There is interworking between the 57 and the 10.
Thanks for the clarification.
There is interworking between the 57 and the 10.
Out of interest of another perspective what would you suggest differently? If there wasn't as much competition in Glasgow the current fare system would be reasonable but when there's other alternatives as viable as the subway, rail etc then it needs to drop.
The "big-picture" view here is that a properly-integrated public transport service shouldn't have competition between modes. The exact setting of fares within the integrated system is then a question of what you think is an acceptable level of subsidy against an acceptable level of user subsidy.
Interesting that the X3 is now on a higher frequency than pre-lockdown.
Anyone remember the X81 from Auchinairn to City Centre that ran at peaks?
Given what the route of that was and the fact they ended up pulling it I'm still a bit baffled by the planning of the X2. Fair enough it's probably to compete with the train but if an express route didn't work with no train at peak times then what would change with it especially when you've already annoyed the locals in Robroyston by taking out the 19A that they actually had options with? Can't even get to the Asda from Briarcroft or Glendale if you aren't able-bodied or down to Provanmill or Royston either from those areas. Can't get up to Robroyston from before Provanmill without a bus switch either and with the 8 being every 30 mins that's off putting. Also worth noting how early the last 8s each way are from Robroyston Asda. 18:14 towards QEUH and 18:02 towards Parkhead
Would certainly have been interesting to see the actual passenger numbers for both the 19A pre cut and the X2 when it started. Can't imagine the X2 was any better than the 19A was given that Royston contributed a fair load at times
Would also be good to get an insight into loss makers and exactly how far off being profitable they are too. Wouldn't be surprised if some were a good bit off but must be close with others
Is the railway station easier for people of Robroyston?
I think they planning on Midland bluebird scalling back its services via slow road. I think x35 and x36 will merge. Leaving x37 via m80.
Most new cars are on finance of some sort these days. A dealer once told me that 15 years ago he knew the on the road price of all cars in his dealership, now he'd struggle if someone asked cash, all he knows is monthly.
I remember when I was young you got your parents car if you were lucky or you saved up for a banger. Now it seems most 18 year olds get given cars for themselves!
Used cars can be a bit of a bargain these days, if you can get a good one and not one flogged by someone who hasn't cared cause they're handing it back.
Sounds like most sensible businesses!
I'm just having a look at the 57 timetable just now. Is the service interworked with anything else? The 10 possibly? When I used to drive it you where a 56 leaving Auchinairn then changed to a 57 at the bus stop on Peat Road before going into the Pollok Centre (Silverburn)
Anyone remember the X81 from Auchinairn to City Centre that ran at peaks?
Is the railway station easier for people of Robroyston?
Spotted this on Facebook from around just over a week ago. Not seen anything more recent but it's interesting to see that the X1 might come back. I'm not 100% expecting it back but I wasn't expecting the 208 back either way
The X1, the route that refuses to die!
I'll throw this idea into the ring. Run an X255. Some token morning peak expresses that start in run from High Earnock then Hamilton town centre following the X1 route then via Bothwell and Uddingston on the 255 to near Daldowie and then send them on the M73 and M8 motorway into town.
Hamilton keeps some semblence of a prestigous express bus and Bothwell and Uddingston gets a slightly quicker bus into and out of Glasgow at peak times.
Maybe you could run one at roughly 0630 and 0730 and tie them in with the 255s so theres a 20 minute service from Uddingston to Glasgow and one at 1630 and 1730 in the opposite direction from Buchannan Bus Station tied around 1610/1650/1710 and 1750 255s from the Bus station.
The biggest fly in the ointment is that First have gradually cut down the 255s. Back in the Barbie days it was every 15 minutes Glasgow to Newarthill, now its a shadow of its former self and the more profitable bit Newarthill to Motherwell kept the Glasgow to Hamilton bit commercially afloat.
And then folks will complain the X255 takes too long as its going via Uddingston and Bothwell not use it, then one breaks down and before you know it then First will attempt to take that off and the cycle repeats itself......
No ones denying that the X1 is busy at peaks and of course the 226 would look quieter than the X1 as it’s a higher frequency so the passengers are spread out a bit more. The X1 is used in Hamilton again no ones denying that that’s why the last time it was coming off there was a 225 going on to serve the Hamilton area of the X1 route but a few passengers in Hamilton does not cover the cost of running off peak into Glasgow so on a whole the service runs at a loss. The X1 if it comes back it won’t be until colleges and unis are as close to normal as possible as it is mostly students who use it.The X1 does seem to be a cat with 9 lives kind of service tbh. Yeah I remember an idea for a X255 kind of service being mentioned on here before. Could even keep the short work 255s between Hamilton and Powburn Toll off to compensate for it and save elsewhere.
I do think there will definitely be a way to get results out of the X1 but it's hard because it's a service heavily influenced by student use and I know from the fact my sister goes to Strathclyde Uni that there's likely to be blended learning meaning students being in less days each week plus the first 2 weeks of her course are completely online. I'd imagine the City of Glasgow college could also be pretty similar meaning it could be well into October by the time things are normalised which isn't going to help matters.
I'd love to know the actual passenger numbers for the X1 off peak because it's certainly been busy within Hamilton when I have used it and a lot of locals I've seen discussing it on social media seem to see the 226 being quieter than it when they compare that to the X1. I doubt they'll all be wrong about their local bus plus I've seen mentions of ticket machines not working when people have used it. Again I don't believe everything on social media but when the same thing pops up more than once it's something to think about.
The X1 dilemma sounds very reminiscent to the McGill's X23- although McGill's didn't deny the X23 was busy in the peaks, but said outwith it was too quiet.
No ones denying that the X1 is busy at peaks and of course the 226 would look quieter than the X1 as it’s a higher frequency so the passengers are spread out a bit more. The X1 is used in Hamilton again no ones denying that that’s why the last time it was coming off there was a 225 going on to serve the Hamilton area of the X1 route but a few passengers in Hamilton does not cover the cost of running off peak into Glasgow so on a whole the service runs at a loss. The X1 if it comes back it won’t be until colleges and unis are as close to normal as possible as it is mostly students who use it.
The problem is probably that even then, First are still going to be losing money. I was sceptical before Covid that the X1 had a future; think the bat virus has probably finished it off.To me, the common sense approach would be either make it 1 an hour off peak or just run it in Hamilton off peak. Either way you're saving buses during the day even if it's not back til October. Even the previous idea suggested about an X255 would work at peaks with a local service covering it during the day
The problem is probably that even then, First are still going to be losing money. I was sceptical before Covid that the X1 had a future; think the bat virus has probably finished it off.
I think the problem with First is they leave services for too long without changes when they become borderline or loss makers and then expect things to get better when in reality it takes changes to make things better. Probably didn't help the bad taste either given that local politicians found out by email at 6pm on a Friday. That could have been handled so much better and I don't blame people in Hamilton for thinking First don't care about their passengers now because that definitely comes across that way
Problem is that if they then change to quickly, then the accusation is they're being too quick, always changing things, lack of stability etc.
I don't know the circumstances behind the announcement. You may be right that they were doing it then to avoid scrutiny in some way but equally, it might have been that the news was being leaked so they had to act quickly.
They always seem to end up having meetings with local politicians when cuts are announced anyway because of the fight back to save services so if anything it would probably be easier to just have the meetings before cuts anyway. Could make things so much easier and avoid the bad press that comes with it just with a bit of communication. Would probably get an idea of how to make the services viable too
Would probably also avoid the need for major cuts as often too. "What's being cut now?" Seems to be a mindset any time changes have been announced in recent years and it's something that needs to be avoided
That does run the risk of the politicians running to the press and spinning things. Of course, I'm sure the local politicos are above that sort of thing
I think the problem with First is they leave services for too long without changes when they become borderline or loss makers and then expect things to get better when in reality it takes changes to make things better. Probably didn't help the bad taste either given that local politicians found out by email at 6pm on a Friday. That could have been handled so much better and I don't blame people in Hamilton for thinking First don't care about their passengers now because that definitely comes across that way