First Group: General Discussion

[swifty]

I believe Reading Buses are helping out First again and have sent around 10 E40H upto Glasgow.

 

[Robertj21a]

First are stockpiling new deliveries of vehicles

Don't forget that Stagecoach vehicles have gone up 'early' as they need de-Londonising.

What are they changing ?

 

[Blindtraveler]

Good news that FSE is getting something. it is news to me hense my lack of posts on the matter!

 

[mbonwick]

What are they changing ?

Wiring for the iBus system needs removing/tidying, 21 day checks and there's probably some other bits that need doing.

 

[robertclark125]

Great to hear FSE getting new vehicles. The next task is for the public to actually show it's worth the investment, and use the services they will be allocated to. I'm sure that local management will be eager to try and change things for the better soon.

 

[overthewater]

Its delightful to know FSE are getting brand new buses at long last.

In other news, Stagecoach has registered a new service between Cumbernauld - Glasgow, It seems to be a mirror of the Current X3. So Stagecoach trying to push First out of the town. Of course that cant be good...

 

[winston270twm]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/...Executive-pay-row-at-FirstGroup-heats-up.html

 

[GaryMcEwan]

Well thats Glasgow getting the new 14 plated E400's which are obviously for Games Transport purposes.

I seen 33881 (SN14TVL) in the City Centre this afternoon...

 

[overthewater]

Now its in writing!

http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/latest_news/?id=011771

Tuesday 8 July 2014

Local bus operator, First Scotland East, said today that passengers are set to benefit from brand new, state of the art buses with unique Formula 1 technology.


First has invested more than £4.3m in 27 Micro-Hybrid vehicles, one of the world’s most fuel efficient buses, which come equipped with leather seats, free wifi for customers and extra room for wheelchairs and passengers with buggies.


Each new vehicle is fitted with the latest energy saving technology including a braking power system similar to that used on Formula 1 racing cars, which re-uses energy to power other parts of the bus. The Micro-Hybrid buses are also lighter than a conventional single deck bus and, together with advanced engine technology, are around 30% more fuel efficient.


First said today that 18 new buses will operate from its Livingston depot and nine new buses will enter the Falkirk network. Passengers can expect to hop on board the new vehicles in August and September. First will reveal which routes the new buses are to operate on later in the Summer.


“Our £4.3m investment in 27 new vehicles is great news for our customers,” said Managing Director of First Scotland East, Paul McGowan. “Customers will benefit from an improved service – their journey will be more pleasant, comfortable, smoother and passengers will be able to keep connected whilst on the move with our free wifi.


“My main goal at First Scotland East is to encourage more people to use our buses and to use them more often. Our investment in these vehicles shows just how committed we are to improving our services, providing better journeys and attracting new and infrequent bus users.


He continued: “I’m delighted too that our fantastic team will have the opportunity to work with these new buses. Micro-Hybrids are one of the most fuel efficient buses in the world and we will be one of the first companies to take delivery of them. Our drivers and engineering staff can’t wait to get them on the road.”


All First’s new buses will be fitted with EURO V engines and will feature wi-fi and leather seats as standard.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I wonder if these wil see Livingston turn a proffit or if the reduction in capacity will see foalk iether using the remaining decker runs and changing if needed or giving up and going by train? Got to say Im amazed that theres not a Livingston>Edinburgh Via M8 express at peek times, even 1 bus each way would make money surely?

 

[overthewater]

I wonder if these wil see Livingston turn a proffit or if the reduction in capacity will see foalk iether using the remaining decker runs and changing if needed or giving up and going by train? Got to say Im amazed that theres not a Livingston>Edinburgh Via M8 express at peek times, even 1 bus each way would make money surely?

Of course the smaller buses could result in fuel savings, If you have seen many of the Livingston - Edinburgh buses there not busy, I have seen plenty which are near empty arriving into Edinburgh.

First has operated peak time Express via the M8, X23 but it was pulled. First has also operated the X1, Bathgate - M8 - Edinburgh, again that was pulled but even the bus which left Bathgate at 9am always had a decent load.

 

[GaryMcEwan]

Didn't see this coming but Glasgow have lost the evening runs and all day Sunday runs on the 31 out to East Kilbride.

Instead they will be ran by Stagecoach Western, presumably running it from Blochairn...

 

[CatfordCat]

Something appears to be afoot in Bracknell, where First Berkshire are in something of a bus war with independent Courtney - they have recently started running through to Reading from the Wokingham direction along First's corridor (Courtney have also taken over the Wokingham Council supported Wokingham - Twyford - Reading corridor on re-tender, this was previously Thames Travel.)

Latest Notices & Proceedings includes cancellations for First Berkshire's existing Bracknell town services, and new registrations for Bracknell town services B1 to B5 starting 16 August.

Likewise, Bracknell - Reading service (which has been marketed heavily as service 190 - complete with its own twitter feed and mini website) will be replaced by (presumably similar) service 90, and the Bracknell - Camberley corridor will become service 94.

No details on the public website yet - may be an expansion of the revived 'Beeline' identity which re-appeared a year or so back, possibly in response to competition from Courtney in south Bracknell (the Beeline identity had kept a tenuous existence in the form of the bus on the mural inside the 'gents' at Bracknell bus station - this never received First corporate livery!)

 

[GaryMcEwan]

From the 14th of July, Glasgow will be the latest company to starting using the mTicketing app...And about bloody time as well.

 

[overthewater]

Its always at the moment, you think everything is calm and settled, when someone pulls a rabbit out of the hat.....

PM1050765/5 - LOTHIAN COUNTRY BUSES LIMITED T/A Edinburgh Shuttle, 55 ANNANDALE ST, EDINBURGH, EH7 4AZ
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Edinburgh Queensferry Street Lane
Finish Point: Haddington High Street
Via:
Service Number: 104
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 07-SEP-2014
Other Details:

Lothian is ramping up its competition with First Scotland east, with its return to Haddington after 13 year gap, but this time the city fares will not be appearing. Mind you it would seems to be competing with First 108, and not the express service X6/X8.

Just yesterday First, cut its fares from Kirkliston: http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/scotland_east/travel_news/news_initiatives/?item=20011&conf=0

The reason behide its fare cuts was because, Lothian has just won a tender service, which operate via the village. ( its once an hour but its spooked them)
http://lothianbuses.com/assets/files/r63_140727.pdf

Overall it does seem rather odd.

 

[Deerfold]

Just yesterday First, cut its fares from Kirkliston: http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/scotland_east/travel_news/news_initiatives/?item=20011&conf=0

The reason behide its fare cuts was because, Lothian has just won a tender service, which operate via the village. ( its once an hour but its spooked them)
http://lothianbuses.com/assets/files/r63_140727.pdf

Overall it does seem rather odd.

Really? First spooked by an hourly service, paid for by the council, that doesn't go to Edinburgh City centre?

 

[freetoview33]

From the 14th of July, Glasgow will be the latest company to starting using the mTicketing app...And about bloody time as well.

I wish First would bring mTickets here but instead we have touch card!

 

[GaryMcEwan]

I wish First would bring mTickets here but instead we have touch card!

I'd rather have a smartcard rather than a dodgy app that frequently crashes and removes the activated ticket...

 

[vicbury]

I don't understand the point of mobile tickets, surely they are only as useful as the battery life of your phone?

 

[Volvodart]

I'd rather have a smartcard rather than a dodgy app that frequently crashes and removes the activated ticket...

I have had no problems with the First Aberdeen app. There is supposed to be a Scotland wide smartcard coming sometime for all operators.

 

[freetoview33]

http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/touchsmartcard/

It is only limited at the moment but hopefully if it works here a similar thing might happen in other places

 

[Blindtraveler]

Its always at the moment, you think everything is calm and settled, when someone pulls a rabbit out of the hat.....

PM1050765/5 - LOTHIAN COUNTRY BUSES LIMITED T/A Edinburgh Shuttle, 55 ANNANDALE ST, EDINBURGH, EH7 4AZ
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Edinburgh Queensferry Street Lane
Finish Point: Haddington High Street
Via:
Service Number: 104
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 07-SEP-2014
Other Details:

Lothian is ramping up its competition with First Scotland east, with its return to Haddington after 13 year gap, but this time the city fares will not be appearing. Mind you it would seems to be competing with First 108, and not the express service X6/X8.

Just yesterday First, cut its fares from Kirkliston: http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/scotland_east/travel_news/news_initiatives/?item=20011&conf=0

The reason behide its fare cuts was because, Lothian has just won a tender service, which operate via the village. ( its once an hour but its spooked them)
http://lothianbuses.com/assets/files/r63_140727.pdf

Overall it does seem rather odd.

A few interesting points here. First are spooked by the new Kirkliston service because Lothian City Fares apply and the connectional opportunitties at the Gyle and P and R are wide and various, not to mention the fact that for £3.50 you could go all the way to Tranent or Dalkeith making there own Kirkliston>City Centre Price look very expensive! With regards to the 104 I think they mean business here as despite there being no City Fares to Haddington they will Im assuming apply from Tranent and again the connections available to places like QMU That arnt served by the 108 particularly off peek when no other options are available will I think be popular. I should also think therel be a combined return price along with a daysaver type product making travel on the rest of the network possible. First are not popular in the area and testing the water by effectively duplicating the Musselburgh>Haddington section of the 108 is I think there way of testing the water to see how the punters like it and although it woant be a fast journey from the City Centre it is both direct and helps out other services in terms of timekeeping and overcrouding. Good luck to them I say!

 

[overthewater]

Wonderful, what else can you say.

http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/scotland_east/travel_news/news_initiatives/?item=20441&conf=0

Almost 32,000 households in Falkirk are being urged to consider using the bus more often. Local bus operator, First Bluebird, said today it is sending bespoke bus information leaflets to 31,902 households in the Falkirk Area containing bus travel vouchers worth more than £125k.

Each leaflet contains a travel voucher worth up to £4 and are valid for single tickets on Services 1, 2, 5 or 6/7.

The bus information leaflets also contain specific details about services, timetables, places to visit and details about the �mi Falkirk App which has offers, events and promotions. First also confirmed today that it is a Tier 1 sponsor of the app.

The leaflets will be delivered from next week ahead of the introduction in September to the Falkirk network of nine brand new state of the art environmentally friendly buses worth £1.3m.

The ticket giveaway, the largest ever undertaken by First Bluebird, is designed to encourage new passengers to take the bus and infrequent bus users to jump on board more often.

Managing Director of First Bluebird, Paul McGowan, explained that the initiative will also reward the companys loyal customers. He said: "Were confident that our ticket giveaway will be welcomed by Falkirk households. Its great news for our regular customers who can travel with First for less. And we expect the initiative to attract more people on to the bus network " we hope that once people realise how frequent, reliable and convenient our services are, theyll make more journeys by bus.'

He continued: "Our promotion complements the arrival of our nine new buses in September and reflects our commitment to improve services and attract more customers.'

First has invested more than £1.3m in nine Micro-Hybrid vehicles, one of the worlds most fuel efficient buses, which come equipped with leather seats, free wifi for customers and extra room for wheelchairs and passengers with buggies. The new vehicles will hit the streets in September and First will reveal which route (or routes) the new buses are to operate on later in the Summer.

 

[GaryMcEwan]

Whoever getting 33848 after the Games, won't be getting it anytime soon. It crashed this morning at Hampden into a security barrier and in the result completely wrecked the doors and ripped the nearside panel off.

But it managed to drive away, so I'm guessing the door interlock system is able to be disabled quite easily?

 

[KendalKing]

Whoever getting 33848 after the Games, won't be getting it anytime soon. It crashed this morning at Hampden into a security barrier and in the result completely wrecked the doors and ripped the nearside panel off.

But it managed to drive away, so I'm guessing the door interlock system is able to be disabled quite easily?

That bus, is for Rusholme depot.

 

[mbonwick]

Whoever getting 33848 after the Games, won't be getting it anytime soon. It crashed this morning at Hampden into a security barrier and in the result completely wrecked the doors and ripped the nearside panel off.

But it managed to drive away, so I'm guessing the door interlock system is able to be disabled quite easily?

Doesn't sound like that much damage tbh, easily repaired.

Door interlocks are not a standard feature, not sure if First specify them or not.

 

[GaryMcEwan]

Doesn't sound like that much damage tbh, easily repaired.

Door interlocks are not a standard feature, not sure if First specify them or not.

All the new E400's that First are using seem to have it, and I think the Streetlites and E300's have it to as they refuse to move unless the doors are closed.

 

[Strathclyder]

I don't think I've ever seen a '57 plate Eclipse Gemini on the 60 (Easterhouse-Clydebank) before:

Spotted last Tuesday (July 29th) at the Turning Circle near the Clydebank ASDA. I assume this had something to do with the Commonwealth Games.

 

[GaryMcEwan]

I don't think I've ever seen a '57 plate Eclipse Gemini on the 60 (Easterhouse-Clydebank) before:

Spotted last Tuesday (July 29th) at the Turning Circle near the Clydebank ASDA. I assume this had something to do with the Commonwealth Games.

They are popping up everywhere at the minute. They've also been on the 7, 18, 61 and a few other routes as well.

We even had 09 plated Gemini's appear on the 18 during the day even though it's Blantyre that does the majority of that run so I'm assuming it's because of the Games as First well using some Larkfield motors throughout the duration of the Games for shuttles...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Just to add to this, there have been a couple of Blantyre Eclipse's popping up on the 9/9A, one of 04 plated ex Hutchinson lot and an ex Somerset and Avon one, never caught the numbers though.

Also Blantyre have been loaning motors to Scotstoun, seen them pop up on the 3, 6A and X8. I'm presuming this is because Scotstoun had E300's in use for Games purposes...

 

[Mouse1964]

I am really saddened to hear this news. I think First Bus operates a superb service in my town, Bolton. Reconsider for God's sake and your customers.