First Greater Glasgow

[AndrewTaylor95]

I think this should answer your question:

He's referring to the BYD E400EV the Green demonstrator, The 74 plate E400EV can go over 50mph on the motorway as I've mentioned previously on this forum, 38400 LC71 EFD BYD is the Green Demonstrator which has been here before & used on trails for the 500 hence the 43mph on the motorway discussion & 38600 is FB74 ZEB the seed ADL E400EV. Completely different vehicles and the latter achieving over 50mph on the motorway easily.

 

[camro]

He's referring to the BYD E400EV the Green demonstrator, The 74 plate E400EV can go over 50mph on the motorway as I've mentioned previously on this forum, 38400 LC71 EFD BYD is the Green Demonstrator which has been here before & used on trails for the 500 hence the 43mph on the motorway discussion & 38600 is FB74 ZEB the seed ADL E400EV. Completely different vehicles and the latter achieving over 50mph on the motorway easily.

I stand corrected. With both fleet numbers being multiples of 100, easy-ish mistake to make.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Given that alternative double x have been ordered for the 500. I assume that the all ADL 74 plate wasn't considered a success either and again would be interested to know why

 

[JumpinTrainz]

Given that alternative double x have been ordered for the 500. I assume that the all ADL 74 plate wasn't considered a success either and again would be interested to know why

I thought that was more based on the fact that First were having issues with ADL?

 

[38A-Z]

There is the possible chance they could replace some of the other trainer Eclipses. Like 69271 and 69272 would make good replacements for 69152 and 69230, which would mean that all the trainer buses are 07+ plates.


Either that, or have the 1C become the new 1B, because it’s weird to go from A to C, without B between them.

I don’t think that concerns them too much as they have 38/A/B/C/E without a D!

 

[JumpinTrainz]

I don’t think that concerns them too much as they have 38/A/B/C/E without a D!

Wasn’t the logic 38B - Barlanark 38C - Cryston 38E - Edinburgh Rd? All seemed to work quite nicely.

 

[38A-Z]

Yes. Therefore having a 1A and 1C (without a 1B) isn’t an issue.

 

[LT02 NVV]

Noticed Dumbarton has 63228 (a full-length Streetlite) today, it’s on the 1 routes, any reason why?

Also, what happened to 63272? It was on the 1 routes for two days in January, and hasn’t been out since? (Unless it was one the 206 or 208 for a bit too, as those routes don’t track).

 

[jazza374]

Noticed Dumbarton has 63228 (a full-length Streetlite) today, it’s on the 1 routes, any reason why?

Also, what happened to 63272? It was on the 1 routes for two days in January, and hasn’t been out since? (Unless it was one the 206 or 208 for a bit too, as those routes don’t track).

Amazed Overtown can loan anything out. They seem to be short themselves. Possible that Overtown are losing some of the 632xx’s and gaining the three ex Welsh 444xx’s? Hope not, they are truly dreadful vehicles.

 

[LT02 NVV]

Amazed Overtown can loan anything out. They seem to be short themselves. Possible that Overtown are losing some of the 632xx’s and gaining the three ex Welsh 444xx’s? Hope not, they are truly dreadful vehicles.

I have a feeling that the three 444xx’s still left at Dumbarton might be swapped for Streetlites, maybe to make it more consistent fleet wise over there. Plus I’m pretty sure another former Midland Bluebird Streetlite has been repainted like 47449 and 63272.

 

[camro]

Amazed Overtown can loan anything out. They seem to be short themselves. Possible that Overtown are losing some of the 632xx’s and gaining the three ex Welsh 444xx’s? Hope not, they are truly dreadful vehicles.

Now four as 44453 has been added to the list. Being realistic, where else would they go? They're trying to sell Dumbarton (iirc that was the goal) and the only other depot that use E200 classics is Overtown.

On that note it will be interesting to see what happens if and when Dumbarton closes. I don't imagine all the vehicles going to Scotstoun.

 

[Dfatcontroller]

I have a feeling that the three 444xx’s still left at Dumbarton might be swapped for Streetlites, maybe to make it more consistent fleet wise over there. Plus I’m pretty sure another former Midland Bluebird Streetlite has been repainted like 47449 and 63272.

Former First/McGills Streetlite 63187 has been repainted into the new livery.

 

[route101]

Noticed a few things today. A few 57 plate/B9 TLS Geminis on the 21 and 267. Is this normal for a week day? At the weekend its E200MMCs on the 267 for me. A streetlite on the 18.

 

[jazza374]

Now four as 44453 has been added to the list. Being realistic, where else would they go? They're trying to sell Dumbarton (iirc that was the goal) and the only other depot that use E200 classics is Overtown.

On that note it will be interesting to see what happens if and when Dumbarton closes. I don't imagine all the vehicles going to Scotstoun.

Considering what Overtown had (YW68 200 MMC’s) and what it’s got now you have to wonder if the For Sale sign is going up there too. Though, don’t think Blantyre has capacity for Overtown’s flagship 240 as I’m sure First would not let that route go.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

Considering what Overtown had (YW68 200 MMC’s) and what it’s got now you have to wonder if the For Sale sign is going up there too. Though, don’t think Blantyre has capacity for Overtown’s flagship 240 as I’m sure First would not let that route go.

If First’s plan is to go all electric eventually it’ll put pressure on places like Overtown and Dumbarton as realistically they aren’t going to install charging ports in areas they don’t plan on staying or an area that is leased which I’m sure Overtown is.

I do wonder where 'the one' and the overspill from Blantyre could be run from however as I don’t think Scotstoun and Blantyre have the capacity as you say. I’m sure there is still space at Caledonia?

 

[Volvodart]

They're trying to sell Dumbarton (iirc that was the goal)

First are making a lot of money out of Glasgow. Why would they want a competitor to get that?

 

[smtglasgow]

First are making a lot of money out of Glasgow.

Indeed. The most recent accounts show the two parts of First Glasgow making £15m profit – that must make it one of the most profitable operations in the UK.

If Dumbarton and Overtown are leased they may be vulnerable as operating centres, but I doubt the services they run are at risk.

Although if you look at the new Dumbarton timetables (on Traveline) there are frequency reductions across the board – which First seem to have forgotten to mention on their press release.

 

[camro]

I had been forgetting that the idea of them selling Dumbarton was just speculation. But I agree that there's plenty means for it.

The "going all electric" thing huh. You might be right about it being bad news for Overtown. If they make it to 2034 then they'll be clinging onto the remaining MMCs for dear life. After that, unless Yutong, Wrightbus or ADL can perform miracles with electric bus range I can only see the depot closing

 

[Metal Mickey]

They're trying to sell Dumbarton (iirc that was the goal)

Where has this been said?

First are making a lot of money out of Glasgow. Why would they want a competitor to get that?

Exactly this

Noticed a few things today. A few 57 plate/B9 TLS Geminis on the 21 and 267. Is this normal for a week day? At the weekend it’s E200MMCs on the 267 for me. A streetlite on the 18.

This is normal other than the Streetlite on the 18.

 

[route101]

Where has this been said?


Exactly this


This is normal other than the Streetlite on the 18.

Usually E400MMCs if deckers are used on the 267.

 

[Supercus]

I had been forgetting that the idea of them selling Dumbarton was just speculation. But I agree that there's plenty means for it.

The "going all electric" thing huh. You might be right about it being bad news for Overtown. If they make it to 2034 then they'll be clinging onto the remaining MMCs for dear life. After that, unless Yutong, Wrightbus or ADL can perform miracles with electric bus range I can only see the depot closing

They could also relocate Overtown to the Motherwell end of Ravenscraig in the future after that part of Ravenscraig has been cleaned of contamination which there is already a planning application in process at present

There is also a planning application to build a dual carriageway from the Windmillhill Street roundabout in Motherwell to New Craig Road Ravenscraig I believe that application has been permitted

Please note that all First Glasgow buses which operate via Motherwell go via Windmill Street apart from the 201 which I believe is based in Blantyre and the 254 whose terminus is at Motherwell Asda/Aldi

 

[Blindtraveler]

I suspect that when the axe falls and a definite end date is set for the production of standard diesel or hybrid buses that we will see a spate of orders from companies that had previously committed to not purchasing any further diesel vehicles, purely and simply because I don't see electric bus technology moving quite fast enough to give the range needed for all the applications that buses and coaches are currently put to in the UK. You can't shift everyone onto a bike much as you'd like to and so socially. There's going to be a need for bus services. Certainly until I'm snug in my care home and unless we can find a way of making them run on animal Pooh or similar then this is going to be the reality, diesel or similar will still be needed a while yet. But I appreciate this is probably in the wrong place for this kind of deep discussion

 

[camro]

I suspect that when the axe falls and a definite end date is set for the production of standard diesel or hybrid buses that we will see a spate of orders from companies that had previously committed to not purchasing any further diesel vehicles, purely and simply because I don't see electric bus technology moving quite fast enough to give the range needed for all the applications that buses and coaches are currently put to in the UK. You can't shift everyone onto a bike much as you'd like to and so socially. There's going to be a need for bus services. Certainly until I'm snug in my care home and unless we can find a way of making them run on animal Pooh or similar then this is going to be the reality, diesel or similar will still be needed a while yet. But I appreciate this is probably in the wrong place for this kind of deep discussion

I have to agree with you on this. They might take up Wrightbus' recent offer and buy a batch of Ultroliners to be converted to BEV at a later date. But who knows if you can trust Wrightbus to do it properly.

I might have asked this already, but are there fears that the 22 reg and 72 reg batches of 200EVs will face the same corrosion problems and have to be taken out of action for a while too? From what I remember they were all built in Falkirk expect for Scotstoun's 23 platers.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

Is 38600 back at ADL? It’s not been on the road since the 7th and there’s a photo of it at ADL but I can’t be sure if that’s an old one.

 

[Dfatcontroller]

Is 38600 back at ADL? It’s not been on the road since the 7th and there’s a photo of it at ADL but I can’t be sure if that’s an old one.

Yes it. Five of the Six seed vehicles are at ADL in Camelon.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

In light of First fixing up their long term VOR buses. Anyone have any idea what’s happening with 33441 and 33262 which have been off the road so long they’ve actually stopped tracking? Both are fairly modern buses to be off the road so long. If they are fixing older Streetlites I just wondered what’s happened to these? Last I saw 33262 was still up the back at Blantyre untouched.

 

[route101]

Whats a seed bus?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Whats a seed bus?

A vehicle provided by a manufacturer on an extended basis to allow an operator to evaluate over a longer period of time than a normal demonstrator. Thus, it is a "seed" allowing a much greater order to be "harvested" from the operator by the manufacturer.

There are LOTS of examples (and there was a thread recently) but in relation to First Group... They took four Streetlites in 2012/3, as well as an Optare Versa and an Optare Solo SR. The Streetlites were subsequently retained by First and led to large orders, and whilst the Optares did lead to some orders being placed, the seed vehicles returned to Optare for disposal.

The individual circumstances e.g. ownership of the vehicles, length of evaluation etc, varies throughout the industry.

 

[JD2168]

A vehicle provided by a manufacturer on an extended basis to allow an operator to evaluate over a longer period of time than a normal demonstrator. Thus, it is a "seed" allowing a much greater order to be "harvested" from the operator by the manufacturer.

There are LOTS of examples (and there was a thread recently) but in relation to First Group... They took four Streetlites in 2012/3, as well as an Optare Versa and an Optare Solo SR. The Streetlites were subsequently retained by First and led to large orders, and whilst the Optares did lead to some orders being placed, the seed vehicles returned to Optare for disposal.

The individual circumstances e.g. ownership of the vehicles, length of evaluation etc, varies throughout the industry.

63038-63041 are the seed StreetLite’s. When the production buses were introduced they had to make changes around the buggy & wheelchair user areas at the front. If on 63041 which is currently in Glasgow have a look around this area & you will see some dark circles indicating these changes.

 

[LT02 NVV]

Noticed Dumbarton has 63228 (a full-length Streetlite) today, it’s on the 1 routes, any reason why?

It’s back at Overtown now, so it must of been on a quick loan like 67028 was a few weeks back.