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First Group: General Discussion

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GaryMcEwan

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Will be interesting to see the uptake , not seen anyone use it so far

I used this morning and it's an absolute kerfuffle as you have to tell the driver you want to pay by contactless first as they have to tap something on the Ticketer first then select the ticket type. They say that it's a £30 limit on contactless, but Apple Pay has a £100 limit and Android Pay has no limit.
 

Observer

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3 Nov 2014
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The Ticketers will be there by the end of the financial year.

Everything is being done piece by piece, Ticketer only have so much resources and the majority is supplying the First contract at the moment, anyone else who needs a machine is having to wait quite a while for their order to be sorted. Used machines are very rare (usually when someone goes out of business) and even then they are quite costly to get configured as the licensing is done per machine.
 

Observer

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Yeah, they have a similar size contract with Go-Ahead too.

Not surprised they're quite busy, those machines have quite a lot of features and the tickets print out very quickly compared to other machines. The internet access control panel operators get is very flexible and saves time compared to having to ask suppliers to sort out any configuration requests (the large operators usually can do that themselves with other machines, the smaller companies usually wouldn't).

Other suppliers are trying to play catch-up with Ticketer in terms of features, so anyone who needs a new setup and can't wait that long might as well go for them.
 

Volvodart

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Aberdeen only had their new Almexes for a year, it must have been quite a rushed decision for First.
 

skyhigh

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New power plugs seem to have been sprouting next to the ticket machines on most of First Leeds' fleet, so I wouldn't be too surprised if a launch of the new machines here was imminent.
 

Observer

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Aberdeen only had their new Almexes for a year, it must have been quite a rushed decision for First.
I believe Aberdeen were having serious problems with those new Almex machines which is why they trialled the Ticketer machines.
 

Volvodart

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I believe Aberdeen were having serious problems with those new Almex machines which is why they trialled the Ticketer machines.
No, they had loads of problems with the old ones ever since they went Almex, but the new Almexes were all right (for Almexes).
 

GaryMcEwan

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Glasgow was meant to be trialling ERG's, but who knows what happened to that plan. Am I right in thinking that Eastern Counties use ERG machines as well?
 

Jordan Adam

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Aberdeen
No, they had loads of problems with the old ones ever since they went Almex, but the new Almexes were all right (for Almexes).

The GPS were always loosing connection on the newer Alemexs Aberdeen had so the automatic staging couldn't work as everytime they fixed the issue it came back. That was the main reason for trialling ticketer, While at first the ticketers had the same issues it has since been resolved.
 

Volvodart

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The GPS were always loosing connection on the newer Alemexs Aberdeen had so the automatic staging couldn't work as everytime they fixed the issue it came back. That was the main reason for trialling ticketer, While at first the ticketers had the same issues it has since been resolved.

When they did work they were not accurate. I was regularly having arguments with drivers to get the £1.50 (as it is now, minimum fare) which was correct for my intended journey.
 

NorthernSpirit

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New power plugs seem to have been sprouting next to the ticket machines on most of First Leeds' fleet, so I wouldn't be too surprised if a launch of the new machines here was imminent.

Well considering the problems that First West Yorkshire have been having with the WYCA MCards, a replacement for the Almex cannot come soon enough. Some drivers know how to issue the standard £1.90 single, others have no idea and have to be explained on how to with one losing his rag at us once when I asked for a £1.90 PAYG single.
 

Ticket2ryd

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3 Nov 2017
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Hi I'm newbie here, not sure if I'm im posting in the right place? Does anybody here work for first group Or Greyhound UK? Just wondering how its like in UK? Cause in states FGA preach about safety this safety that they even give you PPE handbook to fill out lasted for 6 months then that's it. Do they update you guys with training or at least provide training on newer coach and equipment? Are your tools and equipment updated? The reason I ask is I was browsing on the net and came across a first group depot pics I was so amaze it's like a state of the art shop like Mercedes Bense or Range Rover dealer.
 

Jordan Adam

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12 Sep 2017
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Aberdeen
Hi I'm newbie here, not sure if I'm im posting in the right place? Does anybody here work for first group Or Greyhound UK? Just wondering how its like in UK? Cause in states FGA preach about safety this safety that they even give you PPE handbook to fill out lasted for 6 months then that's it. Do they update you guys with training or at least provide training on newer coach and equipment? Are your tools and equipment updated? The reason I ask is I was browsing on the net and came across a first group depot pics I was so amaze it's like a state of the art shop like Mercedes Bense or Range Rover dealer.

Not sure how it works elsewhere in the UK but with First Aberdeen all drivers are type trained for each bus type.
 

F Great Eastern

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Greyhound UK shut up shop two years ago.

Only coach operations First have now are Railair in Reading, Aircoach in Ireland and the Swansea to Cardiff route in Wales.
 

Ticket2ryd

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3 Nov 2017
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Here they train drivers to hold the wheel most of our 2014 units are just as bad our 1995 units most damage are driver inflected
 

overthewater

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There is rumblings First Berkshire will no longer operate the Green Line Service with Reading Buses taking over.
 

overthewater

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Change that, first will no longer operate them:

http://www.reading-buses.co.uk/articles/702-greenline-bracknell-windsor-slough-london-service/

702 Greenline

We’re pleased to confirm that we will be operating the 702 Bracknell – Windsor – Slough – London Greenline service from Wednesday 27th December after First withdraw.

Our timetable and fares will be broadly similar to those operated today and more details will be posted here as soon as they are finalised.

We will be operating a special limited service on Christmas Eve (24th December) which this year falls on a Sunday and again full timetable details will be posted here shortly.

We look forward to welcoming Greenline customers on-board and working to develop the service over the coming months.
 

Surreyman

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29 Jan 2012
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What are the unsustainable costs that First refer to for not operating it anymore?

Buying new vehicles?
Yes - because of forthcoming ULEZ in Central London = Euro 6 (Or expensive modifications to existing vehicles).
In addition SWR are planning on doubling the TPH on the lines to Windsor & Eton and on the Reading line serving Bracknell & Ascot.
GWR have just electrified the main line, so an increase in capacity to Slough, plus when Crossrail starts in 2 years time, high frequency rail service direct to central London, not surprising that First are pulling the route!
 

Volvodart

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From the half year results announced today:-

We are investing in First Bus at lower levels than the prior year, as we begin to focus our capital budget only on those markets where the local transport strategy recognises the importance of bus services in responding to the problems of congestion, air quality, parking and issues of social exclusion. For the current year we expect to take delivery of approximately 180 new buses (year to March 2017: 272 buses).
.

Probably about a third of those are those not delivered in last year's order.

We have had an encouraging first half in First Bus, despite industry conditions remaining relatively challenging. In the face of these market uncertainties, our systematic programme of actions to raise margin and restore our ability to create sustainable value in First Bus envisages an acceleration in the second half – including further changes to the shape and breadth of our networks. We are focusing our investments on those ocal markets where our stakeholders recognise the value of bus services, allowing us to capture the best opportunities for growing patronage and generate acceptable returns.

pdf of full report:-

http://www.firstgroupplc.com/~/medi...presentations/press-release/pr-14-11-2017.pdf
 
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overthewater

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You mean into relations to this statement

including further changes to the shape and breadth of our networks

Im not sure what that means? More cuts? More management changes? etc
 

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