First Greater Glasgow

[PaulMc7]

Believe the ticket machines are supplied byTransport Scotland. Although other operators have better machines. The process to issue a ticket seems incredibly complicated. Even though in imost cases the terminal point is issued. The amount of scrolling to find the correct one in most cases is the terminal point. In most cases slows issues even more time consuming.

From experience, Mcgills and Stagecoach's seem to work far quicker to be honest. I'd imagine having a flat fare system would also help a bit more too.

 

[Jarcoed]

Volvo B7RLE (sure it was 69040) was on the 75 yesterday. Also been noticing more Enviro200 EV's appearing on the route recently

Also, does anyone wait for another bus if the one you originally waited for for is late? I tend to do that for the 75 in the morning as the one that comes at about 8:25 is crowded with school kids but another one pops up roughly 3 minutes later and is normally pretty empty. It doesn't always work but it's a good strategy.

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

I believe the ticket machines are supplied by Transport Scotland. Although other operators have better machines. The process to issue a ticket seems incredibly complicated. Even though in most cases the terminal point is issued.

Ticketer sell a terrible machine, but it will have been a cheap option.

 

[XAM2175]

My 2 today was an E400 MMC branded for the 77 but the ticket machine was broken and honestly even just between Kelvingrove and Scotstoun it made my journey 10 mins quicker. If we had much better boarding speeds, you could potentially cut running time on some routes it makes that much of a difference.

Absolutely, the current process is absurdly inefficient.

Being able to board passengers at the front while others disembark from centre doors would also be helpful, but of course that's far too bolshy.

 

[Glasgowbusguy]

A

Absolutely, the current process is absurdly inefficient.

Being able to board passengers at the front while others disembark from centre doors would also be helpful, but of course that's far too bolshy.

It also means fewer seats on buses that are already bursting.

 

[Tom Gallacher]

Absolutely, the current process is absurdly inefficient.

Being able to board passengers at the front while others disembark from centre doors would also be helpful, but of course that's far too bolshy.

It never worked 50 years ago.

 

[PaulMc7]

Is there a world in which off peak and later evening services are cut to strengthen both ends of the peak timetable? Given the driver shortages and the big bounce back in peak travel it probably would be a good idea. The only issue may be dead mileage.

Part time hours could definitely cover this and given the nature of what people look for in a job it's something that needs to be offered more although First have done more of it lately.

 

[adrock1976]

It never worked 50 years ago.

It works without too much difficulty in London, where things are done properly.

 

[Cesarcollie]

Ticketer sell a terrible machine, but it will have been a cheap option.

i wouldn’t say Ticketer was cheap. So what would you regard as a ‘good’ machine?

 

[Man of Kent]

It works without too much difficulty in London, where things are done properly.

There are various internet sources (TfL/Mayor's Questions/What Do They Know.com) suggesting that fare evasion on buses in London is in the range of 1.05%-2.46% and costs over £3m in lost fares. Much of this is down to multi-door vehicles, which I believe was also one of the reasons that drove Lothian away from dual doors. It's a prime reason why other operators, including First, tend to stay away from it.

 

[KGGXXXY]

Ticketer sell a terrible machine, but it will have been a cheap option.

Today 2nd First bus this week I've been on that the machine isn't working, messes up the location/tracking on the app and with the driver waving folk on lost revenue from single fares and Concession cards.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

Today 2nd First bus this week I've been on that the machine isn't working, messes up the location/tracking on the app and with the driver waving folk on lost revenue from single fares and Concession cards.

Also take forever to boot up like ridiculous amounts of time.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

Are the Scottish power branded E200EVs for the M3 started to be used on other services? I noticed they’ve been on the 34.

 

[Bus Lightyear]

i wouldn’t say Ticketer was cheap. So what would you regard as a ‘good’ machine?

I would say it's better than the ticket machine First had previously (please someone remind me of the name as I can't remember) and better than any wayfarer machine.

 

[lastbus]

I would say it's better than the ticket machine First had previously (please someone remind me of the name as I can't remember) and better than any wayfarer machine.

Almex

 

[83G/84D]

I am in the area for a few days and have been in Glasgow city centre today. Of note so far are 32577 on the 75 and 32560 undergoing driver training duties. Both retro Glasgow livery Geminis are out, 37751 on the 2 and 37738 until recently on the 60/60A. It appears to have come out of service. A few interesting bits and bobs at Buchanan Street but nothing much related to this topic/ thread.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

I believe more new E400EVs are due to resume delivery this month so they’ll all but replace the remaining B7TLs.

 

[Glasgowbusguy]

I am in the area for a few days and have been in Glasgow city centre today. Of note so far are 32577 on the 75 and 32560 undergoing driver training duties. Both retro Glasgow livery Geminis are out, 37751 on the 2 and 37738 until recently on the 60/60A. It appears to have come out of service. A few interesting bits and bobs at Buchanan Street but nothing much related to this topic/ thread.

There have been a few Geminis appearing on the 9A which are very much welcome on a route that should be double deckers, in my opinion.

 

[Jarcoed]

Are the Scottish power branded E200EVs for the M3 started to be used on other services? I noticed they’ve been on the 34.

Yeah, I think they are starting to be used on the 34 more which is interesting. I hope they are being put into urban livery

 

[JumpinTrainz]

There have been a few Geminis appearing on the 9A which are very much welcome on a route that should be double deckers, in my opinion.

I used the 2 today and while I know this has been discussed at length - singles just don’t work. I had an E300 going and coming back. Waited 20 minutes for an E300 to turn up bursting. Then was shortly overtook by a B9TL running virtually empty. I’ve never known in all my years for the 2 (formerly 62) to be running at such a low frequency.

I think First have made a really big mistake by ordering so many singles for the 2. It’s a route which in my opinion always needed deckers but given how much the frequency has been cut - it needs them even more now. E200EVs I believe are short of a few seats compared to an E300 or B7RLE as well which is just madness to me.

 

[83G/84D]

Are the Scottish power branded E200EVs for the M3 started to be used on other services? I noticed they’ve been on the 34.

Both are on the M3 today.

 

[PaulMc7]

It's definitely seemed a right torrid day for the drivers actually working today. Our 38 was 50 mins late getting to Glasgow Fort today and there seems to be bunches of cancellations on a lot of services. 4 10s in a row for example showing as cancelled towards the City Centre and 5 75s out of 7 earlier towards Milton with 3 7/7As in a row too.

The problem seems to be that other than the midweek peak, Saturdays seem to be by far the busiest during the day even with a lot of services operating the same frequency Monday to Friday.

A whole rethink of timetables might be the only way cancellations can be limited at this point where there's mega off peak cuts midweek but then higher peak frequency and better Saturday timetables than midweek off peak.

I will say something I've found very interesting though. For as much of a shambles as Caledonia Depot is made out to be by those who've worked there and commented their experience on here, their cancellations on the app seem a fair bit more organised and accurate than Scotstoun's throughout this testing period for the feature.

 

[route101]

I used the 2 today and while I know this has been discussed at length - singles just don’t work. I had an E300 going and coming back. Waited 20 minutes for an E300 to turn up bursting. Then was shortly overtook by a B9TL running virtually empty. I’ve never known in all my years for the 2 (formerly 62) to be running at such a low frequency.

I think First have made a really big mistake by ordering so many singles for the 2. It’s a route which in my opinion always needed deckers but given how much the frequency has been cut - it needs them even more now. E200EVs I believe are short of a few seats compared to an E300 or B7RLE as well which is just madness to me.

Yes, First Glasgow do like their single deckers. I saw three service 2s today, all deckers. Yes, I've always thought the E200EVs are a bit small.

It's definitely seemed a right torrid day for the drivers actually working today. Our 38 was 50 mins late getting to Glasgow Fort today and there seems to be bunches of cancellations on a lot of services. 4 10s in a row for example showing as cancelled towards the City Centre and 5 75s out of 7 earlier towards Milton with 3 7/7As in a row too.

The problem seems to be that other than the midweek peak, Saturdays seem to be by far the busiest during the day even with a lot of services operating the same frequency Monday to Friday.

A whole rethink of timetables might be the only way cancellations can be limited at this point where there's mega off peak cuts midweek but then higher peak frequency and better Saturday timetables than midweek off peak.

I will say something I've found very interesting though. For as much of a shambles as Caledonia Depot is made out to be by those who've worked there and commented their experience on here, their cancellations on the app seem a fair bit more organised and accurate than Scotstoun's throughout this testing period for the feature.

Last two Saturdays coming out of Town around 6pm have been a nightmare. I think it's due to the rail strikes. On Union St, the app said the next 267 was 4 minutes away but it took 20 minutes for it to come down from the Bus Station.

 

[Glasgowbusguy]

Yes, First Glasgow do like their single deckers. I saw three service 2s today, all deckers. Yes, I've always thought the E200EVs are a bit small.

Last two Saturdays coming out of Town around 6pm have been a nightmare. I think it's due to the rail strikes. On Union St, the app said the next 267 was 4 minutes away but it took 20 minutes for it to come down from the Bus Station.

You can regularly wait over an hour for a 41 between 3pm and 6pm and the Cochran street closure is making it worse. One driver I spoke to yesterday was 2 hours down and hadn't seen another bus in the route their entire shift.

 

[PaulMc7]

You can regularly wait over an hour for a 41 between 3pm and 6pm and the Cochran street closure is making it worse. One driver I spoke to yesterday was 2 hours down and hadn't seen another bus in the route their entire shift.

I'm not surprised by that to be fair. I've noticed a lot of 41s and 60s showing as cancelled today and the 60A after the 60 I got back from Glasgow Fort was also cancelled. With even the likes of the N18 tonight showing as cancelled it appears nothing is safe.

Unfortunately, it seems that particular areas get hit harder than others due to what drivers First have available. The 7/7A/75 are bad for bunches of cancellations and then the 60/60A/61 are the same.

 

[route101]

You can regularly wait over an hour for a 41 between 3pm and 6pm and the Cochran street closure is making it worse. One driver I spoke to yesterday was 2 hours down and hadn't seen another bus in the route their entire shift.

Rarely use the 41, it nips out of town quietly. There are alternatives to the 41 heading East.

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

People are still leaving fortunately, the worse it gets the better...not for passenger in the short term but certainly hastens the ability for harsh steps to be taken to rectify the issues with the transport system in Glasgow and to actually sort the problem with drivers leaving.

Actually asking the drivers what they want is the only fix to that long-term.

Wages are not the biggest issue in this industry, other issues such as workload/shift length, management attitudes, Greenroad, poorly specified vehicles of all things and generally the way in which drivers are stressed to a point where even a £40k salary would not make a difference.

 

[PaulMc7]

People are still leaving fortunately, the worse it gets the better...not for passenger in the short term but certainly hastens the ability for harsh steps to be taken to rectify the issues with the transport system in Glasgow and to actually sort the problem with drivers leaving.

Actually asking the drivers what they want is the only fix to that long-term.

Wages are not the biggest issue in this industry, other issues such as workload/shift length, management attitudes, Greenroad, poorly specified vehicles of all things and generally the way in which drivers are stressed to a point where even a £40k salary would not make a difference.

This is the correct response to be fair. First pay more than anyone else here now and have an overtime rate very few companies actually offer in any industry. Unfortunately, passengers have probably never been more insufferable than they are now too. Some of the moaning I've heard people dish out to drivers has been nothing short of pathetic. Sadly, social media is going the same way. The contact centre idea doesn't work but a lot of people seem to forget they're actually humans not robots going by the responses they receive.

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

Rarely use the 41, it nips out of town quietly. There are alternatives to the 41 heading East.

The 41 as well is a fairly quick bus into town behind the x19 of course, there is not one single service in Glasgow which is reliable anymore, not one.

My answer? Work from the bottom up, split the drivers into “blocks” to cover most of the least frequent routes before other more frequent routes.

Caledonia has three internal operations as we know, Caledonia South/Larkfield, East/Parkhead, North/Cumbernauld.

Take Caledonia East as an example here, split East up into sub-categories.

Block 1 being the least frequent most “Basic” routes, such as the 64, 65, x8 but Perhaps also the 46, put drivers on these and ensure that this block has sufficient drivers for this block alone given that more often than not the least frequent routes should not be reduced anymore and are often serving those most in need without a car, hence they are the most socially necessary routes.

I would mention that the 64 could perhaps be removed if the 61 was altered to compensate, it would mean the 61 serving sandyhill less so but still offers a bus to both Sandyhill & Carmyle.

Once you’ve sorted that block out, move to Block 2 and start fulfilling “Primary” routes such as the 9(not the 9A), 41 & 61 to the higher frequencies possible, maybe every 10-15 minutes.

With the very few drivers left for Block 3 they cover “Secondary/Supporting” routes such as the 60(not the 60A) and maybe the 9A, but only at lesser frequencies of 20-30 minutes.

Maryhill for example is served by the 61 and 60’s, but the 61 is both shorter and has less to deal with in terms of congestion therefore should be able to be kept more reliable than the winding and longer 60 routes, as for the 60 being a supporting route, yes it goes serve Drumchapel which the 61 does not but drumchapel also has the 6A and 3 serving it.

Hence the 60 to Clydebank is far less important than the 61 overall and with the 41 serving easterhouse to Town on a faster route than the 60 it only makes sense that it’s less important than primary routes.

North is less of an issue for the way it operates as most of there routes are covering different areas at lesser frequencies.

 

[92002]

People are still leaving fortunately, the worse it gets the better...not for passenger in the short term but certainly hastens the ability for harsh steps to be taken to rectify the issues with the transport system in Glasgow and to actually sort the problem with drivers leaving.

Actually asking the drivers what they want is the only fix to that long-term.

Wages are not the biggest issue in this industry, other issues such as workload/shift length, management attitudes, Greenroad, poorly specified vehicles of all things and generally the way in which drivers are stressed to a point where even a £40k salary would not make a difference.

Perhaps they should bring in Drivers hours legislation for the local buses. Which limits their hours and breaks using tachographs.

There's no real cure for poor management. Just sack them I'f they don't improve their Outlook.