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First Greater Glasgow

Noddy1

Member
Joined
10 Mar 2022
Messages
43
Location
Coatbridge
Any news on new orders for ADL at Falkirk and Larbert. An item in The Times newspaper I e. The London Times states that the furlough scheme for these factories ends ion 23rd March and there are no new orders in the pipeline. That doesn't sound good if the report is accurate. We can discuss quality of their products until the proverbial cows come home but at the end of the day this would mean 400 directly employed and a similar number employed in supply factories would lose their jobs. Surely nobody wants to see that happen while Chinese manufacturers reap the benefit?
 
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Volvodart

Established Member
Joined
12 Jun 2010
Messages
2,929
Any news on new orders for ADL at Falkirk and Larbert. An item in The Times newspaper I e. The London Times states that the furlough scheme for these factories ends ion 23rd March and there are no new orders in the pipeline. That doesn't sound good if the report is accurate. We can discuss quality of their products until the proverbial cows come home but at the end of the day this would mean 400 directly employed and a similar number employed in supply factories would lose their jobs. Surely nobody wants to see that happen while Chinese manufacturers reap the benefit?
The outcome of the Scotzeb3 scheme is supposed to be known by "early Spring 2026" which would have to be known within 4 weeks, unless it falls foul of the election rules again, when it will not be known until after the May election.
 

158715

Member
Joined
10 Sep 2022
Messages
40
Location
Scotland
They did, not everything had them though. Depends on if they were new to them or cascaded from elsewhere. B7RLEs and StreetLites certainly had them, as did most Scanias.
OK, thanks. Now you mention that, I had a feeling some had kind of half screens - a screen above the door which could slide up and down but the full area wasn't enclosed. I'm thinking back quite a few years so could have this wrong. I think it was on some Y-reg B10BLEs that I remember it.
 

Metal Mickey

Member
Joined
9 Nov 2021
Messages
365
Location
Scotland
The revised X11 and new X44 are now showing under forthcoming timetables on the First Glasgow website.

The X11 reverting to a simplified timetable from the complex AI designed one that’s running just now.
 

route101

Veteran Member
Joined
16 May 2010
Messages
12,243
Still awaiting the network map update. I wish First would produce proper PDF timetables that are like the printed ones.
 

roadierway77

Member
Joined
23 Jun 2019
Messages
429
Location
Edinburgh

CMBS

Member
Joined
24 Jan 2026
Messages
70
Location
Scotland
Given the abysmal state of the bus network in West Dunbartonshire in terms of direct services to Glasgow (Helensburgh and Alexandria don't have direct services to Glasgow) would you think there would be demand for a fast service from either one of those places to Glasgow via Dumbarton along the M8 or Great Western Road which a local operator (such as McColls, Wilsons or Garelochhead) could bring competition onto the currently existing First Bus Dumbarton to Glasgow services?
I don't know if there is genuine demand for it (particularly in Helensburgh outside it's east end) or if First Bus just provide an awful service in the area, so the train is more viable for locals since last time I boarded a bus from Dumbarton to Glasgow it was mostly empty until it got into Clydebank and vice versa for the Balloch local services.
The latter two options for operators seem like unrealistic options for the service since I'm not sure if they would have the funds to invest in vehicles for the service (most likely at least 4 evoras, which I'd assume the service would run hourly) but given McColls have quite an extensive portfolio I'd wonder if they attempt something, but unlike Wilsons or Garelochhead they only operate contracted services (mainly SPT) so that's possibly out the question.

I think McGill's attempted something like this with their City Connect brand in the mid 2000's where it was operated as a 904 via Braehead but I don't reckon it being successful?
 

route101

Veteran Member
Joined
16 May 2010
Messages
12,243
The plan is for all Scotstouns e400mmcs are to move to Caledonia
What replaces the deckers on the 77?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Took a 38 To Shawlands from the City Centre earlier. The diversion took about 30mins to get to Bridge St Subway. Some buses and cars were skipping the lines of traffic by going over the hatching on the merge onto the M8.

I wonder if the timetable has been adjusted for the diversion?
 

LT02 NVV

Member
Joined
12 Nov 2019
Messages
633
Location
Glasgow
What replaces the deckers on the 77?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Took a 38 To Shawlands from the City Centre earlier. The diversion took about 30mins to get to Bridge St Subway. Some buses and cars were skipping the lines of traffic by going over the hatching on the merge onto the M8.

I wonder if the timetable has been adjusted for the diversion?
The Newpower Streetdecks
 

Stan Drews

Established Member
Joined
5 Jun 2013
Messages
2,139
What replaces the deckers on the 77?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Took a 38 To Shawlands from the City Centre earlier. The diversion took about 30mins to get to Bridge St Subway. Some buses and cars were skipping the lines of traffic by going over the hatching on the merge onto the M8.

I wonder if the timetable has been adjusted for the diversion?
The diversion for southbound buses will change from first thing tomorrow as there will be a bus gate from Wellington Street across Argyle Street on to Robertson Street then the Broomielaw on to normal route at Glasgow Bridge. That should reduce the delays a bit.
 

Metal Mickey

Member
Joined
9 Nov 2021
Messages
365
Location
Scotland
The diversion for southbound buses will change from first thing tomorrow as there will be a bus gate from Wellington Street across Argyle Street on to Robertson Street then the Broomielaw on to normal route at Glasgow Bridge. That should reduce the delays a bit.
I can’t find any details of this on the First Glasgow website.
 

camro

Member
Joined
21 Dec 2024
Messages
124
Location
Glasgow

News has surfaced that Stagecoach have very abruptly decided to pull out of Cumbernauld operations from next Monday.

This puts First under extreme pressure to start the X25/A from then, which is practically impossible as there are not enough drivers or vehicles to satisfy the requirements for it yet.

Ouchie.
 

computerSaysNo

Established Member
Joined
14 Dec 2018
Messages
1,666

News has surfaced that Stagecoach have very abruptly decided to pull out of Cumbernauld operations from next Monday.

This puts First under extreme pressure to start the X25/A from then, which is practically impossible as there are not enough drivers or vehicles to satisfy the requirements for it yet.

Ouchie.
For the benefit of others and to comply with forum rules, the original post said this:
Interim update - Stagecoach withdrawal

As I know some people locally are already aware, Stagecoach has today advised they now intend to withdraw their X25/X25A services earlier than planned due to a shortage of drivers and engineering staff. They now intend to withdraw these services from Monday 23rd March.

This is a significant concern and I have spoken this afternoon with First Bus and SPT to establish what arrangements will be put in place to avoid any gap in service, and this is being worked on with urgency. I hope to have further information later today and I will post an update as soon as I have that detail.
An update has now been provided as of approximately 1715hrs:
Stagecoach update

Following the update issues earlier from Stagecoach advising they were going to withdraw the X25/X25A service from this Monday, they have now confirmed the service will continue to operate next week but on a 30 minute timetable. First Bus will now look to start their operator of the X25 and X25A a week earlier than planned, from Sunday 29th March.

Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) has also contracted a free shuttle service between Abronhill, Cumbernauld Station, Kildrum, and the Town Centre next week. The 325 service will run in early mornings and evenings from Monday 23rd March until Saturday 28th March.

The further update from Stagecoach this afternoon stated: "Due to the scheduled closure of our Cumbernauld depot on 5 April 2026, we have experienced a significantly accelerated loss of colleagues, with a substantial number of drivers and some engineering staff securing alternative employment ahead of the closure date. Despite extensive mitigation measures, including the deployment of loan drivers from across the wider Stagecoach network, we are currently operating with a shortfall of 44 drivers.

"As a result, we will be unable to operate the full X25 and X25A timetable from Monday 23 March 2026. Instead, a revised timetable will be introduced, with services operating at a 30-minute frequency throughout the day. This approach allows us to provide a consistent and more resilient level of service across both routes. We will honour the first bus at 0434 off Carbrain Millcroft Road and thereafter run a 30 frequency until 2400 off Buchanan Street Bus Station."

While the reduced service is welcomed over cancellation, the assistance of SPT and First is appreciated to full the gap created by the decisions of Stagecoach. I will share further updates as necessary.
The attached image was also provided.
 

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Joined
3 Aug 2021
Messages
820
Location
Glasgow
Is there more buses on order for First Glasgow? Hopefully deckers.

Stagecoach London are in the process of returning 47 BYD/E400City to their leasing company.
Could provide an accelerated withdrawal of diesel buses. They would need single door conversions potentially, emergency exits added and the wheelchair ramp moved to the front door.
 

JumpinTrainz

Established Member
Joined
30 Jul 2018
Messages
1,929
There are rumours that new ADL E400EVs are due for Caledonia which will move all the repowers to Scotstoun but it’s not been officially confirmed.
 

Metal Mickey

Member
Joined
9 Nov 2021
Messages
365
Location
Scotland
First don’t just order new buses the way they used to. They may intend to bid through the ScotZeb scheme but its currently unknown what the outcome will be for this year.
 

handandy67

Member
Joined
31 Aug 2023
Messages
15
Location
Glasgow
just seen that 3 of the solos have gone to First South Yorkshire
53862 WK 68 BVV
53864 WK 68 BSY
53865 WK 68 BSZ

thought these where for going to be used on Clydebank runs . Guess plans have changed
 

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