First Greater Glasgow

[JumpinTrainz]

Why do First always cheap out? They keep their buses for a long time so surely that would justify getting a better spec. I get the financial implications but in comparison to other networks, First tend to get the bog standard hence why I used to hate the E300s.

Hopefully after this order First get further Yutongs and they start to experiment outwith BYD/ADL for a little while.

 

[Volvodart]

The models that First bought were more expensive than the standard models, because they have what used to be called the low carbon option.

 

[Jordan Adam]

I assume you mean 2/3 the size - ie, four cylinders instead of six. If it was 1/3 it would only have two cylinders, which would make them very underpowered!

Correct, what i had originally meant to say was 1/3rd smaller!

The four cylinder and six cylinder Cummins ISBs are the same engines but with two cylinders "chopped off" on the four cylinder unit. Volvo/Deutz did the same when it came to the four cylinder D5K and six cylinder D8K used in the B5TL and B8RLE respectively.

Why do First always cheap out? They keep their buses for a long time so surely that would justify getting a better spec. I get the financial implications but in comparison to other networks, First tend to get the bog standard hence why I used to hate the E300s.

Hopefully after this order First get further Yutongs and they start to experiment outwith BYD/ADL for a little while.

In fairness First's E300s are quite highly specified, especially compared to Stagecoach examples. Of course the most notable differences are the 6 speed ZF Ecolife gearbox and bonded glazing, however there are other things the First E300s have that most others don't such as the xenon headlights and gloss finish on the external fittings. It probably doesn't help now that they're in need of a decent refurb, but when new they really did feel like a massive step up compared to what they replaced.

 

[LT02 NVV]

Another 206 like service could be introduced between Dumbarton and Balloch to be fair but I don't know how you'd route it to cover parts of the 1 and 1A.

The 1B could be split too at Dumbarton like it was early during Covid times. I can't imagine the loadings are that great because of the train either.

Creating a timetable that works would be hard too I guess but splitting them would take the pain away from passengers from Dumbarton to Balloch/Helensburgh who need to suffer with the traffic issues from Glasgow to Dumbarton.

First should realistically be looking at adjusting routes to cover more with less buses given the driver shortage is very rampant still but no changes seem to be coming at all. I noticed with the Lanarkshire changes there's a bit of cutting during the day but hitting top frequencies quicker. I think that's needed across the board given how many buses are still missing.

I do think that Dumbarton should have more services, as there’s not much difference First Glasgow while comparing the services between 2008-2011 (204, 204A, 205, 206, 208, 215, 215A, 216) & nowadays (1, 1A, 1B, 1E, 206, 208), only the 206 & 208 don’t go to Glasgow, and the 1E is a peak-time service. It feels like there should be more buses connecting more of West Dumbartonshire, as while the one services do the perfect job of connecting them to Glasgow, it’s a shame that the rest of West Dumbartonshire has barely any services. (Though Garelochhead Coaches & McColls Coaches run some services, they’re much smaller companies).

Also, First Scotland East had a service known as the C13, which connected Balloch to Balfron, but in 2012, they withdrew that service, only keeping the 313 for School Services.

 

[Jordan Adam]

I do think that Dumbarton should have more services, as there’s not much difference First Glasgow while comparing the services between 2008-2011 (204, 205, 206, 208, 215, 215A, 216) & nowadays (1, 1A, 1B, 1E, 206, 208), only the 206 & 208 don’t go to Glasgow, and the 1E is a peak-time service. It feels like there should be more buses connecting more of West Dumbartonshire, as while the one services do the perfect job of connecting them to Glasgow, it’s a shame that the rest of West Dumbartonshire has barely any services. (Though Garelochhead Coaches & McColls Coaches run some services, they’re much smaller companies).

Also, First Scotland East had a service known as the C13, which connected Balloch to Balfron, but in 2012, they withdrew that service, only keeping the 313 for School Services.

The 1 is the former 215, the 1A is the former 204 and the 1B is the former 216, the 205 was essentially just a 1 that operated via Bellsmyre however it only ran about three times per day. Other than that the 204/215/216 offer essentially the exact same level of service as the 1/1A/1B. The only notable difference is that the 216 went via Bellsmyre whereas the 1B doesn't.

Most of the C13 is covered by the 309, albeit with no link to Balfron - https://bustimes.org/services/309-balmaha-alexandria-or-bonhill

The current "The One" works well, the only change i would've made is numbering the 1C and 1D as their own separate services.

 

[PaulMc7]

The 1 is the former 215, the 1A is the former 204 and the 1B is the former 216, the 205 was essentially just a 1 that operated via Bellsmyre however it only ran about three times per day. Other than that the 204/215/216 offer essentially the exact same level of service as the 1/1A/1B. The only notable difference is that the 216 went via Bellsmyre whereas the 1B doesn't.

Most of the C13 is covered by the 309, albeit with no link to Balfron - https://bustimes.org/services/309-balmaha-alexandria-or-bonhill

The current "The One" works well, the only change i would've made is numbering the 1C and 1D as their own separate services.

There's a missed opportunity in branding them with the X4 as a trio of services to be honest. I'd say an X2 for the 1D and X6 as the 1C then you've got the even pattern of X2/X4/X6

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Why do First always cheap out? They keep their buses for a long time so surely that would justify getting a better spec. I get the financial implications but in comparison to other networks, First tend to get the bog standard hence why I used to hate the E300s.

Notwithstanding the mention of the e300s having a number of additional features over Stagecoach equivalents, First had a habit of choosing more expensive options in many respects, not least in getting Wright Eclipses and Geminis when they could so easily have bought e300s and e400s in much greater numbers. Stagecoach are traditionally more conservative with specifications, and as for Arriva....well, they don't specify that much these days!

However, the refurb programme (or lack of) is a longstanding and justifiable gripe.

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

The 1 is the former 215, the 1A is the former 204 and the 1B is the former 216, the 205 was essentially just a 1 that operated via Bellsmyre however it only ran about three times per day. Other than that the 204/215/216 offer essentially the exact same level of service as the 1/1A/1B. The only notable difference is that the 216 went via Bellsmyre whereas the 1B doesn't.

Most of the C13 is covered by the 309, albeit with no link to Balfron - https://bustimes.org/services/309-balmaha-alexandria-or-bonhill

The current "The One" works well, the only change i would've made is numbering the 1C and 1D as their own separate services.

Like x3 & x6

 

[LT02 NVV]

The 1 is the former 215, the 1A is the former 204 and the 1B is the former 216, the 205 was essentially just a 1 that operated via Bellsmyre however it only ran about three times per day. Other than that the 204/215/216 offer essentially the exact same level of service as the 1/1A/1B. The only notable difference is that the 216 went via Bellsmyre whereas the 1B doesn't.

Most of the C13 is covered by the 309, albeit with no link to Balfron - https://bustimes.org/services/309-balmaha-alexandria-or-bonhill

The current "The One" works well, the only change i would've made is numbering the 1C and 1D as their own separate services.

So the 205 is basically just the 1E then, also, I need to ask, what happened to the 215A? I think it only lasted a short time.

 

[Jordan Adam]

So the 205 is basically just the 1E then, also, I need to ask, what happened to the 215A? I think it only lasted a short time.

No as the 205 still went via Dumbarton.

The 205 followed the 1A route from Glasgow to Dumbarton via Bellsmyre then the 1 route to Balloch via Vale of Leven Hospital.

 

[Joerf21]

Seen newer deckers on the 1d over last 2 days, N11 dot enviro 400 today, might be replacing 57 plate geminis

 

[sannox]

Are the night buses back to suspended again?

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

Are the night buses back to suspended again?
The last I heard they were

 

[PaulMc7]

First's open day for recruitment is tomorrow at Caley. Is anyone expecting much from it in terms of huge interest or will it fail?

To be fair, I've seen plenty of new faces driving buses I've been on lately so it's not all bad.

Another thing too, do First have a way of picking routes to lose buses with being short of drivers? I feel like you can normally bet on the same certain services to be missing buses. The 38s, 57s and 60/60A all seem to be constants

 

[Tom Gallacher]

Driving back up the road from England earlier today and there were 6 x E400's branded up with X3 & X85 heading south at Stafford followed by a service van with his light flashing

 

[Volvodart]

Driving back up the road from England earlier today and there were 6 x E400's branded up with X3 & X85 heading south at Stafford followed by a service van with his light flashing

The balance of 33983-9 going to Essex.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

Is the plan for all the remaining 65 plate E400MMCs to move to Blantyre?

 

[Bus Lightyear]

3 of First Glasgow's 54-reg Volvo B7tls were pictured at First South Yorkshire's depot in Sheffield presumably for onward transfer further south.

 

[Deerfold]

I don't think any operator that I know of has had a fares revision in the last 2 years. We can only assume this is one of the conditions of the Government funding.

Most Arriva areas had fare increases in January 2022. First increased fares in West Yorkshire in December 2021. A small number of fares went down, most went up and smaller area period tickets were withdrawn, giving an effective fare rise of over 20% to many.

 

[Bus Lightyear]

Most Arriva areas had fare increases in January 2022. First increased fares in West Yorkshire in December 2021. A small number of fares went down, most went up and smaller area period tickets were withdrawn, giving an effective fare rise of over 20% to many.

Thanks for this. Perhaps there's a different funding model in Scotland than in England.

 

[LT02 NVV]

3 of First Glasgow's 54-reg Volvo B7tls were pictured at First South Yorkshire's depot in Sheffield presumably for onward transfer further south.

What ones?

 

[Bus Lightyear]

What ones?

32585, 32598 and 32600.

Around 10 B7tls including the sole 07-reg have been removed from Bus Times (although this may not be 100% accurate).

On a different matter, long term sick E400 33981 is back on bus times and has been taxed until March 2023.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

32585, 32598 and 32600.

Around 10 B7tls including the sole 07-reg have been removed from Bus Times (although this may not be 100% accurate).

On a different matter, long term sick E400 33981 is back on bus times and has been taxed until March 2023.

Was this the one that was fire damaged at Caledonia when 32657 was destroyed?

 

[Bus Lightyear]

Was this the one that was fire damaged at Caledonia when 32657 was destroyed?

Yes I think it was

 

[DunsBus]

Yes I think it was

It was indeed that very one. If I'm correct, it was around this time last year 32657 was lost.

 

[d1672]

Can anyome give the current status for 32302 / 37208 / 43864 / 43872 / 66735 / 69019 / and 69111 please.

 

[mb3]

Can anyome give the current status for 32302 / 37208 / 43864 / 43872 / 66735 / 69019 / and 69111 please.

None are in service at the moment, 66735 is for scrap and I’m unsure on the rest. 32302 hasn’t been in service for a long time

 

[d1672]

None are in service at the moment, 66735 is for scrap and I’m unsure on the rest. 32302 hasn’t been in service for a long time

Thanks. I have since found out that 69111 has gone.

 

[LT02 NVV]

Can anyome give the current status for 32302 / 37208 / 43864 / 43872 / 66735 / 69019 / and 69111 please.

32302 has been withdrawn a long time ago.

 

[Glasgowbusguy]

Another quality repair by First Glasgow on a 1 branded decker unsure of the fleet number