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First Midland Bluebird

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Driver362

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12 Aug 2018
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296
Loved our B7 RLE's. Drove all the 07 batch and 09 batch @ Larbert. Thing was ours were limited to 62mph. Larbert 09 batch were 50 mph, the 07's at L. W had far more comfy seating than the 09's
 
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RailUK Forums

Observer

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The B7RLEs were all fine until the ECUs kept on kicking up and forcing them to go slow....or not work at all. That happened years ago of course.
 

Driver362

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12 Aug 2018
Messages
296
I mind driving them at 6 months old and they had eml lights on! We're told to run it!!. You just sat waiting for the enviable engine derate to happen. Although a lot of the times it was add blue related. After running scanias that were pre add blue it was a bit baffling to them that this stuff could cause so much issues. But the recycle it culture didn't do them any favours. They had a hard life at L.w but are still going strong :D
 

Zakforbes4

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Joined
15 Nov 2019
Messages
111
Location
Glasgow
I have a couple of questions
1. What is Addison news all about like one bus every 3 ish hours and like why is it called news.
2. why are alot of first midland bluebirds in barbie livery.
and 3 what is the difference between this new x38 and the old 38.

Sorry if I sound stupid I'm from glasgow just interested in first midland bluebirds.
 

Observer

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Messages
709
I have a couple of questions
1. What is Addison news all about like one bus every 3 ish hours and like why is it called news.
2. why are alot of first midland bluebirds in barbie livery.
and 3 what is the difference between this new x38 and the old 38.

Sorry if I sound stupid I'm from glasgow just interested in first midland bluebirds.
1. It's just one man and his 15 seater minibus, nothing to do with First. Been running that for many years. Used to own a newsagent in Callander, timetables on stops say Addison of Callander.
2. Repainting the whole fleet takes time and there's been so many liveries since Barbie, by the time Larbert was mostly painted up blue then came the current livery.
3. No real changes, just matching the Lothian Country number.
 

Zakforbes4

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15 Nov 2019
Messages
111
Location
Glasgow
1. It's just one man and his 15 seater minibus, nothing to do with First. Been running that for many years. Used to own a newsagent in Callander, timetables on stops say Addison of Callander.
2. Repainting the whole fleet takes time and there's been so many liveries since Barbie, by the time Larbert was mostly painted up blue then came the current livery.
3. No real changes, just matching the Lothian Country number.

why doesn't he run it more often or is he unable?
 

JumpinTrainz

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30 Jul 2018
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They don’t care half as much about FSE fleet or presentation compared to Glasgow. Things have improved more now but previously there have been buses running around looking very untidy.

FSE has the nicest livery now out of all of them IMO.
 

Jordan Adam

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The main thread has been moved to other sub section https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/buses-and-the-coronavirus.202117/page-7

Does anyone know what is going on with these operations? is it still a normal timetable?

Aberdeen and Scotland East are on a standard "University closed" timetable. So everything is running as normal except the Stirling UL and Aberdeen 1B, 9U & 20. I suspect the reason for this is because the network manager for Aberdeen/Scotland East was/is on holiday and they (as in the other management staff) couldn't be bothered making temporary timetables like Glasgow did.
 

Smithy4321

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11 Feb 2020
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Location
Scotland
Aberdeen and Scotland East are on a standard "University closed" timetable. So everything is running as normal except the Stirling UL and Aberdeen 1B, 9U & 20. I suspect the reason for this is because the network manager for Aberdeen/Scotland East was/is on holiday and they (as in the other management staff) couldn't be bothered making temporary timetables like Glasgow did.

I think this is incredibly harsh, the number of people involved in planning in that area are a much smaller group than in Glasgow and no doubt decisions were likely to have been made early last week before events fully evolved. No doubt the folk involved will be busy planning things from next week.
 

Jordan Adam

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I think this is incredibly harsh, the number of people involved in planning in that area are a much smaller group than in Glasgow and no doubt decisions were likely to have been made early last week before events fully evolved. No doubt the folk involved will be busy planning things from next week.

I dont think its harsh at all. Especially not given that that's pretty much how things have been for the last 2 or so years. In past service changes and meetings their excuse for not adjusting timetables following a consultation has nearly always been because the network manager had went on holiday.

It's nothing against anyone personally but it's pretty evident that the management for Aberdeen/FSE are not able to keep up with the changing dynamics of the operating area and are often far too preoccupied by West Lothian. Even if you look at Aberdeens online timetables and maps it's very clear that there's a lack of local knowledge and that's without even talking about the state of the network!
 

Volvodart

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12 Jun 2010
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Timetables from March 30 are now on the forthcoming timetables section of the First website.
 

overthewater

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Surprising it will take place on Monday, Also X23 are now gone. while in Forth Valley its minaly a Sunday service however with extra early morning runs especially on the x38.
 

overthewater

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Further changes are happening this monday.

Timetables from Monday 20th April
Thank you very much to all the feedback we have received from our key workers. We have revised our timetables were possible, but please continue to send us your comments via the Key Worker Feedback link below.

From Monday 4th May, the following timetables are NOT CHANGING and will continue with the current timetable; C1, H1/H2, X10, X10A, C11, C30, X36, C48, 57, 59, UL. These can be viewed via the links below or on our timetable page via the ‘Current’ tab, click here.

From Monday 4th May, the following timetables are CHANGING; 1, 2, 3/4, 5, 6, 8, F14, F16, 20, 21, X22, X24, X25, 26, 27, 29, X35, X37, X38, F45, 51/52, 54, 600. These can be viewed via the links below or on our timetable page via the ‘Forthcoming’ tab, click here.

1

Dunipace - Denny - Bonnybridge - Falkirk - Redding - Polmont - Maddiston - Linlithgow - Bridgend

Monday to Saturday New journey – 0624 Maddiston to Dunipace
The 0710 Dunipace to Falkirk journey will now depart at 0718 and extend to Bridgend via Maddiston and Linlithgow

2

Limerigg - Slammanan - Falkirk - Grangemouth - Bo'ness

Monday to Saturday The 0742 Limerigg to Falkirk journey will now depart at 0737

3 / 4

3: Falkirk - Grangemouth - Falkirk
4: Falkirk - Grangemouth - Falkirk

Monday to Saturday

New journeys – 0535 (3), 0605 (4) and 2215 (4) Falkirk to Grangemouth and return

Sunday New journey – 2215 (4) Falkirk to Grangemouth and return

6: Falkirk Wheel - Tamfourhill - Falkirk - Bainsford - Carronshore - Stenhousemuir - FVRH

Monday to Saturday New journey – 0631 FVRH to Tamfourhill


Service X24

Monday to Sunday All journeys to Edinburgh will operate 10 minutes earlier

Service X38

Monday to Sunday The 2120 Stirling to Falkirk journey will now depart at 2145 New journeys – 2230 Falkirk to Stirling and 2315 Stirling to Larbert


51 / 52

51: Alloa - Tullibody - Stirling - Bannockburn - Cowie
52: Stirling - Menstrie - Tillicoultry - Sauchie - Alloa

Service 51 Monday to Saturday New journey - 0620 Alloa to Stirling

Service 52 Monday to Saturday New journeys - 0544 & 0644 Menstrie to Alloa adn 0606 Manor Powis via Alloa, Tillicoultry, Alva, Menstrie to Stirling

54

New journeys – 0620 Bridge of Allan to Stirling 2215 Alloa via Stirling, Bannockburn to Cowie
 

GusB

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Buses & Coaches
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Several posts referring to Mackies of Alloa have been removed due to being off-topic. If anyone wishes to discuss this, please do so in a new thread. Please also remember to include sources to back up any claims.
 
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Changes to services from 29th of June

 
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detailed information for monday changes


First Scotland East Timetable From Monday 29th June
First Scotland East Service Changes – From Monday 29 June 2020

During the week commencing Monday 29 June, as lockdown measures are eased there will be changes to the following services:

Service no.Service change details
1
  • Monday to Saturday frequency – Up to every 20 minutes
  • Sunday frequency – Every 60 minutes

  • Click here for the 1 timetable from Monday June 29th 2020
2
  • In Falkirk, journeys to Bo’ness will now observe the Vicar Street stop instead of Upper Newmarket Street outside Asda
  • Monday to Saturday frequency – Up to every 30 minutes
  • Sunday frequency – Every 60 minutes

  • Click here for the 2 timetable from Monday June 29th 2020
3, 4
  • Revised route in Falkirk where buses will now start and finish at Vicar Street instead of Upper Newmarket Street
  • In Grangemouth, Stevenson Street and Central Avenue will continue to be unserved
  • Monday to Saturday frequency – Every 20 minutes (combined every 10 minutes frequency between Falkirk and Newlands Road)
  • Sunday frequency – Every 60 minutes (combined every 30 minutes frequency between Falkirk and Newlands Road)

  • Click here for the 3 and 4 timetables from Monday June 29th 2020
5
  • In Falkirk, buses travelling towards Bainsford will no longer serve the Vicar Street stop
  • Monday to Saturday frequency – Every 30 minutes
  • Sunday frequency – Every 60 minutes

  • Click here for the 5 timetable from Monday June 29th 2020
6, 6A
  • Falkirk Wheel will remain unserved until further notice
  • In Falkirk, buses travelling towards Tamfourhill/Ochiltree Terrace will be reallocated to Upper Newmarket Street stance 2
  • Buses travelling towards Bainsford will no longer serve the Vicar Street stop
  • Monday to Saturday frequency – Up to every 30 minutes
  • Sunday frequency – Every 60 minutes

  • Click here for the 6 and 6A timetables from Monday June 29th 2020
7
  • This service remains suspended until further notice
8
  • Curtailed operation between Fankerton and FVRH will remain until further notice

  • Click here for the 8 timetable from Monday June 29th 2020
X10, X10A
  • Normal route and school hols timetables reinstated on all days

  • Click here for the X10 and X10A timetables from Monday June 29th 2020
21
  • Full route reinstated
  • Monday to Saturday frequency – Every 30 minutes
  • Sunday frequency – Every 60 minutes

  • Click here for the 21 timetable from Monday June 29th 2020
X22
  • Monday to Saturday frequency – Every 30 minutes
  • Sunday frequency – Up to every 30 minutes

  • Click here for the X22 timetable from Monday June 29th 2020
X23
  • This service remains suspended until further notice
X24
  • Monday to Saturday frequency – Every 30 minutes
  • Sunday frequency – Every 60 minutes

  • Click here for the X24 timetable from Monday June 29th 2020
X25
  • Monday to Saturday frequency – Up to every 15 minutes (Blackridge/Armadale to Livingston/Broxburn only)
  • Sunday frequency – Every 30 minutes

  • Click here for the X25 timetable from Monday June 29th 2020
26, 26A
  • Monday to Saturday frequency – Up to every 15 minutes
  • Sunday frequency – Up to every 30 minutes

  • Click here for the 26 and 26A timetables from Monday June 29th 2020
27
  • Frequency – Every 30 minutes on all days

  • Click here for the 27 timetable from Monday June 29th 2020
29
  • Revised early morning Monday to Friday timetable to include journeys from Slamannan and Bathgate
  • Saturdays and Sundays unchanged

  • Click here for the 29 timetable from Monday June 29th 2020
X35 (35)
  • This service will continue to operate between Falkirk and Condorrat only
  • In Falkirk buses will now start and finish at Upper Newmarket Street – Central Retail Park no longer served
  • From Craiglinn buses will operate in a one-way loop via Condorrat (Morar Drive and North Road) and Cumbernauld Retail Park
  • All journeys numbered renumbered as service 35
  • Frequency unchanged

  • Click here for the 35 and X35 timetables from Monday June 29th 2020
X36
  • Route revised between Cumbernauld and Glasgow to operate via Cumbernauld Town Centre instead of North Carbrain
  • A combined frequency of every 30 minutes between Cumbernauld and Glasgow will be provided with service X37

  • Click here for the X36 timetable from Monday June 29th 2020
X37
  • Route revised between Cumbernauld and Glasgow to operate via Condorrat (Etive Drive) then direct to Glasgow – Greenfaulds, Moodiesburn and Muirhead no longer served
  • First Glasgow service X3 will continue to provide from Moodiesburn and Muirhead to Glasgow and Cumbernauld on an improved frequency
  • A combined frequency of every 30 minutes between Cumbernauld and Glasgow will be provided with service X36

  • Click here for the X37 timetable from Monday June 29th 2020
X38
  • Temporary diversions via Stirling and Falkirk Community Hospitals no longer provided
  • Monday to Saturday frequency – Every 20 minutes
  • Sunday frequency – Every 60 minutes

  • Click here for the X38 timetable from Monday June 29th 2020
51
  • Normal timetables reinstated with earlier finishes

  • Click here for the 51 timetable from Monday June 29th 2020
52
  • Normal timetables reinstated with earlier finishes

  • Click here for the 52 timetable from Monday June 29th 2020
54
  • Normal timetables reinstated with earlier finishes

  • Click here for the timetable from Monday June 29th 2020
57
  • Subject to Timetable changes

  • Click here for the timetable from Monday June 29th 2020
59
  • Normal routes and timetables reinstated on all days

  • Click here for the timetable from Monday June 29th 2020
600
  • This service will be suspended in full
UL
  • Service suspended
C1, C11, C30, C48
  • Normal school hols timetables reinstated on all days

  • Click here for the C1 and C11 timetables from Monday June 29th 2020
  • Click here for the C30 and C48 timetables from Monday June 29th 2020
F14, F16, F45
  • Normal routes and timetables reinstated on all days
  • Service F14 towards Etna Road will now observe the Vicar Street stop instead of Upper Newmarket Street outside Asda

  • Click here for the F14 and F16 timetables from Monday June 29th 2020
  • Click here for the F45 timetable from Monday June 29th 2020
H1, H2
  • Normal timetables reinstated on all days

  • Click here for the H1 and H2 timetables from Monday June 29th 2020
 

overthewater

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Overall not to bad, What we are looking for in Phrase 3 or sometime in JULY is the following:

No1 - Every 15mins
No5 - Every 15mins
No7 and full 8 fully restored.
No27 - Every 20mins
X38 - Every 15mins

However It seems one cuts has taken place, I dont think the X35 Back to Glasgow will happen now. Just look at the X37

Service 600 is back in full operate the list is wrong..
 

Jordan Adam

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5,514
Location
Aberdeen
Overall not to bad, What we are looking for in Phrase 3 or sometime in JULY is the following:

No1 - Every 15mins
No5 - Every 15mins
No7 and full 8 fully restored.
No27 - Every 20mins
X38 - Every 15mins

However It seems one cuts has taken place, I dont think the X35 Back to Glasgow will happen now. Just look at the X37

Service 600 is back in full operate the list is wrong..

Phase 3 should see services back to how they were pre-lockdown.
 

overthewater

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I still have my doubts over that x35, lets wait and see. However I wonder if the No5 will go back to every 15mins, when every 20min could be enough.
 

Observer

Member
Joined
3 Nov 2014
Messages
709
I assume that the Vicar Street changes is an attempt to deal with congestion problems at Asda?
 

Observer

Member
Joined
3 Nov 2014
Messages
709
Correct, again if long term it solves the problem then it may will be kept permainte.
I don't think it will. Vicar Street can take two buses fine and I seem to remember there were some works done to it a few months ago, not sure if they added another shelter though.

The issues will be:
  • Passengers wanting to get off at ASDA only for drivers to tell them they can't, they have to wait until the next stop which although is some distance has plenty of access to the other streets.
  • Plus anything terminating at Vicar Street, are they having to wait there to start again or will they be expected to wait time at the next stop (Park Street, next to other side of business park) to layover?

If this is a council suggestion hopefully they have told Stagecoach when they return since they have been waiting at that stop for the 8 for 10 minutes or so whenever they reach Falkirk.

The fact remains though the only realistic way to improve congestion problems is to improve the layout at Upper Newmarket St on both sides.

The church side will take another stop no problem, ASDA side would need some work.

There have been suggestions in the past to turn Grahamston Station into a transport hub and move everything there, but that would take a lot of work, won't happen any time soon.
 

overthewater

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Council will never realing Asda Side of Upper Newmarket St , it would be rather easy to create a bigger space while give the public more room. im surprised the council has not applied for grant money to do this.
 
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