The bus stop displays are as bad as First's app. At one point when First were even more short of drivers than they are now, I was waiting for a bus and 3 different services were all showing as cancelled, yet all 3 of them turned up. I do wonder if the traffic commissioner ever will get involved because I personally feel like it would have happened by now if it was ever going to.
It’s likely to be fixed as these buses are only 12 years old. Deckers can live anything up to 17 years some longer. I wouldn’t be so sure.
It could also be turned into an open top & sent to a coastal location to replace an older vehicle.
They’re essentially half way there
Haven’t they been scrapped? I’m sure I seen photos months ago.
They are parked in Campbell's yard in Alexandria and have done for months. As far as I am aware their fate hasn't been determined yet. Last I heard the book value was too high to scrap them and they were looking at options to get them converted but all went silent. They were moved out to Campbell's to give Scotstoun space to get EV chargers installed. Probably picked Campbell's for storage in case they decided to take the hit and scrap them.
Thanks for the update. It seems like a waste of modern buses which could be out in service especially low heights.
I fully agree with this as it would allow for the 6 to be all double decker operated. I also think the 3 could do with some more double deckers as it's usually packed at peak times constantly now. If Bustimes.org is accurate today, there are 2 Streetlites on the 3 currently and 1 on the 2 as well.
The 34 doesn't need double deckers.
The eyewatering cost at getting them fit for service could be the reason. Didn't Lothian dispose of their hybrids?
I recall them being very unreliable with lots of breakdowns. I remember there was talk of them going to Potteries at one time but that never happened. They were then supposed to be getting converted to just standard diesel buses but I imagine it was too expensive given their age and now they’ve been rotting away. Shame really as they were nice buses and the type is still widely used.
From my own experience, there are definitely certain times of the day where double deckers could certainly help on the 34. It can be pretty busy at times.
Converted to diesel, used by Lothian for a while after, then sold to Wellglade
The type is still widely in use but mainly in diesel form now. First West of England also withdrew theirs that were Converted so maybe its First policy to withdraw them
The drop off in passenger numbers with the 34 and 77 seems to be massive in the evening which is the only reason I can think of as to why they both finish earlier than a lot of services. I think the imbalance between off-peak and peak passenger numbers is a huge issue at the minute. I use a lot of different services as I'm out on random wanders almost daily at the moment and a lot of them are still a bit quiet off-peak although there is definitely some growth with the better weather already showing.
I reckon the drop in numbers with 34 is the fact it runs outside the City Centre. Secondly any route with elderly passengers, as they don't tend to stay out late.
I agree with that, to be honest. Glasgow Clyde College does still do evening classes for some subjects as far as I know but even the 10 that goes closer to it struggles to pick up many evening students. I think the problem with the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in general is that the services First offer don't really have a lot of variety, although they're a bit limited by competing with Mcgills and Stagecoach. Car parking being free is another problem for First, too.
The drive chains kept breaking on them.
I'm glad you've asked this as I'm also wondering whether there are a lot of tracker issues at the moment. I've noticed quite a few buses that have been running but not tracking when I've been out over the past week.
That is exactly what i was wondering with SN65 ZGE and SN65 ZGH. as I don't know when they will be on the road.
Once you're behind the wheel of a single decker or a double decker there isn't much of a difference to drive with the extra height. Only thing to be aware of is the vehicle's height and this must be for both single and double deckers.
Thank you for the information. In terms of drive, has there been much of a difference between the older vehicles and the newer electric ones? I've seen some different vehicles being used for familiarisation purposes but I wasn't sure just how different it is now with all of the new buses we've had in recent times.
Yes, as I have seen LG72 DZN (38467) on Driver training duties for the 18 as I had seen it sitting in Greenhills.
