First Greater Glasgow

[Rory N]

Are the three Solo SRs transferring to Glasgow as bustimes are listing them?

 

[Jordan Adam]

Are the three solo sr’s transferring to Glasgow as bustimes are listing them.

Yes. As is the Scania Irizar PB 23330 which is used for recruitment and E400MMCs 33202-7/9.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

Yes. As is the Scania Irizar PB 23330 which is used for recruitment and E400MMCs 33202-7/9.

Shame the other E400MMCs aren’t coming over too but oh well. More new stock will be due for Glasgow no doubt.

 

[computerSaysNo]

I was just wondering quickly if anyone can explain the route numbering in Greater Glasgow?

X0 seems to be express/limited stop independent of operator (e.g. First X4, Stagecoach X19, ...)
M0 - what does this mean?
In terms of First, numbers below 99 seem to be City services and numbers greater than 100 seem to be Lanarkshire/Dumbartonshire services?
But then some routes e.g. have a 64 by First, plus a 64/164/364 by McGill's and SPT, and the routes partially overlap but not fully?

 

[Dfatcontroller]

As of 12:30 today the former Midland e400s are:

33202 on an 88.
33203 parked in Buchanan Bus Station.
33204 on an X85
33207 on a 57
33209 parked in Buchanan Bus Station.

33205 + 33206 not seen.

 

[stevenedin]

As of 12:30 today the former Midland e400s are:

33202 on an 88.
33203 parked in Buchanan Bus Station.
33204 on an X85
33207 on a 57
33209 parked in Buchanan Bus Station.

33205 + 33206 not seen.

Are they still in the blue livery?

 

[JumpinTrainz]

As of 12:30 today the former Midland e400s are:

33202 on an 88.
33203 parked in Buchanan Bus Station.
33204 on an X85
33207 on a 57
33209 parked in Buchanan Bus Station.

33205 + 33206 not seen.

I love that they’re wasting no time. Get those E400MMCs out and about. Blue and orange or not

 

[Dfatcontroller]

Are they still in the blue livery?

Still complete with Midland route branding.

 

[route101]

The 66 was all operated out of Larkfield Depot for a long time. Not sure when Knightswood/Scotstoun first gained workings on it, but it was late 90s at the earliest.

Was about 50:50 Caledonia to Scotstoun.

I was just wondering quickly if anyone can explain the route numbering in Greater Glasgow?

X0 seems to be express/limited stop independent of operator (e.g. First X4, Stagecoach X19, ...)
M0 - what does this mean?
In terms of First, numbers below 99 seem to be City services and numbers greater than 100 seem to be Lanarkshire/Dumbartonshire services?
But then some routes e.g. have a 64 by First, plus a 64/164/364 by McGill's and SPT, and the routes partially overlap but not fully?

M is more a local service.

 

[PaulMc7]

I had a rather strange situation with the app today. I was waiting on a 1C and it was tracking normally but the actual bus it was meant to be was a 1D. On the map it never turned up Anniesland Road and that's how I noticed. The icon was still moving along Dumbarton Road into Yoker but showing the 1C route on the map.

It's probably just driver error more than anything because I've had drivers ask people on the bus which number they're actually meant to be. I just found it strange how it would still track as a 1C while operating as a 1D.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Apologies if this has already been covered but I couldn’t see anything. Does anyone know why First Glasgow (and Aberdeen) appear only on bustimes.org’s vehicle lists but not the map? It just seems a bit of an inconsistency? Thanks in advance.

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

Apologies if this has already been covered but I couldn’t see anything. Does anyone know why First Glasgow (and Aberdeen) appear only on bustimes.org’s vehicle lists but not the map? It just seems a bit of an inconsistency? Thanks in advance.

There's no publicly available AVL feed for those OpCos (it's the same for Cymru I believe). The tracking for Aberdeen and Glasgow comes from "triggering" a set of departures from a bus stop page (e.g. https://bustimes.org/stops/609063).

Scotland East only tracks now through the data feed provided by the new McGill's Scotland East app.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

There's no publicly available AVL feed for those OpCos (it's the same for Cymru I believe). The tracking for Aberdeen and Glasgow comes from "triggering" a set of departures from a bus stop page (e.g. https://bustimes.org/stops/609063).

Scotland East only tracks now through the data feed provided by the new McGill's Scotland East app.

Yes, I was looking again to see which ones were missing from the map and from what I could see only Aberdeen, Cymru (except for TrawsCymru services) and Glasgow were missing. I did wonder if there was no AVL feed so thanks for clearing that up. It does seem strange when you consider First have their own in-app tracking and most of the OpCos have a publicly available AVL feed. I didn’t realise that they could be tracked from the stop like that.

My reason for asking was actually due to the McGill’s Scotland East app being launched yesterday which I knew was the reason behind those popping up.

 

[Edirim]

Apologies if this has already been covered but I couldn’t see anything. Does anyone know why First Glasgow (and Aberdeen) appear only on bustimes.org’s vehicle lists but not the map? It just seems a bit of an inconsistency? Thanks in advance.

Only England has the open data requirement. Stagecoach just open data'd all their services but first clearly stick with just what's required

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Only England has the open data requirement. Stagecoach just open data'd all their services but first clearly stick with just what's required

Again I did wonder if this was a possibility, so thanks for confirming that. I’m a little surprised that it’s not a UK wide thing as yet but I’m sure as time goes on it will, no doubt with minor tweaks to the rules for the companies who are in devolved administrations.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

Just when we think we’re getting rid of the B7TL hoovers - Some E400MMCs are just replacing them. They sound horrendous. I’ve noted one on the 2 and 60. Eek

 

[PaulMc7]

Just when we think we’re getting rid of the B7TL hoovers - Some E400MMCs are just replacing them. They sound horrendous. I’ve noted one on the 2 and 60. Eek

I think I mentioned this on here before with some of them and I'm sure someone said it was the cooling fans actually doing their job and that's why they're so loud.

 

[158715]

Still complete with Midland route branding.

I've seen two of the 38 branded ones appearing on the 38C on bustimes!

 

[computerSaysNo]

I think I mentioned this on here before with some of them and I'm sure someone said it was the cooling fans actually doing their job and that's why they're so loud.

The cooling fans really shouldn't be on all that much on urban routes though; the engine will likely only be working 50% of the time or less, and even during the times it is working it won't be anywhere near full power for any sustained periods.
If the vehicle is being used on higher speed routes though then fair enough.

 

[scosutsut]

I think I mentioned this on here before with some of them and I'm sure someone said it was the cooling fans actually doing their job and that's why they're so loud.

There was chat on the Kernow forum that a failed part (a sensor from memory) would cause the fans to stick on, and that it had got harder to get said part.

 

[PaulMc7]

There was chat on the Kernow forum that a failed part (a sensor from memory) would cause the fans to stick on, and that it had got harder to get said part.

That would make sense to be honest because it's only some of them that are really loud whereas others are incredibly quiet.

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

Just when we think we’re getting rid of the B7TL hoovers - Some E400MMCs are just replacing them. They sound horrendous. I’ve noted one on the 2 and 60. Eek

There powered by Cummins junk, that’s why.

There was chat on the Kernow forum that a failed part (a sensor from memory) would cause the fans to stick on, and that it had got harder to get said part.

I’ll assume that this part could be purchased from Volvo fairly easily, many operators try and source cheaper aftermarket components.

 

[GaryBrown156]

Does anyone know whether or not First Glasgow will be receiving the nine or so Enviro 400 MMC's which are/were based at FSE's Dean's Road depot now that they are selling up? I've seen a few of the Midland Bluebird branded ones on the 87/88/89 routes over the past few days but was wondering what the plans where for the West Lothian MMCs? If they are planning on bringing these to Glasgow as well they could do worse than to brand them up for the "2" and operate them alongside the Yutong's (when they arrive). As First Bus aren't planning on purchasing any new diesels, and the route distance of the "2" is problematic "range wise" for the Enviro 400 EVs. Those buses could be a decent stop gap solution as they would help with with the inevitable capacity issues that going 100% single decker will likely cause. Plus they are still fairly new buses so they wouldn't look old or out of place.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

Does anyone know whether or not First Glasgow will be receiving the nine or so Enviro 400 MMC's which are/where based at FSE's Dean's Road depot now that they are selling up?. I've seen a few of the Midland Bluebird branded ones on the 87/88/89 routes over the past few days but was wondering what the plans where for the West Lothian MMC's?. If they are planning on bringing these to Glasgow as well they could do worse than to brand them up for the "2" and operate them alongside the Yutong's (when they arrive). As First Bus aren't planning on purchasing any new diesels, and the route distance of the "2" is problematic "range wise" for the Enviro 400 EV's. Those buses could be a decent stop gap solution as they would help with with the inevitable capacity issues that going 100% single decker will likely cause. Plus they are still fairly new buses so they wouldn't look old or out of place.

By the looks of things - McGills will be keeping the E400MMCs and everything that was to be moved has been moved.

It would have made sense for them to move with the newer 68 examples and keep them within the First empire given they are, as you say, modern buses, they are Euro 6 and Glasgow already run many E400MMCs not to mention a number of the same batch.

I’m wondering when we’ll get an announcement regarding the new buses for the 2 and 3. As far as I’m aware the last info we had was that Scotstoun were getting new electrics but it wasn’t specified for which route and what manufacturer they had opted for. Yutongs make lots of sense given their range but decker wise - First will probably continue to use E400LH, E400MMCs and B9TLs up until technology/electric range becomes more advance.

 

[XAM2175]

If they are planning on bringing these to Glasgow as well they could do worse than to brand them up for the "2" and operate them alongside the Yutong's [sic] (when they arrive).

Lovely, they'll fit right in with all the other 2-branded buses currently running the 8 and 90.

 

[Stan Drews]

Does anyone know whether or not First Glasgow will be receiving the nine or so Enviro 400 MMC's which are/were based at FSE's Dean's Road depot now that they are selling up? I've seen a few of the Midland Bluebird branded ones on the 87/88/89 routes over the past few days but was wondering what the plans where for the West Lothian MMCs? If they are planning on bringing these to Glasgow as well they could do worse than to brand them up for the "2" and operate them alongside the Yutong's (when they arrive). As First Bus aren't planning on purchasing any new diesels, and the route distance of the "2" is problematic "range wise" for the Enviro 400 EVs. Those buses could be a decent stop gap solution as they would help with with the inevitable capacity issues that going 100% single decker will likely cause. Plus they are still fairly new buses so they wouldn't look old or out of place.

There are 15 E400MMCs transferring with the FSE business. Five 15/65 plate examples (39301-5), and ten 66 plate examples (33436-38/43-49).

 

[PaulMc7]

Getting electrics to work on services at Scotstoun will be far from easy IMO especially when the 2, 3 and 6 are among the network's longest routes as well as being among the frequent services. I do get the fear that First may have committed to going away from Diesel too early to be honest especially when the electric range isn't enough miles for a lot of routes.

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

Getting electrics to work on services at Scotstoun will be far from easy IMO especially when the 2, 3 and 6 are among the network's longest routes as well as being among the frequent services. I do get the fear that First may have committed to going away from Diesel too early to be honest especially when the electric range isn't enough miles for a lot of routes.

McGill's run Yutong E12s on routes of similar length with few issues (that I know of)?

The type of route (urban, interurban, hilly, etc.) is more relevant than distance when it comes to EVs.

 

[ScotRail158725]

Does anyone know whether or not First Glasgow will be receiving the nine or so Enviro 400 MMC's which are/were based at FSE's Dean's Road depot now that they are selling up? I've seen a few of the Midland Bluebird branded ones on the 87/88/89 routes over the past few days but was wondering what the plans where for the West Lothian MMCs? If they are planning on bringing these to Glasgow as well they could do worse than to brand them up for the "2" and operate them alongside the Yutong's (when they arrive). As First Bus aren't planning on purchasing any new diesels, and the route distance of the "2" is problematic "range wise" for the Enviro 400 EVs. Those buses could be a decent stop gap solution as they would help with with the inevitable capacity issues that going 100% single decker will likely cause. Plus they are still fairly new buses so they wouldn't look old or out of place.

The 66 plate West Lothian ones and the 65 plate ones that were originally Stirling Unilink ones are part of the sale

 

[PaulMc7]

Is there a thing with the cancellation feature testing that only one of the Glasgow depots can test it at a time because it certainly seems to be that way? Scotstoun services showing as cancelled again today but nothing from Caledonia after them being the ones testing it recently with no Scotstoun services showing as cancelled.

Another thing on the cancellations too, Dumbarton don't even seem to have tested it once yet so I'd be surprised if we have it fully up and running everywhere too anytime soon.