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First Greater Glasgow

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SarahDFIG

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9 Jan 2019
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381
Surprised the oracle of info that is SarahDFIG didn’t tell us this months ago.

All ex U1 Gemini’s bound for the X1.

That's because this was given the go ahead *edit* Last Week. I have already posted saying more routes are due to be done but don't post everything I know on here any longer. I personally wasn't told when these were getting branded so didn't post due to that and obviously due to the future of this service if it was 100% going to be completed.

What I can confirm is that this is the final straw for this service. First have done all they can for the service now and its up to the public to use it. Refurbished double decker vehicles with USB ports with branding and also reduced all day ticket and kids go free offer on Saturday's. Time will tell ....
 
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PaulMc7

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9 Jul 2019
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That's not to say they couldn't do a joint brand for the 87/88/89.

Could definitely do a joint branding or do what they done with the 41 and 60/60A by changing the timings slightly to break up the interwork at Easterhouse. Just about anything pops up on the 87/88/89 so it would be good to see some sort of branding with more set buses on it. Been the deckers from the 75 a few times when I've used it a few times lately.

The 60/60A are quite a lottery when it comes to what turns up too tbh. Can be a decker then the next ones are all different singles and then all different deckers
 
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JumpinTrainz

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30 Jul 2018
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That's not to say they couldn't do a joint brand for the 87/88/89.

I think if they’re taking the E200MMCs away from the 2 they could probably use those along with some E400MMCs on those routes and like you say have a joint branding with the core sections of the route.

The 88 was branded back in the Overground days with a sort of dark green colour using Scania L113s.
 

PaulMc7

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I think if they’re taking the E200MMCs away from the 2 they could probably use those along with some E400MMCs on those routes and like you say have a joint branding with the core sections of the route.

The 88 was branded back in the Overground days with a sort of dark green colour using Scania L113s.

Seen one of those E200MMCs on an 89A earlier with an E300 on the 87 infront of it. Always seems to be those services that get absolutely anything
 

PaulMc7

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Feel like every single time one of us is out in Glasgow we see a pink coloured E200MMC on a different service. Seen one on the 10 before my bus home and seen a normal 65 plate one on a 6 too although that's not a first time
 

lastbus

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9 Sep 2018
Messages
1,001
Feel like every single time one of us is out in Glasgow we see a pink coloured E200MMC on a different service. Seen one on the 10 before my bus home and seen a normal 65 plate one on a 6 too although that's not a first time
Of course they are going to appear on all routes they are not allocated to any particular service.
 

PaulMc7

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What we all thinking for how long the X1 will last? I'm a bit on the fence about it because I have a feeling what I say will end up totally wrong because I got the fact it ended up being kept on right.

From what I've seen of it off peak the problem still is Glasgow into Hamilton Town Centre. When I got it up to High Earnock it was still fairly busy but only from the town centre whereas going towards Glasgow was really busy. I still think the fact it's quiet out of Glasgow could be enough for them to get rid of it but the good thing is that they've actually tried to improve it by giving it those deckers and a bit of fairly decent branding
 

lastbus

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9 Sep 2018
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That's because this was given the go ahead *edit* Last Week. I have already posted saying more routes are due to be done but don't post everything I know on here any longer. I personally wasn't told when these were getting branded so didn't post due to that and obviously due to the future of this service if it was 100% going to be completed.

What I can confirm is that this is the final straw for this service. First have done all they can for the service now and its up to the public to use it. Refurbished double decker vehicles with USB ports with branding and also reduced all day ticket and kids go free offer on Saturday's. Time will tell ....
We all know it’s the last chance for the service.
 

PaulMc7

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9 Jul 2019
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Of course they are going to appear on all routes they are not allocated to any particular service.

Yeah just seemed like for a while it was always the 2s yet now it's literally everything. Not a bad thing though
 

lastbus

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9 Sep 2018
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The 2 will become E300s only very soon. E200MMCs and deckers won't be getting used once branding is completed. As I have previously said the 1 & 2 E300s are the perfect vehicles for these routes. Another few routes to be branded but should be after Xmas.

In above to another question Lanarkshire's 266 is possibly getting branded eventually. Possibly once it's fully streetlite operated I guess
There isn’t enough streetlites for the 266 to be fully streetlite operated. It is also on its last legs on the shotts section so wait and see. In other Lanarkshire news the 242 and 202 will interwork after the January service change.
 

SarahDFIG

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9 Jan 2019
Messages
381
We all know it’s the last chance for the service.
I mean't there is nothing more First are doing with the route until its reviewed. No more changes to it. The final change was branded vehicles.
There isn’t enough streetlites for the 266 to be fully streetlite operated. It is also on its last legs on the shotts section so wait and see. In other Lanarkshire news the 242 and 202 will interwork after the January service change.
More streetlites vehicles coming from WOE after the new year.

**possibly streetlites not confirmed yet
 
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JumpinTrainz

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30 Jul 2018
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Since the merge of Parkhead with Caledonia, the tight structure of bus allocation has changed quite dramatically. Caley tended to operate the newer deckers and older singles while Parkhead had newer singles and older deckers.

Now just about anything can be seen on any route. I think they’re just trying to pump as many Euro 6s into Glasgow as the target of LEZ looms, however the route branding is starting to develop order again.
 

PaulMc7

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9 Jul 2019
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Since the merge of Parkhead with Caledonia, the tight structure of bus allocation has changed quite dramatically. Caley tended to operate the newer deckers and older singles while Parkhead had newer singles and older deckers.

Now just about anything can be seen on any route. I think they’re just trying to pump as many Euro 6s into Glasgow as the target of LEZ looms, however the route branding is starting to develop order again.

It's been good to see tbh. I think it's only fair to a lot of routes that they get a mix here and there because that might keep customers around. Already seen a lot of people switch over from bus to other methods due to getting shoddy buses constantly. The 6/6A are major examples of this. Occasional E200MMC on the 6 but that's as good as it gets.

The singles on the 6s aren't great and the E400s for the 6 are in fairly poor condition especially seating
 

lastbus

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9 Sep 2018
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I mean't there is nothing more First are doing with the route until its reviewed. No more changes to it. The final change was branded vehicles.

More streetlites vehicles coming from WOE after the new year.

**possibly streetlites not confirmed yet
Would still doubt they would brand the 266 given the uncertainty over the shotts section of it but then again they branded the X1
 

smtglasgow

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15 Feb 2011
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Glasgow & London
There isn’t enough streetlites for the 266 to be fully streetlite operated. It is also on its last legs on the shotts section so wait and see.

The thing that gets me about running out to Shotts is that according to the 1984 Central Scottish timetable the 56 ran out there every 30 minutes all day. That was it. Today we’ve got 9 buses an hour, and I bet there were more people travelling by bus in 1984 than in 2019. *If* First pull out of Shotts, would they turn at Bonkle, or is there somewhere in Allanton they can turn? Don’t think they’d want to give up the Newmains to Bonkle stretch.
 

lastbus

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9 Sep 2018
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The thing that gets me about running out to Shotts is that according to the 1984 Central Scottish timetable the 56 ran out there every 30 minutes all day. That was it. Today we’ve got 9 buses an hour, and I bet there were more people travelling by bus in 1984 than in 2019. *If* First pull out of Shotts, would they turn at Bonkle, or is there somewhere in Allanton they can turn? Don’t think they’d want to give up the Newmains to Bonkle stretch.
Shotts is not good bus operating territory but First don’t want to give up to JMB. They could feasibly terminate in Bonkle or Allanton. There are places to turn. It’s where to take layover that’s an issue.
 

PaulMc7

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I think the problem with Shotts is that it's so in the middle of nowhere and there's no real reason for anyone not from there to go there. Only thing I can think of in Shotts is the prison but nothing much of note. Surprised First have stuck in there as much as they have. Also refreshing though that they aren't just giving it to JMB like they did with Carluke
 

route101

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16 May 2010
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Feel like every single time one of us is out in Glasgow we see a pink coloured E200MMC on a different service. Seen one on the 10 before my bus home and seen a normal 65 plate one on a 6 too although that's not a first time

I had one on the 31 other day . If these were for the 34 , surely they would of had them on them all the time ?
 

route101

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I think the problem with Shotts is that it's so in the middle of nowhere and there's no real reason for anyone not from there to go there. Only thing I can think of in Shotts is the prison but nothing much of note. Surprised First have stuck in there as much as they have. Also refreshing though that they aren't just giving it to JMB like they did with Carluke
Plus the train service now has fast service to Glasgow and Edinburgh
 

route101

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Since the merge of Parkhead with Caledonia, the tight structure of bus allocation has changed quite dramatically. Caley tended to operate the newer deckers and older singles while Parkhead had newer singles and older deckers.

Now just about anything can be seen on any route. I think they’re just trying to pump as many Euro 6s into Glasgow as the target of LEZ looms, however the route branding is starting to develop order again.

Yeah , the drivers are still very much separate though. I wonder if they will merge all duties.
 

route101

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It's been good to see tbh. I think it's only fair to a lot of routes that they get a mix here and there because that might keep customers around. Already seen a lot of people switch over from bus to other methods due to getting shoddy buses constantly. The 6/6A are major examples of this. Occasional E200MMC on the 6 but that's as good as it gets.

The singles on the 6s aren't great and the E400s for the 6 are in fairly poor condition especially seating

Yeah. 6 can be hit and miss. All low heights should be on the 6 , should be enough normal deckers too cover on 4 etc. e400 low heights seem a bit fragile or delicate, been on a few that have broke down
 

JumpinTrainz

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Yeah. 6 can be hit and miss. All low heights should be on the 6 , should be enough normal deckers too cover on 4 etc. e400 low heights seem a bit fragile or delicate, been on a few that have broke down

There must be a reason why the 6 are losing their low height deckers. I mean I still see them operate the 6 on occasion but they’re mainly on other services and I’ve even seen them stray to the east end a lot more in recent times. That would be pretty much unheard of with the exception of the two 62 boards that used to run from Scotstoun I believe and 2 would operate the late night services.

Perhaps First feel like singles are better on the route and capacity is needed elsewhere? I think the E300s would be good buses for the 6. The B7RLEs are tired inside. Although in saying that I’m not sure that capacity is a priority given that the 90 is running around with B7TLs/B9TLs and 03 plate presidents. Also the 267 and 255 services have had B9TLs too as of recent. Hopefully their transfer to the X1 will combat that issue.
 

92002

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27 Mar 2014
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There's a stop on both sides at Victoria Park now so if they do that it misses at least one and if they come up South St back onto Dumbarton Road at the next possible point they'd miss another stop towards Scotstoun.

If anything the X4 route should be changed to come off at Thornwood and go up towards Broomhill Cross and then along the old 4 route along the top of Victoria Park. Would dodge the congestion and make it possible for more people to use it. It's never really busy outside of peaks
They can of course join the expressway and go off at the first exit. Then gain the Clydeside from the roundabout.
Currently Knightswoid boud the X4 cannot turn right at the park either.
 

PaulMc7

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They can of course join the expressway and go off at the first exit. Then gain the Clydeside from the roundabout.
Currently Knightswoid boud the X4 cannot turn right at the park either.

Yeah those roadworks have absolutely destroyed the possibility of 1s and X4s being on time between 3pm and 7pm. The 1 bus stop at Victoria Park on both sides doesn't help either. There's no way to dodge the worst of the roadwork related traffic due to that bus stop being there.

The only way the X4 could dodge it is for them to go off at Thornwood then go up by Broomhill Shops, Crow Road then along the top of Victoria Park. Tbh I think that should be the route anyway as it would help reliability and give people a chance to use both the 4/4A and X4 from Broomhill meaning Knightswood and Jordanhill still have a West end link opportunity granted just with a bus swap
 
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PaulMc7

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I had one on the 31 other day . If these were for the 34 , surely they would of had them on them all the time ?

I've even seen the buses branded for the 34s on a lot of other services of late. Had one on the 2 the other week and I've seen them on other services operated by Caley too. Seen 38 branded deckers on the 4 a couple of times too
 

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