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First Greater Glasgow
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A couple of times just before the end of 2021 I overheard driver conversations regarding the shortages and I picked up on the fact one said First were over 100 short of pre-covid timetable requirements. At the time I laughed but given the issues that still exist I've got a feeling 100 may even be short of how short they actually were.
Covid and Brexit ofcourse play a part but management are clearly an issue too. I've seen a few people online lately say working at First depots here was their worst job ever too. They aren't all lying IMO.
Covid and Brexit ofcourse play a part but management are clearly an issue too. I've seen a few people online lately say working at First depots here was their worst job ever too. They aren't all lying IMO.
jazza374
Member
Overtown depot is now open on Sundays. I’m currently sitting on 67058 on a 240 into town. Various other 446xx out and about in Motherwell today. Depot has been open on Sundays since 27th March
Trnsprt4Sctlnd
Member
it’s very subjective the way in which each individuals view is of the company.
Two drivers working for the same company for example may have entirely different experiences therefore there views will be different, it also simply depends on each persons expectations of the company, there job, pay & vehicles they drive.
Enthusiasts are great at thinking everything is great, however, with all due respect many of them aren’t those who drive buses 9-12hrs per day, 5 days per week.
It’s very difficult for First Glasgow to get out of there current circumstances, maybe even impossible.
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The problem is in Glasgow and the surrounding areas is that if you build yourself any sort of negative reputation people find out very quickly. Word of mouth is still definitely strong in some areas. It's not quite First need a miracle territory but it isn't miles off.
GusB
Established Member
A company that more or less has a monopoly has little incentive to improve, and more so in the current climate. It would be a 'courageous decision' by the management of any operator that wanted to take First on.
Negative reputation or not, it's not as if people have much choice about who they travel with.
They still have the car and train though so it's not like they're completely devoid of competition for travel methods and it's pretty telling in Glasgow that the % of houses with at least one car is probably over 50% now. First have probably contributed a fair amount to that and from just people I know personally I know it was the case with a few.
If the government suddenly drop train fares permanently I know that could be very problematic because in the current climate price is absolutely key. It'll be interesting to see what the half price initiative ScotRail are trying in May does to First's passenger numbers in the off peak.
The double deckers seem to end up on most Caley operated services on different days to be fair. I seen them on the 4, 5 and 21 yesterday
Trnsprt4Sctlnd
Member
at caley depot there is no real regime to prioritise certain vehicles to certain routes, the floor plan during the evening shunting is also very mixed, mostly because of route branding.
The electric singles are usually kept for the 7s & 9s of course, but it’s really anybodies guess if I’m being brutally honest what turns up.
ScotRail158725
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As you just said they’re for Scotstoun, so why would they split them with Dumbarton?
Stan_Butler
Member
Does anyone know if single fares are going up too?See First have announced a fares hike, a 2 trip ticket and tap on and off.
Tap On, Tap Off
How to Tap On Tap Off You can now Tap On Tap Off when buying adult fares in most of the areas we operate in across Glasgow.www.firstbus.co.uk
When First ordered their first new Enviro 300s they went to Dumbarton, so i guess they could split them for the 1, and 2 services.
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I'd imagine they'll all be at Scotstoun so they can allow E300s to replace the older singles at Dumbarton and it should get rid of the older singles from Scotstoun overall too. The E300s have been on the 8, 16 and 90 more during the week lately too so I think they'd see them permanently too.
JumpinTrainz
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I imagine the Yutongs will be for the 2 and 3 services. I don’t think Dumbarton are getting electric charging points just yet.
That’ll leave a surplus of E300s which will no doubt be cascaded out to replace older singles. There will be a lot of B7RLEs/L94s to oust.
That’ll leave a surplus of E300s which will no doubt be cascaded out to replace older singles. There will be a lot of B7RLEs/L94s to oust.
Looking at the B9TL cable image, I have a feeling that may of been the cause of the fire.
Regarding the driver shortage situation, I was interested in joining First when they began advertising for part time positions. What they seemed to be offering was ‘half shifts’ between 1-5 days per week. My requirement for 3 days per week but full shifts didn’t seem to be something they were willing to entertain. Does anyone know if there has been much uptake in these part time positions? Is there an actual part time rota and duties in operation or are shifts just put together from what is left uncovered and allocated on a week-by-week basis?
You can get 3 days a week if you wish they have started drivers recently who are only doing 3 days. You will know what days you are working but your duty would be allocated from what’s uncovered.
Trnsprt4Sctlnd
Member
At First Glasgow you’ll often find poor workmanship on their vehicles.
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ScotRail158725
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They are
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that photo wasn’t from 37186 so wasn’t the start of the fire
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Trnsprt4Sctlnd
Member
Correct.
Its fair all the same to be concerned what problems may be the culprit behind bus fires, especially in this location of the vehicle.
I didn’t say it was from 37186, I said it could be a problem like that may of been the cause of the fire.
I seen a response on Twitter regarding the 60/M60 regarding the need for the M60 as the 60 covers most of it and it made me wonder if the following would work especially as the 60 is predominantly double decker:
60-Clydebank to Easterhouse every 20 mins
60A-Milngavie to City Centre every 30 mins
M60-Axed
It kinda reverts to the 40/119 type format but on a slightly lower scale. I sense another reduction of some sort given how littered with cancellations the 60/60A/61 seem to be on a daily basis even on lower frequencies than pre-covid.
I've suggested similar with the 7/7A before too for balancing out the timetable while shortening one variant. For me, when there's multiple services that follow a similar core route section that's where the cuts should be made. Areas with 1 bus that isn't as frequent is when it becomes an issue although to be fair reductions would probably be accepted just now if it meant less buses failing to turn up.
60-Clydebank to Easterhouse every 20 mins
60A-Milngavie to City Centre every 30 mins
M60-Axed
It kinda reverts to the 40/119 type format but on a slightly lower scale. I sense another reduction of some sort given how littered with cancellations the 60/60A/61 seem to be on a daily basis even on lower frequencies than pre-covid.
I've suggested similar with the 7/7A before too for balancing out the timetable while shortening one variant. For me, when there's multiple services that follow a similar core route section that's where the cuts should be made. Areas with 1 bus that isn't as frequent is when it becomes an issue although to be fair reductions would probably be accepted just now if it meant less buses failing to turn up.
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GaryBrown156
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- 67
For me it's not even so much the age of any particular vehicle but the fact that First Glasgow doesn't seem to bother with any kind of mid life interior refurb and hence their fleet looks run down far sooner than it ought to. Take the B7 Geminis for example. I can't recall them ever getting any kind of interior refresh whatsoever (apart from perhaps having a damaged seat cover replaced ect). The Eclipse single deckers seem equally as run down.
A few days ago I travelled into town on a B7 Gemini operated service 19 and got a 9/9A branded service 87 home and the condition of these vehicles was somewhat shocking. The seat covers on both where practically threadbare, the moquette was all mismatched, and the noise that they where making was truly horrendous (the usual fan howl on the 19 and a loose fan belt type screech on the 87).
I would like to think that maintenance practices at First Glasgow where slowly improving and that the B9's and Enviros will be better looked after than their predecessors. Judging by the condition of some of the Enviro 300's I am not so sure that is the case though.
A few days ago I travelled into town on a B7 Gemini operated service 19 and got a 9/9A branded service 87 home and the condition of these vehicles was somewhat shocking. The seat covers on both where practically threadbare, the moquette was all mismatched, and the noise that they where making was truly horrendous (the usual fan howl on the 19 and a loose fan belt type screech on the 87).
I would like to think that maintenance practices at First Glasgow where slowly improving and that the B9's and Enviros will be better looked after than their predecessors. Judging by the condition of some of the Enviro 300's I am not so sure that is the case though.
Trnsprt4Sctlnd
Member
Scotrail314209
Established Member
Yes I don’t think the Geminis or Eclipses have ever received a proper refresh. It’s the same interior from when I was younger.
One thing I don’t like on the Eclipses are those hideous blue adverts all over the saloon.
One thing I don’t like on the Eclipses are those hideous blue adverts all over the saloon.
Glasgowbusguy
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Being a regular user of the EVs on the 9s there's still issues even with new buses such as panels not screwed in properly after maintenance
ScotRail158725
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The cooling fans on the B7TL and fan belt screech are just noises the bus makes that you’ll hear on the same vehicle makes right across the country, they’re nothing to do with poor maintenance by First Glasgow
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The OP mentioned it was one of the old Eclipses not an EV
Talking about how First is slacking on maintenance levels, how's this for public service buses in Clydebank today? I saw a 1 livery on a 6, a 2 livery on a 6 , a 77 livery on a 1, and a 77 livery on a 2. A great way to confuse the public lol
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