First Greater Glasgow

[smtglasgow]

Didn’t First get a load of cash from SPT for the 34a when the new hospital opened? Presumably the money has run out? Always seemed a bit of overkill at the Castlemilk end.

 

[Scott mac]

Theres going to be a fairly big reduction in vehicles required for the 34/34a come may with the route change and that's the reason it never got a complete new fleet as if it did some of those bus would need rebranded come may

Also a vast reduction in scheduled depot runs coming in and a little bit of change on the 87 and 57 swapping ends and 57 going back to aviva

What's the route change?and a take it theirs a big cut for it?service is always busy

 

[route101]

Theres going to be a fairly big reduction in vehicles required for the 34/34a come may with the route change and that's the reason it never got a complete new fleet as if it did some of those bus would need rebranded come may

Also a vast reduction in scheduled depot runs coming in and a little bit of change on the 87 and 57 swapping ends and 57 going back to aviva

Id of thought they would of tried sorting out the paint and putting them on the 34

 

[route101]

What's the route change?and a take it theirs a big cut for it?service is always busy

Quite a busy route ,during the day at least as its runs across the Southside , i find it useful getting from EK to Shawlands.

 

[route101]

Those Airport buses look very stylish.

That's the 77 and now the 500 going double deck. First Glasgow must be doing something right by increasing the capacity of these routes,

Yeah seen one in service today , 77 was a good call on deckers . Very few city routes should be single ,

 

[EnviroExplorer]

So, the new 400s are out on the 500, any news on where the 200s are off to?? I remember Wales being mentioned...

 

[JumpinTrainz]

Theres going to be a fairly big reduction in vehicles required for the 34/34a come may with the route change and that's the reason it never got a complete new fleet as if it did some of those bus would need rebranded come may

Also a vast reduction in scheduled depot runs coming in and a little bit of change on the 87 and 57 swapping ends and 57 going back to aviva

Well that makes sense then why they were short for the 34/34A. Had noticed a few B7RLEs still on the route so that’ll explain why.

That makes sense if they plan to upgrade the 9 with new buses and move over the pink branded ones from the 2 to this route. Although I think the 2 could have been doing with being upgraded. It’s one of the longest and most popular routes on the network - it connects many areas. They could have used 62/13/63 plate E300s on the 9 and upgraded the 2.

 

[Mak1981]

What's the route change?and a take it theirs a big cut for it?service is always busy

It's going to be one route, so all services will go into the hospital and terminate at govan, frequency being reduced(word is 20 minute service) but length of route increased so it's not quite as simply as a 50% reduction in buses, it is a busy route, prior to hospital opening was 20 minute service, even with the additional passengers due to the hospital a 20 minute service should still cope though will be very busy at times, I'd hope it wasnt that frequency and was at least a 15 minute service but suppose we will need to wait and see when the timetable appears

 

[Mak1981]

Didn’t First get a load of cash from SPT for the 34a when the new hospital opened? Presumably the money has run out? Always seemed a bit of overkill at the Castlemilk end.

Yep that's the exact reason, yeah castlemilk end was overkill(as was the hospital end out with shift changes there) majority of passengers interchange at shawlands or battlefield in both directions only really a handful going end to end

 

[Bus Lightyear]

Magic bus routes 19/20 never closed down they were bought over buy Kelvin buses

I cant remember Kelvin taking over taking Magic Bus. Couldn't have lasted very long.

 

[goldisgood]

It's going to be one route, so all services will go into the hospital and terminate at govan, frequency being reduced(word is 20 minute service) but length of route increased so it's not quite as simply as a 50% reduction in buses, it is a busy route, prior to hospital opening was 20 minute service, even with the additional passengers due to the hospital a 20 minute service should still cope though will be very busy at times, I'd hope it wasnt that frequency and was at least a 15 minute service but suppose we will need to wait and see when the timetable appears

There are currently 12 buses branded. I'd assume there are 4 in pink because once these changes happen they are planning to use all 12, otherwise why wouldn't more be in pink? If I'm right in this, then buses will be around every 12-15 minutes serving both the hospital and Govan using all of the branded buses.

 

[Scott mac]

It's going to be one route, so all services will go into the hospital and terminate at govan, frequency being reduced(word is 20 minute service) but length of route increased so it's not quite as simply as a 50% reduction in buses, it is a busy route, prior to hospital opening was 20 minute service, even with the additional passengers due to the hospital a 20 minute service should still cope though will be very busy at times, I'd hope it wasnt that frequency and was at least a 15 minute service but suppose we will need to wait and see when the timetable appears

Should have been one route from the start think it will be every 15 mins for the 34 no way will it be every 20 minutes that's a massive cut for a really busy service

 

[GusB]

I cant remember Kelvin taking over taking Magic Bus. Couldn't have lasted very long.

If I recall correctly, KCB had an agreement to use the Magicbus name for a period of time after taking on those services. Two years springs to mind, but I'm happy to be corrected.

 

[laststop@96]

If I recall correctly, KCB had an agreement to use the Magicbus name for a period of time after taking on those services. Two years springs to mind, but I'm happy to be corrected.

Stagecoach operated in Glasgow as Magic Bus in the late 1980s using old London AEC Routemaster buses, though it sold the operation to Kelvin Central Buses in the early 1990s. After a stillborn attempt in 1995 to purchase KCB, Stagecoach settled for a 20% stake in competitor Strathclyde Buses who purchased KCB), the present Stagecoach Glasgow operations were launched in 1997, after Strathclyde Buses sold to FirstGroup, and offered fast, direct and frequent services from Glasgow City Centre to Easterhouse, Castlemilk, Pollok, Darnley, East Kilbride and Cumbernauld.

The Pollok and Darnley routes were express services which made good use of the new M77 motorway in the area and used new low floor vehicles. However, due to First Glasgow's new operations in Stagecoach's key Ayrshire and Fife markets Stagecoach decided to scale down operations in the area. It acquired Arriva Scotland West's 49% stake in Paisley company Dart Buses. Dart took over operation of the Pollok and Darnley services, which were closer to its base in Paisley and more in fitting with the rest of its west of Glasgow motorway express services. Stagecoach supplied vehicles to operate the routes, which continued under the Stagecoach Glasgow livery and brand, while several Dart vehicles were repainted into the Stagecoach corporate livery. It is unclear as to when Stagecoach acquired the stake in Dart Buses and as such it is likely that the company operated the Stagecoach services while Arriva retained their stake. Dart Buses ran into financial trouble early in the new millennium and without notice suddenly ceased operations overnight. First capiltatised on the collapse of Dart Buses and registered the defunct company's motorway services before either Arriva or Stagecoach could, and as such Stagecoach decided not to re-start operations.

The East Kilbride services were soon withdrawn, some regarding the timetabling of it as optimistic, and the remaining operations were rebranded as the "no-frills" Magic Bus with rock bottom fares and older vehicles. The Castlemilk operation was taken over by FirstGroup in June 2005 who until January 2006 kept the old Stagecoach service 175 running alongside its own 75 service. Vehicles in the Magic Bus operation wear a deep blue livery with bright yellow lettering, complete with slogans "It's magic!" and "It goes roon the toon!" (sic), the latter imitating the Glasgow dialect. Though the Ballieston service was withdrawn during summer 2006, the Easterhouse service is still operated, though now by Stagecoach in Glasgow branded vehicles, the Magic Bus brand having been dropped in the city.

 

[Bus Lightyear]

Stagecoach operated in Glasgow as Magic Bus in the late 1980s using old London AEC Routemaster buses, though it sold the operation to Kelvin Central Buses in the early 1990s. After a stillborn attempt in 1995 to purchase KCB, Stagecoach settled for a 20% stake in competitor Strathclyde Buses who purchased KCB), the present Stagecoach Glasgow operations were launched in 1997, after Strathclyde Buses sold to FirstGroup, and offered fast, direct and frequent services from Glasgow City Centre to Easterhouse, Castlemilk, Pollok, Darnley, East Kilbride and Cumbernauld.

The Pollok and Darnley routes were express services which made good use of the new M77 motorway in the area and used new low floor vehicles. However, due to First Glasgow's new operations in Stagecoach's key Ayrshire and Fife markets Stagecoach decided to scale down operations in the area. It acquired Arriva Scotland West's 49% stake in Paisley company Dart Buses. Dart took over operation of the Pollok and Darnley services, which were closer to its base in Paisley and more in fitting with the rest of its west of Glasgow motorway express services. Stagecoach supplied vehicles to operate the routes, which continued under the Stagecoach Glasgow livery and brand, while several Dart vehicles were repainted into the Stagecoach corporate livery. It is unclear as to when Stagecoach acquired the stake in Dart Buses and as such it is likely that the company operated the Stagecoach services while Arriva retained their stake. Dart Buses ran into financial trouble early in the new millennium and without notice suddenly ceased operations overnight. First capiltatised on the collapse of Dart Buses and registered the defunct company's motorway services before either Arriva or Stagecoach could, and as such Stagecoach decided not to re-start operations.

The East Kilbride services were soon withdrawn, some regarding the timetabling of it as optimistic, and the remaining operations were rebranded as the "no-frills" Magic Bus with rock bottom fares and older vehicles. The Castlemilk operation was taken over by FirstGroup in June 2005 who until January 2006 kept the old Stagecoach service 175 running alongside its own 75 service. Vehicles in the Magic Bus operation wear a deep blue livery with bright yellow lettering, complete with slogans "It's magic!" and "It goes roon the toon!" (sic), the latter imitating the Glasgow dialect. Though the Ballieston service was withdrawn during summer 2006, the Easterhouse service is still operated, though now by Stagecoach in Glasgow branded vehicles, the Magic Bus brand having been dropped in the city.

As I said earlier I cant remember KCB taking over the original Magic Bus service. I thought it was GCT.

Your summary of events over the years seems very accurate to me

 

[GusB]

As I said earlier I cant remember KCB taking over the original Magic Bus service. I thought it was GCT.

Your summary of events over the years seems very accurate to me

Indeed - I suspect it should be within a quotation box, along with its source..

 

[JumpinTrainz]

Stagecoach operated in Glasgow as Magic Bus in the late 1980s using old London AEC Routemaster buses, though it sold the operation to Kelvin Central Buses in the early 1990s. After a stillborn attempt in 1995 to purchase KCB, Stagecoach settled for a 20% stake in competitor Strathclyde Buses who purchased KCB), the present Stagecoach Glasgow operations were launched in 1997, after Strathclyde Buses sold to FirstGroup, and offered fast, direct and frequent services from Glasgow City Centre to Easterhouse, Castlemilk, Pollok, Darnley, East Kilbride and Cumbernauld.

The Pollok and Darnley routes were express services which made good use of the new M77 motorway in the area and used new low floor vehicles. However, due to First Glasgow's new operations in Stagecoach's key Ayrshire and Fife markets Stagecoach decided to scale down operations in the area. It acquired Arriva Scotland West's 49% stake in Paisley company Dart Buses. Dart took over operation of the Pollok and Darnley services, which were closer to its base in Paisley and more in fitting with the rest of its west of Glasgow motorway express services. Stagecoach supplied vehicles to operate the routes, which continued under the Stagecoach Glasgow livery and brand, while several Dart vehicles were repainted into the Stagecoach corporate livery. It is unclear as to when Stagecoach acquired the stake in Dart Buses and as such it is likely that the company operated the Stagecoach services while Arriva retained their stake. Dart Buses ran into financial trouble early in the new millennium and without notice suddenly ceased operations overnight. First capiltatised on the collapse of Dart Buses and registered the defunct company's motorway services before either Arriva or Stagecoach could, and as such Stagecoach decided not to re-start operations.

The East Kilbride services were soon withdrawn, some regarding the timetabling of it as optimistic, and the remaining operations were rebranded as the "no-frills" Magic Bus with rock bottom fares and older vehicles. The Castlemilk operation was taken over by FirstGroup in June 2005 who until January 2006 kept the old Stagecoach service 175 running alongside its own 75 service. Vehicles in the Magic Bus operation wear a deep blue livery with bright yellow lettering, complete with slogans "It's magic!" and "It goes roon the toon!" (sic), the latter imitating the Glasgow dialect. Though the Ballieston service was withdrawn during summer 2006, the Easterhouse service is still operated, though now by Stagecoach in Glasgow branded vehicles, the Magic Bus brand having been dropped in the city.

I imagine First must have lost out in a lot of money when the Magic Buses came to town. I distinctively remember them being chockers full because naturally why would you pay First’s expensive fares when you could be in and out of town for 50p (albeit the price rised but not rapidly). I remember the 61 being my local service but people would walk to a stop served by the 162. It was great value for money. Everyone was shocked when it was withdrawn.

 

[laststop@96]

Indeed - I suspect it should be within a quotation box, along with its source..

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stagecoach_West_Scotland
busted

 

[laststop@96]

I imagine First must have lost out in a lot of money when the Magic Buses came to town. I distinctively remember them being chockers full because naturally why would you pay First’s expensive fares when you could be in and out of town for 50p (albeit the price rised but not rapidly). I remember the 61 being my local service but people would walk to a stop served by the 162. It was great value for money. Everyone was shocked when it was withdrawn.

Was the 162 not withdrawn when first left ayrshire.

 

[awsnews]

Stagecoach operated in Glasgow as Magic Bus in the late 1980s using old London AEC Routemaster buses, though it sold the operation to Kelvin Central Buses in the early 1990s. After a stillborn attempt in 1995 to purchase KCB, Stagecoach settled for a 20% stake in competitor Strathclyde Buses who purchased KCB), the present Stagecoach Glasgow operations were launched in 1997, after Strathclyde Buses sold to FirstGroup, and offered fast, direct and frequent services from Glasgow City Centre to Easterhouse, Castlemilk, Pollok, Darnley, East Kilbride and Cumbernauld.

It was 1992 when the original Magicbus operation passed to Kelvin Central, along with a few Darts and some Routemasters (I think the RMs soon went back to Stagecoach though). Having had a dig around in the archives I managed to find this: https://flic.kr/p/2e9a5kp which was taken just about the time of the takeover.

The later incursion by Stagecoach also included a service from Clydebank to Drumchapel as seen here: https://flic.kr/p/2bBqBHM

 

[JumpinTrainz]

The PS Volvos were great buses. I know they weren’t originally bought by First and rather just passed down through Kelvin but it just goes to show what a great investment they were. They could be found on just about any route throughout their lives. Despite not being low floor, they were pretty reliable and the last ones started to disappear into 2012.

 

[Bus Lightyear]

Indeed - I suspect it should be within a quotation box, along with its source..

My apologies and thanks for your contribution on something I couldn't remember.

Always helps to be put right.

 

[Bus Lightyear]

It was 1992 when the original Magicbus operation passed to Kelvin Central, along with a few Darts and some Routemasters (I think the RMs soon went back to Stagecoach though). Having had a dig around in the archives I managed to find this: https://flic.kr/p/2e9a5kp which was taken just about the time of the takeover.

The later incursion by Stagecoach also included a service from Clydebank to Drumchapel as seen here: https://flic.kr/p/2bBqBHM

Dixon Street where that bus is parked is no longer open to traffic and the Gateway building has just been demolished.

Only Strathclyde were permitted to use St Enoch Square. Magic Bus had to use Dixon Street.

 

[route101]

The PS Volvos were great buses. I know they weren’t originally bought by First and rather just passed down through Kelvin but it just goes to show what a great investment they were. They could be found on just about any route throughout their lives. Despite not being low floor, they were pretty reliable and the last ones started to disappear into 2012.

I think the last First PSslasted until early 2014.

 

[route101]

Was the 162 not withdrawn when first left ayrshire.

First had a 162 service , ran until late 2006 at least with Volvo Citybuses

 

[route101]

Stagecoach operated in Glasgow as Magic Bus in the late 1980s using old London AEC Routemaster buses, though it sold the operation to Kelvin Central Buses in the early 1990s. After a stillborn attempt in 1995 to purchase KCB, Stagecoach settled for a 20% stake in competitor Strathclyde Buses who purchased KCB), the present Stagecoach Glasgow operations were launched in 1997, after Strathclyde Buses sold to FirstGroup, and offered fast, direct and frequent services from Glasgow City Centre to Easterhouse, Castlemilk, Pollok, Darnley, East Kilbride and Cumbernauld.

The Pollok and Darnley routes were express services which made good use of the new M77 motorway in the area and used new low floor vehicles. However, due to First Glasgow's new operations in Stagecoach's key Ayrshire and Fife markets Stagecoach decided to scale down operations in the area. It acquired Arriva Scotland West's 49% stake in Paisley company Dart Buses. Dart took over operation of the Pollok and Darnley services, which were closer to its base in Paisley and more in fitting with the rest of its west of Glasgow motorway express services. Stagecoach supplied vehicles to operate the routes, which continued under the Stagecoach Glasgow livery and brand, while several Dart vehicles were repainted into the Stagecoach corporate livery. It is unclear as to when Stagecoach acquired the stake in Dart Buses and as such it is likely that the company operated the Stagecoach services while Arriva retained their stake. Dart Buses ran into financial trouble early in the new millennium and without notice suddenly ceased operations overnight. First capiltatised on the collapse of Dart Buses and registered the defunct company's motorway services before either Arriva or Stagecoach could, and as such Stagecoach decided not to re-start operations.

The East Kilbride services were soon withdrawn, some regarding the timetabling of it as optimistic, and the remaining operations were rebranded as the "no-frills" Magic Bus with rock bottom fares and older vehicles. The Castlemilk operation was taken over by FirstGroup in June 2005 who until January 2006 kept the old Stagecoach service 175 running alongside its own 75 service. Vehicles in the Magic Bus operation wear a deep blue livery with bright yellow lettering, complete with slogans "It's magic!" and "It goes roon the toon!" (sic), the latter imitating the Glasgow dialect. Though the Ballieston service was withdrawn during summer 2006, the Easterhouse service is still operated, though now by Stagecoach in Glasgow branded vehicles, the Magic Bus brand having been dropped in the city.

How long did the EK services run? I remember them using coaches .

 

[route101]

Well that makes sense then why they were short for the 34/34A. Had noticed a few B7RLEs still on the route so that’ll explain why.

That makes sense if they plan to upgrade the 9 with new buses and move over the pink branded ones from the 2 to this route. Although I think the 2 could have been doing with being upgraded. It’s one of the longest and most popular routes on the network - it connects many areas. They could have used 62/13/63 plate E300s on the 9 and upgraded the 2.

Yesterday the 9 was mostly e300s , why on Sunday i wonder?

 

[route101]

It's going to be one route, so all services will go into the hospital and terminate at govan, frequency being reduced(word is 20 minute service) but length of route increased so it's not quite as simply as a 50% reduction in buses, it is a busy route, prior to hospital opening was 20 minute service, even with the additional passengers due to the hospital a 20 minute service should still cope though will be very busy at times, I'd hope it wasnt that frequency and was at least a 15 minute service but suppose we will need to wait and see when the timetable appears

Reduction in freq is never good , 34 has a lot of people interchanging and waiting longer for buses is no good .

 

[JumpinTrainz]

Yesterday the 9 was mostly e300s , why on Sunday i wonder?

Probably because a Sunday timetable is a lot less frequent than Monday-Friday and even Saturday so there must have been a lot of E300s spare to cover the full route. The E300s are fairly new in comparison to the B7RLEs which are now 13/14 years old.

 

[lastbus]

Yesterday the 9 was mostly e300s , why on Sunday i wonder?

There is always E300s on the 9 on a Sunday.