Darklord8899
Member
- Joined
- 6 Jul 2018
- Messages
- 679
.... when the apocalypse starts, I know where to head
Mackies on life support? Can you say more?West Lothian is clearly under attack and it will now become a real battle to see who can win over the passengers. The bigger question has to be Stirling, that's in a right mess. Of course Mackie's is on life support right now. It make wonder what would happen if Stagecoach brought the bus service? Or upped its 8 and extend the 4 to operate every 30mins between Stirling and Clackmannan? It's going to be an interesting six months.
Mackies on life support? Can you say more?
One thing that's always puzzled me about Stirling is the small sub - depot at Balfron - does this survive on SPT contracts?
Would love to see Stagecoach takeover Stirling but would CMA allow it and more to the point, would S/C want it?
Mackies on life support? Can you say more?
One thing that's always puzzled me about Stirling is the small sub - depot at Balfron - does this survive on SPT contracts?
Would love to see Stagecoach takeover Stirling but would CMA allow it and more to the point, would S/C want it?
The double deckers at Balfron are used on school contracts to Balfron High School. Midland operate seven school contracts to that school.
Given how penny-pinching First have been, and how much they've contracted over the past few years, it amazes me that Balfron is still going - especially as it seems to operate largely-empty double deckers on routes in the middle of nowhere. Perhaps they've forgotten it's still there.
Coming from Balfron, the whole thing is a bit of a mess from what it was, there is obviously big competition from cars these days and the services just can’t compete, especially on journey time with the Glasgow route diverting through the Kessington estate just before reaching Glasgow as a favour to First Glasgow so they could withdraw their service does no favours if you’re coming all the way in from Balfron. The cuts to Stirling recently are frustrating for some local residents, especially as no late or Sunday service. We lost the 13 service to Balloch/Alexandria a couple of years ago as well. The schools journeys are a lifeline for the depot but also some residents as Balfron being the central village, they operate as commercial services so some people do use them as well.Notice the Glasgow to Balfron service is mostly deckers , scanias i think 05 plate . Always found it confusing the Balfron area tmetable , loads of service numbers but most are school journeys or very in frequent
Coming from Balfron, the whole thing is a bit of a mess from what it was, there is obviously big competition from cars these days and the services just can’t compete. The cuts to Stirling recently are frustrating for some local residents, especially as no late or Sunday service. We lost the 13 service to Balloch/Alexandria a couple of years ago as well. The schools journeys are a lifeline for the depot but also some residents as Balfron being the central village, they operate as commercial services so some people do use them as well.
As in every argument on here, the services have been cut due to the lack of use but would probably be used more if it was more regular and stock was upgraded. The recent route branding will hopefully draw tourists to the good scenic views you get from the top deck of the deckers as you head out of Glasgow towards the Campsies. I’d always describe the situation in Balfron as a microcosm for First policy as a whole.
From what I remember it was a dual SPT/Stirling tender as was the 309 to Balmaha. I think the 13 was always a Midland Bluebird/First service but McColl’s did have the 313 school working for a wee while. The 309 did pass McColl’s to McGill’s to Garelochead Coaches now. I believe there used to be Stirling service connections/diversions to Drymen to cover the withdrawal of the 13 but how frequent or existing they are now I’m not so sure.SPT paid for the no13, Im sure first lost it and it went to Mccolls? but there route was dead by then.
A double decker bus burst into flames today in the village of Allandale near Falkirk .
Scottish Fire and Rescue were alerted around 8.05pm to a bus in flames on Seabeggs Road which runs between Allandale and Bonnybridge.
The bus caught fire close to residential properties in Allandale, Falkirk (Image: Graeme Bell)
Pictures show the blaze engulfing the double decker bus before the fire brigade arrived.
Fire fighters were on the scene for around an hour extinguishing the fire.
A spokesman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed there were no injuries during the incident.
First Bus have been contacted for a comment.
Flames engulfed the double decker First Bus in Allandale near Falkirk (Image: Graeme Bell)
Firefighters were on the scene for around an hour (Image: Graeme Bell)
Its almost as if First Bus all over scotland are saying **** You we will take as much money as we can from you, give you very little back, and when your bled dry and everyone has lost faith in bus transport we’ll simply pull out and leave those who need the bus for ****!
This is a pretty accurate reflection of most peoples' opinion of First in West Lothian - you use them if you have to, but you're aware you're getting fleeced, and they'll dump you like a hot brick the second anything dents the profit margins.
Lothian have had success with a gaining a good reputation throughout edinburgh but perhaps that isn’t enough for other areas, lothian are gonna have to learn the hard way that sheer reputation cant afford you passengers where they have already been lossed to car use, typically car use can still be cheaper than buses nowadays especially if the cars being used on one tank of fuel for dropping the partner off to work then the kids to school even if that car is an older one it can still do the job.YET Lothian Country has higher day and weekly fares. and in fact First are charging the going rate... People can't have their cake and eat here, Either First are fleeced people thus Lothian are doing the same, or Lothian are just chancing there luck....
Lothian have had success with a gaining a good reputation throughout edinburgh but perhaps that isn’t enough for other areas, lothian are gonna have to learn the hard way that sheer reputation cant afford you passengers where they have already been lossed to car use, typically car use can still be cheaper than buses nowadays especially if the cars being used on one tank of fuel for dropping the partner off to work then the kids to school even if that car is an older one it can still do the job.
From Monday 10th September Stirling and Clackmannanshire Service Changes will come into effect. We want to make sure you're prepared for these changes before travelling with us so this page will be updated with all the information.
New timetables will be uploaded w/c August 27th.
Services not listed below will continue to operate unchanged and these timetables can be found here.
Service
Route and details of proposed changes
X36
Replaces service X39 with frequency increased to every 30 minutes.
New faster route between Cumbernauld and Glasgow direct via M80 Motorway.
Later journeys introduced on Mondays to Saturdays.
Service X36/X37 combine to offer 4 buses per hour between Cumbernauld and Glasgow
New service X36 route – Stirling (Bus Station) – Whins of Milton - Denny Cross – Braes View – Dennyloanhead – Haggs - M80 – Cumbernauld Village – Cumbernauld Town Centre – M80 Motorway – Glasgow.
38
No further changes – Improved evening frequency was introduced between Stirling and Falkirk on 20 August.
51 52
NEW SERVICE:
Replaces service 54/54A between Stirling and Cowie.
Replaces service 62/63 between Stirling and Hillfoots.
New cross city links from Cowie, Whins of Milton and Braehead to Causewayhead, Tullibody and Alloa.
Earlier journeys from Cowie to Stirling.
Frequency reduced to every 30 minutes on each route.
New service 51 route – Cowie – Bannockburn – Whins of Milton – Broomridge – Braehead – Stirling – Causewayhead Corner – Tullibody – Alloa.
New service 52 route – Stirling Bus Station – Causewayhead Corner – Wallace Monument – Stirling University (rear entrance) – Menstrie – Alva – Tillicoultry – Coalsnaughton – Fishcross – Sauchie – Alloa.
54
Revised to operate between Stirling Bus Station and Stirling University via Cornton and Bridge of Allan.
University links maintained.
Replaced between Stirling and Cowie by new service 51.
Replaced at Stirling Community Hospital by service 57.
Frequency reduced to every 30 minutes.
New service 54 route – Stirling Bus Station - Cornton – Bridge of Allan – Stirling University
57
Route revised to serve Stirling Community Hospital.
Earlier journey in the mornings from Raploch.
Route within Raploch revised to operate along Drip Road.
New service 57 route – Raploch – Drip Road – Stirling – Stirling Community Hospital – St. Ninians.
60
This service will be withdrawn. Links between Clackmannan and Alloa continue to be offered through services H1/H2 and by other operators.
62/63
This service will be replaced by new services 51 and 52. See service 51/52 entry above.
Uni-Link
Revised circular route covering more of Stirling University grounds, as well as the Wallace Monument.
Improved morning and evening timetable with additional journeys and earlier morning trips.
All year-round operation introduced with 30 minute frequency operating outwith University semesters.
Service 52 continues to serve rear entrance of Stirling University.
New Uni-Link route – Stirling (Goosecroft Road) – Causewayhead Road – Causewayhead Corner – Stirling University (main entrance) – Stirling University (Bus Hub) – Stirling University (rear entrance) – Wallace Monument – Causewayhead Corner – Causewayhead Road – Stirling (Goosecroft Road)
People have already made it clear to Lothian, its fare are crap and there will still drive to the P&R sites