First Greater Glasgow

[Jordan Adam]

Obviously wouldn’t be as heavy in terms of branding - but surely something to be said for magnetic vinyls ?

Presumably they think there is some value in advertising the route or whatever - but surely advertising the wrong route is potentially more confusing.

Feels like in 2023 there should be a more flexible way of achieving this - could they not just add more framing as per the advertising and drop in the most relevant branding on a weekly / monthly / whatever basis ?

Obviously you will always have oddities of buses sent to cover for whatever reason, but for the main part ….

The issue lately has been due to the fact too many buses were branded. In other words they were applying branding to 100% of a service's PVR (Peak Vehicle Requirement), when ideally you'd only want to brand around 70%. It has also meant that in some cases if there has been a PVR reduction they end up with more buses branded than a route actually requires.

From my understanding all future repaints and new vehicles are going to be unbranded. Hence why none of the recent vehicle deliveries have been branded.

 

[PaulMc7]

It's a shame travel centres hit major demise in Glasgow because they were certainly handy for learning new routes in your area and having paper copies for timetables is handy for those with little to no internet access. It's why timetables taking so long to be updated at bus stops didn't really help as Covid went on.

Picking up random timetables as a kid and being taken on random journeys by my gran on a regular basis was how I developed a lot of knowledge of different areas.

I still go on random journeys now as an adult and it's how I've used most services in the entire network. I tend to get a random bus to one area, walk to another area then do the same again. The likes of the 8 and 90 are especially handy for this given how many areas that they cover.

 

[Jarcoed]

Of course teenegers have to ruin it for everyone else. Several bus routes could be axed in the Pollok area after 6pm if anti-social behaviour continues. This will affect the 3, 10, 57 and X8.

Young kids are better behaved on buses than a group of 15-21 year olds.

 

[PaulMc7]

Of course teenegers have to ruin it for everyone else. Several bus routes could be axed in the Pollok area after 6pm if anti-social behaviour continues. This will affect the 3, 10, 57 and X8.

Young kids are better behaved on buses than a group of 15-21 year olds.

A lot of the troublemakers I've experienced have been far younger than 15. There are 2 kids I used to see after work with my old job and they'd insult passengers constantly and vape on the bus constantly and honestly they were probably about 15 years old combined.

I just hope the situation is dealt with as soon as possible so drivers don't need to worry about their safety and the genuinely nice passengers don't lose a bus service in a very busy area.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

Does anyone know when the E200EVs will be arriving at Scotstoun? Aberdeen’s Yutongs are being delivered and I know both orders were announced at the same time. Thanks in advance

 

[jagardner1984]

A lot of the troublemakers I've experienced have been far younger than 15. There are 2 kids I used to see after work with my old job and they'd insult passengers constantly and vape on the bus constantly and honestly they were probably about 15 years old combined.

I just hope the situation is dealt with as soon as possible so drivers don't need to worry about their safety and the genuinely nice passengers don't lose a bus service in a very busy area.

Without wishing to sound too old … ultimately the issue here is the lack of consequence. A friend of mine works for the police here - he often comments how little awareness of how thinly policed the streets really are. The reality is - there is a pick and choose approach to law enforcement caused by resourcing. So seeing public places covered in graffiti just seems to be the norm now.

Essentially those who carried these attacks on first buses - which must have been horrible for the staff to deal with - know they will likely act with impunity.

As ever it is those most in need of the service who will suffer the most from any action First take.

 

[Volvodart]

Does anyone know when the E200EVs will be arriving at Scotstoun? Aberdeen’s Yutongs are being delivered and I know both orders were announced at the same time. Thanks in advance

How far are they advanced with the chargers installation?

 

[JumpinTrainz]

How far are they advanced with the chargers installation?

I believe the plan is for 3 Yutongs to head over to Scotstoun so I imagine there must be some charger coverage although I’m not 100%

 

[computerSaysNo]

Without wishing to sound too old … ultimately the issue here is the lack of consequence. A friend of mine works for the police here - he often comments how little awareness of how thinly policed the streets really are. The reality is - there is a pick and choose approach to law enforcement caused by resourcing. So seeing public places covered in graffiti just seems to be the norm now.

Essentially those who carried these attacks on first buses - which must have been horrible for the staff to deal with - know they will likely act with impunity.

As ever it is those most in need of the service who will suffer the most from any action First take.

Are drivers allowed to kick people off the bus for breaking the law and/or conditions of carriage?

 

[hexagon789]

Are drivers allowed to kick people off the bus for breaking the law and/or conditions of carriage?

Yes, using reasonable force if necessary.

 

[computerSaysNo]

Yes

Thank you, I was struggling to find that written down anywhere.

using reasonable force if necessary.

Although presumably it's a better idea to stay in the cab behind the assault screen?

 

[hexagon789]

Although presumably it's a better idea to stay in the cab behind the assault screen?

Undoubtedly, asides from any repercussions that could result from taking any physical action.

 

[PaulMc7]

I passed 33108 (one of the branded buses for the 500) on Dumbarton Road at Scotstoun earlier on going towards the Clydeside Expressway. It seems a bit of a strange place to see it.

 

[92002]

I passed 33108 (one of the branded buses for the 500) on Dumbarton Road at Scotstoun earlier on going towards the Clydeside Expressway. It seems a bit of a strange place to see it.

They have been noted a number of times in thr West End training drivers.

 

[PaulMc7]

They have been noted a number of times in thr West End training drivers.

Thank you for the information. I was wondering as I've not seen any until now. I've also seen more Streetlites and E400s being used for driver familiarisation again though.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Yutong 65106 is away to start on the 16:07 4A from Broomhill.

 

[lastbus]

Yutong 65106 is away to start on the 16:07 4A from Broomhill.

One going onto 21 service as well

 

[JumpinTrainz]

It’s times like this I miss bustimes

 

[PaulMc7]

It’s times like this I miss bustimes

I second this. I'd have also have known that I could time my journey earlier more efficiently to avoid what seemed to be the only single decker on the 9/9A earlier too. Every other one I passed was a double decker. It would handy if their app had the same set up as Mcgills where it told you which vehicle is on a service. A lot of the drivers don't bother counting people getting off buses although I don't blame them. There really should be an easier, automatic way to update it.

The 9/9A may also be services that an increase isn't out of the question for when driver resources allow it too.

 

[E400Lover101]

What has happened to SN61 BFA? (33920) As I have not seen it out in a while.

 

[route101]

It's a shame travel centres hit major demise in Glasgow because they were certainly handy for learning new routes in your area and having paper copies for timetables is handy for those with little to no internet access. It's why timetables taking so long to be updated at bus stops didn't really help as Covid went on.

Picking up random timetables as a kid and being taken on random journeys by my gran on a regular basis was how I developed a lot of knowledge of different areas.

I still go on random journeys now as an adult and it's how I've used most services in the entire network. I tend to get a random bus to one area, walk to another area then do the same again. The likes of the 8 and 90 are especially handy for this given how many areas that they cover.

First have mostly stopped the paper timetables except in touristy areas in England. The only paper bus timetables I have found in Glasgow are the Citylink guides. First Glasgow used to produce a handy bus map.

 

[PaulMc7]

First have mostly stopped the paper timetables except in touristy areas in England. The only paper bus timetables I have found in Glasgow are the Citylink guides. First Glasgow used to produce a handy bus map.

I still remember Mapmates too. They were certainly handy to work out how to get just about anywhere.

 

[route101]

I still remember Mapmates too. They were certainly handy to work out how to get just about anywhere.

Yes, I used to have one. There was the SPT bus map too. I guess nowadays people want to know when the next bus is due!

 

[PaulMc7]

Yes, I used to have one. There was the SPT bus map too. I guess nowadays people want to know when the next bus is due!

People tend to want to know if their buses are running and if they're late or not. Today hasn't been great for working out where anything is as the "bus on a map" feature on the app hasn't worked at all and cancellations haven't been shown consistently over the last couple of weeks at all either at any depot. My regular buses are frequent but I can imagine it being horrendously off-putting with less frequent services. I think we need a new app at this point.

The bus stop boards are rarely ever 100% accurate either and tend to be missing most of the buses that are running. Some of the actual timetables aren't 100% accurate either from what I've noticed. Yesterday, I was at Elder Park and one of the bus stops had the first few 34s missing off of the timetable for a Saturday and in Maryhill a few weeks back, some of the 60/60A times in the evening are listed for the opposite bus. I noticed a few 60s being timed when it's actually 60As due and vice versa.

NEW POST

On another note, today I seen an E400EV on the 43. It's probably the first time in years that I've seen any sort of double decker on one. The last time might genuinely have been when the 43 went to Craigend from the City Centre.

 

[Buzby]

First Bus Bingo
Does anyone know which bright spark thought it would be a great idea to wrap the route number as part of the First Bus livery….. then ensure that the vehicle rarely (if ever) actually serves the route advertised? I lost count of the buses that had a totally different service number displayed on ERIC* when compared the painted route - excluding the 77’s I only saw 4 that matched. Hopefully the next rebrand will see its removal.

* Electronic Route Indication Computer

 

[JumpinTrainz]

Bustimes.org has started tracking again this morning which is good news.

 

[XAM2175]

Does anyone know which bright spark thought it would be a great idea to wrap the route number as part of the First Bus livery…..

Yes, route branding is utterly stupid, and yes, the indication so far is that it is gradually being retired.

 

[E400Lover101]

People tend to want to know if their buses are running and if they're late or not. Today hasn't been great for working out where anything is as the "bus on a map" feature on the app hasn't worked at all and cancellations haven't been shown consistently over the last couple of weeks at all either at any depot. My regular buses are frequent but I can imagine it being horrendously off-putting with less frequent services. I think we need a new app at this point.

The bus stop boards are rarely ever 100% accurate either and tend to be missing most of the buses that are running. Some of the actual timetables aren't 100% accurate either from what I've noticed. Yesterday, I was at Elder Park and one of the bus stops had the first few 34s missing off of the timetable for a Saturday and in Maryhill a few weeks back, some of the 60/60A times in the evening are listed for the opposite bus. I noticed a few 60s being timed when it's actually 60As due and vice versa.

NEW POST

On another note, today I seen an E400EV on the 43. It's probably the first time in years that I've seen any sort of double decker on one. The last time might genuinely have been when the 43 went to Craigend from the City Centre.

One reason why First Glasgow can't keep a reliable Service is because they only have half of the 634 Vehicle's out, and with the retirement of the E400's and the Volvo B9TL Gemini's there service is going to get even worse.


About the new app. I think they should do Something like McGill's app as it would tell you what vehicle it is, Plus I am not sure how often the McGill's app buses update their position. I know with FGLA it is every 10 seconds but they definitely need a new App

 

[Jordan Adam]

The two B9TLs from Glasgow that are on loan to Aberdeen are both knackered so it wouldn't surprise me if much of Glasgow's are the same. Both have had breakdowns and they only entered service yesterday. Reminds me of the situation with 69038/39/42/67; everyone at Glasgow said they were decent buses yet when they got here they were completely knackered and unreliable. 69042 was rejected and sent back with a list of defects and yet was in service with Glasgow the next day!

 

[JumpinTrainz]

The two B9TLs from Glasgow that are on loan to Aberdeen are both knackered so it wouldn't surprise me if much of Glasgow's are the same. Both have had breakdowns and they only entered service yesterday. Reminds me of the situation with 69038/39/42/67; everyone at Glasgow said they were decent buses yet when they got here they were completely knackered and unreliable. 69042 was rejected and sent back with a list of defects and yet was in service with Glasgow the next day!

I’m optimistic an order of new generation E400EVs will be announced shortly to start replacing the B9TLs. The earliest B9TLs are now 16 years old.

I’m not sure about the low heights. They could be doing with a refurb but are only a year older than the E300s so I doubt they’ll be going anywhere soon unless they get transferred. I would be surprised if new low heights ever get ordered for the route - I don’t think the 6 is what it once was so I imagine it’ll be singles once the E400s go.