First Greater Glasgow

[singlemalt]

Just read that first are investing £20 million pounds in advanced ticketer machines starting in York
Is this the start of it being implemented over the whole fleet or piecemeal?

 

[Volvodart]

Just read that first are investing £20 million pounds in advanced ticketer machines starting in York
Is this the start of it being implemented over the whole fleet or piecemeal?

Every place is likely to get it in time. Aberdeen have just received an updated faster version of the current system which does not currently have the enhancements mentioned in the article.

 

[318266]

I was informed by a driver that's a friend of mine that they are expected to get the new Ticketers "soon".

 

[danielhogg2005]

Hello, I am travelling from Glasgow City Centre to Glasgow Airport for a flight to London and need to be there at 10.30am on a Tuesday morning.

I am not a regular traveller on First Glasgow services so I was wanting to know if the 77 or 500 is better to use. I have seen on paper that the 500 is more frequent and the 77 is cheaper, I don't have issues taking longer journeys so this is merely a question of which service has a lower chance of being delayed?

 

[Jordan1296]

Hello, I am travelling from Glasgow City Centre to Glasgow Airport for a flight to London and need to be there at 10.30am on a Tuesday morning.

I am not a regular traveller on First Glasgow services so I was wanting to know if the 77 or 500 is better to use. I have seen on paper that the 500 is more frequent and the 77 is cheaper, I don't have issues taking longer journeys so this is merely a question of which service has a lower chance of being delayed?

The 500 is more expensive, but is more frequent and more direct (you can get from the City Centre to the airport in approx 30 minutes). The 77 takes a little over double that time.

 

[Volvodart]

Service 65 is to continue operating.

First Bus invests to continue modified Service 65 for local communities | First Bus UK News

News from First Bus UK

news.firstbus.co.uk

First Bus invests to continue modified Service 65 for local communities
First Bus has confirmed it is investing to continue operating Service 65 between Glasgow City Centre and Halfway on a modified timetable.

Following extensive engagement with the local community, local authorities and political representatives in recent weeks to understand their concerns, First Bus has committed to run Service 65 at a reduced hourly frequency from Monday 14th July.

The first trip towards the city centre will leave Rutherglen Town Hall at 6:42am, arriving at Osborne Street at 7:02am, and from Halfway at 7:07am, arriving at Osborne Street at 8:02am.

The operator announced the difficult decision to withdraw the service last month following a period of over 12 months where the route has consistently had insufficient passenger demand, meaning it was no longer sustainable.

First Bus has continued to collaborate with local representatives and South Lanarkshire Council in recent weeks and sought to address any local concerns regarding proposed changes to the service, particularly around the access to education and employment.

All stakeholders First Bus have met with have supported the service review and mitigation of any potential gaps by ensuring there is sufficient capacity on alternative routes.

The issue of delays and congestion remains one of the biggest challenges to running efficient bus services in Glasgow. Slower journeys increase the resource required to operate timetables.

First Bus is committed to improving bus services across Greater Glasgow and, as part of that commitment, it has invested over £3m since April in additional bus, driver and timetable resources across the city to increase the reliability of its services.

If buses were removed from congestion through bus priority measures, this level of investment could be used elsewhere on expanding the bus network in the city or into better fares.

Duncan Cameron, Managing Director of First Bus Scotland, said: “We understand Service 65 is a lifeline for many and we have worked hard to find a solution that ensures a modified version of the service can continue.

“While insufficient passenger demand has meant the service is no longer sustainable, our commitment to connectivity for local communities in Glasgow means we will invest to ensure the continue operation of the service.

“We have listened to the concerns raised and have engaged extensively with local stakeholders on the future of Service 65 over recent weeks.

“We recognise the passion towards the importance of bus travel in the city. We hope this is reflected in discussions and debates in government forums on the need to speed bus journeys up through more effective bus priority.”

 

[ScotRail158725]

Theres a handful of vehicles tracking on the bustimes map today. 37187 37227 33214 38447 are all tracking to list a few

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

Theres a handful of vehicles tracking on the bustimes map today. 37187 37227 33214 38447 are all tracking to list a few

Been tracking the last couple of days

 

[N1]

Just noted that the Dumbarton and Glasgow Network Maps have been updated on the First website. Have removed references to other operator's services as well as the logo update and service changes.

Greater Glasgow - Network Maps

 

[Rory N]

It looks like 38447 is working out of Blantyre depot on the 226. The first electric bus in Lanarkshire perhaps?

​

 

[niall1101]

It looks like 38447 is working out of Blantyre depot on the 226. The first electric bus in Lanarkshire perhaps?

​

can confirm it was and not just a tracking error.

 

[EMU303]

I see the latest proposal for the Glasgow Avenues programme includes a bus lane eastward along Argyle St between Queen St and Trongate, currently a pedestrian only zone. If so this will remove the Queen St/Ingram St/Glassford St dog leg and should save a few minutes. Although much more work will be needed to speed up journeys across Glasgow - indeed the word “congestion” never seems to get mentioned in all the talk about franchising!

New images of Argyle Street revamp released as part of £120m project

The stretch from Glasgow Cross to Central Station will be developed in a bid to make the area 'more attractive' to locals and visitors.

news.stv.tv

The project is set to include a new bus route through the pedestrianised section of the street, which the council has said will create much shorter journey times and better public transport connections.

It will also “create the conditions to accelerate work to create more pedestrian-priority spaces and reduce traffic” around Queen Street, Ingram Street and Candeleriggs. Engagement with the local community around these streets is planned in the coming weeks.

The council’s plans have been welcomed by some transport operators and passenger groups.

Dr George Hazel OBE, chair of the Glasgow City Region Bus Partnership, said they would deliver faster, more reliable journey times.

He added: “This makes public transport a more attractive and convenient option, encouraging people to make fewer car journeys which reduces congestion and contributes towards a more equitable and sustainable transportation system for all.

“It also supports the economy of the city centre improving access for workers and the retail and leisure sectors.”

Greig Mackay, director for Scotland at Bus Users UK, a charity dedicated to promoting accessible public transport, said: “A new west-to-east bus route in the city centre will help reduce journey times and increase service reliability which is good news for those who rely on public transport, and for the wider environment.

“Interventions which make journeying by bus a more viable and appealing option can attract new bus passengers and encourage existing users to travel more frequently.”

 

[Buzby]

Funny they didn’t mention it would most likely stop pedestrians playing chicken at the bottom of Queen Street, as the buses turned left. There’s been at least 4 fatalities in recent memory… and I wonder if the Argyle Street extension will be a Bus ‘Gate’?

 

[N1]

Funny they didn’t mention it would most likely stop pedestrians playing chicken at the bottom of Queen Street, as the buses turned left. There’s been at least 4 fatalities in recent memory… and I wonder if the Argyle Street extension will be a Bus ‘Gate’?

The plans are available online here: Argyle Street East

The left turn onto Queen Street is retained. It indicates that the currently pedestrianised Argyle Street will be opened for bus traffic only Eastbound. Cuts of the diversion Ingram Street buses have to do currently.

 

[route101]

Just noted that the Dumbarton and Glasgow Network Maps have been updated on the First website. Have removed references to other operator's services as well as the logo update and service changes.

Greater Glasgow - Network Maps

Good to see they still produce network maps. I remember they had maps on the route timetables too.

 

[camro]

Looks like the first Streetdeck Repower in the fleet (71031) has made it out in service today.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

Looks like the first Streetdeck Repower in the fleet (71031) has made it out in service today.

I see it’s tracking on the 2 which is interesting to see Scotstoun receive an electric decker

 

[David M]

Funny they didn’t mention it would most likely stop pedestrians playing chicken at the bottom of Queen Street, as the buses turned left. There’s been at least 4 fatalities in recent memory… and I wonder if the Argyle Street extension will be a Bus ‘Gate’?

Not very useful for us that use the 1 to get from Clydebank to pretty close to Queen St station.

 

[Glasgowbusguy]

Not very useful for us that use the 1 to get from Clydebank to pretty close to Queen St station.

Convenience Vs safety in that debate safety has to win.

 

[Buzby]

Convenience Vs safety in that debate safety has to win.

I’d guess it’s about equal - those who get hit by buses turning left into Queen Street against those who’ll get hit crossing aimlessly across Argyle Street where there’s been no buses for 30 years or so.

 

[Glasgowbusguy]

I’d guess it’s about equal - those who get hit by buses turning left into Queen Street against those who’ll get hit crossing aimlessly across Argyle Street where there’s been no buses for 30 years or so.

There will be mitigation on argyle street and it has never been truly car free , bin lorries and delivery lorries use it alot

 

[Buzby]

There will be mitigation on argyle street and it has never been truly car free , bin lorries and delivery lorries use it alot

I’m only aware of being legally able to cross from Miller Street to Dunlop Street. No access is permitted at Virginia Street. Like Buchanan Street, vehicular access is heavily restricted and sanctions follow improper use.

 

[route101]

What routes are the Eclipses on?

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Looks like the first Streetdeck Repower in the fleet (71031) has made it out in service today.

How many are expected?

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

What routes are the Eclipses on?

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How many are expected?

7

 

[LT02 NVV]

Rare use of a Double-Decker on the 1C today, 33406 is on the day time workings.

How many times has a double decker been used on the 1C that’s not the two early morning workings (5:55am & 6:15am) and the last late night working to the city centre? I know that the Aberdeen Pride E400 was out a few weeks ago on the 1C after 4pm.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Jul 2025 ==

What routes are the Eclipses on?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Jul 2025 ==


How many are expected?

The Caledonia ones are usually on the 34 & 19. But they have sprints on the 9/9A, 87, 88/88A/88B, 89/89A/89B, 41, and 7/7A.
I’ve seen them also be used on the 5, 75, 10, 38/38B/38C/38E, and 57/57A.

As for the 3 at Overtown, it’s usually the 240 & 266.

 

[ScotRail158725]

The Caledonia ones are usually on the 34 & 19. But they have sprints on the 9/9A, 87, 88/88A/88B, 89/89A/89B, 41, and 7/7A.
I’ve seen them also be used on the 5, 75, 10, 38/38B/38C/38E, and 57/57A.

As for the 3 at Overtown, it’s usually the 240 & 266.

Caledonia dont have a “usual” allocation outwith the 34. The 87/88/89 is misleading they’ve not been out on those any more than they have any other Caledonia route

 

[Andyh82]

Been in Glasgow today - surprised to see so many First vehicles in the new livery but with the old logos on them.

I visited today and noticed the same, almost all buses in the new livery either had the old logo or no logo at all

This is interesting as where I am from in West Yorks the buses that either had the old logo or had the specific ‘electrics’ branding on what at that point was the electric livery, have pretty much all had them changed

Interesting to see different policies in different parts of the country

 

[route101]

7

Only 7, I was expecting more.

 

[Dfatcontroller]

Only 7, I was expecting more.

Apparently to go to Blantyre once charging installed.

 

[Scott mac]

Apparently to go to Blantyre once charging installed.

Yes and some e400ev and e200ev well that's the depot rumour