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First Greater Glasgow

JumpinTrainz

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30 Jul 2018
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Heard a rumour that all B9TLs are to move to Caledonia with the next influx of E400EVs. The 61 examples are to be debranded and the Blantyre examples are to be replaced by the 65 plate E400MMCs. Just whispers though
 
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RailUK Forums

Albaman

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16 Sep 2018
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131
I don't think this has been mentioned, but the 21 reverted to Blantyre Depot with effect from the timetable change on 12 June 2022. Caledonia does operate a number of "peak" journeys.
 

PaulMc7

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9 Jul 2019
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I must admit I'm still quite surprised at how well some of the non City Centre routes do when it comes to passenger numbers. I hadn't used the 8 in a while but it was very busy today and when I see them after work they're normally packed.

I think it creates a headache though when it comes to adjusting services based on how many drivers First are short of because you realistically can't cut the orbital routes more especially the likes of the 8, 46 and 90 because capacity wise they'd struggle hourly.

One I never thought I'd think would be possible was the 6 going to every 20 mins but from what I've seen of it recently you maybe could get away with it. The 2 being every 15 mins if it got more double deckers is another.
 

92002

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27 Mar 2014
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Clydebank
I must admit I'm still quite surprised at how well some of the non City Centre routes do when it comes to passenger numbers. I hadn't used the 8 in a while but it was very busy today and when I see them after work they're normally packed.

I think it creates a headache though when it comes to adjusting services based on how many drivers First are short of because you realistically can't cut the orbital routes more especially the likes of the 8, 46 and 90 because capacity wise they'd struggle hourly.

One I never thought I'd think would be possible was the 6 going to every 20 mins but from what I've seen of it recently you maybe could get away with it. The 2 being every 15 mins if it got more double deckers is another.
The main problem with timekeeping on the 8 and 90 is Byres Road. A prime candidate for bus lanes and parking restrictions. With resident permits only on the side roads. Which of course need to purchased for the pleasure.
 

PaulMc7

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The main problem with timekeeping on the 8 and 90 is Byres Road. A prime candidate for bus lanes and parking restrictions. With resident permits only on the side roads. Which of course need to purchased for the pleasure.
I fully agree. There are council signs up for more parking restrictions coming up closer to Maryhill Road coming from Queen Margaret Drive. Hotspur Street especially is an absolute nightmare to cover. I've seen it multiple times where the 90 has been diverted as it literally can't get by parked cars.
 

Glasgowbusguy

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21 Feb 2019
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544
The main problem with timekeeping on the 8 and 90 is Byres Road. A prime candidate for bus lanes and parking restrictions. With resident permits only on the side roads. Which of course need to purchased for the pleasure.
The 90 and the 8 get hit with quite a lot of the city-wide choke points: Duke Street, Byres Road, Partick, Pollokshields, Paisley Road West, Maryhill Road.
 
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Glasgow
I’ve just seen an article on STV News where Paul Clark said the company are having to compete with sectors they once didn’t have to.

What does that say about the aspiration or lack there of to be a bus driver now in Glasgow alone.
 

PaulMc7

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I’ve just seen an article on STV News where Paul Clark said the company are having to compete with sectors they once didn’t have to.

What does that say about the aspiration or lack there of to be a bus driver now in Glasgow alone.
Pay and conditions are ofcourse massive problems the management need to sort. The fact it seems to be a long term problem is worrying. Covid and Brexit haven't helped and ofcourse the public don't either but First do cause a lot of their own problems too. The replies to the article obviously don't factor in what happens with payrises as expected though but £14-15 is a minimum with the best conditions you can offer if you don't want this to get worse. It might sting in the short term financially but with a city like Glasgow it's worth a go and it's the only Scottish operation First have that could absorb this realistically.
 
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route101

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16 May 2010
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12,243
I must admit I'm still quite surprised at how well some of the non City Centre routes do when it comes to passenger numbers. I hadn't used the 8 in a while but it was very busy today and when I see them after work they're normally packed.

I think it creates a headache though when it comes to adjusting services based on how many drivers First are short of because you realistically can't cut the orbital routes more especially the likes of the 8, 46 and 90 because capacity wise they'd struggle hourly.

One I never thought I'd think would be possible was the 6 going to every 20 mins but from what I've seen of it recently you maybe could get away with it. The 2 being every 15 mins if it got more double deckers is another.
The 34 is one that does well, helped by its frequency which I think is every 15 minutes (Or is it 12). Though it does start at Castlemilk and stops at key locations such as Shawlands and the Hosptial.
 

PaulMc7

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The 34 is one that does well, helped by its frequency which I think is every 15 minutes (Or is it 12). Though it does start at Castlemilk and stops at key locations such as Shawlands and the Hosptial.
A bus serving Castlemilk will generally do pretty well given the size of the place with no train station nearby. Shawlands being full of students massively helps too plus the area is a mess for parking.

On another note, any changes planned for July and August as of yet? I expect a lot on top of the SPT related ones with covid funding dropping off of a cliff next month to be honest.
 
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Busman84

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9 Sep 2019
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172
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East Kilbride
Pay and conditions are ofcourse massive problems the management need to sort. The fact it seems to be a long term problem is worrying. Covid and Brexit haven't helped and ofcourse the public don't either but First do cause a lot of their own problems too. The replies to the article obviously don't factor in what happens with payrises as expected though but £14-15 is a minimum with the best conditions you can offer if you don't want this to get worse. It might sting in the short term financially but with a city like Glasgow it's worth a go and it's the only Scottish operation First have that could absorb this realistically.
Still a long way to go. They now need to see if more drivers ask or sign for overtime or not. Double time is far better than what drivers get but they are due some sort of enhancement for overtime for the future and this has to be permanent. If not there will be no improvement to what it is at the moment.
 

PaulMc7

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Still a long way to go. They now need to see if more drivers ask or sign for overtime or not. Double time is far better than what drivers get but they are due some sort of enhancement for overtime for the future and this has to be permanent. If not there will be no improvement to what it is at the moment.
I fully agree. I'm not a fan of rest day working as it opens up potential for unions to dictate it as we've seen with the trains but if people want to do it then absolutely go for it permanently. I feel like if they do this only to take it away from them it'll create more friction leading to drivers leaving.

A lot of services probably could be cut based on passenger numbers just now but First have seemed reluctant to do it. The latest Caledonia based service changes were very tame compared to what I expected.
 

Busman84

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9 Sep 2019
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172
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East Kilbride
I’ve just seen an article on STV News where Paul Clark said the company are having to compete with sectors they once didn’t have to.

What does that say about the aspiration or lack there of to be a bus driver now in Glasgow alone.
It won’t change until managers start respecting drivers. These managers have hee-haw experience of driving with the public with a bus. They were very quick to get away from the driving themselves yet tell drivers what they should be doing etc etc.. Long way to go as far as I’m concerned.

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I fully agree. I'm not a fan of rest day working as it opens up potential for unions to dictate it as we've seen with the trains but if people want to do it then absolutely go for it permanently. I feel like if they do this only to take it away from them it'll create more friction leading to drivers leaving.

A lot of services probably could be cut based on passenger numbers just now but First have seemed reluctant to do it. The latest Caledonia based service changes were very tame compared to what I expected.

Giving something like a £2-£4 an hour for weekday overtime and let’s say time and a half for weekend working on the long term would probably work. But I can see the double time not lasting so long and they will be back to where they were. They also promised better lengths of shifts and it’s not really happened either.
 

JumpinTrainz

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30 Jul 2018
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Does anyone know when deliveries are due to resume? Noticing more E400EVs on the 61 so I imagine the 60/60A and 61 will be the next routes to see the new stock.
 
Joined
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Does anyone know when deliveries are due to resume? Noticing more E400EVs on the 61 so I imagine the 60/60A and 61 will be the next routes to see the new stock.

October is what I was told.

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I noticed that a few other e400 electrics have arrived. I saw 2 on route 5 - 38447 and 38448.
They entered service in March
 

PaulMc7

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9 Jul 2019
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38406 up to 38449 is what we have so far right? With service cuts more than likely to come, First actually might be in a good position for modernising the fleet to comply with Low Emission Zone requirements.
 

Scotrail88

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21 Jul 2014
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447
38406 up to 38449 is what we have so far right? With service cuts more than likely to come, First actually might be in a good position for modernising the fleet to comply with Low Emission Zone requirements.
I’m pretty sure there is enough compliant vehicles and near enough fully compliant as it stands.
 

TheGrandWazoo

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18 Feb 2013
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Somerset with international travel (e.g. across th
I was meaning more for bringing up the age profile as the older buses can be ousted quicker.
They are trying to balance issues such as available capital with depreciation, as well as using First Glasgow as a source of newish/mid life cascades.

New buses will continue to arrive though there will be some impact on what capital is available to spend. You're right that service cuts can and will effect further older vehicle withdrawals so it will improve the FG fleet profile by default though.
 

mb3

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14 Nov 2021
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All B7’s to be withdrawn by next weekend. Too many spare buses and a full service can be run without any B7’s needed now.
 

LT02 NVV

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12 Nov 2019
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Glasgow
All B7’s to be withdrawn by next weekend. Too many spare buses and a full service can be run without any B7’s needed now.
I think that’s only for the B7TL Geminis, I think the B7RLE Eclipses will be OK, with most moving to the Dumbarton depot for a few more months (just like the Renowns).
 

PaulMc7

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If services were cut to what is probably needed and actually managable with the drivers available First would probably have closer to 75-80 buses that could be gone pretty easily and not just 30. The evening peak seems to be closer to normal than the morning peak and off peak is very hit or miss.
 

RomeoCharlie71

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18 Sep 2017
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Scotland
Correct, the current service levels can be run without them
Without sounding too sarcastic, why are they still being used heavily in daily service at the moment? Also surprised that they reinstated around 10 B7TLs into service in May, only for them to be taken off again in the next few weeks

I think that’s only for the B7TL Geminis, I think the B7RLE Eclipses will be OK, with most moving to the Dumbarton depot for a few more months (just like the Renowns).
Dumbarton should be receiving StreetLites for the 206/208
 

experts

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15 Apr 2007
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68
Without sounding too sarcastic, why are they still being used heavily in daily service at the moment? Also surprised that they reinstated around 10 B7TLs into service in May, only for them to be taken off again in the next few weeks


Dumbarton should be receiving StreetLites for the 206/208
There are currently 30 E200MMCs laid up in Live Reserve. These will be reinstated over the weekend.

6 B7TLs will remain in active service at CA

Blantyres B7TLs will be kept as reserve/spare buses.

All other B7TLs and B7RLEs will be withdrawn over the next few weeks, at all locations. With Streetlites/E200s replacing the final B7RLEs.

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I think that’s only for the B7TL Geminis, I think the B7RLE Eclipses will be OK, with most moving to the Dumbarton depot for a few more months (just like the Renowns).

All B7RLE with exception of trainers to be removed for scrap.
 

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