First Midland Bluebird

[Jordan Adam]

I’m very aware of that however this should have been done long ago. The FSE division seems to always be very lacklustre in terms of its services and running the oldest buses ever. This has only really improved in the past few years but even then it’s not anywhere near Lothian’s service. It’s embarrassing and a joke.

This is the issue, people expect everywhere to have the service coverage of Edinburgh. It just doesn't work, you can't make a rose from a thorn!

 

[KendalKing]

There maybe scope for some kind of study to be made looking into the percentage of folk who use real time apps or apps for timetables as opposed to paper timetables , Or has that already been done ?

Unfortunately, a lot of operators DON'T keep their timetables on their websites up to date!

 

[PaulMc7]

Unfortunately, a lot of operators DON'T keep their timetables on their websites up to date!

Yeah Mcgills are horrific for that

 

[Driver362]

I’m very aware of that however this should have been done long ago. The FSE division seems to always be very lacklustre in terms of its services and running the oldest buses ever. This has only really improved in the past few years but even then it’s not anywhere near Lothian’s service. It’s embarrassing and a joke.

A rather unfair and broad generalisation there I feel

 

[Jordan Adam]

A rather unfair and broad generalisation there I feel

Agreed. FSE had large fleet investments every year up to 2005, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2015 & 2016. The only time there's been a gap was between 2009 and 2011 and 2017 to now, however most first opco's saw a reduction in fleet investment in those periods.

 

[ChrisPJ]

A policy of presenting the traveling public with youthful vehicles, cunningly disguised by regularly transferring in life expired scrap and transferring out a proportion of newer buses.

 

[christopherrfc]

http://www.killearncc.org.uk

Proposed Changes to Bus Services
First Midland Bluebird has notified Stirling Council of proposals to change services B10, B12 and C11 and have requested that Stirling Council consults with local members and community councils on their behalf.

It is proposed that any changes would be introduced on Monday 21 October 2019.

Any comments on these proposals can be sent to [email protected] by 1700h on Tuesday 27 August 2019 and will be shared with First prior to any changes being finalised.

An informal drop-in session will be held in the John McLintock Halls, Dunmore Street, Balfron , Glasgow G63 0TX on Wednesday 21 August between 1915h and 2115h where there will be an opportunity to discuss with representatives from First Midland Bluebird and Stirling Council and share your views on the proposals.

Summary of revisions:

• Monday to Friday morning departures from Balfron to Stirling (via Kippen) currently 0700,0740,0900 and 1010 arriving Stirling 0745,0825,0945 and 1055 are revised to 0706, 0941,1126 from Balfron arriving Stirling 0748, 1024 and 1209
• service 10A ( Balfron – Kelvinbridge – Glasgow) no longer operates
• service C11 renumbered X10A between Stirling and Aberfoyle, services B10, C10, B12, C12 renumbered X10
• Balfron – Kippen –Stirling number of journeys unchanged
• Balfron – Glasgow number of journeys unchanged
• revised times between Stirling , Balfron and Glasgow to allow through journeys
• new through bus service Stirling – Aberfoyle – Balfron – Glasgow providing direct links between Aberfoyle, Thornhill and Glasgow and through fares
• additional journeys between Stirling and Balfron via Aberfoyle (from five to six each way)
• new through bus service Stirling – Kippen – Balfron – Glasgow providing new direct links
• Service B10, C10 renumbered to X10 or X10A depending on which route is taken between Balfron and Stirling (X10 via Kippen, X10A via Aberfoyle)

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

Sounds like a good set of changes, good to see the company trying to improve things in that area, one of my favourite parts of Scotland aswell.

 

[smtglasgow]

As ever, the devil will be in the detail – it may be cuts masquerading as simplification. But having a single number for the Glasgow-Stirling service makes sense. Surprised to see the 10A school journey go. Used to see it regularly in the afternoons loading up at Bank St and it always picked up a good load – are folk in KIllearn feeling the pinch and sending their kids to school with the hoi polloi?

 

[Milkboy]

Through journeys sound good, though over such a long distance, any traffic hold-ups on the A811/A81 will surely have a significant knock-on effect on later journeys.

Also, X generally indicates some form of express - not sure I'd describe any of the Balfron area services as expresses!

And if you live in Balfron or Kippen and start work in Stirling at 9am, I'm not sure you'll be delighted at an 0748 arrival being your only option.

 

[Volvodart]

You can reply to the consultation if you are affected.

 

[route101]

Sounds like a good set of changes, good to see the company trying to improve things in that area, one of my favourite parts of Scotland aswell.

Done a few routes in the Balfron area last month , bit of overlooked area , mystery no lands north of Glasgow .

 

[route101]

http://www.killearncc.org.uk

Proposed Changes to Bus Services
First Midland Bluebird has notified Stirling Council of proposals to change services B10, B12 and C11 and have requested that Stirling Council consults with local members and community councils on their behalf.

It is proposed that any changes would be introduced on Monday 21 October 2019.

Any comments on these proposals can be sent to [email protected] by 1700h on Tuesday 27 August 2019 and will be shared with First prior to any changes being finalised.

An informal drop-in session will be held in the John McLintock Halls, Dunmore Street, Balfron , Glasgow G63 0TX on Wednesday 21 August between 1915h and 2115h where there will be an opportunity to discuss with representatives from First Midland Bluebird and Stirling Council and share your views on the proposals.

Summary of revisions:

• Monday to Friday morning departures from Balfron to Stirling (via Kippen) currently 0700,0740,0900 and 1010 arriving Stirling 0745,0825,0945 and 1055 are revised to 0706, 0941,1126 from Balfron arriving Stirling 0748, 1024 and 1209
• service 10A ( Balfron – Kelvinbridge – Glasgow) no longer operates
• service C11 renumbered X10A between Stirling and Aberfoyle, services B10, C10, B12, C12 renumbered X10
• Balfron – Kippen –Stirling number of journeys unchanged
• Balfron – Glasgow number of journeys unchanged
• revised times between Stirling , Balfron and Glasgow to allow through journeys
• new through bus service Stirling – Aberfoyle – Balfron – Glasgow providing direct links between Aberfoyle, Thornhill and Glasgow and through fares
• additional journeys between Stirling and Balfron via Aberfoyle (from five to six each way)
• new through bus service Stirling – Kippen – Balfron – Glasgow providing new direct links
• Service B10, C10 renumbered to X10 or X10A depending on which route is taken between Balfron and Stirling (X10 via Kippen, X10A via Aberfoyle)

Weren't there through services from Aberfoyle before ?

 

[ScotsRail]

There were but they were removed several years ago.

The Sunday service went first, which was handy for a few hours of Trossachs trampling, and there was a pre 7am service from Balfron to Aberfoyle that then went to Buchanan via Balfron and Killearn, a couple of daytime services and then a Buchanan to Aberfoyle "communter special" that left around 17:30.

That changed about 12 years ago to having to change buses at Balfron - which IIRC was a Stirling - Balfron service that went to the depot and turned round before doing a return run to Aberfoyle.

 

[overthewater]

BIGGER changes are coming: https://www.firstgroup.com/south-ea...-scotland-east-network-proposals-october-2019 I wonder if the new 6a will be every 30mins on Sunday?

The following network changes are currently being proposed on the routes listed below. We would welcome your feedback during this consultation period. Can you please submits any comments in the boxes below before 9pm on Friday August 30th 2019.

Services - 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 22, 24, 25, 27, 29, 54, 57, B10, B12, C11, X35, X36, X37.

Pproposed Network changes planned to start on October 21st 2019.

Bus service 1 - Dunipace - Denny - Bonnybridge - Falkirk - Redding - Polmont - Maddiston - Linlithgow – Bridgend

• Revised timetable to improve punctuality.
• In Dunipace, all journeys will now begin and end on Ingleston Avenue. Barnego Road no longer served due accessibility issues.
• Whitecross no longer served in the evenings.

Bus service 2 - Limerigg - Slammanan - Falkirk - Grangemouth - Bo'ness

• Additional evening journeys to Community Hospital.
• Revised journey times to improve punctuality.

Bus service 5 - Hallglen - Falkirk - Langlees

• Revised route in Bainsford which is now serving the Carron Centre. Carronside Street and part of David’s Loan will no longer be served as a result.

Bus service 6 - Falkirk Wheel - Tamfourhill - Falkirk - Carronshore - Stenhousemuir – FVRH
Bus service 7 – Camelon - Falkirk - Antonshill - Stenhousemuir - FVRH
Bus service 8 - Camelon - Falkirk - Stenhousemuir - FVRH - Bonnybridge - Fankerton

• Improved Sunday service with introduction of the 6A partially replacing the current service 7.
• The 6A will be the new Sunday service which will now cover Forth Valley Hospital via Kinnaird Park.
• No change to the Monday to Saturday day timetable for service 6/7/8.
• Revised evening and Sunday timetables will be introduced.

WEST LOTHIAN

Bus service 22 - Harthill - Whitburn - Blackburn - Livingston Village - Livingston - St John's Hospital
Will see the removal of daily evening journeys after 2200 between Livingston Centre and Whitburn. Our 600 service provide an alternative journey option for passengers.

Bus service 24 - Deans - Eliburn - Livingston - Pumpherston - Broxburn - Edinburgh
Bus service 25 – Blackridge - Armadale - Bathgate - Deans - Livingston - Broxburn - Edinburgh

• Journeys to and from Edinburgh from 2200 will be reduced to an hourly service. On Saturday the last bus will leave Edinburgh at 2320.
• The N25 service will operate from Edinburgh on a Friday and Saturday night, between 0100 and 0315.

Bus service 27 - St John's Hospital - Livingston - Dedridge - Livingston South

• Reduced from current 15 min daytime frequency service to every 20 mins.

Bus service 29 - Falkirk - Shieldhill - Avonbridge - Armadale - Falside - Bathgate - Broxburn

• This service will be curtailed to only operate between Falkirk and Avonbridge main daytime, with Westfield / Armadale / Bathgate / Broxburn, no longer being served. Revised timetable introduced.

STIRLING

Bus service 54 - Cowie - Community Hospital - City Centre - Cornton - Bridge of Allan - University

• This service will be revised to operate Stirling Bus Station to Stirling University only. The extension to Cowie via the Community Hospital, which was introduced in response to customer requests in February 2019, will be removed due to very low usage.

Bus service 57 - Raploch - City Centre - Community Hospital - St Ninians

• In response to customer requests the revised route in the Raploch area will now cover Beatty Avenue, Hazelbank Gardens, Ochil Crescent (via Community Centre) and Laurencecroft Road
• Revised route in the St Ninians area with Graystale Road no longer served due accessibility changes in new the road system.

B10/B12/C11
Below are the proposed Network changes planned to start on October 21st 2019.

Bus service B10 - Aberfoyle - Balfron - Killearn - Strathblane - Milngavie - Maryhill – Glasgow

Bus service B12 - Balfron - Kippen - Gargunnock – Stirling

Bus service C11 - Aberfoyle - Thornhill - Stirling - Cambusbarron ( Stirling Council Tender )

• New direct links to Glasgow from Aberfoyle.
• Improved two hourly service between Aberfoyle and Stirling.
• Revised timetable which improves service links between Balfron and Glasgow to hourly
• Direct link from north of Glasgow to Stirling
• Simplified timetable via Kippen and Gargunock providing direct links to Glasgow on every journey. Now a two-hourly service during the day, between Balfron and Stirling via Kippen.
• Renumbered to X10 (Glasgow to Stirling via Buchlyvie, Kippen and Gargunock) and X10A (Glasgow to Stirling via Gartmore, Aberfoyle, Port of Mentieth and Thornhill).
• The 10A via Great Western road in Glasgow is withdrawn.

Bus service X35 - Falkirk - Bonnybridge - Kilsyth - Condorrat - Muirhead - Glasgow
Bus service X37 - Falkirk - Bonnybridge - Cumbernauld - Condorrat - Muirhead - Glasgow

• Minor timetable changes introduced to address punctuality.

Bus service X36 - Stirling - Denny - Cumbernauld - Condorrat – Glasgow

• This frequency on service X36 will be reduced from the current 30 minutes to 60 minutes.

 

[Bluebirdscot66]

I do know at times there is folk who get on 29 Armadale and Westfield to Falkirk so maybe if they get commenting on feedback page They might keep it at say Bathgate

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

I say even just curtail the 29 at Armadale and people can board services to Bathgate and Broxburn from there seen as the frequency of buses from Armadale is more than ample just now

 

[In Focus]

I do know at times there is folk who get on 29 Armadale and Westfield to Falkirk so maybe if they get commenting on feedback page They might keep it at say Bathgate

Id imagine WLC will be forced to put a subsidy on any journey from Westfield to Armadale or Bathgate ,don't see any other company running it as a commercial journey.
It would be interesting though if anyone decided Bathgate to Falkirk was worth doing along lines of
Bathgate , Armadale, Westfield, Avonbridge, Sheildhill, Polmont ,Laurieston into Falkirk.

 

[Observer]

All that route branding for nothing then for the most part. Rebrand buses for the X36 and then chop its frequency in half a month or two later, well done First.

 

[LiviCrazy]

BIGGER changes are coming: https://www.firstgroup.com/south-ea...-scotland-east-network-proposals-october-2019 I wonder if the new 6a will be every 30mins on Sunday?

The 27 seems to be relatively successful for a town service. When they use the appropriate buses (small Streetlites and Darts) it looks okay. It looks silly when they are using the double deckers. However it probably only justifies a 20min frequency.

The 24/25 changes are to be expected and back in line with the old 21/22, they are all running pretty empty at that time of night apart from the last journey.

I don’t know enough about the 29 to comment.

The West Lothian changes actually seem to be pretty logical, no reactionary massive cuts or massive changes just simple tidying up of things to reduce to the loss making journeys.

 

[NorthClyde320]

You would expect either Falkirk or West Lothian councils or both to support the route between Avonbridge and Bathgate similar to what happened when First were going to withdraw the Slamannan to Limerigg route a few years back the council stepped in, though with the way the councils are at the moment you couldn't predict anything.

 

[overthewater]

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/fears-over-proposed-cuts-rural-19009206

I doubt the commercial team will listen, there have been told cut cut cut.. The way things are going that depot might aswell go.

Residents aired their worries over the damaging effects proposed bus service changes would have on rural communities at a meeting last week.

A packed gathering in Balfron’s McLintock Hall on Wednesday evening heard from regular bus users, students, commuters and the elderly concerned by First Midland’s plans to alter bus services to and from Stirling and Glasgow later this year.

Worries about the proposed new timetable included commuters in rural areas such as Kippen, Killearn, Balfron and Strathblane not being able to make train connections to Edinburgh, students unable to get to university and college on time and patients not being able to attend hospital

appointments at Larbert.

Particular criticism was levelled at plans to axe the 7.40am B12 bus from Balfron which presently arrives in Stirling at 8.25am. The proposed timetable instead shows a renamed X10 bus leaving Balfron at 7.04am, arriving in Stirling at 7.48am or a bus at 8.33am, which will go via Aberfoyle, arriving at 9.46am.

The 10A Balfron - Kelvinbridge - Glasgow service would no longer run under the plans but Aberfoyle would gain additional services.

So many people crowded into the consultation meeting that bus bosses were forced to return to the nearby Balfron bus depot to print out more copies of the proposed timetable which was being seen for the first time by many at the meeting.

Kippen resident Valerie Brand told the meeting the new timetable was unacceptable and would bring problems for people living in the village. She pointed out that the new Saturday proposals would mean a bus every two hours instead of hourly.’’

Raising the issue of potential difficulties of getting to hospital appointments, she said: “Elderly passengers will not be able to cope with this timetable.’’

Another member of the public at the meeting said changing the timetable would have far-reaching consequence for communities, adding: “People have built their lives around the present timetable; their job choices and their education.’’

The price of fares, the state of the bus fleet, and concerns about the future of the Balfron bus depot were also raised.

Bus and Stirling Council bosses were also criticised for calling a meeting without allowing bus users the time to consider the potential changes, and the short timescale between announcing and holding Wednesday’s meeting.

Brian Peat of First Scotland said they were trying to put together a bus package for the majority of customers and give the depot a more secure future.

Mr Peat told the room: “We’ve heard the strength of feeling but it does come down to the number of people using the service.’’

Bus depot manager Jim Burns admitted he was surprised at the turnout at the meeting and the strength of feeling among locals.

He added: “All these comments and the mood of the room will be fed back to the commercial team.

“This is not a cast-iron deal yet.’’

The deadline for consultation on the proposed changes, which would be implemented on October 21, is Tuesday, August 27. Comments can be sent to [email protected].

 

[EnviroExplorer]

Anybody know which of the Fife school contracts First use double deckers on?? I’m up in Fife on Thursday and may see a few.

 

[Fifescottish]

Anybody know which of the Fife school contracts First use double deckers on?? I’m up in Fife on Thursday and may see a few.

DF3 from Lapwing Drive in Dunfermline to Dunfermline High school is a double decker

 

[smtglasgow]

With the B10/C10 changes, presumably running a bus into Stirling for 8.30ish (when most working people would want to arrive?) requires an extra vehicle? Can’t think of another explanation. Balfron is going to end up a very small depot if this goes through – do they have any schools work left? I've got a soft spot for wee country depots, so hope Balfron has a long life ahead of it, but could the new X10 be run from Bannockburn?

 

[overthewater]

Going by Aberdeen is TS to those passengers. I also do believe there a high chance Balforn will be closing sooner rather than later with these changes in place. If MB can park one bus at night in Glasgow then it will be prefect for them.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

Noticed First have FJ04 SNV the Volvo B12B that used to be with Bay Travel fleet no 20562

 

[Jordan Adam]

Noticed First have FJ04 SNV the Volvo B12B that used to be with Bay Travel fleet no 20562

They've had it for quite some time, it was one of the vehicles along with the 2 E300s that came as part of a part exchange with a dealer down England. The vehicles that went the other way being 3 coaches from First Aberdeen Coach Hire.

 

[christopherrfc]

Changes are now going through vosa

 

[Observer]

They've had it for quite some time, it was one of the vehicles along with the 2 E300s that came as part of a part exchange with a dealer down England. The vehicles that went the other way being 3 coaches from First Aberdeen Coach Hire.

I guess that explains why they only got two E300s as three were for sale.