First Greater Glasgow

[overthewater]

Why would getting another operator make any difference?

When First withdrew their Bristol to Newport Express, it was picked up by Stagecoach who operated it for a bit, changed the times to make them more sustainable, and eventually withdrew it anyway. The issue was that despite being a longstanding service with demand in the peaks, ridership had fundamentally changed (product life cycle) and especially in the off peak, it was only a few poorly remunerated passes being taken...... Sound familiar?

Because Stagecoach already operates the route? They aways get some passengers getting off and on at Hamilton. Surly if the councillor had any concept about public transportation, which is clearly still not the case.. They should be looking at Stagecoach X74.

That is the point here, they is already a express service in place right now. IF the councillors want to spend some cash then surly you would want to spend it on the cheapest option?

 

[156478]

Because Stagecoach already operates the route? They aways get some passengers getting off and on at Hamilton. Surly if the councillor had any concept about public transportation, which is clearly still not the case.. They should be looking at Stagecoach X74.

That is the point here, they is already a express service in place right now. IF the councillors want to spend some cash then surly you would want to spend it on the cheapest option?

I would be outright disgusted if my taxes and public money was used to save people 30 minutes on their commute to Glasgow. Airdrie lost the 2- no bus service to Glasgow anymore they were left to get on with it. No SPT funded replacement for them.

Public services are on their knees just now, we are recovering from a lethal worldwide pandemic, the economy is shot to pieces, people are relying on foodbanks, people have been laid off, furloughed, people are living in dilapidated overcrowded housing, the roads are in a disgraceful state, the town centres are all dying.

But no we wont use the money for these vital services that people will need due to the shortcomings of both the Scottish and Westminster governments, we will not spend public money on that- we will save people an hour every day on their commute to work when more than adequate alternative arrangements already exist in getting from Hamilton to Glasgow. There would be an absolute uproar if SPT or South Lanarkshire council paid Stagecoach to run more buses on the X74.

Where does it then stop?

People in Shawlands complain that theres not enough Stagecoach buses to get them into town, so SPT should pay Stagecoach to run more 4s, despite there being a conveyor belt of 3s and 38s to take them into town?

 

[DunsBus]

I would be outright disgusted if my taxes and public money was used to save people 30 minutes on their commute to Glasgow. Airdrie lost the 2- no bus service to Glasgow anymore they were left to get on with it. No SPT funded replacement for them.

Public services are on their knees just now, we are recovering from a lethal worldwide pandemic, the economy is shot to pieces, people are relying on foodbanks, people have been laid off, furloughed, people are living in dilapidated overcrowded housing, the roads are in a disgraceful state, the town centres are all dying.

But no we wont use the money for these vital services that people will need due to the shortcomings of both the Scottish and Westminster governments, we will not spend public money on that- we will save people an hour every day on their commute to work when more than adequate alternative arrangements already exist in getting from Hamilton to Glasgow. There would be an absolute uproar if SPT or South Lanarkshire council paid Stagecoach to run more buses on the X74.

Where does it then stop?

People in Shawlands complain that theres not enough Stagecoach buses to get them into town, so SPT should pay Stagecoach to run more 4s, despite there being a conveyor belt of 3s and 38s to take them into town?

As I always say, you don't run buses at a loss simply to take Granny McPhee and her cronies to the bingo. Nor would I be too pleased if my taxes were being used to ensure that they still could go to the bingo.

That extra bus on the X74 would cost money, money which in the current climate is much better being spent elsewhere.

 

[overthewater]

Yet the counciller believe it's better to spend even more money with first.


Complain to the council about the draft policys..

 

[DunsBus]

Yet the counciller believe it's better to spend even more money with first.

Where did he say that?
Bottom line is that the X1, along with the East Kilbride section of the 31, won't be coming back. What is being proposed is some way of maintaining a link between Stewartfield and East Kilbride. This will still cost money, but considerably less money than would be spent on maintaining two links into Glasgow which no-one uses any more.

 

[overthewater]

First will not bring back the X1 unless some pennies are forthcoming, I'm just simply highlighting the cheaper option, since they is still a link to Glasgow via motorway.

 

[DunsBus]

First will not bring back the X1 unless some pennies are forthcoming, I'm just simply highlighting the cheaper option, since they is still a link to Glasgow via motorway.

It may be cheaper but the money still has to come from somewhere. No money equals no service.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Because Stagecoach already operates the route? They aways get some passengers getting off and on at Hamilton. Surly if the councillor had any concept about public transportation, which is clearly still not the case.. They should be looking at Stagecoach X74.

That is the point here, they is already a express service in place right now. IF the councillors want to spend some cash then surly you would want to spend it on the cheapest option?

Sorry but you've confused me. You said....

Why are they not trying to get someone else to operate the route?

Are you talking about different routes?

 

[overthewater]

Same route, stagecoach already operates an Express route between Glasgow and Hamilton before heading off to Dumfries, so they is an oven bake route in operation right now.

X74 - Dumfries - Glasgow

Stagecoach West Scotland

bustimes.org

Councillors continues to only speak with first, ignoring the fact they is already another service in place right now. The point is they would be better off speaking with Stagecoach, maybe they would agree maybe the won't. But is the best option right now.

 

[DunsBus]

Same route, stagecoach already operates an Express route between Glasgow and Hamilton before heading off to Dumfries, so they is an oven bake route in operation right now.

X74 - Dumfries - Glasgow

Stagecoach West Scotland

bustimes.org

Councillors continues to only speak with first, ignoring the fact they is already another service in place right now. The point is they would be better off speaking with Stagecoach, maybe they would agree maybe the won't. But is the best option right now.

Simply, First is the local operator in Hamilton and in East Kilbride. Stagecoach aren't.

 

[overthewater]

Apple and pears

By the end of this x1 will be gone and we will not be any further forward.

 

[route101]

Where did he say that?
Bottom line is that the X1, along with the East Kilbride section of the 31, won't be coming back. What is being proposed is some way of maintaining a link between Stewartfield and East Kilbride. This will still cost money, but considerably less money than would be spent on maintaining two links into Glasgow which no-one uses any more.

The EK to City flow and return carried more passengers from Stewartfield than Stewartfield to EK Town Centre. Indeed it was quiet off peak but busy at peaks. Though it would be quiet right now for obvioius reasons.

 

[PaulMc7]

If SPT are going to fund anything it'll be local services to cover the Hamilton section of the X1 and the East Kilbride section of the 31. The Hamilton section of the X1 would need 2 buses if it was every 30 mins given that it was 25 mins into the town centre from High Earnock. If you were to run from say Philipshill to East Kilbride town centre that would then require 2 buses if it's every 30 mins too. Unless both end up 1 an hour then it's not cheap either way. I get why people would be livid with no peak express from Hamilton as you'd then need to leave before 7am to realistically make it into work for 9am if you use First's other buses. Even in off peak one bit of traffic and the 267 especially could be horrendous to use. The only winner out of people not using the X1 is cars really. Already seen mentions of trains being far too expensive at peaks and I don't really disagree with that plus with where the train stations are in Hamilton you'd still need to get a bus just to get to the train

 

[overthewater]

I would be outright disgusted if my taxes and public money was used to save people 30 minutes on their commute to Glasgow. Airdrie lost the 2- no bus service to Glasgow anymore they were left to get on with it. No SPT funded replacement for them.

Public services are on their knees just now, we are recovering from a lethal worldwide pandemic, the economy is shot to pieces, people are relying on foodbanks, people have been laid off, furloughed, people are living in dilapidated overcrowded housing, the roads are in a disgraceful state, the town centres are all dying.

But no we wont use the money for these vital services that people will need due to the shortcomings of both the Scottish and Westminster governments, we will not spend public money on that- we will save people an hour every day on their commute to work when more than adequate alternative arrangements already exist in getting from Hamilton to Glasgow. There would be an absolute uproar if SPT or South Lanarkshire council paid Stagecoach to run more buses on the X74.

Where does it then stop?

People in Shawlands complain that theres not enough Stagecoach buses to get them into town, so SPT should pay Stagecoach to run more 4s, despite there being a conveyor belt of 3s and 38s to take them into town?

I think your completely missing the point, You seem to be rather anti stagecoach.

 

[lastbus]

I think your completely missing the point, You seem to be rather anti stagecoach.

I think the point is why should SPT fund a service that’s already operated commercially.

 

[156478]

I think your completely missing the point, You seem to be rather anti stagecoach.

At what point have I spoken disparagingly about Stagecoach?

I have not spoken ill of them.

I havent made comments about their service.

I have not spoken ill of the level of service they provide.

No slanderous comments about the organisation have been given.

 

[Zakforbes4]

I think if they done a sort of X11A running it through hamilton until continuing to follow the rest of the X11 and run it once a hour or so. But I'm not expert of this so I really don't know

 

[route101]

I think if they done a sort of X11A running it through hamilton until continuing to follow the rest of the X11 and run it once a hour or so. But I'm not expert of this so I really don't know

That would make the x11 very long for Motherwell and Wishaw X11 users.

How is the X11 doing? As it came back .

 

[Jordan Adam]

That would make the x11 very long for Motherwell and Wishaw X11 users.

Agree, it would have too big of a negative impact on the X11.

 

[PaulMc7]

The X11 seems to be the express success for First. Wasn't the busiest when I used it a few times last year but the peak loadings seem solid for it and locally in Motherwell it seems well used

Last one from Newmains is 15:56 so clearly demand beyond that doesn't exist

 

[lastbus]

That would make the x11 very long for Motherwell and Wishaw X11 users.

How is the X11 doing? As it came back .

The X11 was never off only on Sunday’s it was suspended. They could have some peak X11s operate to palace grounds to meet up with the 226 and allow passengers to connect there. This would take no more than 10 mins but as has been said it wouldn’t go down well with the Motherwell and Wishaw passengers.

 

[PaulMc7]

The X11 was never off only on Sunday’s was it suspended. They could have some peak X11s operate to palace grounds to meet up with the 226 and allow passengers to connect there. This would take no more than 10 mins but as has been said it wouldn’t go down well with the Motherwell and Wishaw passengers.

Would be a waste too considering you could get off an X11 at Strathclyde Park, cross over and get a 201/266 down literally 1 stop and then onto a 226. It's not ideal but it's not the hardest connection to make

 

[lastbus]

Would be a waste too considering you could get off an X11 at Strathclyde Park, cross over and get a 201/266 down literally 1 stop and then onto a 226. It's not ideal but it's not the hardest connection to make

Yes that’s the best way for people from Hamilton to connect to the X11.

 

[PaulMc7]

I think the main thing across the network is to still maintain the opportunity to link to the other services.

The 31 cut is pretty awkward because it makes the journeys longer on both the Carmunnock side and Stewartfield one. If the service runs East Kilbride bus station to Philipshill then you get the 6 so the Glasgow option is still there whereas doing Carmunnock to East Kilbride is a bit more long winded as you need to go backwards to go forwards

With the X1 as long as the Hamilton end gets something then I don't think people can complain. It's a bit hop-skip-jump to go 226-201/266 then X11 but the key there is you can actually do that.

As long as areas have services that link to other services that go to the places people want to go then money could be saved.

Another one I was thinking about was involving the 8/16/77 from Partick to QEUH. The 8 route is massive so could do with a trim and the 16 isn't the busiest so realistically to save 2 more buses both could be curtailed at Partick with the 77 covering the QEUH on its own from Partick

Any other bus saving cuts that could be done like that by trimming routes that are partly covered by others?

 

[Stan Drews]

I understand that SPT sought tenders for a one bus Mon-Sat daytime, EK-Carmunnock 31 service.

 

[PaulMc7]

Was having a think about the 31 and the £140000 a year figure the councillor mentioned. I've not used it too much over the last 2 years but even back when I used it more in 2014/15 etc I doubt the loss was much lower than that.

It was busy at peaks up to as far as Croftfoot and off peak I rarely remember it being that busy.

Even if that loss still went up by only £5k a year over 6 years it would be:

£140000
£135000
£130000
£125000
£120000
£115000

£765000 of a loss as an estimate. Makes me wonder how First left it that long without even just putting it out there or communicating with politicians that it was losing a lot of money. Would love to see figures for the other services being cut tbh. Been very little said online about the 32 and X2 compared to the 31 and X1 too so I'd guess that there's no fight for them

 

[Zakforbes4]

32 is one of they routes you forget even exist as people that live out there can just get a 19

 

[PaulMc7]

32 is one of they routes you forget even exist as people that live out there can just get a 19

Yeah it's a strange one. Was pretty busy once when I used it but not other than that. Handy for the forge but nothing else really

 

[JumpinTrainz]

32 is one of they routes you forget even exist as people that live out there can just get a 19

The 32 was always pretty busy. It was always full of older people heading to the forge. Despite having numerous buses go to the forge, the buses see good passenger loads.

 

[PaulMc7]

The 32 was always pretty busy. It was always full of older people heading to the forge. Despite having numerous buses go to the forge, the buses see good passenger loads.

Shows how bad the concession reimbursement actually is then. Would need 25 passes just to break even so basically 2/3 of the bus full going by previous figures mentioned on here regarding reimbursement percentages and cost per hour