First Greater Glasgow

[route101]

As there are still W regs in use, the 53 plates will have some life left. They may well last until the end of the Lez zone introduction.

No , the w regs are long gone , id say 4 years at least . There was w reg tridents which were more comfortable but they were withdrawn few years back . One came back for a bit . Xreg tridents went away a few years ago in a blink .

The 53 plates ex parkhead though do stray into ex larky routes are a bit of no standard so they may want to get rid of them

 

[route101]

news on 32671 it is to return to Glasgow from Bolton

What type of bus is that ?

 

[route101]

That requires revenue protection, though it always has. Take McGill's for example. I could board a 901/906/907 in Glasgow with a GoZone 1 Ticket, based on the assumption I'm travelling to Braehead. The ticket will scan, but there's no way I can be stopped from staying on until Largs. That was always the case pre Ticketer, so still does need ticket inspections. However, if I want to return I shouldn't be able to scan a GoZone 1 Ticket in Largs. Pre Ticketer I could've attempted it, and it would depend how vigilant the driver was.

Not gonna lie ive boarded in town with my 2 zones pass and got off at Hamilton .

 

[route101]

It’ll be E400MMCs that’s the only decker Glasgow seems to be getting just now. I agree putting the current stock on the 77 would be a good idea.

The 60 could be doing with new buses. The ALX400s are far from new. Although have saw a few E400MMCs on the later 60 services as of recent. It’s mainly B7Ls and ALX400s it gets which is rubbish for such a big route.

Id argue the 77 is a local route to the airport and should not have premium fares .

 

[GaryMcEwan]

Yeah that what i mean , certainly used my 2 zone pass on the 77 to airport in the past !

Don't why you were allowed then as the Airport isn't in the 'G' Zones of the railcard as Zones R1 or R3 are entitled to board or alight at the Airport.

 

[GaryMcEwan]

What type of bus is that ?

It's a B7TL but I've never recalled it being a Glasgow vehicle. Unless it's now being transferred to Glasgow via Manchester after it gets painted instead of going back to Bluebird.

 

[Volvodart]

No , the w regs are long gone , id say 4 years at least .

Obviously, I was meaning Firstgroup nationally. I know that the oldest in Glasgow is Y reg. It was not really that long ago that the T reg Trident was still in use.

 

[route101]

Don't why you were allowed then as the Airport isn't in the 'G' Zones of the railcard as Zones R1 or R3 are entitled to board or alight at the Airport.

Not the zonecard .First pass . I now realise it's in network area .

 

[route101]

Obviously, I was meaning Firstgroup nationally. I know that the oldest in Glasgow is Y reg. It was not really that long ago that the T reg Trident was still in use.

Yeah , used to get t reg on 31 . Had a centre staircase . Was last bus from the 90s still running.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Obviously, I was meaning Firstgroup nationally. I know that the oldest in Glasgow is Y reg. It was not really that long ago that the T reg Trident was still in use.

If you're looking for W regs in First Group nationally, there are some working for First West of England (including some just sent from Kernow as a stop gap). Some are converted to open top, and First Wessex also have some open toppers of that vintage but accept that's not regular use! First West Yorkshire also have some W regs still in front line service though with new Streetdecks in Leeds, they are due to go (if they've not gone already).

 

[Jordan Adam]

Id argue the 77 is a local route to the airport and should not have premium fares .

If i'm not mistaken the Airport probably charge First to serve it. This would be the reason for the "premium" fares.

 

[smtglasgow]

How busy is the 77 beyond Braehead? Don’t think the current airport buses would be much use on the 77 - I’d much prefer to see the 77 converted to double deckers – quite common to see standing loads through the tunnel.

 

[KendalKing]

If you're looking for W regs in First Group nationally, there are some working for First West of England (including some just sent from Kernow as a stop gap). Some are converted to open top, and First Wessex also have some open toppers of that vintage but accept that's not regular use! First West Yorkshire also have some W regs still in front line service though with new Streetdecks in Leeds, they are due to go (if they've not gone already).

There are currently 60 new StreetDeck's in delivery for Leeds, which will then allow the next round of cascades from West Yorkshire, as well as the current cascades from Glasgow.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

There are currently 60 new StreetDeck's in delivery for Leeds, which will then allow the next round of cascades from West Yorkshire, as well as the current cascades from Glasgow.

Wonder why Glasgow turned away from Wright as of the last few years. They ordered Gemini’s in bulk but now it’s all ADL. Some Gemini’s would be good in Glasgow I think.

 

[Gingerbus1991]

Wonder why Glasgow turned away from Wright as of the last few years. They ordered Gemini’s in bulk but now it’s all ADL. Some Gemini’s would be good in Glasgow I think.

I said it before and I’d say it again, Geminis in an area that is becoming dominated by enviro’s would be a nice change, it would help make people take a second look at least.

 

[Volvodart]

Of course then there is the problem of not supporting Scottish jobs when bus orders are going down.

 

[Gingerbus1991]

Of course then there is the problem of not supporting Scottish jobs when bus orders are going down.

Im sure brexit will sort that

 

[Jordan Adam]

I said it before and I’d say it again, Geminis in an area that is becoming dominated by enviro’s would be a nice change, it would help make people take a second look at least.

You need to keep in mind fleet standardisation. Most of the General public won't notice the difference between a Streetdeck and Enviro400. And operators do not run services just to please enthusiasts.

 

[GusB]

You need to keep in mind fleet standardisation. Most of the General public won't notice the difference between a Streetdeck and Enviro400. And operators do not run services just to please enthusiasts.

Just as well, otherwise they'd still be running with Atlanteans and Ailsas

 

[Gingerbus1991]

You need to keep in mind fleet standardisation. Most of the General public won't notice the difference between a Streetdeck and Enviro400. And operators do not run services just to please enthusiasts.

I recall vividly in 2016 sitting on a lothian 22 seevice on lothian rd on the previous B9TLs that used to operate the service, I even recall it being gyle-bound and sat behind a man/lady couple upstairs, on the otherside of the road one of there new shape B5TLs terminal-bound, The couple in front of me spyed the new bus and the lady said to the man “thats one of the new buses, isnt is, very smart”!

The only other time a passenger said that was to me when I was on duty at Halbeath P&R when stagey, dunfermline got he mmc for the 19’s, not long after but I suspect stagey usual way of late buses, over priced fares and driver attitudes got the better of them, they proved to be noisey and cold to say the least for the passengers.

I never try and think from an enthuisiasts point of view but @Jordan Adam you sound more manager based on thoughts of transport than anything else, if First would like to promote themselfs in Glasgow theyve went about it on a miserable grey-sky rainy day, on a weekday when everyones at work, and the only notable difference in the 68 plate bus they showed was the Digi Mirrors.

TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, the new 68 plates are new because they are just freshly built but from a customer point of view they are the EXACT same as the ones bought in 2015, the same poor eLeather, the lilac flooring that shows up dirt far to easily(made worse by firsts poor employee cleaning skills and dedication).

These new buses will look and feel like the 65 plates in mere weaks irregardless of route branding

I was idiotic enough to apply and go for a job interview at first glasgow 2 weeks ago, the interviewer Who I actually know When I started at cumbernauld depot in 2009 was where I got put through my pcv test, the interviewer came away with a company reputation speech etc, I honestly scoffed in my head when he said that, it is certainly a grey area bound to first and stagecoach, and it is a grey area that will never leave them.

Reputation isnt a strong point, particulaly in glasgow

I am particularly happy that I have just passed my Class 2 HGV, roll on the Class 1 and no more buses...

 

[JumpinTrainz]

The lilac flooring is an issue. I thought that would have been long ousted after the E300s arrived. It looks filthy all the time and I’m dubious of whether they get cleaned properly.

I don’t understand why the refurbished B9TLs have purple grab poles and a wooden effect flooring... why don’t they try and keep consistent and have them the same colour as the current standard First interior? It’s not a huge deal but just odd. The wooden flooring is horrible in my opinion. It’d look so much smarter with a dark floor.

 

[Yorks185]

TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, the new 68 plates are new because they are just freshly built but from a customer point of view they are the EXACT same as the ones bought in 2015, the same poor eLeather, the lilac flooring that shows up dirt far to easily(made worse by firsts poor employee cleaning skills and dedication).

These new buses will look and feel like the 65 plates in mere weaks irregardless of route branding

One slight difference/upgrade is that these have USB Ports,whilst (AFAIK) the 65 plates dont,but i do agree with you on the other points you made,but at the same time it can make things abit complicated from an operational point. Take Leeds where once they arrive,they will have 3 batchs of Streetdecks all with different specs (16 plates with Grey Civic seating & Pink Poles,67 plates with Grey Practico seating & Pink poles then the new 68 plates will have Grey Practico seating,Green Poles & the extra windows on the top front)

Another issue is that the Enviro 400MMC seems to have a better reputation than the Streetdeck (as seen with companys such as Lothian moving to ADL) so if they had gone with Streetdecks & did have problems what lead to missing trips on services,wouldnt of it become another stick to beat First with anyway?

 

[Gingerbus1991]

The lilac flooring is an issue. I thought that would have been long ousted after the E300s arrived. It looks filthy all the time and I’m dubious of whether they get cleaned properly.

I don’t understand why the refurbished B9TLs have purple grab poles and a wooden effect flooring... why don’t they try and keep consistent and have them the same colour as the current standard First interior? It’s not a huge deal but just odd. The wooden flooring is horrible in my opinion. It’d look so much smarter with a dark floor.

Too many chiefs not enough indians I suppose.

First are only taking Weegies for a ride, soaking up as much profit as can be made, I absolutely despise the thought of glasgow people paying first for year in/year out of bull crap, many issues alone are small ones but ones that multiply to achieve what we have today.

The level of investment that Lothian have made to edinburgh over the years makes FiG and its investments look poor, albeit new buses are better than none new ones at all.

Substandard buses that are filthy..

 

[overthewater]

Some passengers DO NOT help themselves... There is a pic on the a facebook page, in which a brand new buses only out in service for a day has pen marks all over it. I mean all over it with football twang...

 

[Gingerbus1991]

One slight difference/upgrade is that these have USB Ports,whilst (AFAIK) the 65 plates dont,but i do agree with you on the other points you made,but at the same time it can make things abit complicated from an operational point. Take Leeds where once they arrive,they will have 3 batchs of Streetdecks all with different specs (16 plates with Grey Civic seating & Pink Poles,67 plates with Grey Practico seating & Pink poles then the new 68 plates will have Grey Practico seating,Green Poles & the extra windows on the top front)

Another issue is that the Enviro 400MMC seems to have a better reputation than the Streetdeck (as seen with companys such as Lothian moving to ADL) so if they had gone with Streetdecks & did have problems what lead to missing trips on services,wouldnt of it become another stick to beat First with anyway?

Plaxton to ADL is more or less what Skoda or Seat is to Volkswagen, LB’s purchased Plaxton Panthers with Volvo engines, a ADL bodied chassis, Ill be very surprised if lothians further ADL bus orders contain cummins or scania engined vehicles, I would wager a bet of new B8RLE 11.8m buses with an ADL body of some description to replace a few older B7RLE’s.(apologies for the LB rant, wrong place I know).

It is fact that Plaxtons latest Panther LE and Panorama were developed in conjuctioned with/for Stagecoach, Now even if stageys founding forefather, Mr Souter is a large ADL co-owner, I see little reason to believe that other operators cant ask the same of ADL provided there is a sale to be made with profit on tap...

 

[Gingerbus1991]

Some passengers DO NOT help themselves... There is a pic on the a facebook page, in which a brand new buses only out in service for a day has pen marks all over it. I mean all over it with football twang...

I do share your aversion to Crap like this, old or new bus.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Regarding the floors, these new 68 plates don't have the same lilac floors, it's Purple (similar to that used in the 00s).

Gingerbus1991's comparison of a B9TL to a B5TL is rather stupid, yes passengers will notice a different between them, one is brand new, the other isn't! But my point was in terms of comparing a Streetdeck to a E400, 90% of people won't notice. It's just a new bus to them.

As for sounding more "manager based", not sure how such a theory exists. If just trying to evaluate situations with some basic logic makes my thoughts more "manager based" then i guess i must be...

As for the rest of your comment, there's nothing really to say. I'm sure you can go on about those Maroon tic-tac boxes.

 

[Gingerbus1991]

Regarding the floors, these new 68 plates don't have the same lilac floors, it's Purple (similar to that used in the 00s).

Gingerbus1991's comparison of a B9TL to a B5TL is rather stupid, yes passengers will notice a different between them, one is brand new, the other isn't! But my point was in terms of comparing a Streetdeck to a E400, 90% of people won't notice. It's just a new bus to them.

As for sounding more "manager based", not sure how such a theory exists. If just trying to evaluate situations with some basic logic makes my thoughts more "manager based" then i guess i must be...

As for the rest of your comment, there's nothing really to say. I'm sure you can go on about those Maroon tic-tac boxes.

Yet a wood flooring is still perceived to be more premium at least by those passenger you say wouldnt care or bother how the bus was perceived.

And those tick-tack boxes are a thing of the past for me, walked out a few weeks back..I still argue being there made me personally better at my job than first or stagey ever managed, I still hold LB in high regards for making Firsts overall attempts look abit of a dogs after-dinner at most.

Worked my way from First, Stagey and Lothian looking for something that doesnt exist within the PT sector.

I feel stagey is doin better than first here on out, but the FiG “new vehicles” introduction was simply pathetic lookin, just pathetic.

 

[KendalKing]

TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, the new 68 plates are new because they are just freshly built but from a customer point of view they are the EXACT same as the ones bought in 2015, the same poor eLeather, the lilac flooring that shows up dirt far to easily(made worse by firsts poor employee cleaning skills and dedication).

I have encountered this problem, with every company that I have worked at (non have been a first company), some employees simply don't careless.

 

[KendalKing]

Some passengers DO NOT help themselves... There is a pic on the a facebook page, in which a brand new buses only out in service for a day has pen marks all over it. I mean all over it with football twang...

Totally agree, most passengers, treat bus like dustbins on wheels!, then complain about them being dirty.