First Greater Glasgow

[DunsBus]

I comment on here more because I'm from Glasgow, they're my local bus operator and whenever I get a notification of late it's mainly been here. I do comment on other threads though. I've never said I wouldn't increase prices or drop services though. I'd certainly give people more warning though and be a lot more transparent as to why

First Glasgow don't need to be transparent - the 31 is coming off south of Carmunnock simply because the section south from there to East Kilbride doesn't make money. Covid-19 or not, that section would have come off anyway.

Why should First run part of a route at a loss just so that Granny McPhee and her cronies can go to the bingo?

 

[PaulMc7]

We know that you comment on FG mainly.

Like I say, if you were running FG, and if you want to avoid "any negative comment", you'll never make a tough business decision.

I've never said avoid any negative comment because as I agree with you that would be literally impossible. Unneccessary negative comments based on simple things like communication etc was what I was getting at. I reckon we all have differing perceptions of what difficult decisions would be too. For example, there's cuts I would make and have previously mentioned which would be difficult in theory but to get the most effective network possible I would 100% make them especially in a pandemic

 

[PaulMc7]

First Glasgow don't need to be transparent - the 31 is coming off south of Carmunnock simply because the section south from there to East Kilbride doesn't make money. Covid-19 or not, that section would have come off anyway.

Why should First run part of a route at a loss just so that Granny McPhee and her cronies can go to the bingo?

At no point have I said they should run anything at a loss. I just think there should be more transparency and time on delivering info to passengers. Could also be more transparent with councillors and other politicians etc and fully explain just how things work to them so that they know how much funding covers in terms of service. It might not do any good but it might make it clear to the government that if you want to get people onto public transport a lot more needs to be put into it

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I've never said avoid any negative comment because as I agree with you that would be literally impossible. Unneccessary negative comments based on simple things like communication etc was what I was getting at. I reckon we all have differing perceptions of what difficult decisions would be too. For example, there's cuts I would make and have previously mentioned which would be difficult in theory but to get the most effective network possible I would 100% make them especially in a pandemic

If First want to maintain things here then even 1 negative comment is too many really especially given that the negativity is deserved.

I'm not sure that there's much point in continuing this discussion. As well as an accountant, you're also far more qualified as a marketing/PR person than those that First employ.

 

[PaulMc7]

I'm not sure that there's much point in continuing this discussion. As well as an accountant, you're also far more qualified as a marketing/PR person than those that First employ.

If that's how you want to think then go for it because it's certainly not what I think.

I will agree to disagree with you and leave it at that

 

[awsnews]

Wonder how this will go down tbh given that there's already been issues regarding schools and getting to them because of First. I'd probably have just said for everyone to check their journey beforehand instead of specifically mentioning school journeys. As far as it goes school journeys are essential

On the flip side, and admittedly going off topic fro First Glasgow, Scotrail have made a service into Oban from Dalmally in the morning and corresponding return in the afternoon school children only. Consequently normal passengers will have to be bussed instead. Someone should have realised long before now that passes issued for scheduled services were going to present a capacity problem and organise alternatives.

 

[PaulMc7]

On the flip side, and admittedly going off topic fro First Glasgow, Scotrail have made a service into Oban from Dalmally in the morning and corresponding return in the afternoon school children only. Consequently normal passengers will have to be bussed instead. Someone should have realised long before now that passes issued for scheduled services were going to present a capacity problem and organise alternatives.

Yeah it's been handled pretty poorly overall. Just all seems like an unnecessary headache

 

[awsnews]

Yeah it's been handled pretty poorly overall. Just all seems like an unnecessary headache

But not by First Glasgow, they have been left to pick up the pieces along with the other operators where these arrangements exist.

 

[lastbus]

On the flip side, and admittedly going off topic fro First Glasgow, Scotrail have made a service into Oban from Dalmally in the morning and corresponding return in the afternoon school children only. Consequently normal passengers will have to be bussed instead. Someone should have realised long before now that passes issued for scheduled services were going to present a capacity problem and organise alternatives.

They have.

 

[PaulMc7]

But not by First Glasgow, they have been left to pick up the pieces along with the other operators where these arrangements exist.

Left to pick up pieces but it's definitely not been perfect by them although as I say the communication issues with First aren't helped by not having social media staff in Glasgow

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Left to pick up pieces but it's definitely not been perfect by them although as I say the communication issues with First aren't helped by not having social media staff in Glasgow

Perhaps for day to day operational issues but not for service withdrawals. First Glasgow don't manage their day to day twitter feed but they are perfectly able to post on FB, Twitter and website.

Withdrawing the 31 and the 431 and the communication/response would be no different if it was sent from Caledonia, Camberley or Cromer.

 

[PaulMc7]

Perhaps for day to day operational issues but not for service withdrawals. First Glasgow don't manage their day to day twitter feed but they are perfectly able to post on FB, Twitter and website.

Withdrawing the 31 and the 431 and the communication/response would be no different if it was sent from Caledonia, Camberley or Cromer.

That I agree with but I'd argue that's exactly why it's important to have local social media staff too. It's one thing. Things like breakdowns etc can occur very quickly or other things like congestion etc. Definitely helps when it comes to general enquiries about tickets or a specific bus for a route too.

Having people who know the network very well responding quickly to everything would help. Can't remember what day it was but someone replied to a question they were asked and had the 3 going through Giffnock which it absolutely doesn't. Stuff that like really doesn't help encourage someone to keep using a bus

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

That I agree with but I'd argue that's exactly why it's important to have local social media staff too. It's one thing. Things like breakdowns etc can occur very quickly or other things like congestion etc. Definitely helps when it comes to general enquiries about tickets or a specific bus for a route too.

Yes, you've mentioned that many times.

In respect of the service cuts, that communication has come from FG and the senior team (incl the marketing manager) will have been managing that.

 

[PaulMc7]

Yes, you've mentioned that many times.

In respect of the service cuts, that communication has come from FG and the senior team (incl the marketing manager) will have been managing that.

Yeah that's fair enough

 

[route101]

Last time i looked at the First Glasgow , there was no mention of the services withdrawn , merely suspended. Not transparent.7

I think its hard in Glasgow, people tend to stick ' tae what ye know' and first is not radical in route development. Mix of people moving to trains and increased car ownership. In my last work all the young folk wanting to get their lessons and get a car ASAP. Was left wondering how they afforded them cars.

If your closer to the City on trunk route , density means more services.While secondary services are thin on the ground.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Last time i looked at the First Glasgow , there was no mention of the services withdrawn , merely suspended. Not transparent.7

I think its hard in Glasgow, people tend to stick ' tae what ye know' and first is not radical in route development. Mix of people moving to trains and increased car ownership. In my last work all the young folk wanting to get their lessons and get a car ASAP. Was left wondering how they afforded them cars.

If your closer to the City on trunk route , density means more services.While secondary services are thin on the ground.

Probably due to the fact that First themselves are unsure of the future of those services so don't want to write them off when there's still a chance they'll return later in the year.

 

[PaulMc7]

Last time i looked at the First Glasgow , there was no mention of the services withdrawn , merely suspended. Not transparent.7

I think its hard in Glasgow, people tend to stick ' tae what ye know' and first is not radical in route development. Mix of people moving to trains and increased car ownership. In my last work all the young folk wanting to get their lessons and get a car ASAP. Was left wondering how they afforded them cars.

If your closer to the City on trunk route , density means more services.While secondary services are thin on the ground.

Got a feeling car use will jump up a fair bit because of the government swaying people off of public transport since lockdown began and only to use it as a last resort.

Was looking at my Facebook earlier and I've seen a fair number of people with new cars or getting their first car. I imagine if people have managed to keep their job or worked throughout the last few months they'd have more savings than normal given that we've not really been able to do too much up to the last few weeks

Reliability and frequency seem to be the things I hear most about that put people off in Glasgow but the council being seemingly scared to upset car users doesn't help. I know people who won't use a bus if it's less than every 15 mins for example and then others who would have to deal with problems if their bus was even 5 mins late due to other connections

In my last job too I was asked by colleagues as to why I don't drive and ultimately I put it down to cost and not needing to because my girlfriend does. I know my way about pretty much all of the network and every possible journey I make is accessible so saving to spend on a car makes no sense financially

 

[Zakforbes4]

Aren't Stuarts Coaches running the 31 rn?

 

[PaulMc7]

Aren't Stuarts Coaches running the 31 rn?

They've got the contract for the evening and Sunday journeys permanently now. First doing the daytime service

 

[route101]

Got a feeling car use will jump up a fair bit because of the government swaying people off of public transport since lockdown began and only to use it as a last resort.

Was looking at my Facebook earlier and I've seen a fair number of people with new cars or getting their first car. I imagine if people have managed to keep their job or worked throughout the last few months they'd have more savings than normal given that we've not really been able to do too much up to the last few weeks

Reliability and frequency seem to be the things I hear most about that put people off in Glasgow but the council being seemingly scared to upset car users doesn't help. I know people who won't use a bus if it's less than every 15 mins for example and then others who would have to deal with problems if their bus was even 5 mins late due to other connections

In my last job too I was asked by colleagues as to why I don't drive and ultimately I put it down to cost and not needing to because my girlfriend does. I know my way about pretty much all of the network and every possible journey I make is accessible so saving to spend on a car makes no sense financially

Hasnt put off me off the buses, would rather be out and about than staying in, for very little risk. I was meant start a new job, in september , quite a good job but has been pulled so i cant afford a car. Bit a of a problem as the proffesion requires you have a car to travel between sites , only more senior roles will get company car.

Yes, i got asked that as well, i just said i couldnt afford it and didnt need, i had a bad experience with a second hand car and got rid it . Had a licence for 6 years and had a car for first 8 months out of them 6 . A car would open up places though. Paisley would be 20 to 25 mins by car yet least 90 mins by public transport!

Would be interested how busy them Sunday and evening 31s are and what buses they are putting on it.

 

[PaulMc7]

Hasnt put off me off the buses, would rather be out and about than staying in, for very little risk. I was meant start a new job, in september , quite a good job but has been pulled so i cant afford a car. Bit a of a problem as the proffesion requires you have a car to travel between sites , only more senior roles will get company car.

Yes, i got asked that as well, i just said i couldnt afford it and didnt need, i had a bad experience with a second hand car and got rid it . Had a licence for 6 years and had a car for first 8 months out of them 6 . A car would open up places though. Paisley would be 20 to 25 mins by car yet least 90 mins by public transport!

Would be interested how busy them Sunday and evening 31s are and what buses they are putting on it.

Yeah paisley is a 15 min drive from me but by 1 then a 9 it's just over an hour if it's timed well. Yeah I've not seen anything regarding what they use on them at all. Might try a quick Google search to see what I can find at some point

 

[route101]

Dont think we will see anything for the 31 from First after the talk on Friday.

Noticed how last 2 evenings , how quiet my 6s are back out to EK.

 

[PaulMc7]

Dont think we will see anything for the 31 from First after the talk on Friday.

Noticed how last 2 evenings , how quiet my 6s are back out to EK.

Still another meeting regarding the 31 and X1 to come, not sure when but I'd say something to cover a bit of the X1 is more likely than the 31. The numbers have fairly dropped off of the 6 in the last couple of years. Don't see the route being cut but I think frequency will eventually

Wouldn't give up hope on nothing happening just yet though. They reinstated the 208 already after it was cancelled

 

[route101]

Still another meeting regarding the 31 and X1 to come, not sure when but I'd say something to cover a bit of the X1 is more likely than the 31. The numbers have fairly dropped off of the 6 in the last couple of years. Don't see the route being cut but I think frequency will eventually

Wouldn't give up hope on nothing happening just yet though. They reinstated the 208 already after it was cancelled

Yeah 6 is back to every 12 or 10 mins , usually every 12 or 20 is the norm. The singles are back on it, heard the driver moaning about single on the 6!

 

[PaulMc7]

Yeah 6 is back to every 12 or 10 mins , usually every 12 or 20 is the norm. The singles are back on it, heard the driver moaning about single on the 6!

Yeah I've heard drivers moaning about singles on the routes they drive a couple of times. Was with the 8 and 90 towards the end of last year

 

[JumpinTrainz]

Noticed a FSE B7RLE in Govan. Is it on loan or is this staying with FIG?

 

[awsnews]

Noticed a FSE B7RLE in Govan. Is it on loan or is this staying with FIG?

There was one at the top of Kilbowie Road in Clydebank on Friday, appeared to be on one of the additional dedicated school services. No opportunity to get an ID or confirm anything though.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Noticed a FSE B7RLE in Govan. Is it on loan or is this staying with FIG?

69396-98 are on loan to Scotstoun for the extra school services, they'll be moving to Livingston in time for the 20/63/68 starting.

 

[olddriver]

Surprised to see a Stagecoach liveried open top decker in Caledonia depot earlier. Any ideas?

 

[Jordan Adam]

Surprised to see a Stagecoach liveried open top decker in Caledonia depot earlier. Any ideas?

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