[Speculative] Ideas for First Glasgow service changes

[PaulMc7]

The only thing an x4 does is cover Westland Dr that the 44 didn’t, it’s obviously giving Knightswood an express to the city centre and yet avoiding said congestion at Charring Cross.

Mind you the 4 practically carries fresh air compared to how it used to be.

I’m not that clued up about the way the 1C operates other than it being every 20 minutes throughout the week, what I do find peculiar is the fact it’s numbered as a 1-variation, even though it only serves a insignificant portion of Dumbarton road, an X3 sounds more appropriate.

I think if the X4 was a thing earlier the 1C and 1D would have been X services and branded as a trio with it. It would certainly help with the online timetable when it comes to trying to read it given that there's a 1,1A,1B,1C,1D and 1E

 

[Glasgowbusguy]

As a rule, don't touch the 41. Every time it's messed with it annoys people. Also, any issues with its reliability just pushes more people on to the x19 for journeys between Easterhouse and city centre.


The 60/61 is consistently very busy along its full length so it's pointless messing with it.
If you're going to change anything in that area you will need to improve the x10 - possibly the return of the B10 and interwork it with the X8, like it was in the past.

Sort out the 38s as there are too many variations. It needs simplified.
Reroute the 38A via Stepps Road, Bellrock Street and Gartcraig Road.

Re route the Lanarkshire services to go up High Street and along Cathedral Street. It would save a few mins on each journey without cutting frequencies.

Re time the 9/A as at the moment the 9 and 9A often leave the bus station within 5 mins of each other then leaving a gap of up to 20 mins or longer also extent all 9As to Braehead.

Extend the X8 to run till 10pm with all journeys going to Buchanan bus station.

Re route the 46 to go via Wellhouse and Queenslie early in the morning and between 3pm and 5pm. Also cut to 1bph out of peak (replaced by diverted 38A).


Remove the 19 from the Fort.

Extend the 43 to Dalmarnock.

Remove the 90 from Braehead and use the late night route all day (Govan circular)

Cut 77 to 1bph to airport 2bph to Braehead 1bph to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

Extend the 3 to QUEH (provides links for Pollok to the hospital )

Put 6A, 19 in to the bus station.

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

As a rule don't touch the 41 every time it's messed with it pisses people off also any issues with its reliability just pushes more people on to the x19 for journeys between easterhouse and city center


The 60/61 is consistently very busy along its full length so it's pointless messing with it
If your going to change anything in that area you will need to improve the x10 possibly the return on the B10 and interwork it with the X8 like it was in the past

Sort out the 38s there's to many variations it needs simplified.
Reroute the 38A via steps road , bellrock street and gartcraig road

Re route the Lanarkshire services to go up high street and along cathedral street or would save a few mins on each journey without cutting frequency's

Re time the 9/A as at the moment the 9 and 9A often leave the bus station within 5 mins of each other then leaving a gap of up to 20 mins or longer also extent all 9As to breahead

Extend the X8 to run till 10pm with all journeys going to Buchanan bus station

Re route the 46 to go via wellhouse and queenslie early in the morning and between 3pm and 5pm also cut to 1bph out of peak (replaced by diverted 38A)


Remove the 19 from the fort

Extend the 43 to dalmanork

Remove the 90 from braehead and use the late night route all day (govan circular)

Cut 77 to 1bph to airport 2bph to breahead 1bph to QEUH

Extend the 3 to QUEH (provides links for pollok to the hospital )

Put 6A , 19 in to bus station

I’m only away from Caley/East for 7 weeks now, packed it in to go back driving trucks once more.

The x19s have there own specific clientele, especially those who have weekly or other multi-use tickets are purposely commuters to the city centre not to mention the x19 goes to Glasgow Fort, the x19 doesn’t have much else on the 41 as it predominately gets its bulk through Wellhouse, Edinburgh Rd, Carntyne & Duke St additionally the reason first can stave off any threat from the x19 or any other form of competition from Stagecoach in the area is simply because Stagecoach doesn’t have the driver capacity either to do so and also in my experience driving with both companies, both at Caledonia & Cumbernauld depots, Stagecoach are struggling with reliability and maintenance, hence the reason 900s have went to Kilmarnock for a period of time.

Opportunistically, the 60s or 61(both Caley/east routes) seem busy when you see the odd one but that’s because there all running over the place with gaps in services because of driver shortages.

leaving at least one of either of them as they are isn’t viable, the Clydebank-Drumchapel end of the 60 is much quieter these days whilst in the east end it’s used for those going to Glasgow Fort & Easterhouse, but still it’s the natural one to relax, the 60 through drumchapel is busier than the 60A through Milngavie, having driven a 60A whilst the 60A in front is off or even a 60 not appearing at Canniesburn that should be in front of you, I’ve never had to nor ever known anyone that has had to refuse people entry on a 60A specifically because of loadings, Glasgows ridership is lower than in other cities, atm capacity isn’t the issue on the 60, 60A or 61 as 99% of the time it’s deckers, it’s the reliability it’s the problem.

As said, everything from parkhead cross has ample buses even with reductions in frequency, routes 2, 61, 240 & 255 all pass here, to varying destinations.

The 77 should’ve been removed from the airport eons ago, all but 1 bus per hour as you say.

The 19(another Caley/East route), removing it from Glasgow Fort takes away a vital shoppers destination for Royston, Provanmill, Millerston & Craigend, one of the only vital things that keeps the 19 running is this very destination including those traveling to the city centre, when The Lochs closes at its latest being 6:30pm it should terminate at Glasgow Fort, however, driver shortages aside, during the day I think being extended may be a more sensible thought instead of it terminating at Greers, you do get people walking from the bottom of Aberdalgie Rd to Easterhouse Train Station once they’ve got off the 60 & possibly the x19 as well, not to mention there is a 310 that’s does pass Easterhouse Train Station but this is unsubstantial plus there is no other service traveling directly along Westerhouse Rd yet given that there are several bus stops along this road with many houses and also being right next to Lochend Community High School for pupils possibly traveling by bus and finally first bus doesn’t have a current service that goes from the bottom of easterhouse to the likes of Garthamlock or Craigend, the 19 after it’s drops off at sainsburys on Bath Street I agree it should go to the bus station, but when leaving it would still need to go to Renfield St/West George/Nelson Mandela Place/Queen St Station, you do get people using this service a lot from West George & Queen St.

Depends where you put the 43 and it’s interest, it does only carry few people most of the time and isn’t frequent.

9/9A(again Caley/East), the 9 is fine, from stance 11 every 12 minutes, honestly wouldn’t change this.

The 9A(Stance 12), renumber it, possible the 78, the 77 goes to Braehead every 10 minute from stance 45, however, the 9A would practically be running with fresh air if they all went to the Braehead and also by doing this the number 9 day ticket at £3.50 wouldn’t be available, however that aside, a hypothetical shuffle of bus station stances and the imaginary 78 could service stance 44.

It’s unbeliable the amount of people who don’t actually know what the 9 & 9A differences are from the bus station or they quite litterally don’t pay enough attention, you’ll get people boarding a 9, presumably thinking it’s going to braehead with others boarding a 9A thinking it’s going to Ralston after scanning weeklys for example.

For all the route coloured branded buses in Glasgow, it’s nothing more than confusing at times with so many variations based on destinations from end to end that aren’t always the same, like the 38 & 38A - the same end to end but a difference in the middle, I’m certain years ago the 38C used to be a 36 and terminated at buchanan & possibly the 38E was a 213 from Bargeddie not ballieston.

Do I not recall that at one time the 38 was the sole primary route from Newton Mearns through Giffnock and pollokshaws?

38B, no idea what that was or if it was something new.

I doubt it would be savvy to reroute the Lanarkshire services away from Glassford St & george square, the 267 aside given that it approaches from the south side, ultimately you’d be asking people to be walk an extra distance if they go up the high street.

Despite the x8 & 46 being Caley/East Routes, I’ve never route learned those.

 

[Glasgowbusguy]

I’m only away from Caley/East for 7 weeks now, packed it in to go back driving trucks once more.

The x19s have there own specific clientele, especially those who have weekly or other multi-use tickets are purposely commuters to the city centre not to mention the x19 goes to Glasgow Fort, the x19 doesn’t have much else on the 41 as it predominately gets its bulk through Wellhouse, Edinburgh Rd, Carntyne & Duke St additionally the reason first can stave off any threat from the x19 or any other form of competition from Stagecoach in the area is simply because Stagecoach doesn’t have the driver capacity either to do so and also in my experience driving with both companies, both at Caledonia & Cumbernauld depots, Stagecoach are struggling with reliability and maintenance, hence the reason 900s have went to Kilmarnock for a period of time.

Opportunistically, the 60s or 61(both Caley/east routes) seem busy when you see the odd one but that’s because there all running over the place with gaps in services because of driver shortages.

leaving at least one of either of them as they are isn’t viable, the Clydebank-Drumchapel end of the 60 is much quieter these days whilst in the east end it’s used for those going to Glasgow Fort & Easterhouse, but still it’s the natural one to relax, the 60 through drumchapel is busier than the 60A through Milngavie, having driven a 60A whilst the 60A in front is off or even a 60 not appearing at Canniesburn that should be in front of you, I’ve never had to nor ever known anyone that has had to refuse people entry on a 60A specifically because of loadings, Glasgows ridership is lower than in other cities, atm capacity isn’t the issue on the 60, 60A or 61 as 99% of the time it’s deckers, it’s the reliability it’s the problem.

As said, everything from parkhead cross has ample buses even with reductions in frequency, routes 2, 61, 240 & 255 all pass here, to varying destinations.

The 77 should’ve been removed from the airport eons ago, all but 1 bus per hour as you say.

The 19(another Caley/East route), removing it from Glasgow Fort takes away a vital shoppers destination for Royston, Provanmill, Millerston & Craigend, one of the only vital things that keeps the 19 running is this very destination including those traveling to the city centre, when The Lochs closes at its latest being 6:30pm it should terminate at Glasgow Fort, however, driver shortages aside, during the day I think being extended may be a more sensible thought instead of it terminating at Greers, you do get people walking from the bottom of Aberdalgie Rd to Easterhouse Train Station once they’ve got off the 60 & possibly the x19 as well, not to mention there is a 310 that’s does pass Easterhouse Train Station but this is unsubstantial plus there is no other service traveling directly along Westerhouse Rd yet given that there are several bus stops along this road with many houses and also being right next to Lochend Community High School for pupils possibly traveling by bus and finally first bus doesn’t have a current service that goes from the bottom of easterhouse to the likes of Garthamlock or Craigend, the 19 after it’s drops off at sainsburys on Bath Street I agree it should go to the bus station, but when leaving it would still need to go to Renfield St/West George/Nelson Mandela Place/Queen St Station, you do get people using this service a lot from West George & Queen St.

Depends where you put the 43 and it’s interest, it does only carry few people most of the time and isn’t frequent.

9/9A(again Caley/East), the 9 is fine, from stance 11 every 12 minutes, honestly wouldn’t change this.

The 9A(Stance 12), renumber it, possible the 78, the 77 goes to Braehead every 10 minute from stance 45, however, the 9A would practically be running with fresh air if they all went to the Braehead and also by doing this the number 9 day ticket at £3.50 wouldn’t be available, however that aside, a hypothetical shuffle of bus station stances and the imaginary 78 could service stance 44.

It’s unbeliable the amount of people who don’t actually know what the 9 & 9A differences are from the bus station or they quite litterally don’t pay enough attention, you’ll get people boarding a 9, presumably thinking it’s going to braehead with others boarding a 9A thinking it’s going to Ralston after scanning weeklys for example.

For all the route coloured branded buses in Glasgow, it’s nothing more than confusing at times with so many variations based on destinations from end to end that aren’t always the same, like the 38 & 38A - the same end to end but a difference in the middle, I’m certain years ago the 38C used to be a 36 and terminated at buchanan & possibly the 38E was a 213 from Bargeddie not ballieston.

Do I not recall that at one time the 38 was the sole primary route from Newton Mearns through Giffnock and pollokshaws?

38B, no idea what that was or if it was something new.

I doubt it would be savvy to reroute the Lanarkshire services away from Glassford St & george square, the 267 aside given that it approaches from the south side, ultimately you’d be asking people to be walk an extra distance if they go up the high street.

Despite the x8 & 46 being Caley/East Routes, I’ve never route learned those.

The 60 and 61 are always busy from personal experience having used them both daily for the last 10 years at all times of the day

The 19 terminating at the fort in the evening does make sense but the crappy design of the forts bus stances probly stops this

The rerouting of the Lanarkshire services is both to save time as they have been going Vis high street alot recently due to the batgirl filming and it's 6 or 7 mins faster so every the day that would save a decent amount of time and free up drivers

The 43 I would run in to the new retail park even just as a 6 month trial and see if it works

Re 38
The 38B was the 42
The 38c was the 36
The 38E was 213
The issue with the 38 is that that all have different start and end points


The 9/A getting re timed so there's a come consistent gap would be helpful , as for people getting the wrong bus I have noticed this more on paisley road or at penilee

 

[PaulMc7]

With the driver shortages still an issue is it time for another Simplicity like set of changes to bring in cuts while opening up new options like the original Simplicity did? Personally I think it would be good to fully freshen up the network especially as we are returning to normality in terms of Covid restrictions etc

 

[route101]

I’m only away from Caley/East for 7 weeks now, packed it in to go back driving trucks once more.

The x19s have there own specific clientele, especially those who have weekly or other multi-use tickets are purposely commuters to the city centre not to mention the x19 goes to Glasgow Fort, the x19 doesn’t have much else on the 41 as it predominately gets its bulk through Wellhouse, Edinburgh Rd, Carntyne & Duke St additionally the reason first can stave off any threat from the x19 or any other form of competition from Stagecoach in the area is simply because Stagecoach doesn’t have the driver capacity either to do so and also in my experience driving with both companies, both at Caledonia & Cumbernauld depots, Stagecoach are struggling with reliability and maintenance, hence the reason 900s have went to Kilmarnock for a period of time.

Opportunistically, the 60s or 61(both Caley/east routes) seem busy when you see the odd one but that’s because there all running over the place with gaps in services because of driver shortages.

leaving at least one of either of them as they are isn’t viable, the Clydebank-Drumchapel end of the 60 is much quieter these days whilst in the east end it’s used for those going to Glasgow Fort & Easterhouse, but still it’s the natural one to relax, the 60 through drumchapel is busier than the 60A through Milngavie, having driven a 60A whilst the 60A in front is off or even a 60 not appearing at Canniesburn that should be in front of you, I’ve never had to nor ever known anyone that has had to refuse people entry on a 60A specifically because of loadings, Glasgows ridership is lower than in other cities, atm capacity isn’t the issue on the 60, 60A or 61 as 99% of the time it’s deckers, it’s the reliability it’s the problem.

As said, everything from parkhead cross has ample buses even with reductions in frequency, routes 2, 61, 240 & 255 all pass here, to varying destinations.

The 77 should’ve been removed from the airport eons ago, all but 1 bus per hour as you say.

The 19(another Caley/East route), removing it from Glasgow Fort takes away a vital shoppers destination for Royston, Provanmill, Millerston & Craigend, one of the only vital things that keeps the 19 running is this very destination including those traveling to the city centre, when The Lochs closes at its latest being 6:30pm it should terminate at Glasgow Fort, however, driver shortages aside, during the day I think being extended may be a more sensible thought instead of it terminating at Greers, you do get people walking from the bottom of Aberdalgie Rd to Easterhouse Train Station once they’ve got off the 60 & possibly the x19 as well, not to mention there is a 310 that’s does pass Easterhouse Train Station but this is unsubstantial plus there is no other service traveling directly along Westerhouse Rd yet given that there are several bus stops along this road with many houses and also being right next to Lochend Community High School for pupils possibly traveling by bus and finally first bus doesn’t have a current service that goes from the bottom of easterhouse to the likes of Garthamlock or Craigend, the 19 after it’s drops off at sainsburys on Bath Street I agree it should go to the bus station, but when leaving it would still need to go to Renfield St/West George/Nelson Mandela Place/Queen St Station, you do get people using this service a lot from West George & Queen St.

Depends where you put the 43 and it’s interest, it does only carry few people most of the time and isn’t frequent.

9/9A(again Caley/East), the 9 is fine, from stance 11 every 12 minutes, honestly wouldn’t change this.

The 9A(Stance 12), renumber it, possible the 78, the 77 goes to Braehead every 10 minute from stance 45, however, the 9A would practically be running with fresh air if they all went to the Braehead and also by doing this the number 9 day ticket at £3.50 wouldn’t be available, however that aside, a hypothetical shuffle of bus station stances and the imaginary 78 could service stance 44.

It’s unbeliable the amount of people who don’t actually know what the 9 & 9A differences are from the bus station or they quite litterally don’t pay enough attention, you’ll get people boarding a 9, presumably thinking it’s going to braehead with others boarding a 9A thinking it’s going to Ralston after scanning weeklys for example.

For all the route coloured branded buses in Glasgow, it’s nothing more than confusing at times with so many variations based on destinations from end to end that aren’t always the same, like the 38 & 38A - the same end to end but a difference in the middle, I’m certain years ago the 38C used to be a 36 and terminated at buchanan & possibly the 38E was a 213 from Bargeddie not ballieston.

Do I not recall that at one time the 38 was the sole primary route from Newton Mearns through Giffnock and pollokshaws?

38B, no idea what that was or if it was something new.

I doubt it would be savvy to reroute the Lanarkshire services away from Glassford St & george square, the 267 aside given that it approaches from the south side, ultimately you’d be asking people to be walk an extra distance if they go up the high street.

Despite the x8 & 46 being Caley/East Routes, I’ve never route learned those.

Did you ever drive the old Larkfield routes such as 38, 6 and 5?

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

Did you ever drive the old Larkfield routes such as 38, 6 and 5?

Nope.

Always been Caley/East or North routes I’ve driven, or in other words Ex-Parkhead/Cumbernauld.

I was originally a Cumbernauld driver until the routes were to be displaced. I chose to transfer to Larbert before Cumbernauld closed.

 

[PaulMc7]

Are there any route changes First could realistically make to improve services at the moment?

For me, I'd cut the 38E completely and just run the 38B to Baillieston permanently like the current Sunday route. Another change I'd make is to axe the 1B and extend every second 206 to Helensburgh to link Balloch and Helensburgh and save some buses given the issues the industry is facing with driver shortages.

I'd be looking at doing something to help the 60/60A and 61 as they seem to be most affected with the driver shortage too so the best bet currently would probably be to adopt the 4/4A tactic of every 20 mins with 2 an hour to Clydebank and 1 an hour to Milngavie given that Milngavie also has the X10/X10A.

I also wonder if it's possible for First to use East Kilbride bus station in the same way they use Hamilton bus station regarding buses from Glasgow. The 255, 263 and 267 all got split there and I'd suggest a new route combining the 18 route from Greenhills and the 6 to Calderwood for an East Kilbride local service as well as the 21 being split in the bus station as a half hourly service between Gardenhall and East Kilbride town centre is manageable with current running times.

The 240 is also another service that could be cut back to Motherwell from Glasgow with the 242 being extended to Overtown or by extending the 254 to Overtown.

 

[DC21]

Are there any route changes First could realistically make to improve services at the moment?

For me, I'd cut the 38E completely and just run the 38B to Baillieston permanently like the current Sunday route. Another change I'd make is to axe the 1B and extend every second 206 to Helensburgh to link Balloch and Helensburgh and save some buses given the issues the industry is facing with driver shortages.

I'd be looking at doing something to help the 60/60A and 61 as they seem to be most affected with the driver shortage too so the best bet currently would probably be to adopt the 4/4A tactic of every 20 mins with 2 an hour to Clydebank and 1 an hour to Milngavie given that Milngavie also has the X10/X10A.

I also wonder if it's possible for First to use East Kilbride bus station in the same way they use Hamilton bus station regarding buses from Glasgow. The 255, 263 and 267 all got split there and I'd suggest a new route combining the 18 route from Greenhills and the 6 to Calderwood for an East Kilbride local service as well as the 21 being split in the bus station as a half hourly service between Gardenhall and East Kilbride town centre is manageable with current running times.

The 240 is also another service that could be cut back to Motherwell from Glasgow with the 242 being extended to Overtown or by extending the 254 to Overtown.

242 and 254 wouldn't be extended to Overtown nor would the 240 be cut at Motherwell. One being the buses saved not running the full 240 would essentially need to be put on the extension of the hypothetical 242 or 254 extension. If your suggesting these to improve reliability then the 242/254 can suffer delays frequently which makes that idea null and void

 

[PaulMc7]

242 and 254 wouldn't be extended to Overtown nor would the 240 be cut at Motherwell. One being the buses saved not running the full 240 would essentially need to be put on the extension of the hypothetical 242 or 254 extension. If your suggesting these to improve reliability then the 242/254 can suffer delays frequently which makes that idea null and void

The 242 and 254 are both less frequent than the 240 and the 242 already goes to Pather so it would barely add any running time to that. 1 extra bus on top of the current requirement at most and it wouldn't affect reliability either.

 

[DC21]

The 242 and 254 are both less frequent than the 240 and the 242 already goes to Pather so it would barely add any running time to that. 1 extra bus on top of the current requirement at most and it wouldn't affect reliability either.

I suppose the 242 could in theory go to Overtown as it does start there early mornings and finish there at night. Another issue if that the 242 doesn't run at night or Sundays. I ant see the 240 getting canned at Motherwell as it provides a link from Bellshill and beyond to the likes of Motherwell college and Wishaw Hospital. Also leaves the main road through Craignuek without a First bus service.

 

[PaulMc7]

I suppose the 242 could in theory go to Overtown as it does start there early mornings and finish there at night. Another issue if that the 242 doesn't run at night or Sundays. I ant see the 240 getting canned at Motherwell as it provides a link from Bellshill and beyond to the likes of Motherwell college and Wishaw Hospital. Also leaves the main road through Craignuek without a First bus service.

I've always wondered what the usage is like along that main road to be fair given that when the 242 isn't running the 240 diverts away from it. The other key thing is that the other route is also a short walk from the main road at all points so wouldn't be an issue for the retail park.

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

There is no real way for the service in Glasgow and surrounding area to be saved, except for constantly making cut backs.

It’s just no good.

 

[PaulMc7]

There is no real way for the service in Glasgow and surrounding area to be saved, except for constantly making cut backs.

It’s just no good.

That's definitely the problem with having a car centric council and a government who are genuinely clueless regarding public transport. I expect a lot of cuts in the next couple of months to be fair. October has generally been a month for service changes over the years and the way funding is heading will only add to that.

I do think there are ways to do the cut backs mind you in order to provide a more reliable network. The off peak passenger loads especially seem to show that cuts are warranted just now. You know it's bad when even some of the 2s and 3s have extremely light passenger loadings and pre-covid they were full a lot on higher frequencies.

 

[route101]

Are there any route changes First could realistically make to improve services at the moment?

For me, I'd cut the 38E completely and just run the 38B to Baillieston permanently like the current Sunday route. Another change I'd make is to axe the 1B and extend every second 206 to Helensburgh to link Balloch and Helensburgh and save some buses given the issues the industry is facing with driver shortages.

I'd be looking at doing something to help the 60/60A and 61 as they seem to be most affected with the driver shortage too so the best bet currently would probably be to adopt the 4/4A tactic of every 20 mins with 2 an hour to Clydebank and 1 an hour to Milngavie given that Milngavie also has the X10/X10A.

I also wonder if it's possible for First to use East Kilbride bus station in the same way they use Hamilton bus station regarding buses from Glasgow. The 255, 263 and 267 all got split there and I'd suggest a new route combining the 18 route from Greenhills and the 6 to Calderwood for an East Kilbride local service as well as the 21 being split in the bus station as a half hourly service between Gardenhall and East Kilbride town centre is manageable with current running times.

The 240 is also another service that could be cut back to Motherwell from Glasgow with the 242 being extended to Overtown or by extending the 254 to Overtown.

Splitting routes at East Kilbride bus station wouldn't go down well, there is quite a few people who use the 18 from Greenhills to Glasgow, Kingsgate Retail Park and Rutherglen.

 

[PaulMc7]

Splitting routes at East Kilbride bus station wouldn't go down well, there is quite a few people who use the 18 from Greenhills to Glasgow, Kingsgate Retail Park and Rutherglen.

Hamilton and beyond was the same before they started splitting routes to be fair. The East Kilbride services are also very prone to cancellations so a split to improve reliability is better than the current situation IMO. It would also affect me too as anytime I am in East Kilbride, I rarely get off at the bus station.

 

[route101]

Hamilton and beyond was the same before they started splitting routes to be fair. The East Kilbride services are also very prone to cancellations so a split to improve reliability is better than the current situation IMO. It would also affect me too as anytime I am in East Kilbride, I rarely get off at the bus station.

How have the services been last few weeks? I used the 6 yesterday and my two buses were on time. The Kingsgate Retail Park is almost the go to retail centre in East Kilbride with the demise of the town centre.

 

[PaulMc7]

How have the services been last few weeks? I used the 6 yesterday and my two buses were on time. The Kingsgate Retail Park is almost the go to retail centre in East Kilbride with the demise of the town centre.

The 6 has had a lot of buses missing over the last 2 weeks and the 21 especially seems to be a regular complaint on their Twitter too now. 2 201s missing in a row when I tried to get one on Thursday too. I've not used the 18 for a while. I agree on the town centre though. It's horrendous now.

 

[PaulMc7]

I've been thinking about possible changes to be honest and I think I've just about worked out what I'd do. I don't think I've missed anything:

1- Keep the same
1A- Keep the same
1B- Silverton to Helensburgh via Brucehill
1C- Keep the same
1D- Keep the same
1E-Keep the same

2- Keep the same frequency but 2 2As per hour

2A- New service to replace 81 so Baillieston to Duntocher

3- Keep the same
4-Keep the same
4A- City Centre to Eaglesham only
5- Keep the same
6- Reduce to every 20 minutes
6A- Reduce to every 20 minutes
7- Every 15 mins
7A- City Centre to Westburn only
8- Reduce to every hour but double deckers

9- Every 20 minutes with some double deckers

9A- Every 20 minutes with some double deckers

10- Keep the same
14- SPT Contract
16- Reduce to hourly
18- Keep the same
19- Keep the same
21- Keep the same

31- Reduce to hourly
34- Keep the same
38- Remove Eastwood Toll short workings, Newton Mearns to Glasgow Fort every 30 minutes

38A- Rouken Glen to Glasgow Fort every 30 minutes to keep every 15 minutes to Glasgow Fort

38B- Rouken Glen to Baillieston
38C- City Centre to Chryston
38E- Withdraw as 38B extension replaces it
41- Keep the same
43- Reduce to hourly
46- Keep the same
49- SPT contract

57- Keep the same
57A- Keep the same
60- Keep the same
60A- City Centre to Milngavie only
61- Summerston to Sandyhills every 20
minutes

61A- Summerston to Carmyle hourly via 64 route from City Centre

64- Withdrawn
65- Keep the same

71A- SPT Contract
75- Keep the same
77- Reduce Glasgow Airport journeys to hourly

81- Withdraw as replaced by 2A
87- Keep the same
88- Keep the same
89- City Centre to Kilsyth every 30 minutes via Mavis Valley and Torrance

89A/B- Withdrawn
90- Keep the same

93- SPT contract
201- Keep the same
202- Keep the same
206- Reduce to every 20 minutes
208- Withdraw as replaced by 1B changes
210- SPT Contract but get rid of when possible

226- Extend to Little Earnock every 30 mins
227- Whitehill to Hamilton only hourly
229- Keep the same
240- Keep the same
241- Cut short workings between North Motherwell and Motherwell

242- Reduce to every 30 mins
244- SPT contract
251- SPT contract
254- Keep the same
255- Keep the same
263- Keep the same
266- Reduce frequency to every 10 minutes, every 20 minutes to Newmains and Shotts

267- Keep the same
500- Reduce to every 30 minutes

X3- Keep the same
X4- Keep the same
X8- Keep the same
X11- Keep the same
X85- Keep the same
X87- Keep the same

M3- Keep the same
M4- SPT contract
M11- Keep the same
M60- Keep the same

U1-Keep the same

 

[JumpinTrainz]

I've been thinking about possible changes to be honest and I think I've just about worked out what I'd do. I don't think I've missed anything:

1- Keep the same
1A- Keep the same
1B- Silverton to Helensburgh via Brucehill
1C- Keep the same
1D- Keep the same
1E-Keep the same

2- Keep the same frequency but 2 2As per hour

2A- New service to replace 81 so Baillieston to Duntocher

3- Keep the same
4-Keep the same
4A- City Centre to Eaglesham only
5- Keep the same
6- Reduce to every 20 minutes
6A- Reduce to every 20 minutes
7- Every 15 mins
7A- City Centre to Westburn only
8- Reduce to every hour but double deckers

9- Every 20 minutes with some double deckers

9A- Every 20 minutes with some double deckers

10- Keep the same
14- SPT Contract
16- Reduce to hourly
18- Keep the same
19- Keep the same
21- Keep the same

31- Reduce to hourly
34- Keep the same
38- Remove Eastwood Toll short workings, Newton Mearns to Glasgow Fort every 30 minutes

38A- Rouken Glen to Glasgow Fort every 30 minutes to keep every 15 minutes to Glasgow Fort

38B- Rouken Glen to Baillieston
38C- City Centre to Chryston
38E- Withdraw as 38B extension replaces it
41- Keep the same
43- Reduce to hourly
46- Keep the same
49- SPT contract

57- Keep the same
57A- Keep the same
60- Keep the same
60A- City Centre to Milngavie only
61- Summerston to Sandyhills every 20
minutes

61A- Summerston to Carmyle hourly via 64 route from City Centre

64- Withdrawn
65- Keep the same

71A- SPT Contract
75- Keep the same
77- Reduce Glasgow Airport journeys to hourly

81- Withdraw as replaced by 2A
87- Keep the same
88- Keep the same
89- City Centre to Kilsyth every 30 minutes via Mavis Valley and Torrance

89A/B- Withdrawn
90- Keep the same

93- SPT contract
201- Keep the same
202- Keep the same
206- Reduce to every 20 minutes
208- Withdraw as replaced by 1B changes
210- SPT Contract but get rid of when possible

226- Extend to Little Earnock every 30 mins
227- Whitehill to Hamilton only hourly
229- Keep the same
240- Keep the same
241- Cut short workings between North Motherwell and Motherwell

242- Reduce to every 30 mins
244- SPT contract
251- SPT contract
254- Keep the same
255- Keep the same
263- Keep the same
266- Reduce frequency to every 10 minutes, every 20 minutes to Newmains and Shotts

267- Keep the same
500- Reduce to every 30 minutes

X3- Keep the same
X4- Keep the same
X8- Keep the same
X11- Keep the same
X85- Keep the same
X87- Keep the same

M3- Keep the same
M4- SPT contract
M11- Keep the same
M60- Keep the same

U1-Keep the same

The 61 running at a 20 minute frequency would not work. It’s a busy route as it is every 10 minutes let alone dropping frequency.

Also combining the 38B and 38E makes sense in theory but practically it’s deviating from what should be a fairly direct route from Baillieston - City Centre. The 38E can get very busy with people travelling into town and to the GRI. Adding time on to the straight journey along Edinburgh Road seems pointless. The 41 and 46 already do Greenfield/Carntyne/Springboig respectfully.

 

[PaulMc7]

The 61 running at a 20 minute frequency would not work. It’s a busy route as it is every 10 minutes let alone dropping frequency.

Also combining the 38B and 38E makes sense in theory but practically it’s deviating from what should be a fairly direct route from Baillieston - City Centre. The 38E can get very busy with people travelling into town and to the GRI. Adding time on to the straight journey along Edinburgh Road seems pointless. The 41 and 46 already do Greenfield/Carntyne/Springboig respectfully.

The 61A journey keeps it as 4 an hour between the City Centre and Summerston and the 240 and 255 cover to Tollcross anyway. Also, unlike the 61, they are both a lot better at avoiding being cancelled compared to the 61 which is a nightmare.

The 38B extends on a Sunday to Baillieston and there has been a lot of cancellations on the 38E lately so First seem to not be prioritising it anyway. The 41 is fairly direct too although Duke Street is horrendous at times. The 38B change I suggested seems a bit indirect but it's not given that it's a 10 minute extension at most and the service in its current form takes a similar amount of time from the City Centre to Barlanark as the 38C takes to Chryston and the 38 takes to Glasgow Fort.

 

[lastbus]

I've been thinking about possible changes to be honest and I think I've just about worked out what I'd do. I don't think I've missed anything:

1- Keep the same
1A- Keep the same
1B- Silverton to Helensburgh via Brucehill
1C- Keep the same
1D- Keep the same
1E-Keep the same

2- Keep the same frequency but 2 2As per hour

2A- New service to replace 81 so Baillieston to Duntocher

3- Keep the same
4-Keep the same
4A- City Centre to Eaglesham only
5- Keep the same
6- Reduce to every 20 minutes
6A- Reduce to every 20 minutes
7- Every 15 mins
7A- City Centre to Westburn only
8- Reduce to every hour but double deckers

9- Every 20 minutes with some double deckers

9A- Every 20 minutes with some double deckers

10- Keep the same
14- SPT Contract
16- Reduce to hourly
18- Keep the same
19- Keep the same
21- Keep the same

31- Reduce to hourly
34- Keep the same
38- Remove Eastwood Toll short workings, Newton Mearns to Glasgow Fort every 30 minutes

38A- Rouken Glen to Glasgow Fort every 30 minutes to keep every 15 minutes to Glasgow Fort

38B- Rouken Glen to Baillieston
38C- City Centre to Chryston
38E- Withdraw as 38B extension replaces it
41- Keep the same
43- Reduce to hourly
46- Keep the same
49- SPT contract

57- Keep the same
57A- Keep the same
60- Keep the same
60A- City Centre to Milngavie only
61- Summerston to Sandyhills every 20
minutes

61A- Summerston to Carmyle hourly via 64 route from City Centre

64- Withdrawn
65- Keep the same

71A- SPT Contract
75- Keep the same
77- Reduce Glasgow Airport journeys to hourly

81- Withdraw as replaced by 2A
87- Keep the same
88- Keep the same
89- City Centre to Kilsyth every 30 minutes via Mavis Valley and Torrance

89A/B- Withdrawn
90- Keep the same

93- SPT contract
201- Keep the same
202- Keep the same
206- Reduce to every 20 minutes
208- Withdraw as replaced by 1B changes
210- SPT Contract but get rid of when possible

226- Extend to Little Earnock every 30 mins
227- Whitehill to Hamilton only hourly
229- Keep the same
240- Keep the same
241- Cut short workings between North Motherwell and Motherwell

242- Reduce to every 30 mins
244- SPT contract
251- SPT contract
254- Keep the same
255- Keep the same
263- Keep the same
266- Reduce frequency to every 10 minutes, every 20 minutes to Newmains and Shotts

267- Keep the same
500- Reduce to every 30 minutes

X3- Keep the same
X4- Keep the same
X8- Keep the same
X11- Keep the same
X85- Keep the same
X87- Keep the same

M3- Keep the same
M4- SPT contract
M11- Keep the same
M60- Keep the same

U1-Keep the same

93 and 210 are the same contract.

Reducing the 266 when JMBs 56 is non existent would be insane.

 

[PaulMc7]

93 and 210 are the same contract.

Reducing the 266 when JMBs 56 is non existent would be insane.

Thank you as I didn't know that about the contract. A lot of the 266s I've seen have still been fairly quiet especially off peak considering the 56 being an utter mess.

On another Lanarkshire note, has Blantyre managed to get a lot of drivers in? Things seem a lot better in terms of less cancellations recently compared to before where some days you'd have 3 18s or 201s in a row cancelled.

Scotstoun seems slightly better at times but not 100% yet and Caledonia still seems to be the main issue.

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

Thank you as I didn't know that about the contract. A lot of the 266s I've seen have still been fairly quiet especially off peak considering the 56 being an utter mess.

On another Lanarkshire note, has Blantyre managed to get a lot of drivers in? Things seem a lot better in terms of less cancellations recently compared to before where some days you'd have 3 18s or 201s in a row cancelled.

Scotstoun seems slightly better at times but not 100% yet and Caledonia still seems to be the main issue.

The manager of Blantyre is no longer the same one as was before, perhaps this is why, he used to be my manager at Cumbernauld Depot years ago, wasn’t a great manager to say the least.

Caledonia is severely mismanaged, The depot manager may well become a hermit to be honest, barely see him and as far as I’m concerned the manager should be the main man consistently overseeing the day to day running of the depot and implementing changes where necessary and there are many issues at Caledonia that have not changed.

 

[PaulMc7]

The manager of Blantyre is no longer the same one as was before, perhaps this is why, he used to be my manager at Cumbernauld Depot years ago, wasn’t a great manager to say the least.

Caledonia is severely mismanaged, The depot manager may well become a hermit to be honest, barely see him and as far as I’m concerned the manager should be the main man consistently overseeing the day to day running of the depot and implementing changes where necessary and there are many issues at Caledonia that have not changed.

That would make sense because I can remember a point where Blantyre was comfortably 2nd worst for cancellations and now that seems to be Scotstoun behind Caledonia although it's improved a fair bit in comparison to Caledonia.

Having one specific depot manager for a depot of that size is a huge issue to be honest. A good manager would probably struggle to cover everything required from the start of the day until the end of it.

It needs a structure to be honest with the day broken into 3 so that there's always a manager from the first bus leaving the depot to the last one coming in. I'd also say it needs broken down for every bunch of services the depot covers.

Communication seems like the thing that needs fixed most to be honest from what I've heard drivers say about the depot and that's why it needs split into multiple service bundles. A driver should always be able to contact their manager with ease about anything.

As I said in a previous post too, mental health support is another thing that drivers should always be able to communicate with managers about because dealing with the public is bad enough normally let alone in a cost of living disaster.

If they can even sort the basics that apply to any industry it could improve before you even get to the industry specifics. If I can apply analysis just from posts on here and what I've read and heard then people in those positions with industry experience absolutely should be able to if they want to do better.

 

[route101]

Having the 61A run the 64 route will cause confusion, I would leave it as the 64.

 

[PaulMc7]

Having the 61A run the 64 route will cause confusion, I would leave it as the 64.

The only way I'd keep the 64 the same is if you move the terminus from Osborne Street to give the 1s a bit more space at the bus stop ahead. The main reason I'd change it is to give some areas of the 64 route a bus that goes further through the City Centre and it avoids completely cutting off Carmyle too. It's one of those routes I wouldn't be surprised if First got rid of to be honest.

It also means that the north side of the city doesn't lose a bus either.

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

Having the 61A run the 64 route will cause confusion, I would leave it as the 64.

A 6 going to Clydebank versus a 6A going to Drumchapel doesn’t seem to confuse people on Great Western Rd.

The 4 going to Newton Mearns versus the 4A going to Eaglesham doesn’t seem to cause confusion.

The 60 & 60A to Clydebank & Milngavie, respectively, doesn’t seem to cause confusion.

The 57 & 57A going to two different destination, in the same area but different terminus points.

Then theres the 7 & 7A.

Too many One’s don’t seem to confuse many. The same could be said about the 38 variations.

 

[PaulMc7]

A 6 going to Clydebank versus a 6A going to Drumchapel doesn’t seem to confuse people on Great Western Rd.

The 4 going to Newton Mearns versus the 4A going to Eaglesham doesn’t seem to cause confusion.

The 60 & 60A to Clydebank & Milngavie, respectively, doesn’t seem to cause confusion.

The 57 & 57A going to two different destination, in the same area but different terminus points.

Then theres the 7 & 7A.

Too many One’s don’t seem to confuse many. The same could be said about the 38 variations.

The one's did cause a bit of confusion for a while to be fair. I do recall quite a few times getting asked which one to get for specific places. The 38s were the same too but I guess it's a lot better now that Simplicity happened 9 and a half years ago now. Anything with just an A variant has been mostly fine.

 

[jazza374]

I've been thinking about possible changes to be honest and I think I've just about worked out what I'd do. I don't think I've missed anything:

1- Keep the same
1A- Keep the same
1B- Silverton to Helensburgh via Brucehill
1C- Keep the same
1D- Keep the same
1E-Keep the same

2- Keep the same frequency but 2 2As per hour

2A- New service to replace 81 so Baillieston to Duntocher

3- Keep the same
4-Keep the same
4A- City Centre to Eaglesham only
5- Keep the same
6- Reduce to every 20 minutes
6A- Reduce to every 20 minutes
7- Every 15 mins
7A- City Centre to Westburn only
8- Reduce to every hour but double deckers

9- Every 20 minutes with some double deckers

9A- Every 20 minutes with some double deckers

10- Keep the same
14- SPT Contract
16- Reduce to hourly
18- Keep the same
19- Keep the same
21- Keep the same

31- Reduce to hourly
34- Keep the same
38- Remove Eastwood Toll short workings, Newton Mearns to Glasgow Fort every 30 minutes

38A- Rouken Glen to Glasgow Fort every 30 minutes to keep every 15 minutes to Glasgow Fort

38B- Rouken Glen to Baillieston
38C- City Centre to Chryston
38E- Withdraw as 38B extension replaces it
41- Keep the same
43- Reduce to hourly
46- Keep the same
49- SPT contract

57- Keep the same
57A- Keep the same
60- Keep the same
60A- City Centre to Milngavie only
61- Summerston to Sandyhills every 20
minutes

61A- Summerston to Carmyle hourly via 64 route from City Centre

64- Withdrawn
65- Keep the same

71A- SPT Contract
75- Keep the same
77- Reduce Glasgow Airport journeys to hourly

81- Withdraw as replaced by 2A
87- Keep the same
88- Keep the same
89- City Centre to Kilsyth every 30 minutes via Mavis Valley and Torrance

89A/B- Withdrawn
90- Keep the same

93- SPT contract
201- Keep the same
202- Keep the same
206- Reduce to every 20 minutes
208- Withdraw as replaced by 1B changes
210- SPT Contract but get rid of when possible

226- Extend to Little Earnock every 30 mins
227- Whitehill to Hamilton only hourly
229- Keep the same
240- Keep the same
241- Cut short workings between North Motherwell and Motherwell

242- Reduce to every 30 mins
244- SPT contract
251- SPT contract
254- Keep the same
255- Keep the same
263- Keep the same
266- Reduce frequency to every 10 minutes, every 20 minutes to Newmains and Shotts

267- Keep the same
500- Reduce to every 30 minutes

X3- Keep the same
X4- Keep the same
X8- Keep the same
X11- Keep the same
X85- Keep the same
X87- Keep the same

M3- Keep the same
M4- SPT contract
M11- Keep the same
M60- Keep the same

U1-Keep the same

In my opinion the 242 needs its 20 minute frequency. Vehicles are usually busy at most times of the day as this service serves areas not covered by other services. Holytown to Motherwell. Craigneuk scheme. Pather scheme. And I am not sure what service level First have agreed to provide to Maxim Park, but that agreement was one of the reasons the 242 got brand new vehicles in 2019