First Greater Glasgow

[ScotRail158725]

Oh, well I am pretty sure then, they’ll keep 32626 then.

Incorrect. Off to Essex

I wonder what will happen to the older YN53 plates at Blantyre.

All are/have moved to Caledonia

I think it was confirmed in Firstbus Enthusiasts that the remaining B7TL/Presidents (LK03 plates) will be staying in Glasgow until final withdrawal, which probably ties in with the group-wide push to remove Presidents from First fleets.

Yes these will be staying

 

[JumpinTrainz]

Does anyone know how many new E200EVs/E400EVs have arrived and how many more are due?

I’ve noticed there’s still MMCs on the 75 and 38.

 

[Jordan Adam]

I’ve noticed there’s still MMCs on the 75 and 38.

There likely still will be, the 38 at least isn't being converted to full EV operation.

 

[APT618S]

Does anyone know how many new E200EVs/E400EVs have arrived and how many more are due?

I’ve noticed there’s still MMCs on the 75 and 38.

Bustimes.org lists the vehicles that have been in service although I do not know how often it gets updated with new vehicles. I have travelled on buses in service which were not listed on bustimes at the time and for example I saw 38444 on Caledonia yesterday from a passing train but do not know if it has ran in service yet.

Fleet list – First Greater Glasgow – bustimes.org

bustimes.org

I believe they are due to get buses up to 38496 and 64157.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

Bustimes.org lists the vehicles that have been in service although I do not know how often it gets updated with new vehicles. I have travelled on buses in service which were not listed on bustimes at the time and for example I saw 38444 on Caledonia yesterday from a passing train but do not know if it has ran in service yet.

Fleet list – First Greater Glasgow – bustimes.org

bustimes.org

I believe they are due to get buses up to 38496 and 64157.

Thank you for your help

 

[vla50]

What are the new trainers replacing the elderly trainers in Glasgow and FSE? (if you don't mind me asking)

 

[ScotRail158725]

What are the new trainers replacing the elderly trainers in Glasgow and FSE? (if you don't mind me asking)

What? The new trainers are B7RLEs replacing older Solars.. did you not just answer your own question?

 

[92002]

Bustimes.org lists the vehicles that have been in service although I do not know how often it gets updated with new vehicles. I have travelled on buses in service which were not listed on bustimes at the time and for example I saw 38444 on Caledonia yesterday from a passing train but do not know if it has ran in service yet.

Fleet list – First Greater Glasgow – bustimes.org

bustimes.org

I believe they are due to get buses up to 38496 and 64157.

Noticed 38422 an un-branded E400ev on the 60 today.

 

[vla50]

What? The new trainers are B7RLEs replacing older Solars.. did you not just answer your own question?

I meant what examples, I should’ve been clearer.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

Noticed 38422 an un-branded E400ev on the 60 today.

It’s been rumoured that the 61 is getting the new EVs however it’s the 60 that has been seeing a mixture of E200EVs and E400EVs.

 

[92002]

It’s been rumoured that the 61 is getting the new EVs however it’s the 60 that has been seeing a mixture of E200EVs and E400EVs.

Sure I read on here somewhere it was the 60 and 60A. Which is probably why they appear now and then. Till more arrive. No doubt they will not run all day and be replaced after a few hours. That already seems to Happen. Sometimes by a diesel, other times by another EV. .

 

[Rgy88]

Sure I read on here somewhere it was the 60 and 60A. Which is probably why they appear now and then. Till more arrive. No doubt they will not run all day and be replaced after a few hours. That already seems to Happen. Sometimes by a diesel, other times by another EV. .

At least 3 EV's and the old President 32305 out on the 5 to Castlemilk.
Is 38442 LG22AVT one of the newest ones?

 

[PaulMc7]

I got one of the double decker electrics on the 5 today. Pretty comfortable seating other than the fact downstairs at the back is so incredibly cramped. I also got one on the 75 too and upstairs is a far more comfortable journey

 

[route101]

I got one of the double decker electrics on the 5 today. Pretty comfortable seating other than the fact downstairs at the back is so incredibly cramped. I also got one on the 75 too and upstairs is a far more comfortable journey

Interesting they are going on the 5. Not been on a Glasgow E400ev yet. Yes, I almost always go upstairs on deckers.

 

[PaulMc7]

Interesting they are going on the 5. Not been on a Glasgow E400ev yet. Yes, I almost always go upstairs on deckers.

I'd imagine with the route length they'd be perfect for the 5 to be honest plus it's a busy enough service to warrant better stock. I'm the same normally with deckers but to be fair I've actually not been on many lately. Seen more 55 or 06 plate single deckers on the 1C/1D lately than double deckers if they're not E300s and with the 2 I only really use it for work during the week and the one I get is always a single but the 2 buses ahead of it are usually both doubles

 

[JumpinTrainz]

I imagine over time when the network ends up 100% electric they’ll just replace electric buses with charged electric buses from the depot and swap them out?

 

[83G/84D]

At least 3 EV's and the old President 32305 out on the 5 to Castlemilk.
Is 38442 LG22AVT one of the newest ones?

I am on holiday in Scotland right now and have spent the weekend in Glasgow.
In answer to your question I have seen 38443 in service on Sunday whilst 38447 was at Caledonia. 32301 was in use as well.

 

[Jordan Adam]

I imagine over time when the network ends up 100% electric they’ll just replace electric buses with charged electric buses from the depot and swap them out?

That's not exactly an efficient or cost effective way to operate, just picture all the surplus vehicles you'd need. There are already EV single deckers on the market that can do a full day of service, it's just that out of all the products on the market the BYD/ADLs have the poorest real world range. Just look at McGill's Yutongs which are often out for up to 19 hours a day without recharging.

 

[Tom Gallacher]

I imagine over time when the network ends up 100% electric they’ll just replace electric buses with charged electric buses from the depot and swap them out?

You're going to need one helluva spare vehicle provision to do this. And, as not every route passes close to a depot, you'll need a bank of shunters to ferry out the replacement buses to do the change-over. Some amount of costs involved in this.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

That's not exactly an efficient or cost effective way to operate, just picture all the surplus vehicles you'd need. There are already EV single deckers on the market that can do a full day of service, it's just that out of all the products on the market the BYD/ADLs have the poorest real world range. Just look at McGill's Yutongs which are often out for up to 19 hours a day without recharging.

Perhaps the rumoured Yutongs for the 2 will solve the problem of having to recharge constantly.

It does beg the question - why would First go for lower range buses and order so many of them?

 

[LT02 NVV]

I'd imagine with the route length they'd be perfect for the 5 to be honest plus it's a busy enough service to warrant better stock. I'm the same normally with deckers but to be fair I've actually not been on many lately. Seen more 55 or 06 plate single deckers on the 1C/1D lately than double deckers if they're not E300s and with the 2 I only really use it for work during the week and the one I get is always a single but the 2 buses ahead of it are usually both doubles

Most of the 1 Decker’s have moved to Scoutstoun, I’ve seen them loads on the 3 & 6A services recently.

 

[Glasgowbusguy]

Surly the easiest fix to the charging issue is charging points at terminus points such as Buchanan st , govan , QEUH , silverburn , the fort,

Buchanan st bus station already has some infrastructure in place on the tour stands for shore power that could be expended to all stands easily , same can be done at govan bus station at the off stands

 

[JumpinTrainz]

Surly the easiest fix to the charging issue is charging points at terminus points such as Buchanan st , govan , QEUH , silverburn , the fort,

Buchanan st bus station already has some infrastructure in place on the tour stands for shore power that could be expended to all stands easily , same can be done at govan bus station at the off stands

The issue is - wouldn’t it need to be high power charging points so it could give a super charge. I don’t imagine much could be done in such a short turn around of about 10 minutes. Also what happens if there is delays etc.

 

[GaryBrown156]

It would be interesting to find out if a mid life battery replacement is planned for the EnviroEV's or not?. Personally, I think there will have to be at some point if First intend on the EV's having a similar lifespan to a standard diesel Enviro. If the range on them is already poor that isn't going to improve over time. However, if the plan is to replace the batteries in about 7-8 years time that should rectify most of the issues mentioned above due to advances in battery/charge point technology in that period of time. The most modern diesels will probably still be in service for the next 8-10 years so those should be able to cover the shortfall in the meantime where necessary.

 

[Volvodart]

I guess we will find out what happens with the ones in London, which must be the oldest electric buses.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

It would be interesting to find out if a mid life battery replacement is planned for the EnviroEV's or not?. Personally, I think there will have to be at some point if First intend on the EV's having a similar lifespan to a standard diesel Enviro. If the range on them is already poor that isn't going to improve over time. However, if the plan is to replace the batteries in about 7-8 years time that should rectify most of the issues mentioned above due to advances in battery/charge point technology in that period of time. The most modern diesels will probably still be in service for the next 8-10 years so those should be able to cover the shortfall in the meantime where necessary.

Perhaps the plan is to replace the battery with an updated version over time. I suppose as electric technology starts to become more advance - we will start to see longer range. I’m sure First will have a plan.

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

To much, too soon in my eyes, First trying too hard with some things and not others.

It's largely political as First has chosen that it wants to be electric as quickly as possible.

Hybrid-Diesels should have been the natural phase between purely diesel & purely electric.

First will eat themselves away with there lack of doing things cohesively.

Perhaps they banked on cheaper electricity doing for them what they always do, cheap out, guess that won’t be happening now.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

To much, to soon in my eyes, First trying to hard with some things and not others.

Largely political has First chosen that it wants to be electric as quickly as possible.

Hybrid-Diesels should have been the natural phase between purely diesel & purely electric.

First will eat themselves away with there lack of doing things cohesively.

Perhaps they banked on cheaper electricity doing for them what they always do, cheap out, guess that won’t be happening now.

First did try hybrid diesel with the low height E400s but they’ve been off the road for quite some time now that I don’t know if they will ever be back. They were supposed to be getting converted back to diesel as they had a bad track record with breaking down.

I must admit I think it’s great First are going full speed ahead with this but I agree it’s still all very uncertain in terms of the full network being electric. Even the thought of electric cars right now seems daunting because it’s so new.

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

First did try hybrid diesel with the low height E400s but they’ve been off the road for quite some time now that I don’t know if they will ever be back. They were supposed to be getting converted back to diesel as they had a bad track record with breaking down.

I must admit I think it’s great First are going full speed ahead with this but I agree it’s still all very uncertain in terms of the full network being electric. Even the thought of electric cars right now seems daunting because it’s so new.

It’s considerably easier for cars to be made electric than it is heavy duty vehicles, buses, trucks etc.

People won’t have the choice come 2030, maybe even sooner with the diesel & electric prices on the up will we see more people choosing public transport again & hopefully theres a way to maintain reasonable fares on buses at least.

Even with the increased cost of electricity, it should still be cheaper than to run diesel.

 

[Noddy1]

,

It’s considerably easier for cars to be made electric than it is heavy duty vehicles, buses, trucks etc.

People won’t have the choice come 2030, maybe even sooner with the diesel & electric prices on the up will we see more people choosing public transport again & hopefully theres a way to maintain reasonable fares on buses at least.

Even with the increased cost of electricity, it should still be cheaper than to run diesel.

I am a total anateur here so will take criticism fair or otherwise but why did First buy so many vehicles from ADL if they appear from what I read here not entirely suitable for what was needed? I agree with supporting Scottish firms but if they are seemingly unable to supply what was wanted maybe they do need to look elsewhere. Maybe ADL will be able to supply bigger or more powerful batteries in the future or technology will allow for smaller sized batteries which can supply the necessary power to last all day without needing to take buses off the road to recharge the battery?