Ways to improve the First Glasgow Network

[156478]

Yeah , dont get why it goes to go such a long route .

The current 3 is nothing compared to the old 23/23A which is the predecessor of the 3 used to run as one massive circle

Milton-Saracen-City-Eglinton Toll-Shawlands-Pollokshaws-Pollok-Crookston-Cardonald-Govan-Paisley Road-City-Saracen-Milton.

Multi purpose routes are often the longest.

 

[PaulMc7]

The current 3 is nothing compared to the old 23/23A which is the predecessor of the 3 used to run as one massive circle

Milton-Saracen-City-Eglinton Toll-Shawlands-Pollokshaws-Pollok-Crookston-Cardonald-Govan-Paisley Road-City-Saracen-Milton.

Multi purpose routes are often the longest.

Must have been really young when that happened. The worst I remember with the 23 was the Govan to Summerston/Blairdardie runs

 

[156478]

Yeah I suppose there's quite a lot of services near Ruchill so that might make them hold back on putting something in. For reliability more than anything the 1s need to come out of there and just operate direct along Glasgow Road. Considering the accessabilty of the vehicles normally on the M11 I'd even maybe swap that with them. The 2 and 6 could carry Whitecrook on their own though

Ironically you would end up with an uproar as people would complain that you would be taking away the "vital" fast bus to the City Centre! Can't please all of the people all of the time!

 

[156478]

Must have been really young when that happened. The worst I remember with the 23 was the Govan to Summerston/Blairdardie runs

It was way back in Strathclyde's Buses days. 10 minute combined service Milton to Glasgow and then alternate buses would go on the circular urban safari tour of Glasgow!

 

[PaulMc7]

Interworking should only be used if it works.


Ironically you would end up with an uproar as people would complain that you would be taking away the "vital" fast bus to the City Centre! Can't please all of the people all of the time!

Yeah that's true haha. It's the reliability that's got worse and worse as the years have went on. I use the tracker app and most of the 1s from Clydebank are usually 10/15mins late yet somehow at peak times especially towards Glasgow in the morning they aren't late. The success of it has been great but I always wonder if it could be even more successful if it was more reliable

 

[PaulMc7]

It was way back in Strathclyde's Buses days. 10 minute combined service Milton to Glasgow and then alternate buses would go on the circular urban safari tour of Glasgow!

Yeah I was only born in 1994 so even the beginning of Overground is a stretch on my memory sometimes lol

 

[PaulMc7]

http://hiddenglasgow.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=2323

I found this from 2005. Crazy to think how many differences there are between services now

 

[156478]

Yeah I was only born in 1994 so even the beginning of Overground is a stretch on my memory sometimes lol

http://hiddenglasgow.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=2323

I found this from 2005. Crazy to think how many differences there are between services now

Ah the rot of the First X6 and X7 to Kilmacolm, Bridge of Weir and Linwood started in 2005. Hazy memories indeed.

Service X6:

Service X6 timetable revised. An hourly service remains during the day on Mondays to Saturdays, with additional journeys at peak times. The evening timetable is reduced to every two hours and regrettably, the Sunday daytime service is withdrawn.

Service X7:

Service regrettably withdrawn due to lack of passenger demand.


Then Slaemuir Coaches started on the X7 and First continued to prune their X6. McGills take over from Slaemuir. Bit of head to head competition where inevitably McGills would beat them on quality, price and well everything. Ironic now that McGills runs the busy X7 every 20 minutes using some of their best buses when First took their X7 off due to a lack of Passenger Demand. First's X6 and X7 was a premium fares service using a few tarted up PS Types mixed up with whatever junk was lying around Scotstoun Depot. Special i.e. more expensive FirstDays and FirstWeeks were sold on these routes too.

 

[PaulMc7]

Ah the rot of the First X6 and X7 to Kilmacolm, Bridge of Weir and Linwood started in 2005. Hazy memories indeed.

Service X6:

Service X6 timetable revised. An hourly service remains during the day on Mondays to Saturdays, with additional journeys at peak times. The evening timetable is reduced to every two hours and regrettably, the Sunday daytime service is withdrawn.

Service X7:

Service regrettably withdrawn due to lack of passenger demand.


Then Slaemuir Coaches started on the X7 and First continued to prune their X6. McGills take over from Slaemuir. Bit of head to head competition where inevitably McGills would beat them on quality, price and well everything. Ironic now that McGills runs the busy X7 every 20 minutes using some of their best buses when First took their X7 off due to a lack of Passenger Demand. First's X6 and X7 was a premium fares service using a few tarted up PS Types mixed up with whatever junk was lying around Scotstoun Depot. Special i.e. more expensive FirstDays and FirstWeeks were sold on these routes too.

Yeah I vaguely remember seeing them. Another bus I always remember was when First ran the X55 to Braehead. Don't see them ever going down that line again but it would be interesting to know exactly what the demand for Braehead is. I was there 3 times last week and each bus back(2 77s and a 9A) were all very busy despite it being 8/9pm each time

 

[PaulMc7]

On the subject of Braehead I feel like First could really market their services that cover the out of town shopping centres.

East Kilbride, Glasgow Fort, Silverburn and Braehead seem to be getting busier whereas the city centre is getting quieter especially on a Sunday obviously the parking charge introduction didn't help that. A bit of promotion could really boost their shopping routes. Wonder if they'd ever bring back a bus between 2 of these shopping centres too. Last case of anything like that I can think of was the 53 from Silverburn to Braehead

 

[christopherrfc]

On the subject of Braehead I feel like First could really market their services that cover the out of town shopping centres.

East Kilbride, Glasgow Fort, Silverburn and Braehead seem to be getting busier whereas the city centre is getting quieter especially on a Sunday obviously the parking charge introduction didn't help that. A bit of promotion could really boost their shopping routes. Wonder if they'd ever bring back a bus between 2 of these shopping centres too. Last case of anything like that I can think of was the 53 from Silverburn to Braehead

Clochri still run the 22 service between Silverburn and Braehead

 

[PaulMc7]

Clochri still run the 22 service between Silverburn and Braehead

Completely forgot about that. Doesn't run weekends at all though which is a gap I think First could fill if they wanted

 

[ClydeCoaster]

Given First Glasgow is essentially for sale, part of me is disappointed Stagecoach isn’t making a play for some of the cream in an effort to leverage some foothold prior to the new owner taking over. Is it just the depressed state of the bus industry now that Stagecoach have all but given up on their “exploratory” tactics? They’ve taken places like Chester and The Wirral, north Devon, Plymouth and Northampton that First couldn’t make money in and ran a decrepit fleet, and actually made a success out of it with new stock and (a perceived, anyway) improvement in quality. So given they were the pioneers of urban express routes in Glasgow, they’re staying quiet.

 

[PaulMc7]

Given First Glasgow is essentially for sale, part of me is disappointed Stagecoach isn’t making a play for some of the cream in an effort to leverage some foothold prior to the new owner taking over. Is it just the depressed state of the bus industry now that Stagecoach have all but given up on their “exploratory” tactics? They’ve taken places like Chester and The Wirral, north Devon, Plymouth and Northampton that First couldn’t make money in and ran a decrepit fleet, and actually made a success out of it with new stock and (a perceived, anyway) improvement in quality. So given they were the pioneers of urban express routes in Glasgow, they’re staying quiet.

I think it's a combination of having so much in other areas plus being a bit cautious because we don't know how long the sale for Glasgow will take

 

[ClydeCoaster]

It never used to be in Stagecoach's repertoire to be cautious on an opportunity though. If it eyed a gap it used to jump into it. We don't know how long the sale will take, or what form it will take but launching a competitive move would have an effect on the sale - any potential buyers are going to look at what's impacting the network, be it potential legislative powers of a city for franchising, ULEZ potential, and competitors. First are unlikely to strike back the way that they did in 97 in Ayrshire and Fife, not that I'm suggesting they will retreat, but an innovative service if it works just alerts potential new owners that Stagecoach can lever advantage in the city.

 

[PaulMc7]

It never used to be in Stagecoach's repertoire to be cautious on an opportunity though. If it eyed a gap it used to jump into it. We don't know how long the sale will take, or what form it will take but launching a competitive move would have an effect on the sale - any potential buyers are going to look at what's impacting the network, be it potential legislative powers of a city for franchising, ULEZ potential, and competitors. First are unlikely to strike back the way that they did in 97 in Ayrshire and Fife, not that I'm suggesting they will retreat, but an innovative service if it works just alerts potential new owners that Stagecoach can lever advantage in the city.

With the likes of the LEZ happening though it would be quite an expensive move. The G1 and G2 fail might also be a factor too. I can still see us waiting on a sale this time next year tbh

 

[PaulMc7]

I feel like this is a constant at where I stay. Anyone got any ideas for how they could make the 1s more reliable?

 

[route101]

Clochri still run the 22 service between Silverburn and Braehead

Used to be a first 22 that ran between them too , followed same route 23 for most of the way .

 

[route101]

On the subject of Braehead I feel like First could really market their services that cover the out of town shopping centres.

East Kilbride, Glasgow Fort, Silverburn and Braehead seem to be getting busier whereas the city centre is getting quieter especially on a Sunday obviously the parking charge introduction didn't help that. A bit of promotion could really boost their shopping routes. Wonder if they'd ever bring back a bus between 2 of these shopping centres too. Last case of anything like that I can think of was the 53 from Silverburn to Braehead

East Kilbride has gone downhill since Braehead and particularly Silverburn opened . Use to be first 601 from EK to Braehead .

 

[route101]

Yeah I vaguely remember seeing them. Another bus I always remember was when First ran the X55 to Braehead. Don't see them ever going down that line again but it would be interesting to know exactly what the demand for Braehead is. I was there 3 times last week and each bus back(2 77s and a 9A) were all very busy despite it being 8/9pm each time

What was the x55 ? I only remember a 55 that was operated by Cumbernauld . Went over the new at the time squitnty bridge .

 

[route101]

http://hiddenglasgow.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=2323

I found this from 2005. Crazy to think how many differences there are between services now

263 , from every 12 mins down to every 30 mins . 2005 was juts before i started using first glasgow regularly.

 

[PaulMc7]

What was the x55 ? I only remember a 55 that was operated by Cumbernauld . Went over the new at the time squitnty bridge .

X55 was city centre to Braehead. Came off the M8 down from the hospital then went by Ikea into Braehead

 

[PaulMc7]

263 , from every 12 mins down to every 30 mins . 2005 was juts before i started using first glasgow regularly.

Yeah they've always been my main company to use. Not a big fan of the train mainly due to the poor reliability and far more expensive pricing. I've also always had frequent services so even though a lot of buses are late it doesn't bother me because I know it's usually out of driver control. Shame so many people don't understand that or pricing though. Anyone seen the reaction to the new fare increases?

 

[route101]

Yeah they've always been my main company to use. Not a big fan of the train mainly due to the poor reliability and far more expensive pricing. I've also always had frequent services so even though a lot of buses are late it doesn't bother me because I know it's usually out of driver control. Shame so many people don't understand that or pricing though. Anyone seen the reaction to the new fare increases?

I only use the bus as its quicker into town plus i have a monthly pass . Train is cheaper with railcard , £.2.80 off peak return to £4.60 all day (No returns ) . Certainly if i lived in Mt Florida id get the train , mucg cheaper and frequent.

 

[route101]

X55 was city centre to Braehead. Came off the M8 down from the hospital then went by Ikea into Braehead

Dont remember that at all . Just the 55 .

 

[PaulMc7]

I only use the bus as its quicker into town plus i have a monthly pass . Train is cheaper with railcard , £.2.80 off peak return to £4.60 all day (No returns ) . Certainly if i lived in Mt Florida id get the train , mucg cheaper and frequent.

Dont remember that at all . Just the 55 .

Yeah the only times the train works out better near me is literally if you're going 1 stop off peak but the fact the buses are all far more frequent so that cancels out that already plus I think there's so much value in 4 week and 10 week tickets for first and a lot of that actually comes from their single prices. Yeah the X55 was years ago now. Can't remember the exact time but very early 00s anyway

 

[PaulMc7]

What do you guys think of the changes that happened on Sunday?

My take is this:

2 route cut- Not a surprise
4/4A- frequency cut- Not a surprise
16-Route cut-Fully expected
202-Smart idea
266 frequency cut- Interesting considering how busy they are between Hamilton and Wishaw, did expect the route to Shotts to drop a bit though

 

[lastbus]

What do you guys think of the changes that happened on Sunday?

My take is this:

2 route cut- Not a surprise
4/4A- frequency cut- Not a surprise
16-Route cut-Fully expected
202-Smart idea
266 frequency cut- Interesting considering how busy they are between Hamilton and Wishaw, did expect the route to Shotts to drop a bit though

The 266 cut is not drastic between Motherwell and wishaw you now have 8 buses an hour instead of 10 but factor in the 241 and there is 14 buses an hour going the back road from Motherwell to wishaw. The 202 is operating under contract to maxim park otherwise First would have no intention of running a bus from maxim to Airdrie.

 

[PaulMc7]

The 266 cut is not drastic between Motherwell and wishaw you now have 8 buses an hour instead of 10 but factor in the 241 and there is 14 buses an hour going the back road from Motherwell to wishaw. The 202 is operating under contract to maxim park otherwise First would have no intention of running a bus from maxim to Airdrie.

Yeah that's fair. The trains have really killed the bus market along Airdrie to Bargeddie in particular

 

[Gingerbus1991]

I got bored so drew some colourful and ambitious lines.

Red - 2 - Baillieston to Faifley via Shettleston, Partick & Clydebank.

Maroon - 75 - Castlemilk to Milton via Cathcart Rd & Possilpark.

Pink - Rutherglen to Drumchapel via GWR & Anniesland.

Magenta - Castlemilk to Drumchapel/Govan via Pollokshields & Cardonald.

Orange - Silverburn to Summerston via Thornliebank & Maryhill.

Yellow - Easterhouse to Castlemilk via Garthamlock. Riddrie & Spean St/Cathcart.

Navy Blue - Muirhead to Kenniahead via Stepp & Giffnock.

Baby Blue - Easterhouse to Silverburn via Glasgow Fort, Barlanark, Cantyne, Ibrox & Pollok.

Turquoise - Sandyhills to Braehead/Knightswood via Emirates Arena & Cardonald-Hillington/University of Glasgow.

Emerald Green - Westerhill to Newton via Cambuslang, Rutherglen & Springburn.

Lime Green - Eaglesham/Newton Mearns to Glasgow City Centre via Netherlee & Muirend.

Purple - Balornock/Barmulloch to Braehead via St Rollox, Kelvingrove, Partick & QUEH.

Brown - Easterhouse to Duntocher via Shettleston, Parkhead, GWR, Drumry.

White/Glasgow Trams - East Glasgow P&R/M8 <> Glasgow Business Park <> Edinburgh Rd <> Alexandra Parade <> Glasgow Royal Infirmary <> High St <> Trongate <> Argyll Street(Full Length) <> The SEC Hydro/Clyde Arc <> Braehead <> Renfrew <> Glasgow Airport <> Paisley Gauze Street <> West Paisley P&R/A737/M8.