First Greater Glasgow

[JumpinTrainz]

Noticed Overtown depot now have 4 ex London Enviro 200s in service. How many of the ex London E200s did First buy as I thought they only bought around 9 or 10 unless more arrived since I last seen them in Caley.

Bustimes shows 9 of them so far. I am just wondering if there is actually enough to give Overtown to replace the E200MMCs that are leaving and if not what they will get?

It still seems like a real backwards step replacing newer buses with older ones, however the only thing I can think is that perhaps Lanarkshire local services don’t merit newer buses any longer. Perhaps things have changed or the vision First were going for when upgrading the routes back in 2018 hasn’t worked out.

I wonder if with Blantyre going electric next there will be plans to electrify local services.

 

[cnjb8]

It still seems like a real backwards step replacing newer buses with older ones, however the only thing I can think is that perhaps Lanarkshire local services don’t merit newer buses any longer. Perhaps things have changed or the vision First were going for when upgrading the routes back in 2018 hasn’t worked out.

I wonder if with Blantyre going electric next there will be plans to electrify local services.

The MMCs were leased so it's cheaper for First to run the ex-London E200s then carry on the lease

 

[ScotRail158725]

Is SimpliCity making a comeback soon? As 37223 (which is on-loan to Aberdeen right now) has a SimpliCity sticker on its top deck window again. It’s weird, since last time I saw it out with Glasgow, it lacked it:

https://flic.kr/p/2pSqqxA

replacement window from 37187

Speaking of that bus, I don’t get why they don’t add a metal tree-brush (I think that’s what the metal thing on the left side of some double buses is called) to 37223, as they must have many spares? I’ve also noticed that E400MMCs 33203 & 33209 have had theirs removed recently.

The tree guards can get damaged and bent doing said job which is why some buses don’t have them

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The MMCs were leased so it's cheaper for First to run the ex-London E200s then carry on the lease

Indeed - as I said on #14398

Whatever the physical practice of disposal, if they are leased (?) then they are the property of the leasing company so it's them selling not First.

Now it could be that First could buy them but on what terms, and it might be that the financials of 2018 on those routes are markedly different to those now.

Post-covid, it might simply be that the economics are fundamentally different to now.

 

[cnjb8]

Indeed - as I said on #14398


Post-covid, it might simply be that the economics are fundamentally different to now.

To be fair this subject has come up so many times in this thread

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

To be fair this subject has come up so many times in this thread

Don't we know

 

[LT02 NVV]

The tree guards can get damaged and bent doing said job which is why some buses don’t have them

How much would it cost to replace them? Not to be rude really, as I’m just wondering. I don’t see why they aren’t replaced much.

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

How much would it cost to replace them? Not to be rude really, as I’m just wondering. I don’t see why they aren’t replaced much.

Why bother really? That is the idea that most within are taking..

 

[E400Lover101]

33252 has been painted into First "Standard" Livery.

 

[LT02 NVV]

33252 has been painted into First "Standard" Livery.

Any photos?

 

[SarahDFIG]

Any photos?

Duffy1234A has posted a pic of it on Flickr

First Glasgow 33252 - YX68 UPD at Buchanan Bus Stn

Passing through Buchanan Bus Stn this afternoon. And it's First Glasgow E400MMC to received new First Bus livey.

flic.kr

 

[LT02 NVV]

Duffy1234A has posted a pic of it on Flickr

First Glasgow 33252 - YX68 UPD at Buchanan Bus Stn

Passing through Buchanan Bus Stn this afternoon. And it's First Glasgow E400MMC to received new First Bus livey.

flic.kr

I wonder if they’re gonna brand it to have Glasgow or Lanarkshire?

 

[JumpinTrainz]

I wonder if they’re gonna brand it to have Glasgow or Lanarkshire?

It would make sense to just brand it Glasgow. The benefit of a national livery is to minimise things like this - it’s much easier to move vehicles around as First often do.

 

[SarahDFIG]

Probably will all say Glasgow for the same reason as previous post.

interested to see how the E200/mmcs/E300 look in the new livery.

 

[JD2168]

It would make sense to just brand it Glasgow. The benefit of a national livery is to minimise things like this - it’s much easier to move vehicles around as First often do.

Branding seen so far shows First F Bus on the side.

 

[dodecahedron67]

Branding seen so far shows First F Bus on the side.

All buses will just be branded as First <F logo> Bus

 

[JumpinTrainz]

Anyone know what ever happened to SO68 HFM? It was repaired and sitting in Caledonia about a year ago but don’t think it ever made it into service. It’s been out of service for 4 years now.

 

[ScotRail158725]

Anyone know what ever happened to SO68 HFM? It was repaired and sitting in Caledonia about a year ago but don’t think it ever made it into service. It’s been out of service for 4 years now.

Still in Caledonia

 

[LT02 NVV]

Was thinking that one of the Ex-Manchester Gemini Buses had finally entered service:

37457 - MX58 EAO

Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini

bustimes.org

But no, it’s a tracking error, as it’s 38457 that’s on the 19.

 

[christopherrfc]

This is a weird service for first Glasgow.

Bus registration details​

• Registration numberPM0000001/669
• Licence NumberPM0000001
• Variation number
• StatusNew
• Service number.Trossachs Explorer
• Service typeLimited Stop
• Start pointCallander , Station Road
• Finish pointBalfron
• ViaLoch Katrine, Aberfoyle
• Date received17 May 2024
• Effective date01 Jul 2024
• End date
• Supported by subsidies?No
• Local authorities covered by route
• TAOs covered by route

Registration history

Reg No.	Var No.	Status	Application type	Date received	Date effective	End date	Action
PM0000001/669	0	New	Manual	17/05/2024	01/07/2024

Back to topBack to search results

 

[stevenedin]

This is a weird service for first Glasgow.

I thought that was McGill’s doing that explorer?

 

[christopherrfc]

No McGills are doing the Stirling city sightseer bus service.

 

[stevenedin]

No McGills are doing the Stirling city sightseer bus service.

I read online somewhere that they were doing a trial of the Trossachs explorer but I could have read it wrong. That’ll be interesting if First Glasgow branches out.

 

[LT02 NVV]

I read online somewhere that they were doing a trial of the Trossachs explorer but I could have read it wrong. That’ll be interesting if First Glasgow branches out.

Do you think they’ll use coaches for these services? If so, then I wonder where they’ll get them from?

 

[lastbus]

This is a weird service for first Glasgow.

Most probably an admin error by traffic commissioners office. Been a few lately.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

Most probably an admin error by traffic commissioners office. Been a few lately.

Definitely a McGill's service

 

[LT02 NVV]

More E400MMCs have been painted into the new livery.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

More E400MMCs have been painted into the new livery.

33252, 33254 and 33392 so far

 

[LT02 NVV]

I don't know if 33440 is in for a re-paint right now or not, but I’m wondering if it is, what the livery it will they paint it into?

 

[E400Lover101]

IDK if 33440 is in for a re-paint right now or not, but I’m wondering if it is, the what livery it will they paint it into?

In my opinion, I think it'll be a 50/50 chance of Urban or First