so that it can be acessed without a wi-fi connection.

This is only being trialled in Worcester and Aberdeen at the moment however it is hoped that if the trial is sucessful it will be rolled out nationwide.

Worcester and Hereford depots are due to receive a batch of new enviro 200 darts to replace our older darts which came from Jersey. The optare solo's at Worcester will remain. I do wish we could get rid of the volvo's we received from Veolia

Where's the PR statement about m-ticketing on First's website? I can't see anything...