First Group: General Discussion

[TheGrandWazoo]

cheers I will add this to the list:

First Glasgow
24 x Enviro400
22 x Enviro200
21 x StreetLites

First Bristol
25 x e400 MMC for Lawrence Hill
14 x StreetDeck for Hengrove

First Somerset and Avon
11 x Streetlite Max for Wells

South Wales
6x Streetlite

Berkshire
?? x Streetlite

Cymru should be 38 Streetlites - the numbers quoted are just the first 7

 

[JamesGoldsmith]

cheers I will add this to the list:

First Glasgow
24 x Enviro400
22 x Enviro200
21 x StreetLites

First Bristol
25 x e400 MMC for Lawrence Hill
14 x StreetDeck for Hengrove

First Somerset and Avon
11 x Streetlite Max for Wells

South Wales
6x Streetlite

Berkshire
?? x Streetlite

7 streetlites also due for First Essex's Hadleigh depot, 47643-9, with 47649 having already arrived

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

New Streetlites are currently being delivered to Berkshire (47666), and South Wales (47630-47636).

47664 pictured on delivery to Cymru.
http://flic.kr/p/s1FKAF

 

[KendalKing]

7 streetlites also due for First Essex's Hadleigh depot, 47643-9, with 47649 having already arrived

Really, I have already seen 47649, 47650, 47651 & 47653 on delivery to Essex.

New Streetlites are currently being delivered to Berkshire (47666), and South Wales (47630-47636).

Up date: 47665-47667 currently in delivery for Berkshire, 47631-47642, 47661-47664 currently in delivery for South Wales/Cymru.

 

[F Great Eastern]

Two day strike on Dublin Bus AND Bus Eireann on 1st and 2nd May.

Aircoach should see some big increase because of this, will be the only operators between Dublin and the Airport, as well as the only operator with a proper service on Dublin to Cork and Dublin to Belfast.

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...=2bb24506eda649d57d07257cbb9877af&oe=55DA523D

 

[overthewater]

I've been told the announcement is coming.....soon....

 

[F Great Eastern]

Hotting up in Ireland now:
http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/0430/697955-bus-strike-action/

Talk of an all out strike by Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann staff for as long as it takes this evening.

 

[berneyarms]

Two day strike on Dublin Bus AND Bus Eireann on 1st and 2nd May.

Aircoach should see some big increase because of this, will be the only operators between Dublin and the Airport, as well as the only operator with a proper service on Dublin to Cork and Dublin to Belfast.
https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...=2bb24506eda649d57d07257cbb9877af&oe=55DA523D

Not true. Translink Ulsterbus services will still operate between Dublin and Belfast, and GoBE will operate between Dublin and Cork.

 

[F Great Eastern]

I wouldn't call the Translink stopping services a proper service since there was big gaps between services due to the fact the BE side of that service wasn't running.

Since from Dublin there were services at:
03:00, 05:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 18:00, 19:00, 20:00 and 22:00.

And Belfast at:
06:00, 07:00, 08:00, 09:00, 10:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00 and 23:00.

GoBe did run, I forgot to add them, but they're only really six services a day apart from Friday and Sunday and even the 3 extra services on them don't serve the airport.

 

[berneyarms]

I wouldn't call the Translink stopping services a proper service since there was big gaps between services due to the fact the BE side of that service wasn't running.

Since from Dublin there were services at:
03:00, 05:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 18:00, 19:00, 20:00 and 22:00.

And Belfast at:
06:00, 07:00, 08:00, 09:00, 10:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00 and 23:00.

GoBe did run, I forgot to add them, but they're only really six services a day apart from Friday and Sunday and even the 3 extra services on them don't serve the airport.

Your post implied that none of the services would be operating. That's what I was correcting.

Nor has there been any suggestion of an all out strike by union officials at this point.

 

[WatcherZero]

Still waiting on how many they are going to order for the Leigh Guided Busway, though they have been consulting on the interior colours during April (consultation seems to have ended as no longer linked on their webpage). As well as whether to have train style tables upstairs alongside the USB chargers and electrical sockets for laptops/phones.

 

[overthewater]

It seems First Scotland East are getting brand new single decker buses, for Falkirk area. No further details as yet ( it seems the cat was let out the bag after someone was trying to get a Bluebird bus rally and First suggested making a day of it with the new buses)

 

[overthewater]

I don't think we are going to get a fleet list or the new fleet order for this year. I just wonder why no announcement has been made?

 

[anthony263]

Dennis darts 42569 and 42620 have been officially withdrawn today much to everyones surprise including my own.

urgent emails & phone calls have been done as I am very keen to get my hands on 569 for preservation before it ends up like 580

 

[Stan Drews]

I don't think we are going to get a fleet list or the new fleet order for this year. I just wonder why no announcement has been made?

Well, according to overthewater "the announcement is coming.....soon...."

or have you changed your mind now?

 

[overthewater]

Well, according to overthewater "the announcement is coming.....soon...."

or have you changed your mind now?

I haven't but it seems First has I emailed First head office back in April and said reply was " announcement is coming soon" were now a month down the line.......

* I ask a week before I posted the post.

 

[Strathclyder]

Due to a shortage of buses at Caledonia Depot, a T-reg Dennis Trident (32840) has been reinstated after nearly 3 years out of service. Captured it on the 5 (St. Enoch - Castlemilk) earlier today:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/129464815@N05/18203723685/

 

[overthewater]

Any news on the new fleet order?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Due to a shortage of buses at Caledonia Depot, a T-reg Dennis Trident (32840) has been reinstated. Captured it on the 5 (St. Enoch - Castlemilk) earlier today:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/129464815@N05/18203723685/

Nice World Cup themed advert there - appropriate with all the FIFA related news over the last 2 days

 

[GaryMcEwan]

Due to a shortage of buses at Caledonia Depot, a T-reg Dennis Trident (32840) has been reinstated. Captured it on the 5 (St. Enoch - Castlemilk) earlier today:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/129464815@N05/18203723685/

I actually thought most the T Reg batch had all been transferred to FSE. What has Caledonia lost apart from the B9's that have went to Dumbarton for them to be short?

 

[overthewater]

I actually thought most the T Reg batch had all been transferred to FSE. What has Caledonia lost apart from the B9's that have went to Dumbarton for them to be short?

Its more to do with the increase frequency with the recent service changes ie No34A and 77

 

[GaryMcEwan]

Its more to do with the increase frequency with the recent service changes ie No34A and 77

Caledonia doesn't run the 77, not to sure about the 34/A though but and the E300s that are now on the 77 are Scotstoun based.

Where have the B7TL's that were originally on the old 747 gone?

 

[alexf380]

News coming through that FSE's Musselburgh based trident 33140 LT02ZFM has burst into flames. Don't have any pictures to hand at the moment but all on board are safe and sound.

 

[Volvodart]

The wait is over. The Herald details today that ADL has a £21 million contract to build 117 buses for First, 75 for Glasgow, 31 for First Scotland East and 7 for Aberdeen. All Euro 6 a mixture of doubles, singles and midis.
No details of where other part of £77.7 million order for 385 buses apart from 2 virtual electric buses for Bristol. Wrightbus will build 248 buses including 20 Volvo double deckers.

I should add that it is not specifically clear that all the ADL buses are for Scotland.

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&s...NaxHQqjGvAjZINf_w&sig2=UpPclKhJKfQ05jZqJSGleQ

Alexander Dennis wins big FirstGroup order

Scott Wright
Group business correspondent
Friday 29 May 2015
ALEXANDER Dennis has won a £21 million contract from FirstGroup to build 117 buses as the Aberdeen-based company boosts its fleet in Scotland.

The deal, which underpins Falkirk-based ADL's long-standing relationship with the transport giant, is part of a £77.7 million order placed by FirstGroup for 385 new buses.

ADL is building a mixture of double deckers, single deckers and midis, each fitted with ultra-clean Euro 6 engines.

The deal will help support 2000 ADL jobs around the UK and twice that number in its supply chain.

First Group, which said the new buses will enter service from this summer, will deploy the vehicles across its three operations in Scotland. First Glasgow will take 75, First Scotland East will receive 31, and First Aberdeen will use 7 of the new buses.

Five double-decker buses, all fitted with flywheel technology originating from Formula 1, are scheduled to operate in Stirling.

ADL chief executive Colin Robertson said: "We are delighted to have won this very significant order and to be continuing our long-established and thriving relationship with FirstGroup.

"This latest order is a huge endorsement of our new-generation, market-leading midi and double deck buses and a further demonstration of FirstGroup's commitment to the green technologies of tomorrow.

"In addition, it should not be forgotten that orders like this support 2,000 ADL jobs in the UK and thousands more in our extensive supplier network."

Northern Ireland-based Wrightbus company will manufacture 248 of the 385 new buses ordered by FirstGroup.

Volvo will build for FirstGroup 20 double-decker chassis in Sweden, with the bodies manufactured by Wrightbus. The investment also includes two "virtual electric" or part-hybrid, part-electric buses, which will enter service in Bristol from December.

All of the vehicles are due to come into service in FirstGroup's current financial year, all equipped with wi-fi and leather seats.

Dave Alexander, regional managing director of First in Scotland, said: "Our strong level of investment in over 100 new vehicles for Scotland is great news for our customers and underlines our continuing determination to provide ever better bus services in our area and encourage more people to travel by bus. These new vehicles will be among the best and most eco-friendly in the country.

"Passengers can enjoy pleasant, more comfortable journeys and keep connected on the move with our free wi-fi, while we support the efforts of our local authority partners to improve air quality for all."

The First Group deal comes shortly after Stagecoach awarded a contract to ADL to supply 70 per cent of an order for 470 new vehicles. That £80m investment was hailed as a vote of confidence in Scottish manufacturing.

Newspaper speculation this month suggested Stagecoach co-founder Sir Brian Souter was considering selling his majority stake in ADL.

It was reported that the sale of the 55 per cent stake - held by Sir Brian and sister Ann Gloag through Highland Global Transport - could fetch £300m.

In recent months ADL has landed major contracts from GKN and Metrolinx of Canada, as well as Stagecoach.

The most recent accounts for ADL at Companies House show that the business returned to the black in 2014 when it made a £13.2m pre-tax profit, compared with a loss of £1.2m in the preceding year. And it said its current year had begun brightly, with 450 buses sold in the UK in the first four months - around twice as many as in the same period last year.

http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/latest_news/?id=012621

FirstGroup announces £77.7 investment in 385 new buses

Friday 29 May 2015


FirstGroup, the leading transport operator in the UK and North America, today announced that its bus division has ordered 385 new vehicles worth £77.7m* for delivery in the current financial year.


First Bus’ order underlines its commitment to provide high quality bus services for its customers and stakeholder partners and reflects increasing passenger and revenue growth across its operations. It brings the company’s investment to nearly £385m over five years, enabling the replacement of some 2,200 vehicles, around a third of its fleet.


The new vehicles, which feature a mixture of double deckers, single deckers, and midis, will all come fitted with leather seats, CCTV and Wi-Fi providing customers with free internet access. In addition to the dedicated space for wheelchair users, FirstGroup will also provide extra space for pushchairs and trial the installation of USB charging points on some vehicles.


Of the 385 vehicle order, more than 90% (355) of the new buses will be fitted with Euro 6 engines, the biggest investment (£73m) in Euro 6 buses in the UK to date. Test results show that running eight Euro 6 buses produces the same amount of certain exhaust emissions, including Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) and Particulate Matter (PM), as running one bus with a Euro 5 engine**. With the majority of its businesses across the UK set to benefit from the introduction of Euro 6 buses, there will be a positive impact on air quality in town and city centres.


Some 99% of the 385 vehicles in the First Bus order are Department for Transport ‘low carbon certified’, making them amongst the most fuel efficient buses on the market. Adding these to the 273 low carbon certified Wrightbus StreetLites purchased in 2014, First Bus will shortly be saving an estimated 9,500 tonnes of CO2 per year. The 2015/16 investment will bring the company’s fleet of low carbon certified vehicles to more than 750, thought to be the largest in the UK.


The order is a big boost to British manufacturing supporting hundreds of UK jobs. Ballymena based Wrightbus will manufacture 248 vehicles. Falkirk’s ADL has secured an order for 117 vehicles, while Volvo has won a contract to build 20 double decker chassis in Sweden, with the bodies manufactured by Wrightbus.


Giles Fearnley, Managing Director of First Bus, said: “This is great news for First Bus customers across the UK. In five years we’ve invested around £385m in new vehicles. Our £77.7m investment this year underlines our continuing determination to provide ever better bus services for our customers and reflects the increasing passenger numbers that we are seeing across First Bus.


“I’m delighted the overwhelming majority of our new vehicles will be fitted with Euro 6 engines. The advances in engineering are remarkable and our investment represents one of the most environmentally friendly bus orders ever placed. I’m proud that our Euro 6 order is the largest on record in the UK so far and will support efforts from our local authority partners to improve air quality in towns and cities across the UK.”


Wrights Group Chairman and CEO, Mark Nodder, said: “We are delighted to continue our successful partnership with FirstGroup, and look forward to delivering more vehicles which are best in class for fuel efficiency and low emissions. This is the largest order taken by Wrightbus for Euro 6 buses, a strong endorsement of the new technology and innovative design.”


Colin Robertson, Chief Executive of Alexander Dennis Limited, said: “We are delighted to have won this very significant order and to be continuing our long-established and thriving relationship with FirstGroup. This latest order is a huge endorsement of our new-generation, market-leading midi and double deck buses and a further demonstration of FirstGroup’s commitment to the green technologies of tomorrow. In addition, it should not be forgotten that orders like this support 2,000 ADL jobs in the UK and thousands more in our extensive supplier network.”


Phil Owen, Commercial sales Director at Volvo Bus said: “We have worked closely with First Bus for many years and welcome their uptake of Euro 6 Hybrid vehicles. Euro 6 can make a real difference on air quality in Britain’s towns and cities, while our hybrid technology delivers significant greenhouse gas savings. We are proud to continue our relationship with First.”


Amongst the First Bus order are:
· Two ‘virtual electric’ (part hybrid, part electric) buses, which will enter service in Bristol from December as part of FirstGroup’s support of Bristol Green Capital.
· Five double deck buses, scheduled to operate in Stirling, will be fitted with flywheel technology originating from Formula 1. The technology is designed to recapture energy that would otherwise be lost during braking so it can later be used to help accelerate the bus and save fuel.


Full details of the First Bus order: Manufacturer Model Quantity
Volvo B5LH 20
Wrightbus StreetDeck 65
Wrightbus StreetLite 183
ADL Enviro 200 MMC 63
ADL Enviro 400 MMC 47
ADL Enviro 400 MMC GK 5
ADL Enviro 400 MMC Virtual Electric 2


*Green Bus Funding
First Bus’ £77.7m order includes around £3m worth of funding from the Scottish Government’s Green Bus Fund, Bristol City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester and the DfT.


**Of the 385 vehicle order, 30 buses will feature Euro 5 engines and 355 will feature Euro 6 engines. Tests by First Bus’ manufacturing partners Wrightbus compared emissions from buses with a Euro 6 engine against buses with a Euro 5 engine. The results showed:
· a 99% reduction in Carbon Monoxide (CO) emissions
· an 87% reduction in Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) emissions
· and 87% reduction in Particulate Matter (PM) emissions.

 

[WatcherZero]

Well the press release does mention that £3m of the £77.7m bus order is funding from Scottish Green Bus Fund, Bristol Council, TfGM and Dft.

Volvo B5LH 20
Wrightbus StreetDeck: 65
Wrightbus StreetLite: 183
ADL Enviro 200 MMC: 63
ADL Enviro 400 MMC: 47
ADL Enviro 400 MMC GK: 5
ADL Enviro 400 MMC Virtual Electric: 2

The Virtual Electric (hybrids) are for Bristol and the GK which uses flywheel energy storage are for Stirling. Basically means all the ADL ones are destined for Scotland bar the 2 for Bristol plus one other. The Volvo and Wrightbus will be for England. Wouldn't be surprised if the 20 Volvo are for Leigh Guided Busway.


The press release plays it up like its a huge investment, but it also says they have invested £385m over five years to replace a third of their fleet, so 77m is exactly average of that.

 

[Volvodart]

Does it matter?

 

[THarris123]

Well the press release does mention that £3m of the £77.7m bus order is funding from Scottish Green Bus Fund, Bristol Council, TfGM and Dft.

Volvo B5LH 20
Wrightbus StreetDeck: 65
Wrightbus StreetLite: 183
ADL Enviro 200 MMC: 63
ADL Enviro 400 MMC: 47
ADL Enviro 400 MMC GK: 5
ADL Enviro 400 MMC Virtual Electric: 2

The Virtual Electric (hybrids) are for Bristol and the GK which uses flywheel energy storage are for Stirling. Basically means all the ADL ones are destined for Scotland bar the 2 for Bristol plus one other. The Volvo and Wrightbus will be for England. Wouldn't be surprised if the 20 Volvo are for Leigh Guided Busway.


The press release plays it up like its a huge investment, but it also says they have invested £385m over five years to replace a third of their fleet, so 77m is exactly average of that.

This is interesting, as we were told in Bristol that we'd be getting 25 ADL E400 MMCs. I would assume from the above that we are wrong.

Where are the E200s going? Scotland as well?

 

[83G/84D]

No Optare products in that list, not entirely suprising I suppose but I wonder what will replace some of the older and smaller Solo's?

 

[WatcherZero]

Well the ADL interviewee said £21m order for 117 buses for Scotland while First interviewee said over 100 for Scotland.
Allocations set out already 75 for First Glasgow + First Scotland East 31 (5 GK for Stirling) + First Aberdeen 7 = 113
ADL 63 + 47 +5 (excluding 2 for Bristol) = 115

Could be Bristol receiving some second hand. What happened to the surge in Glasgow for the Commonwealth games (380 dedicated to the contract including 109 new build), are there still a higher concentration or have they finished redistributed all back to other depots?

Western Daily Press

Among the towns and cities getting the new buses are Bradford, Glasgow, Halifax in Yorkshire, Slough in Berkshire, Swansea, Leicester and Southampton.

 

[THarris123]

No Optare products in that list, not entirely suprising I suppose but I wonder what will replace some of the older and smaller Solo's?

I was incredibly shocked about that as well. Nothing from Mercedes (I thought there would be a few Citaros) and Scania either. No coaches on the list. They solely seem to stick to ADL and Wright this year.

I wonder whether some of the Streetlites are going to be the 55*** ones? They could replace some of the midi Darts and solos.

E200s are probably going to replace most solos. The main base for the old solos are Cornwall (as with the rest of the old fleet!) and I'm personally expecting to see some of the Bath and Essex solos go down to Cornwall.