First Aberdeen

[Simon75]

I thought First buy only ADL or Wrightbus nowerdays ?

 

[PG]

Standard Aberdeen Urban livery with internal and external vinyls to the same style as those on Glasgow's recent EV deliveries.

Not my photo but here's one of the new Yutongs at Pelican, all 24 are now there. They do look rather smart!

First Aberdeen Unregistered - Yutong E12

Operator : First Aberdeen Fleet Number : ? Registration : ? Chassis : Yutong E12 Body : Yutong E12 Notes : LZYTMGEWXN1022861 Join our Facebook Group www.facebook.com/groups/396815967524113/ © JB Transport Photographs ©

www.flickr.com

Indeed a smart looking vehicle. Quite surprised to see that they haven't gone for external cameras but have conventional mirrors.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

Standard Aberdeen Urban livery with internal and external vinyls to the same style as those on Glasgow's recent EV deliveries.

Not my photo but here's one of the new Yutongs at Pelican, all 24 are now there. They do look rather smart!

First Aberdeen Unregistered - Yutong E12

Operator : First Aberdeen Fleet Number : ? Registration : ? Chassis : Yutong E12 Body : Yutong E12 Notes : LZYTMGEWXN1022861 Join our Facebook Group www.facebook.com/groups/396815967524113/ © JB Transport Photographs ©

www.flickr.com

They look incredibly smart I really wish Glasgow were getting these!

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

Standard Aberdeen Urban livery with internal and external vinyls to the same style as those on Glasgow's recent EV deliveries.

Not my photo but here's one of the new Yutongs at Pelican, all 24 are now there. They do look rather smart!

First Aberdeen Unregistered - Yutong E12

Operator : First Aberdeen Fleet Number : ? Registration : ? Chassis : Yutong E12 Body : Yutong E12 Notes : LZYTMGEWXN1022861 Join our Facebook Group www.facebook.com/groups/396815967524113/ © JB Transport Photographs ©

www.flickr.com

The interior leather is so drab looking then those horrible handrails, some people at First really don’t have a clue.

 

[PaulMc7]

They look incredibly smart I really wish Glasgow were getting these!

I second this. The Yutongs look miles better than the E200EVs and definitely feel and look more spacious internally.

 

[Jordan Adam]

69133 has returned to service having been off since August with engine issues.

38223 is to be prepped for repaint and will be going in to a heritage livery. A poll went out to drivers last week with a choice of either the 1975 or 1986 liveries. It's believed the 1975 livery was the one most voted for. I've posted a link to photos of both liveries below for those unfamiliar.

GRAMPIAN 270 HRS270V

HRS270V was a Leyland Atlantean AN68A/1R / Alexander AL Type H45/29D purchased new by Grampian as their fleetnumber 270 in April 1980.

www.flickr.com

E131DRS

Seen Alford 14/8/22

www.flickr.com

 

[KendalKing]

69133 has returned to service having been off since August with engine issues.

38223 is to be prepped for repaint and will be going in to a heritage livery. A poll went out to drivers last week with a choice of either the 1975 or 1986 liveries. It's believed the 1975 livery was the one most voted for. I've posted a link to photos of both liveries below for those unfamiliar.

GRAMPIAN 270 HRS270V

HRS270V was a Leyland Atlantean AN68A/1R / Alexander AL Type H45/29D purchased new by Grampian as their fleetnumber 270 in April 1980.

www.flickr.com

E131DRS

Seen Alford 14/8/22

www.flickr.com

If I was voting, I too would had voted for the 1975 livery.

 

[Volvodart]

20807 has just left Aberdeen on a Citylink working complete with Citylink ticket machine although a Citylink driver was using the ticket machine before the First driver took over and left.

 

[fife_circle]

Just passed two of Glasgow’s 400MMC’s going south on the A92 at Stonehaven. Have they been in Aberdeen again?

 

[Volvodart]

For one day! There was one I could see still in Aberdeen when I passed the depot so there is another one possibility away too.

 

[computerSaysNo]

20807 has just left Aberdeen on a Citylink working complete with Citylink ticket machine although a Citylink driver was using the ticket machine before the First driver took over and left.

What is 20807?

 

[JumpinTrainz]

Just passed two of Glasgow’s 400MMC’s going south on the A92 at Stonehaven. Have they been in Aberdeen again?

The E400MMCs must have fairly clocked up their miles with the constant back and forth between Aberdeen over the last year.

 

[KendalKing]

What is 20807?

A Plaxton Panther bodied Volvo B9R coach, registration number YX11 HPP.

 

[sannox]

The interior leather is so drab looking then those horrible handrails

Personally, I think First interior looks dated and could do with a refresh. I think McGill's Yutongs have a nice interior. Stagecoach's in Inverness are more restrained. I just find the pink garish and a clash with the seats!

 

[Volvodart]

First were looking at fabric seating, but these were probably ordered before it was decided what the pattern they were going to use.

 

[stevenedin]

Fabric is far worse as you can’t tell if the seat is wet or not and also it isn’t able to be cleaned as well as e-leather.

 

[Jordan Adam]

The E400MMCs must have fairly clocked up their miles with the constant back and forth between Aberdeen over the last year.

And each time one has failed to make the journey! This time the culprit is 34380 which broke down at Stonehaven and is being taken back to Aberdeen with some help from Norscot.

To add to the above 34385 is also still here at the time of posting.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

First were looking at fabric seating, but these were probably ordered before it was decided what the pattern they were going to use.

I just hope First chose an interior and stick with it. The constant shifting of interiors does nothing to keep the fleet uniform.

I personally don’t see anything wrong with the current interior especially when the full lighting is on - it’s bright and airy. I do see that the new Yutongs have different seating from what I can see in the photo from the standard seating used in Glasgow.

 

[GusB]

Could we keep the discussion to Aberdeen-specific issues, please?

Anyone who wishes to engage in seat wibble is welcome to start a new thread if there isn't one already.

Thanks

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

And each time one has failed to make the journey! This time the culprit is 34380 which broke down at Stonehaven and is being taken back to Aberdeen with some help from Norscot.

To add to the above 34385 is also still here at the time of posting.

400MMC models have never been as reliable or robust as the B7/B9 models there currently replacing.

 

[stevenedin]

400MMC models have never been as reliable or robust as the B7/B9 models there currently replacing.

I’ve also noticed that they don’t seem to age well at all either.

 

[Bus Lightyear]

We all have different perceptions of things but to me the Volvo B7tls were some of rattliest buses going especially the ones with Wright Eclipse Gemini bodywork and they weren't exactly watertight neither. The ones in Plaxton President and Alexander ALX400 bodies were a bit better.

 

[317 forever]

The interior leather is so drab looking then those horrible handrails, some people at First really don’t have a clue.

I didn't like my Yutong ride with First Leeds either. I preferred the ones with Go North East and Cardiff Bus.

 

[fife_circle]

Are we expecting any kind of special features in the Yutongs? Any screens or stop announcements?

 

[Volvodart]

The blue hydrogen buses have the same screens as the Stagecoach Bluebird electric buses, but unlike Bluebird next stop announcements have never been activated.



1/3/2023 post below:-

The bus fleet is currently receiving tap on tap off readers. As there is no need for them with the current fare structure (as the existing tap and cap works adequately), that suggests a new ticketing arrangement is coming. Aberdeen is usually first to try anything to do with tickets in First Bus.

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

Out of curiosity where do First Aberdeen drivers have their breaks? Presumably if they're on route 1 or 2 it must be the depot. Surely they must also have somewhere in the city centre, the bus station?

 

[Volvodart]

There is a canteen at Victoria Court, Castle Street. Some Bridges on the road duties start and finish at the depot, but I think the drivers still go there too.

 

[Jordan Adam]

The bus fleet is currently receiving tap on tap off readers. As there is no need for them with the current fare structure (as the existing tap and cap works adequately), that suggests a new ticketing arrangement is coming. Aberdeen is usually first to try anything to do with tickets in First Bus.

According to an internal post "ToTo" (Tap On / Tap Off) will be going live from the 2nd of April. There will also be some new "Two Trip" single fares.

 

[Volvodart]

Presumably that is when the prices will rise.

 

[Red Onion]

According to an internal post "ToTo" (Tap On / Tap Off) will be going live from the 2nd of April. There will also be some new "Two Trip" single fares.

They used to have a ”two trip” single fare some time ago if I remember right? If I’m honest, I think it’s terrible that there is no transfer fare. Ideally the maximum fare should allow a transfer to another service within a certain time scale (say 60 mins) like you can have on many other systems. I see absolutely no reason why this can’t be done, it doesn’t need a separate fare.