• Our booking engine at tickets.railforums.co.uk (powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

First Greater Glasgow

Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

overthewater

Established Member
Joined
16 Apr 2012
Messages
8,155
There is that big event in what two weeks? I would be surprised to see the 266 come out of shotts.
 

GaryMcEwan

Established Member
Joined
20 Aug 2013
Messages
1,604
Location
Bridgeton, Glasgow
Glasgow Live are reporting that Glasgow is up for sale...

https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/glasgow-city-council-first-bus-16476565

A Glasgow campaign group have launched a petition asking the council to buy out First Bus after it was revealed the company was selling its UK operations.

A petition by transport campaign group Get Glasgow Moving calls on Glasgow City Council to buy the company. The petition aims to create a transport network similar to Transport for Edinburgh, who run the city’s buses and trams.

Get Glasgow Moving already have one petition lodged with the council and sit on the city’s Climate Emergency Working Group. They also hope to join join a working group relating to the city’s transport.

Glasgow City Council leaders say Scottish Government should be able to choose when it holds second independence referendum
The petition already has more than 1,600 signatures since its launch last Wednesday.

Though the aim of buying the city’s largest bus network might seem a tall order, campaigners say that this could be the perfect opportunity for Glasgow and the surrounding councils who run SPT to purchase an already complete infrastructure.

Speaking exclusively to Glasgow Live, Ellie Morrison, the current Chair of Get Glasgow Moving, said that they wanted to start a conversation with the council on the topic.

She said: “What we are campaigning for in the long term is a set-up like Lothian Buses [in Edinburgh]. Lothian buses are jointly owned by councils for the areas they operate in and it makes sense for the councils on SPT to do the same.

“Rather than starting a publicly owned bus service from scratch, the assets are already sitting right there.

“Garages are a particularly important thing. Transport for London own their garages, allowing them to plan routes for buses, we need to get ours back!”

A spokesman for the council said: “We are currently looking at all reasonable and practical options for improving bus services in Glasgow.

“The reality is that a significant change in legislation and also substantial resources would be required for us to buy a bus company, neither of which are in place.

“We fully recognise that the bus industry faces a highly challenging future and there is an onus on all stakeholders to work together to find a way forward.

“The new Transport Bill sets out an option for local authorities to develop a partnership with bus providers to ensure positive collaboration in respect of what remains an essential element of the transport system.

“Glasgow has taken the initiative ahead of the bill becoming legislation and the council has already been working closely with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and the city’s four main bus providers.

“Issues that have already been explored include the reliability of services, improving journey times, addressing congestion hot spots, mitigating the disruption created by roadworks and ensuring services can respond quickly to the needs of new city developments.

"Ensuring the city is served by a reliable, high-standard bus service will help the city meet its commitments to improving air quality, but also help to protect the city centre's reputation as a vibrant and dynamic location for business and leisure.”

Understanding that it might not be possible to purchase First at this stage, Ellie added: “We want to start a conversation on the issue.

“First themselves are all over the world. It’s too much effort for them to try and turn a profit in Glasgow, which is why they want to walk away. Finding a way to have our buses owned by the public is key.”[/qupte]
 

lastbus

Member
Joined
9 Sep 2018
Messages
1,001
I assume you're a First Glasgow bean counter?
No it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that a bus with little passengers on board is not making money. Shotts is not big enough to have the amount of buses running through it that it does.
 

Bus Lightyear

Member
Joined
16 Nov 2018
Messages
542

As is the whole of Firstbus in the UK once it's separated from the group which now seems rather likely given the result of today's general meeting.

The campaigners looking to bring bus services under the control of Glasgow City Council have completely overlooked the surrounding councils who would also need to be involved. I would be very surprised if this happened.
 

Bus Lightyear

Member
Joined
16 Nov 2018
Messages
542
No it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that a bus with little passengers on board is not making money. Shotts is not big enough to have the amount of buses running through it that it does.
But you couldn't possibly know if it's underperforming unless you work for the company. Maybe the Motherwell to Wishaw section brings in enough revenue to pay for the whole route.
 

lastbus

Member
Joined
9 Sep 2018
Messages
1,001
But you couldn't possibly know if it's underperforming unless you work for the company. Maybe the Motherwell to Wishaw section brings in enough revenue to pay for the whole route.
Parts of the route are busy yes but if another part is not profitable then they will remove it to up the overall profitability of the route. Again not rocket science!
 

route101

Established Member
Joined
16 May 2010
Messages
10,595
It should be noted that the 61 and 241 are now operating a reduced frequency due to the school holidays so it might be that they will operate a reduced frequency maybe on Saturdays

That happens every year , every 12 mins perhaps?
 

alangla

Member
Joined
11 Apr 2018
Messages
1,178
Location
Glasgow
Seen the 70s one on the X8 today
The corporation one was floating about on the 4 as well. Looks good, but a bit “blank” not sure if it’s the lack of a crest in the middle or I’m just too used to buses with ad boards. Surprised they’ve not fitted the “welcome to Glasgow” ad for First that a lot of the fleet seem to be carrying just now
 

sheeldz

Member
Joined
3 Jun 2013
Messages
27
Location
Glasgow
Glasgow CC apparently are... interested in this?

https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/glasgow-city-council-approves-motion-16497882

Glasgow City Council have today backed an emergency motion to explore the option of taking the city’s buses into public ownership.

As reported by Glasgow Live, a petition calling for the council to buy First Bus hit more than 3,500 signatures after it was announced that the American transport provider was selling its UK operations.

The emergency motion was brought before the council today, where it was unanimously passed after negotiations between all political groups.
 

JumpinTrainz

Established Member
Joined
30 Jul 2018
Messages
1,654

I don’t imagine it would be long before First Glasgow was snapped up. It has many operations including Lanarkshire and Dumbarton.

Hopefully a company like National Express or GoAhead would take on a big city like Glasgow before the council had to. If it’s going to happen hopefully it happens sooner rather than later.

Many have lost trust in First after years of spiking fares, bad service, dirty old buses, drivers attitudes. Not for a minute am I dismissing the public playing a huge part also and being Glaswegian it’s very evident that the “punters” can be a disgrace and don’t deserve new buses. Vandalism has been and still is an issue even today.

It would be interesting to see what another company had planned for a city like Glasgow. Would they be looking to make huge service changes or follow on from First and keep things relatively the same. Then there’s the fleet - what new stock comes. Will it be ADL? Will it be Wright? Who knows. Interesting times ahead...
 

SarahDFIG

Member
Joined
9 Jan 2019
Messages
381
In a interview to buses magazine Andrew Jarvis has said the 267 will be route branded soon
Yep 201/267 was put on hold but 201s were still painted. I asked last week regarding the 201 branding and no one really knows the issue why they still haven't got the stickers applied yet. 267 was originally planned as Green not sure if it will still be but guessing it should

Service 266 also being branded in the future. Guessing streetsh**** getting branded as I highly doubt Overtown will be getting more new vehicles for it.
 
Last edited:

GaryMcEwan

Established Member
Joined
20 Aug 2013
Messages
1,604
Location
Bridgeton, Glasgow
Yep 201/267 was put on hold but 201s were still painted. I asked last week regarding the 201 branding and no one really knows the issue why they still haven't got the stickers applied yet. 267 was originally planned as Green not sure if it will still be but guessing it should

Wasn't it something as stupid as the purple for the 201s was wrong the wrong shade which is why they haven't been properly branded yet?
 

SarahDFIG

Member
Joined
9 Jan 2019
Messages
381
Wasn't it something as stupid as the purple for the 201s was wrong the wrong shade which is why they haven't been properly branded yet?
No the colour was correct. the branding had errors and had to be redone but been a few months and nothing.

*Edited first post rather than double posting*
 

Jordan Adam

Established Member
Joined
12 Sep 2017
Messages
5,514
Location
Aberdeen
No the colour was correct. the branding had errors and had to be redone but been a few months and nothing.

*Edited first post rather than double posting*

I couldn't comment if the same applies here, but very often printing new route branding and getting it delivered can take ages. As in weeks to months.
 

Volvodart

Established Member
Joined
12 Jun 2010
Messages
2,379
Maybe it was put on hold if they were thinking about service changes which might affect the branding.
 

lastbus

Member
Joined
9 Sep 2018
Messages
1,001
Yep 201/267 was put on hold but 201s were still painted. I asked last week regarding the 201 branding and no one really knows the issue why they still haven't got the stickers applied yet. 267 was originally planned as Green not sure if it will still be but guessing it should

Service 266 also being branded in the future. Guessing streetsh**** getting branded as I highly doubt Overtown will be getting more new vehicles for it.
Doubt all the 266s will get branded as Overtown use the streetlites on other routes alot
 

smtglasgow

Member
Joined
15 Feb 2011
Messages
472
Location
Glasgow & London
*If* the 266 is getting pulled from Shotts, how will the route work in future? Could we see Bonkle return as a destination, or would they just abandon that stretch to JMB? The main section of the 266 between Hamilton & Newmains must still do OK, so I’d guess it might just go back to a 7/8 min service.

Be interesting to see what (if anything) changes in Lanarkshire. First have got a decent network, but JMB must be causing some problems, even if JMB don’t appear to be doing that well themselves.
 

SarahDFIG

Member
Joined
9 Jan 2019
Messages
381
Maybe it was put on hold if they were thinking about service changes which might affect the branding.
Nothing planned for 201 as far as I am aware but you could be right.

Doubt all the 266s will get branded as Overtown use the streetlites on other routes alot
Yeah have noticed that pal.

*If* the 266 is getting pulled from Shotts, how will the route work in future? Could we see Bonkle return as a destination, or would they just abandon that stretch to JMB? The main section of the 266 between Hamilton & Newmains must still do OK, so I’d guess it might just go back to a 7/8 min service.

Be interesting to see what (if anything) changes in Lanarkshire. First have got a decent network, but JMB must be causing some problems, even if JMB don’t appear to be doing that well themselves.
I asked the question about Shotts being pulled and I got a strange look back with no answer. As said previously Shotts isn't big enough for 2 operators especially with the frequency it gets. On this route the local punters seem to stick with JMB. Probably because it's cheaper and as it's the same faces all the time punters/drivers get along better.
 

lastbus

Member
Joined
9 Sep 2018
Messages
1,001
Nothing planned for 201 as far as I am aware but you could be right.


Yeah have noticed that pal.


I asked the question about Shotts being pulled and I got a strange look back with no answer. As said previously Shotts isn't big enough for 2 operators especially with the frequency it gets. On this route the local punters seem to stick with JMB. Probably because it's cheaper and as it's the same faces all the time punters/drivers get along better.
All 266s will operate from Overtown depot from the August changes I’ve been told.
 

Stef434

Member
Joined
26 Mar 2018
Messages
127
All 266s will operate from Overtown depot from the August changes I’ve been told.
Also FiG will review all loss making services with immediate effect, may see hedways changing.
FiG may withdraw from Shotts nothing lost there ,were only present for political reasoning ,no doubt the alternative operator will say the war is won etc etc ,while withdrawing from the 240 route...
Overtown and Dumbarton Depot may possibly become a Local service Depot only non city work with flagship services being transferred to Blantyre and Scotstoun
 

Scott mac

Member
Joined
24 Apr 2018
Messages
229
Also FiG will review all loss making services with immediate effect, may see hedways changing.
FiG may withdraw from Shotts nothing lost there ,were only present for political reasoning ,no doubt the alternative operator will say the war is won etc etc ,while withdrawing from the 240 route...
Overtown and Dumbarton Depot may possibly become a Local service Depot only non city work with flagship services being transferred to Blantyre and Scotstoun
U no a did hear a rumour about the 1 all going to scotstoun and some routes from scotsoun going to caly depot
 

lastbus

Member
Joined
9 Sep 2018
Messages
1,001
Also FiG will review all loss making services with immediate effect, may see hedways changing.
FiG may withdraw from Shotts nothing lost there ,were only present for political reasoning ,no doubt the alternative operator will say the war is won etc etc ,while withdrawing from the 240 route...
Overtown and Dumbarton Depot may possibly become a Local service Depot only non city work with flagship services being transferred to Blantyre and Scotstoun
Yes have heard all loss making routes have to be cut or axed.
 

Top