First Midland Bluebird

[TheGrandWazoo]

Another thing that affected the Fifefirst venture was timetable reliability on the Edinburgh journeys. The timetabling of the journeys was very tight, even in peak periods, leading to gaps in service. Worse still, in autumn 1999 Stagecoach brought in new MAN 18.220s to the 19, which nullified the low floor selling point of Fifefirst.

Add to that also the vehicles were increasingly down at heel (I recall seeing one in early 2000 with lots of graffiti on it) and it was no surprise the service ended.

There is actually a funny ending to this though. Just after the announcement that the service was going to end, a woman contacted the Dunfermline press newspaper, telling them she had launched a petition, urging First to keep the service going. She got quite a few signatures, and said she was sending the petition to the then managing director of Lowland Scottish, who operated Fifefirst. Only one problem, which the MD of Stagecoach Fife said in the press, no doubt with a grin on his face; the MD of Lowland had been sacked, and that was because FifeFirst was a failure from the outset.

I might take the last bit with a pinch of salt. FifeFirst came "from the top" and was always a spoiler against Stagecoach to retaliate against their Glasgow incursions.

 

[ChrisPJ]

Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP John Lamont said the announcement was "hugely concerning news, which puts the whole transport system in the Borders at risk".
He said the impact on jobs and existing routes was "unclear".
"While I understand there will be no immediate changes, it will be open to the new operator to reduce services after a relatively short time," he said.
"This would be a huge blow to many people who rely on bus routes."
Fellow MSP Christine Grahame who represents Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale said she was seeking urgent talks with the new owners.
"The absolute priority must be maintaining continuity of service for all the communities First currently serves and the 113 local jobs it provides," she said.
"I will be monitoring this situation very carefully indeed as it develops."

Yes what a heap of nonsense. Private bus company sells to private company. Not the same as municipal selling to a plc, TUPE aside there's no obligation on the new owners to do owt whatsoever.

 

[carlberry]

The media has picked up on the story:



The following MSP are thick and just plain stupid...

Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP John Lamont said the announcement was "hugely concerning news, which puts the whole transport system in the Borders at risk".
He said the impact on jobs and existing routes was "unclear".
"While I understand there will be no immediate changes, it will be open to the new operator to reduce services after a relatively short time," he said.
"This would be a huge blow to many people who rely on bus routes."
Fellow MSP Christine Grahame who represents Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale said she was seeking urgent talks with the new owners.
"The absolute priority must be maintaining continuity of service for all the communities First currently serves and the 113 local jobs it provides," she said.
"I will be monitoring this situation very carefully indeed as it develops."

I assume they're both going to suggest that the Scottish Parliament puts more money into transport across the board in future, and not just a couple of big ticket vanity schemes.

 

[DunsBus]

If you're talking about the Westfield depot, it would've been considerably cheaper in terms of rates and utilities, being largely open air. It was also smaller as I think (happy to be corrected) more was put through Dalkeith, meaning the bus station there was closed in favour of additional parking.

It was also the use of on-street stops in Dalkeith town centre by LRT which helped to kill off Dalkeith bus station. Lowland and Eastern initially continued to use it but by 1990 Lowland had switched to the on-street stops as had Eastern's main road services. There was very little using the bus station by the time it was closed to accommodate additional bus parking.

One interesting aspect of this affected LRT's service 82 out to Rosewell, which operated hail-and-ride westbound on a section of Eskbank Road adjacent to the bus station to avoid upsetting Eastern, who had apparently refused to allow LRT to use the westbound bus stop directly opposite it. IIRC, this situation lasted well into the nineties.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

It was also the use of on-street stops in Dalkeith town centre by LRT which helped to kill off Dalkeith bus station. Lowland and Eastern initially continued to use it but by 1990 Lowland had switched to the on-street stops as had Eastern's main road services. There was very little using the bus station by the time it was closed to accommodate additional bus parking.

One interesting aspect of this affected LRT's service 82 out to Rosewell, which operated hail-and-ride westbound on a section of Eskbank Road adjacent to the bus station to avoid upsetting Eastern, who had apparently refused to allow LRT to use the westbound bus stop directly opposite it. IIRC, this situation lasted well into the nineties.

I remember Dalkeith bus station well - catching Fleetlines and Ailsas up to Polton where my sister lived in the mid 1980s. The latter were a novelty for someone who tended to live on a diet of VRs, LHs and Nationals!

 

[enrag2000]

Perrymans Buses Limited was renamed Borders Buses Limited on 10th February 2017 in anticipation of the takeover.

 

[kylemore]

I might take the last bit with a pinch of salt. FifeFirst came "from the top" and was always a spoiler against Stagecoach to retaliate against their Glasgow incursions.

Yes but the very committed staff didn't know that!

 

[Fifescottish]

The FifeFirst drivers were superb. Remember one called John who was really pleasant and helpful. If I remember rightly the regular commuters bought him a leaving present when the service stopped.

 

[overthewater]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-39229926

I would tell the minster to get lost.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf is to meet with First Group to discuss its plans to sell its operations in the Borders and Midlothian.
It announced this week it had agreed a deal in principle with West Coast Motors to be concluded on 25 March.
MSP Christine Grahame raised the issue at Holyrood, seeking reassurances over employment and service provision.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said the Scottish government was already looking into the proposed sale.
First Group revealed its intention to sell its operations on Wednesday, blaming the impact of the Borders Railway.
It would see its Galashiels depot, Peebles, Hawick and Kelso outstations and all staff transfer to West Coast Motors.
Travel implications
In response to Ms Grahame's question, Mr Swinney said talks were planned to look at any potential impact of the deal.
"We are engaging with the operators and also with the relevant local authorities to understand the situation and any implications for the staff and the travelling public," he said.
"We welcome the assurances that have been given by First that all the jobs, pay and conditions will be protected."
He said the transport minister would be speaking with the managing director of First Scotland East next week to discuss the issue.
"We will consult publicly on measures in the transport bill later this year to address some of the issues that are raised," he added.

 

[DunsBus]

Ms Grahame has a damned cheek to mention this to the Scottish Transport Minister when she herself has openly criticised First at every opportunity since she was elected. I was in the same room as her at an MSPs forum recetly and she came across to me as very obnoxious as well as being a human foghorn. Anyone on the panel who didn't agree with her got shouted down, and she was very quick to interrupt other panel members when it was their turn to speak. I'm glad she is not my local MSP.

 

[oldman]

I'm sure Humza the magic hard-hat will sort it all out. I wouldn't be surprised if he personally arranges for all the First workers to be transferred to WCM and for lifeline services to continue (for a while). We are lucky to have such fine ministers looking after every aspect of our lives. And there aren't council elections coming and he won't visit Gala interchange in his hi-viz jacket.

 

[ARN556B]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-39229926

I would tell the minster to get lost.

He's playing politics, any minister would, or should, be aware of T.U.P.E. (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations) which will apply to the transfer of depots between these companies.

 

[overthewater]

More changes to the companies tickets, remember this wont be the last, Not just because the borders is going.

New ticket:
https://www.firstgroup.com/south-ea...s/news/new-firstday-ticket-introduced-between

Further to feedback from our recent fares review, we've decided to introduce a new day ticket, valid between Kirkliston and Linlithgow priced at £6.30.

Uniquely available on our mTicket app, this great value ticket is valid for unlimited travel on service 38 between Kirkliston and Linlithgow, ideal for great value days out, shopping and attractions in West Lothian.

Personnel I think that a bit high, and should be £5.

Below, I've not heard of half these tickets, Where did there come from and where there never taken out of action. Who bought them?

https://www.firstgroup.com/south-ea...dates/news/withdrawal-historical-first-ticket

Customers are advised that the following historical First tickets are no longer available:

Cap Boness
Cap Q'ferry
Falk 1
Falk 2
Falk 3
Falk All
Livi
Stirl 1
Stirl 2
Stirl 3
Stirl All
Cap K'liston
Eastcard (E)
Eastcard (H)
Eastcard (J)
Eastcard (K)
Midcard (M)
Midcard (N)
Reiver Rover Child
Waverley Wand Child
Reiver Rover Adult
Waverley Wand Adult
See information on our current range of tickets

 

[Sybic26]

Re the item from overthewater.
The historical tickets which are now no longer available are those which were available within the First Scotland East area in 2004.
In 2004 First became the franchise holder of the ScotRail franchise. Following an MMC enquiry into the operation of First Scotland East and First ScotRail, First Scotland East had to give undertakings regarding mileage operated, fare levels and the tickets available to the public. The list included the ones which are no longer available.
Falk 1,2 and 3 and Stirl 1,2 and 3 were zonal tickets, Livi was the old Livi card. Cap Bo'ness, Cap Q'ferry and Cap K'liston, Cap is short for Capital Card, Eastcards were sold in East Lothian, Midcards sold in Midlothian,reiver and Waverley tickets were sold in the Borders and Edinburgh City.

First was released from the undertakings in 2016. Perhaps someone forgot about the multi journey tickets available and presumably available until very recently and they have now decided to withdraw them.

 

[GusB]

When NatEx first gained the Scotrail franchise, they owned Scottish Citylink, so obviously they had to divest some of their operations. I hadn't quite considered that First would have conflicting interests

 

[overthewater]

SO in 2004 when the new tickets scheme come in to operation the old tickets were NEVER killed off? I wonder if anyone were still able to buy them? and where? for many years there were no booking offices in the FSE empire. I wonder if there were cheaper then the zone tickets.

 

[enrag2000]

Has it been confirmed that the takeover will still be on Saturday 25th? Borders Buses has a Facebook page set up by WCM but it just says "coming soon."

I have not seen any official announcement since the original one on 8th March.

 

[DunsBus]

Has it been confirmed that the takeover will still be on Saturday 25th? Borders Buses has a Facebook page set up by WCM but it just says "coming soon."

I have not seen any official announcement since the original one on 8th March.

Last day of operations by First Borders is Saturday 25th March with Borders Buses taking over from the following day The deal is expected to be completed at lunchtime today (24th).

 

[oldman]

The new services are on Vosa as effective 26/3.

From the Border Telegraph:

PASSENGERS can still expect to be picked up by First buses next week despite the company pulling out of the area this weekend.

West Coast, who already operate in the Borders as Perryman's, confirmed this week that they expected the sale would be concluded before this weekend's scheduled handover.

A spokesperson for West Coast Motors, told the Peeblesshire News: "We are very much working towards taking over First Scotland East's operations in the Scottish Borders from Saturday.

"We would look to assure all customer there will be no immediate change to bus fares, routes or timetables."

Although West Coast, who will operate in the region as Borders Buses, will start operating the local routes, which include the X95 and X62, from Sunday passengers can still expect to be picked up by a First bus.

Borders Buses will initially hire vehicles from First before gradually replacing the fleet over the coming weeks and months.

The spokesperson added: "Borders Buses shall be painted red and cream, like its parent company West Coast Motors.

"However, due to the quickness of the sale - and during the transition from First Border to Borders Buses - a range of vehicles will operate the routes.

"Initially this will include buses hired from First Scotland East and unbranded new vehicles.

"Over the coming weeks First’s vehicles shall be replaced with freshly painted Borders Buses, many of them new."

Bosses at West Coast have confirmed that they will honour First season tickets and they will continue to operate to the same timetable.

Although the sale hadn't been completed by the time we went to press it is expected that the Galashiels depot, Peebles, Hawick and Kelso outstations, and all employees will be transferred to Borders Buses on Sunday.

All very just-in-time. And what about the people who really matter - the bus enthusiasts who want to plan a last First trip to the Borders.

 

[Volvodart]

The new services are on Vosa as effective 26/3.

From the Border Telegraph:



All very just-in-time. And what about the people who really matter - the bus enthusiasts who want to plan a last First trip to the Borders.

This was to be expected. It was just some people getting very excited claiming that there was a new fleet ready to take over!

 

[winston270twm]

This was to be expected. It was just some people getting very excited claiming that there was a new fleet ready to take over!

That's just not realistic, especially with the amount of vehicles involved. I dare say Perrymans/WCM may be able to source some dealer stock or transfer in some of their existing fleet so at least some buses appear in the new operators colours from day 1 on fromer First routes.

Sorry if already confirmed, but how many buses do the operations transferring currently employ?

 

[oldman]

What I find strange is the haste. Deal to be done today, First out tomorrow, BB in Sunday. Why?

 

[Volvodart]

First's financial year end is next week. They were wanting it off the books by then.

 

[Blackpudding]

Sorry if already confirmed, but how many buses do the operations transferring currently employ?[/QUOTE]

42 give or take the odd one is the current First allocation

 

[Blackpudding]

Deleted

 

[oldman]

First's financial year end is next week. They were wanting it off the books by then.

I hope WCM got a good discount for the reputational damage of starting like this:

Single, return, Day and Weekly tickets are available and will be the same price as First Borders. 4 Weekly tickets (at this time) are not available.

10 Journey tickets will be coming soon.

In the short-term bus tickets are only available from your bus driver. You cannot buy tickets online or from PayPoint.

How to treat your regular customers. We're not ready, and you may have to pay a bit more, but never mind.

 

[overthewater]

How about were not ready and it might be cheaper? Maybe wcm want a proper review first.

 

[oldman]

If I understand it correctly, if you normally buy a one zone 4 week ticket at 75.50, you will now need 4 1 week tickets at 23.00.

What may happen in the future is anyone's guess. What is happening on Monday isn't. Although if you are a passenger, you may not know what is happening on Monday .

 

[DunsBus]

Borders Buses have this evening announced their arrival on Facebook and their website is now active too.

 

[GusB]

Borders Buses have this evening announced their arrival on Facebook and their website is now active too.

They've got a Twitter feed up and running too, along with a pic of two new deckers.

Best of luck to them.