First Greater Glasgow

[Scott mac]

If Glasgow was to get sold, would First look to sell both No.1 and No.2 or keep the bits they think will do well for them?

For the employees it's certainly potentially quite a worrying time, and I know personally how worrying it can be waiting to find out whether or not you're gonna have a job at the end of the process.

But who will buy first bus?stagecoach?they have been looking at arriva but since first are up for sale maybe stagecoach will look at some of it

 

[Jordan Adam]

But who will buy first bus?stagecoach?they have been looking at arriva but since first are up for sale maybe stagecoach will look at some of it

For the Glasgow National Express or Go-Ahead would be more realistic buyers.

 

[Robertj21a]

For the Glasgow National Express or Go-Ahead would be more realistic buyers.

Perhaps RATP or ComfortDelgro too.

 

[overthewater]

I would rather put the money on National Express.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I would rather put the money on National Express.

I thought we’d already heard that NX had been to Caledonia, measuring up for carpet and curtains?

 

[overthewater]

I thought we’d already heard that NX had been to Caledonia, measuring up for carpet and curtains?

No outside favorites to spoil things Good 7/4 bet, that will safeguard the operations/jobs for years to come.

 

[Jordan Adam]

I thought we’d already heard that NX had been to Caledonia, measuring up for carpet and curtains?

Indeed, albeit as it's not officially confirmed we should keep all doors open, hence why i initially mentioned "NX or Go-Ahead".

Perhaps RATP or ComfortDelgro too.

For an operation the size of Glasgow i'd find those less likely.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

I suppose only time will tell but won’t other operators just run into the same problems First did? In the beginning they’ll get a lot of new stock and probably continue on with LEZ but then they’ll hit the same obstacles First did?

In an ideal world it would be a fresh start for bus users around the country with a new company. Unfortunately First have been guilty of lack of new stock. Who knows maybe a company like National Express could do it differently and better than First ever could. Not saying this would necessarily be a bad thing.

 

[Robertj21a]

Indeed, albeit as it's not officially confirmed we should keep all doors open, hence why i initially mentioned "NX or Go-Ahead".



For an operation the size of Glasgow i'd find those less likely.

?? - so they can run Paris and Singapore/London - but not Glasgow ?

 

[lastbus]

Indeed, albeit as it's not officially confirmed we should keep all doors open, hence why i initially mentioned "NX or Go-Ahead".



For an operation the size of Glasgow i'd find those less likely.

Yes all just speculation and I guess we won’t hear anything until at least after coast Capital get the meeting they have requested. Either way a lot of uncertainty for staff atm.

 

[GaryMcEwan]

Surprised the Trade Unions haven't been putting anything out regarding it. I would imagine they'll be jumping up and down trying to get some answers.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Surprised the Trade Unions haven't been putting anything out regarding it. I would imagine they'll be jumping up and down trying to get some answers.

They have - Unite have issued a statement. Was reported on main First thread. Lots of the usual https://unitetheunion.org/news-even...-be-tolerated-by-unite-as-sell-off-announced/

 

[JumpinTrainz]

Noticed quite an increase of deckers on the 3. Mainly B7TLs but B9TLs are also starting to make more of an appearance. Scoutstoun seem to have been given more B9TLs too not sure if that was for the 3.

Seems odd that the 3 is getting decker capacity as it along with the 2 share buses and its usually fully E300 operated. If that’s the case the 2 could be doing with deckers here and there. It doesn’t work as well being all single operated.

 

[Robertj21a]

They have - Unite have issued a statement. Was reported on main First thread. Lots of the usual https://unitetheunion.org/news-even...-be-tolerated-by-unite-as-sell-off-announced/

They might not want to tolerate it - but what can they do to stop a sale ?
If First sell to some relatively unknown fund from the USA, and proceed to asset strip etc, just what does the union think it can do?

 

[route101]

Noticed quite an increase of deckers on the 3. Mainly B7TLs but B9TLs are also starting to make more of an appearance. Scoutstoun seem to have been given more B9TLs too not sure if that was for the 3.

Seems odd that the 3 is getting decker capacity as it along with the 2 share buses and its usually fully E300 operated. If that’s the case the 2 could be doing with deckers here and there. It doesn’t work as well being all single operated.

Not enough deckers to go around , the e30os came and thats why

 

[christopherrfc]

The 38s have now got on bored stop announcements

 

[route101]

The 38s have now got on bored stop announcements

Are they bored yet?

 

[route101]

LT02NWC on 31 today , when youve not been on it for a while , you notice the hard seats .

Nice to see deckers back on it , must of been an evaluation with singles on it .

 

[JumpinTrainz]

It’s odd to think how much the fleet has changed even in the past few years. Routes which were predominantly trident operated are now seeing either new buses or refurbished B9TLs. Routes like the 61, 60 and 41 would never have seen B9TLs only tridents and B7TLs yet now 09 plates are very common on these routes.

The Parkhead/Caledonia fleet merge definitely has saw a real variety on all routes now. Would have been interesting if the E500s were still here because perhaps we’d have saw them on the 2 for which they were originally ordered for.

Wonder when we’ll see some more new stock to replace the remaining trident and B10BLEs/B7Ls.

 

[route101]

It’s odd to think how much the fleet has changed even in the past few years. Routes which were predominantly trident operated are now seeing either new buses or refurbished B9TLs. Routes like the 61, 60 and 41 would never have seen B9TLs only tridents and B7TLs yet now 09 plates are very common on these routes.

The Parkhead/Caledonia fleet merge definitely has saw a real variety on all routes now. Would have been interesting if the E500s were still here because perhaps we’d have saw them on the 2 for which they were originally ordered for.

Wonder when we’ll see some more new stock to replace the remaining trident and B10BLEs/B7Ls.

Its merged to a degree , the e200mmcs 65 plates still stick to the 2 . I wonder if one day the drivers will get merged ,or maybe the Phead boys wont be happy about that ha

 

[Bluebirdscot66]

Maybe if someone took Glasgow as a whole they would merge 1&2 ops and drivers?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Wonder when we’ll see some more new stock to replace the remaining trident and B10BLEs/B7Ls

I thought it was intimated that there would be another tranche of vehicles at the turn of the year? Mind you, FiG has had 150 new vehicles in a matter of months and there are other OpCos who are also waiting for new fleet so it may have to wait a little.

There could, of course, be some stop gap cascades to replace fleet, like B7RLEs sent north to oust older B10/B7L. That reminds me - which Welsh B7RLEs have arrived? Seem to recall 3 or 4 had arrived.

 

[Bristol LH]

I thought it was intimated that there would be another tranche of vehicles at the turn of the year? Mind you, FiG has had 150 new vehicles in a matter of months and there are other OpCos who are also waiting for new fleet so it may have to wait a little.

There could, of course, be some stop gap cascades to replace fleet, like B7RLEs sent north to oust older B10/B7L. That reminds me - which Welsh B7RLEs have arrived? Seem to recall 3 or 4 had arrived.

66718, 66733, 66944, 66945, 66953 and 66958

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

66718, 66944, 66945, 66953 and 66958

cheers Barrie. Any more due?

 

[Albaman]

Its merged to a degree , the e200mmcs 65 plates still stick to the 2 . I wonder if one day the drivers will get merged ,or maybe the Phead boys wont be happy about that ha

The comment regarding the Parkhead drivers who now work from Caledonia, prompts me to ask something that I have been curious about for sometime.

Within each First Glasgow depot is an agreement with the relevant Trade Union that drivers with longer service work shifts that have less unsocial hours ( for example not finishing around mid-night ) and within each depot are drivers allocated to a very limited number of routes? From my own experience travelling on mostly Blantyre or Caledonia/Scotstoun routes, the same drivers seem to appear regularly ( going by the " Driver " number on the ticket - I'm hopeless at faces ) .

Any thoughts/information would be appreciated.

 

[lastbus]

The comment regarding the Parkhead drivers who now work from Caledonia, prompts me to ask something that I have been curious about for sometime.

Within each First Glasgow depot is an agreement with the relevant Trade Union that drivers with longer service work shifts that have less unsocial hours ( for example not finishing around mid-night ) and within each depot are drivers allocated to a very limited number of routes? From my own experience travelling on mostly Blantyre or Caledonia/Scotstoun routes, the same drivers seem to appear regularly ( going by the " Driver " number on the ticket - I'm hopeless at faces ) .

Any thoughts/information would be appreciated.

Drivers pick shifts by seniority (length of service)

 

[adrock1976]

Maybe if someone took Glasgow as a whole they would merge 1&2 ops and drivers?

Regarding First Glasgow no 2, is that the arm that was once the KCB Network (Kelvin Central Buses) in the early 1990s before becoming Clydesider in the second half of the 1990s?

 

[Bus Lightyear]

Regarding First Glasgow no 2, is that the arm that was once the KCB Network (Kelvin Central Buses) in the early 1990s before becoming Clydesider in the second half of the 1990s?

Clydeside were a completely different company whose operations covered most of Renfrewshire and Inverclyde. They were bought out by British Bus who later became Arriva.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/32313...qQ-8ktrR5-6v5Hjo-YHNVTh-2c2pk1A-CGCgNK-zQo33e

 

[Albaman]

Drivers pick shifts by seniority (length of service)

Thanks for your reply.

 

[route101]

The comment regarding the Parkhead drivers who now work from Caledonia, prompts me to ask something that I have been curious about for sometime.

Within each First Glasgow depot is an agreement with the relevant Trade Union that drivers with longer service work shifts that have less unsocial hours ( for example not finishing around mid-night ) and within each depot are drivers allocated to a very limited number of routes? From my own experience travelling on mostly Blantyre or Caledonia/Scotstoun routes, the same drivers seem to appear regularly ( going by the " Driver " number on the ticket - I'm hopeless at faces ) .

Any thoughts/information would be appreciated.

31 , see regular drivers on it , usually older , bus i got in morning was same driver . Must have good pick or something . Is there beginner routes for new drivers that are easier ?