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First Greater Glasgow
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JumpinTrainz
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With the news that Glasgow is to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, albeit it’s to be a scaled back version - I wonder if First will be awarded any contracts to the run the transport links again.
Last time this took place in 2014 there was a completely new order of E400s, Streetlites and modern buses at the time like the E300s were used. All of the E400s went South after the games and Glasgow didn’t benefit a huge amount from the order. Could this coincide with a new B9TL order?
Last time this took place in 2014 there was a completely new order of E400s, Streetlites and modern buses at the time like the E300s were used. All of the E400s went South after the games and Glasgow didn’t benefit a huge amount from the order. Could this coincide with a new B9TL order?
As Stagecoach are still buying diesel buses that would put them at an advantage if new buses are to be used and they are more competitive in these sort of things now than they were.
Busman84
Member
In 2014 First had a whole new depot which was still to open, this stored these vehicles for the games. This time round there is no depot spaces. They would be looking for land somewhere just to store them plus bus washes and chargepoints too. Anybody wanting to do shuttles will want everything to be EV..
Trnsprt4Sctlnd
Member
First Glasgow don't have enough staff to reliably operate there commercial services but I’m sure if they are awarded these contracts then of course they will find the drivers…
New orders for more EVs likely means they’d need subsidy from the ScotGOV to do this unless they fork out the cost for an EV themselves.
Frankly the demonisation of diesel is still not something I’m on board with, not when a brand new diesel bus per passenger is still a better choice than keeping older more inefficient diesels on the road in hopes that funding does come along for more EVs.
Someone is going to have to pay the premium for electric buses, unless they can steal them from London or elsewhere before their use there. Plus getting enough electricity to charge them.
smtglasgow
Member
With Glasgow having a lot of B9TL’s which will be 17-19 years old in 2026, it should make sense to First to bid for the Games contract (which will be smaller than 2014 anyway) using new vehicles it would probably be buying anyway. However, if the Scottish Government is in as tight a financial mess as it seems, there may not be any more rounds of funding, so First might not be keen on paying the full price for new electrics. But those B9TL’s won’t go on forever, so something will have to give…
Cascades from new electric buses in England is most likely replacement.
JumpinTrainz
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There are roughly about 80 B9TLs in the fleet including the recent cascades from Manchester - I can’t imagine Glasgow, one of First’s biggest operations will be getting that many cast offs.
The ones getting painted and reseated currently are probably good for a couple of years anyway.
And of those Gemini, a couple of them are currently on spare duties or are still being fixed:
IDK about how many Former Manchester buses are in service (4 are up in Aberdeen on loan though). The only ones I know that are in service however are 37468 (which doesn’t have a working tracker at the moment), 37547 and 37548 (which both have working trackers).
Given the games is to be delivered on a budget it's going to be run using spares from around the country. They'll be Euro 6 to avoid LEZ issues, but that's not too hard.
I thought Euro 5 was OK too? Some of the shorter Streetlites are Euro 5 for example, and I’ve seen them be in Glasgow City Centre.
Trnsprt4Sctlnd
Member
Presumably they’ve had new exhaust at some point..
No. It's Euro 6 or (VI technically) for buses and HGVs
AndrewTaylor95
Member
Our native streetlites where upgraded 3 years ago, Only Euro 5 ones are the second hand 13 plate ones Scotstoun have and a couple 63 plates at Blantyre which aren't used on City routes obviously, It's always been Euro 6 for buses to be exempt from LEZ fines
Is this legit? Is this bus in service with First Glasgow?
Whiteway215
Established Member
Isn’t this one that First bought back from McGills?
Is this legit? Is this bus in service with First Glasgow?
Last Saturday I had trouble using the app with a Network day ticket. It wouldn't scan on the bus. I think it might be my phone but on Saturday a few drivers just waved me on saying scanner not working, although this has happened before. I have updated the app. One driver on Saturday wanted me to buy a new ticket, I got off and waited for the next bus and got on no problem.
singlemalt
Member
- Joined
- 10 Aug 2019
- Messages
- 56
Could be a fault with scanner on machine probably needed rebooting or fiddling with the wire connection there are also small buttons on the side of the machine to press on and off this usually helps
I see. I realise some drivers will not accept a ticket if it does not scan even if the ticket is valid.
Really wish that the 1C & 1D had more double deckers on the route again, since apart from some early morning & late night services ran with Scotstoun buses, the single deckers get packed easily.
I’m just glad that most of the short Streetlites are now kept on the 206 & 208 services, as they’re a nightmare when out on the peak time 1 services.
I’m just glad that most of the short Streetlites are now kept on the 206 & 208 services, as they’re a nightmare when out on the peak time 1 services.
Noddy1
Member
Agreed about the most exciting thing going on is some of the buses bring painted in the new First livery
JumpinTrainz
Established Member
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Hopefully we will be hearing about the rumoured Wright Electroliners for the 500 soon.
I hope we also hear about new replacements for the B9TLs soon. The oldest buses are now 17 years old.
Isn’t Blantyre also meant to be going electric?
I hope we also hear about new replacements for the B9TLs soon. The oldest buses are now 17 years old.
Isn’t Blantyre also meant to be going electric?
Are Wright Electroliners just electric versions of street decks?
E400Lover101
Member
Yes.
smtglasgow
Member
What Glasgow needs is frequency uplifts on the busiest routes. I’ve been travelling from the East End over to Gartnavel a lot over the last few months and the buses are mobbed. My 6 yesterday swept past several stops with about 25 standing onboard. Timekeeping/punctuality is also shocking, so maybe we need to brace for more AI timetables. Is Glasgow still short of drivers? Noticed a few cancellations on the app.
stevenedin
Established Member
I’ve heard of this frequently happening on the 6. There isn’t enough capacity or frequency on the route as it stands. They need double deckers or an increase in frequency at busy times.
E400Lover101
Member
Deckers will be a problem as Aberdeen took 15 and the rest of the deckers cannot fit under busby bridge.