First Greater Glasgow

[PaulMc7]

Try putting Luxembourg free public transport into Google and read all about it.

Has been in use for the last 3 years. Funded by the state taxes.

I wouldn't trust our government to get it right to be honest. It would require a lot more investment than people probably realise and going by the hostility anytime anything is mentioned regarding reducing car use, it would probably be a way of losing votes in Scotland even though it shouldn't be.

I don't think First are perfect by any means but I feel like they aren't anywhere near as bad as some of the public would have you believe and I've used them regularly since I was a kid.

 

[92002]

I wouldn't trust our government to get it right to be honest. It would require a lot more investment than people probably realise and going by the hostility anytime anything is mentioned regarding reducing car use, it would probably be a way of losing votes in Scotland even though it shouldn't be.

I don't think First are perfect by any means but I feel like they aren't anywhere near as bad as some of the public would have you believe and I've used them regularly since I was a kid.

It's not just First we are talking here. It's all bus operators and rail operators in Scotland.

Would probably be funded by charging a daily charge to access an LEZ zone or ULEZ. Similar to the systsm in use in London. Due to be extended to all 29 burghs in August. So if you realky must go to an LEZ by personal or lorry transport you pay a daily charge. Like an extended City congestion zone charge.

Could be trialled in the Glasgow LEZ in June and rolled out to other areas.

An interesting Project for Humza's new Transport Minister to cut their teeth on.

 

[GusB]

Let's get back on topic, please.

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

Try putting Luxembourg free public transport into Google and read all about it.

Has been in use for the last 3 years. Funded by the state taxes.

One state is not comparable to another where it concerns the public purse especially in the UK where it appears that other problems exist because of the strain on that purse.

 

[PaulMc7]

The attitude of people towards buses is also a huge issue here and I've come across people who flat out refuse to use them despite the fact they'd save an absolute fortune on parking fees by using them.

I do always wonder if people realise what options they have in terms of buses too. It would be expensive but a bit of non-website promotion from First could potentially help long term.

I remember getting into a conversation with someone when I was out on a wander around Queens Park and they had just moved to the area and they only really knew about the train as a friend had told them about that. They were amazed when I said that they had so many bus options.

I have a lot of good options for buses but an area like that is absolutely great for options given that with First alone there are so many options with the 3, 4/4A, 5, 6, 7/7A, 38s and 57/57A all nearby.

Obviously fixing the driver shortage has to be the first priority but I actually feel like First might manage this over the next 3-4 months if my current experiences are anything to go by.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

Noticed a partially 9/9A branded E200EV doing driving training today. I could be totally wrong but it looked like it was following the 6A route at George Square. Could just be regular training but I wondered if they would be doing E200EV tests for when Scotstoun gets them and perhaps they’ll compare them with the Yutongs

Any news on when we might see Aberdeen’s Yutongs out and about now that many are sitting in Caledonia?

 

[Jordan Adam]

Noticed a partially 9/9A branded E200EV doing driving training today. I could be totally wrong but it looked like it was following the 6A route at George Square. Could just be regular training but I wondered if they would be doing E200EV tests for when Scotstoun gets them and perhaps they’ll compare them with the Yutongs

Any news on when we might see Aberdeen’s Yutongs out and about now that many are sitting in Caledonia?

There's six in total due to go on loan/trial, i believe three are for Caledonia and three for Scotstoun. Provided the project timeline hasn't changed the 6 with Glasgow are due to transfer up to Aberdeen on the 25th of April; 65107-18 will already have been delivered to Aberdeen by this point.

I've posted further details in the First Aberdeen thread - https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/first-aberdeen.166147/post-6145145

 

[JumpinTrainz]

There's six in total due to go on loan/trial, i believe three are for Caledonia and three for Scotstoun. Provided the project timeline hasn't changed the 6 with Glasgow are due to transfer up to Aberdeen on the 25th of April; 65107-18 will already have been delivered to Aberdeen by this point.

I've posted further details in the First Aberdeen thread - https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/first-aberdeen.166147/post-6145145

Thanks for the info Jordan

 

[SouthEastBuses]

The fare changes have been announced:-

Forthcoming Fare Changes

Changes from March 31st 2024 Following a review of our fares, we will be freezing the majority of our tickets. From March 31st 2024, changes will come into effect to some of our fares. However, we have worked to ensure that these increases remain below cost price inflation.

www.firstbus.co.uk

Out of curiosity, is there a multi-mode transport day pass that allows you to use buses, trains and the one single circular metro line within Glasgow? And can it be bought onboard a First bus? How much is it?

 

[sannox]

Out of curiosity, is there a multi-mode transport day pass that allows you to use buses, trains and the one single circular metro line within Glasgow? And can it be bought onboard a First bus? How much is it?

No. You'd need multiple products.

Glasgow tripper is the bus only version which needs a smartcard but can be bought on bus.
This can be added to with a roundabout ticket giving Subway and Greater Glasgow rail which can be bought from Scotrail but is only valid after 9am on weekdays.

 

[stevenedin]

Out of curiosity, is there a multi-mode transport day pass that allows you to use buses, trains and the one single circular metro line within Glasgow? And can it be bought onboard a First bus? How much is it?

They have something in the east of Scotland called One-Ticket but I don’t think that it covers the west.

 

[SouthEastBuses]

No. You'd need multiple products.

Glasgow tripper is the bus only version which needs a smartcard but can be bought on bus.
This can be added to with a roundabout ticket giving Subway and Greater Glasgow rail which can be bought from Scotrail but is only valid after 9am on weekdays.

Ahh okay, that's a shame that there isn't complete integration, but at least there's some day passes, so could be worse I guess

 

[JumpinTrainz]

There’s an airport branded E400MMC doing what looks like driving training around the east end. I seen one last week too at Alexandra Parade. Aren’t there enough learning vehicles?

 

[PaulMc7]

There’s an airport branded E400MMC doing what looks like driving training around the east end. I seen one last week too at Alexandra Parade. Aren’t there enough learning vehicles?

It could just be bus familiarisation to be fair. I've seen driver training on Streetlites and E200EVs a few times now when I've been out so I guess it's handy for drivers to get use to different types of buses. This also helps avoid specific services being more prone to cancellations due to one type of bus being used on them.

 

[Glasgowbusguy]

Ahh okay, that's a shame that there isn't complete integration, but at least there's some day passes, so could be worse I guess

There is the zonecard which covers all operators , trains and subway and depending on the zones bought it also covers ferries

 

[SarahDFIG]

Drivers can only be taught on learner vehicles as they need additional safety equipment. It will be route learning.

 

[PaulMc7]

Drivers can only be taught on learner vehicles as they need additional safety equipment. It will be route learning.

Thank you for confirming. I did think that was the case.

 

[XAM2175]

Ahh okay, that's a shame that there isn't complete integration, but at least there's some day passes, so could be worse I guess

There is the zonecard which covers all operators , trains and subway and depending on the zones bought it also covers ferries

With the caveat that it's only available for one, four, or ten weeks, or a year at a time.

ZoneCard | SPT | Strathclyde Partnership for Transport

The ZoneCard is a flexible season ticket for unlimited* travel by ScotRail, Subway and most buses in the Strathclyde region. ZoneCard may be used wherever you see the ZoneCard logo.

www.spt.co.uk

 

[PaulMc7]

Are there any signs of changes coming here? I must admit that I'm slightly nervous about the prospect of changes given that I'm in the midst of job searching and trying to plan out routes to each place I apply for. I'd not be surprised if any do happen given that everyone else is up and down the country.

Given the 12 week period between registrations, I know First Glasgow(NO2) is still a few weeks away from being able to register changes but First Glasgow(NO1) now can.

 

[92002]

There's six in total due to go on loan/trial, i believe three are for Caledonia and three for Scotstoun. Provided the project timeline hasn't changed the 6 with Glasgow are due to transfer up to Aberdeen on the 25th of April; 65107-18 will already have been delivered to Aberdeen by this point.

I've posted further details in the First Aberdeen thread - https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/first-aberdeen.166147/post-6145145

Was in France for a few Days recently.
The electric buses in use there are from Heuliez/Iveco. Manufactured in France thay seem a major improvement on any of our BVD or Yutong ones we have here.. With much more get up and go and work all day long. You can find these in most of the big cities like Paris, Toulouse or Lyon.

Looking like we have settled for the second prize again.

 

[PaulMc7]

With diesel buses, double deckers tend to be more expensive to run. Is this the same with electric buses? It made me wonder if a double decker heavy network would be possible here? Even some of the non-city centre routes like the 8 and 90 can be busy enough for requiring a double decker sometimes.

 

[route101]

Out of curiosity, is there a multi-mode transport day pass that allows you to use buses, trains and the one single circular metro line within Glasgow? And can it be bought onboard a First bus? How much is it?

No, there used to though. Its a shame. I feel McGills and First could offer a joint ticket product.

 

[PaulMc7]

No, there used to though. Its a shame. I feel McGills and First could offer a joint ticket product.

A joint ticket between those two would certainly be handy especially as Mcgills also have a few of the SPT tendered services around Glasgow and the surrounding areas as well as the extra Braehead links etc.

The days of them working together earlier in covid were really good for people on the 9/9A and 38 corridor.

 

[trei2k]

Isn't there the Glasgow Tripper Smartcard? Admittedly it only works on bus services and appears only to be available as a Smartcard.
https://glasgowtripper.co.uk/

The Glasgow Tripper smart travel card lets you hop on and off thousands of buses in and around city.

It’s the smart choice for great value bus travel and gives you access to most of the buses from the city’s main bus operators.

Travel across the services of McGill's, First Glasgow, Stagecoach West, Glasgow Citybus and Whitelaws - with the same ticket! Gone are the days of buying different tickets from each of the operators.

 

[92002]

However if you're looking for both bus and train, as well as ships and subway it's the SPT travelcard you need.

One of these days all the operators will all use a common system, but not anytime soon.

 

[route101]

Isn't there the Glasgow Tripper Smartcard? Admittedly it only works on bus services and appears only to be available as a Smartcard.
https://glasgowtripper.co.uk/

I don't think you can just buy that on the bus, you need to obtain the card first.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

Passed by Caledonia this afternoon and can’t believe how badly damaged 37206 is. Animals.

 

[sannox]

Can you load Glasgow Tripper on any ITSO smartcard - McGills/Scotrail/SPT etc?

 

[Stan_Butler]

Does anyone know following the fares rise are there only three single fares in Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire (£1.95, £2.85 and £6.15). Also is the Two trip ticket no longer available on bus?

 

[JumpinTrainz]

Expected to see the Yutongs out and about by now but haven’t managed to see anything. Anyone know when they will see service?