First Greater Glasgow

[PaulMc7]

I think MMC's would work well on the 9. Then again it doesn't really need deckers as that route gets an extremely frequent 38 service.

The 9s are already busier than the 38s from Glasgow to Cardonald/Penilee anyway. It's definitely somewhere where new buses could take a big chunk out of the 38's customer base especially since both First and Mcgills have been super reluctant to give new buses to that corridor

 

[goldisgood]

The 1 can’t have deckers past Clydebank due to a low bridge hence why it’s always been singles with peak deckers.

If it's the 4.1m one that shouldn't be a problem? Low height buses go under the Botley Road railway bridge in Oxford the whole time, and that's 4.0m! Unless it's to do with how careful they are being with the signs.

 

[PaulMc7]

If it's the 4.1m one that shouldn't be a problem? Low height buses go under the Botley Road railway bridge in Oxford the whole time, and that's 4.0m! Unless it's to do with how careful they are being with the signs.

Its the one at the bottom of Kilbowie Road. I really should remember the height considering I worked 2mins from it for 10 months but I don't sadly. I wouldn't put deckers on the longer route 1/1A/1B anyway because they're only usually busy to Old Kilpatrick then go very quiet through to Dumbarton and then pick up again. They're very busy between City Centre and Old Kilpatrick but I wouldn't go throwing deckers on it. If anything I'd give them a few extra services at peaks to Clydebank or Old Kilpatrick if Scotstoun had the capacity to cover them as it's far easier and less mileage than Dumbarton would be

 

[Gingerbus1991]

Its the one at the bottom of Kilbowie Road. I really should remember the height considering I worked 2mins from it for 10 months but I don't sadly. I wouldn't put deckers on the longer route 1/1A/1B anyway because they're only usually busy to Old Kilpatrick then go very quiet through to Dumbarton and then pick up again. They're very busy between City Centre and Old Kilpatrick but I wouldn't go throwing deckers on it. If anything I'd give them a few extra services at peaks to Clydebank or Old Kilpatrick if Scotstoun had the capacity to cover them as it's far easier and less mileage than Dumbarton would be

After thinking much about it and seeing a few mention it before, Upgrading the 1/1A service with class2 certified Panther LEs would be a significant bump in terms of comfort and as a way to get attention of a few on the service already, a 13.8m version should still be able to navigate the route.

 

[PaulMc7]

After thinking much about it and seeing a few mention it before, Upgrading the 1/1A service with class2 certified Panther LEs would be a significant bump in terms of comfort and as a way to get attention of a few on the service already, a 13.8m version should still be able to navigate the route.

There's a lot of very narrow streets that even small single deckers struggle with between Dumbarton and Balloch mainly but I could see that being a viable option. They could even extend the 206 to Helensburgh, take off the 1B and bring in a new express bus to Faifley etc with new buses to cover the loss between Clydebank and the city centre.

 

[Jordan Adam]

After thinking much about it and seeing a few mention it before, Upgrading the 1/1A service with class2 certified Panther LEs would be a significant bump in terms of comfort and as a way to get attention of a few on the service already, a 13.8m version should still be able to navigate the route.

As always with the Panther LE the capacity is far too poor to deem it a viable option. Would be far better off with high spec deckers or 4x2 B8RLEs.

 

[DunsBus]

I see from the registration the 9/9A is being shown as Buchanan Bus Station to Linwood, Braehead or Penilee via Paisley. The 9 hasn't run west of Paisley since 2014 - surely this has to be a typo, or are First going back out to Linwood?

 

[Jordan Adam]

I see from the registration the 9/9A is being shown as Buchanan Bus Station to Linwood, Braehead or Penilee via Paisley. The 9 hasn't run west of Paisley since 2014 - surely this has to be a typo, or are First going back out to Linwood?

It's quite normal for the summary details that are publicly view-able on the registrations to be outdated or inaccurate.

 

[awsnews]

Its the one at the bottom of Kilbowie Road. I really should remember the height considering I worked 2mins from it for 10 months but I don't sadly. I wouldn't put deckers on the longer route 1/1A/1B anyway because they're only usually busy to Old Kilpatrick then go very quiet through to Dumbarton and then pick up again. They're very busy between City Centre and Old Kilpatrick but I wouldn't go throwing deckers on it. If anything I'd give them a few extra services at peaks to Clydebank or Old Kilpatrick if Scotstoun had the capacity to cover them as it's far easier and less mileage than Dumbarton would be

The bridge is 4.1m according to the signage. Until recently there was also a restriction at the VOLH, not noticing that one resulted in the withdrawal of one of Dumbarton's coaches!
The existing extras aren't exactly busy at peak times, the 1E certainly isn't as busy as it used to be. If they were looking to improve things the core 1/1A/1B should go limited stop after Clydebank with a Faifley variant filling in the resultant gap. Ultimately unless some of the congestion issues are dealt with people will continue to prefer the train.

 

[DunsBus]

It's quite normal for the summary details that are publicly view-able on the registrations to be outdated or inaccurate.

That's what I thought. First have been out of Linwood for so long, I think it's very unlikely they will go back there.

 

[PaulMc7]

The bridge is 4.1m according to the signage. Until recently there was also a restriction at the VOLH, not noticing that one resulted in the withdrawal of one of Dumbarton's coaches!
The existing extras aren't exactly busy at peak times, the 1E certainly isn't as busy as it used to be. If they were looking to improve things the core 1/1A/1B should go limited stop after Clydebank with a Faifley variant filling in the resultant gap. Ultimately unless some of the congestion issues are dealt with people will continue to prefer the train.

Yeah I think they could run limited stop expresses to Balloch and Helensburgh and curtail the other buses at Dumbarton. Perhaps run limited stop between city centre and Dumbarton then run an every 15 mins service that stops to Dumbarton with the limited stop ones going on to Balloch and Helensburgh. The A82 is a nightmare though for congestion as is Dumbarton Road

 

[lastbus]

That's what I thought. First have been out of Linwood for so long, I think it's very unlikely they will go back there.

The current registration also says Linwood. Don’t think they are going back either.

Changes in for 240 and 241 from October as well.

Anyone know what’s happening with the 6 a cancellation has been put in but not seen anything else.

 

[PaulMc7]

The current registration also says Linwood. Don’t think they are going back either.

Changes in for 240 and 241 from October as well.

Anyone know what’s happening with the 6 a cancellation has been put in but not seen anything else.

Might just go through tomorrow. The 60/60A was like that. Cancellation went through yesterday and the new registration only came up today

 

[NorthClyde320]

Is the X1 coming off completely? There were about 40 people queuing for it about 5 the other night. A few peak journeys would surely make money? It’s very popular with students at Cally and Strathclyde universities. Can’t see them opting for the 255 or the 267, so that’s another load of season ticket money lost to the train.

I've never seen it quiet between around 3pm and the last bus. The quickest bus outside of the X1 to Hamilton from Glasgow is more than double the time. It would be stupid for them to get rid of it completely

Knowing First they will just think that everyone will switch to the X11 then transfer onto a Hamilton bus between the Strathclyde Park entrance and Motherwell library, they probably don't imagine people will just switch to the train. Since May about 27 buses have been removed from the network due to frequency and service cuts, and it looks like they won't be stopping at that figure anytime soon.

 

[PaulMc7]

Knowing First they will just think that everyone will switch to the X11 then transfer onto a Hamilton bus between the Strathclyde Park entrance and Motherwell library, they probably don't imagine people will just switch to the train. Since May about 27 buses have been removed from the network due to frequency and service cuts, and it looks like they won't be stopping at that figure anytime soon.

I've already seen about 30/40 social media comments from different people saying they're switching to train. It was a really brainless move to fully get rid of the X1

 

[NorthClyde320]

I've already seen about 30/40 social media comments from different people saying they're switching to train. It was a really brainless move to fully get rid of the X1

Granted I have travelled on the X1 outside of the peak hours and saw it can be quiet, but anytime I have saw it at peak times the buses always appear full or well used, it's as if First want or enjoy the bad reaction and press they get from such cuts.

Also, isn't the route from Buchanan to the M8 along Cathedral St exempt from the LEZ?

 

[PaulMc7]

Granted I have travelled on the X1 outside of the peak hours and saw it can be quiet, but anytime I have saw it at peak times the buses always appear full or well used, it's as if First want or enjoy the bad reaction and press they get from such cuts.

Also, isn't the route from Buchanan to the M8 along Cathedral St exempt from the LEZ?

Yeah outside of peaks the X1 has usually been quiet when I've used it but peaks it's as busy as it can be normally. The only thing that's gonna happen is they're gonna lose more customers and make it less attractive to sell. I think you might actually be right. It's not something I've looked at fully yet

 

[PaulMc7]

Didn't notice this til looking again at the new registrations. Easterhouse and Braehead will have at least timetable changes for all of their buses ran by First.

Braehead- 9A/77/90
Easterhouse- 19/38/41/43/46/60/60A

They all have new registrations

 

[overthewater]

The company isn't saving that much since the town section of the X1 is staying. Its saving 2 buses I would say, between Hamilton - Glasgow. I have also travelled on the X1 but it can be dead going into Hamilton before 1pm.

 

[GaryMcEwan]

Yeah outside of peaks the X1 has usually been quiet when I've used it but peaks it's as busy as it can be normally. The only thing that's gonna happen is they're gonna lose more customers and make it less attractive to sell. I think you might actually be right. It's not something I've looked at fully yet

Doesn't look like it. Looking at the LEZ Map, it covers Cathedral Street up to Stirling Road where the LEZ ends.

 

[PaulMc7]

The company isn't saving that much since the town section of the X1 is staying. Its saving 2 buses I would say, between Hamilton - Glasgow. I have also travelled on the X1 but it can be dead going into Hamilton before 1pm.

I think the problem at the Hamilton end is how long winded it is. From the terminus to Hamilton town centre is just as long as the town centre to Buchanan Bus Station

 

[NorthClyde320]

Doesn't look like it. Looking at the LEZ Map, it covers Cathedral Street up to Stirling Road where the LEZ ends.

It must be the Dobbies Loan section that is exempt then, unless the LEZ plans have changed.

 

[PaulMc7]

Doesn't look like it. Looking at the LEZ Map, it covers Cathedral Street up to Stirling Road where the LEZ ends.

Would explain why the 38 was one of the first services to get new buses then. Gets a massive cost from investment out of the way earlier

 

[Gingerbus1991]

It must be the Dobbies Loan section that is exempt then, unless the LEZ plans have changed.

From what I've heard and read through the documents from GCC lobbies loans will be excluded for coach services like the 900 or other private hires simply wanting to use the bus station then back to the motorway, at it would be unfair to penalise services using a minuscule amount of the city centre, however the 900 will be effected by Eddie's LEZ as well.

 

[GaryMcEwan]

It must be the Dobbies Loan section that is exempt then, unless the LEZ plans have changed.

North Hanover Street (North Bound), Baird Street and Dobbies Loan are exempt from the LEZ.

 

[overthewater]

900 will not have any problems, it's about get a major fleet investment with new stock ( new deckers, Im sure Parks are also getting some new stock aswell) Talk is Stagecoach also have new stock planned for Airlinks ( it's been said they getting it - new deckers) So that just leaves Stagecoach Fife stock, which are all Euro 5. Big Question; will the company bother retrofitting 8-9 year old stock when it be getting replaced around the corner.

 

[NorthClyde320]

North Hanover Street (North Bound), Baird Street and Dobbies Loan are exempt from the LEZ.

Thanks, I was getting mixed up with which route to/from Buchanan it was.

 

[PaulMc7]

North Hanover Street (North Bound), Baird Street and Dobbies Loan are exempt from the LEZ.

Odds on more services having route cuts to lower the amount of newer buses needed? Could easily see a 57/57A cut with new services brought in. Practically writes itself too as the 87/88/89/90 make up the Springburn set so an 85/86 could easily replace the north side of the 57/57A route but would also need to lose Cathedral st on its current route

 

[lastbus]

900 will not have any problems, it's about get a major fleet investment with new stock ( new deckers, Im sure Parks are also getting some new stock aswell) Talk is Stagecoach also have new stock planned for Airlinks ( it's been said they getting it - new deckers) So that just leaves Stagecoach Fife stock, which are all Euro 5. Big Question; will the company bother retrofitting 8-9 year old stock when it be getting replaced around the corner.

Does the 900 and fife express services not use dobbies loan? If so they will be exempt from LEZ

 

[PaulMc7]

Does the 900 and fife express services not use dobbies loan? If so they will be exempt from LEZ

Seen an X27 from Stagecoach on Cathedral St today. Seems to be up to the driver with them as I've seen them both ways and the same with the 900