First Group: General Discussion

[Whiteway215]

It seems First are trying to interact with customers again. I got an email:



You can also take the Survey here: https://survey.euro.confirmit.com/wix/0/p1857163210.aspx

PLEASE do say if you get accepted, i never got in.

No I didn't get in either. The survey said they already had 'too many with my profile.' So good luck to anyone trying to become a member!

 

[brompton rail]

No I didn't get in either. The survey said they already had 'too many with my profile.' So good luck to anyone trying to become a member!

me too!

 

[GaryMcEwan]

Never got in. Too many people as well have the same profile as me apparently, considering I have not worked in any of the industries they asked and I don't drive and I regularly take the train.

Who are they trying to actually target?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Never got in. Too many people as well have the same profile as me apparently, considering I have not worked in any of the industries they asked and I don't drive and I regularly take the train.

Who are they trying to actually target?

I think that's the point. They are trying not to target anyone but to get a representative sample.

 

[90sWereBetter]

I have taken the liberty of detailing present operations of the above types in the network as a whole below. They are all quite well spread out, to say the least...

• X/Y-reg Tridents - Not too many of these older Tridents left, but the 21 (City Centre - Cathkin/Gardenhall) & 46 (Castlemilk - Easterhouse) are generally your best bets on weekdays, the former in particular. The younger 51/02/53-reg examples are generally spread out across the city network; with the 19/19A, 31, 41, 60/60A & 61 all being the most prominent Trident-operated routes in the city.
  
  
• Marshall Darts - Their numbers have dwindled over the past 24 months or so, but there are still a decent number of these in service; primarily 51-reg examples, with at least 3 X-reg stragglers. Clydebank (on the city's western edge) is their last remaining stronghold, with the M60 & 81 being their main routes. A handful also operate out in Hamilton/Motherwell in Lanarkshire, for how much longer is anyone's guess...
  
  
• B10BLEs - FiG have at least 40 B10BLEs still on the go, with them primarily concentrated on Lanarkshire local services (in Motherwell in particular) & Dumbartonshire. Few still make it into the city centre proper; the 263 to/from Hamilton being the only guaranteed route these days. B7RLEs & E300s have become more common as of late however, so expect anything to pop up there.

Hope this overly detailed post is of at least some use to you lol

Fantastic, thanks for posting this.

 

[Strathclyder]

Fantastic, thanks for posting this.

No worries, man. Happy to be of assistance.

 

[skyhigh]

No I didn't get in either. The survey said they already had 'too many with my profile.' So good luck to anyone trying to become a member!

I managed to get in...

 

[chubs]

I got in too. The website is hilariously bad and very dated.

 

[overthewater]

Thats a shock.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-40232286

Restrictions on bus operator First Bristol, put in place more than 25 years ago, could be removed.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) applied them in 1989, after fears two merged firms, taken over by FirstGroup in 1996, could have too strong a bargaining position with the council.
First Bristol said it welcomed the intention to remove the restrictions.
The CMA said stakeholders had until 30 June to comment.
The restrictions were implemented following the 1989 merger of two local bus companies, Badgerline and Midland Red West.
Excess profit
The Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC) at the time ruled the merger would remove competition for bus services contracted by the former Avon County Council.
Restrictions imposed by the CMA had included a cap on the amount they could receive from the local authority for running a tendered service, and a requirement to return any excess profit from such services.
The CMA review, which started in January, found FirstGroup's "share of tendered bus services in the region has reduced significantly since the MMC report".
A CMA spokesperson said: "The CMA engaged with local stakeholders and no party that we spoke to argued that the undertakings were having a beneficial effect and should be retained."
A First Bristol spokesman said: "First Bristol welcomes the publication of a provisional decision by the Competition and Markets Authority to release the company from undertakings relating to a merger dating back more than 25 years ago.
"Neither the original undertakings themselves nor the consequences of this decision impact the way we continue to invest in bus services in Bristol and the wider West of England region."

 

[Blackpudding]

For reference. Copyright remains with the photographer. For Leicester I believe. The fleet number would suggest a trial vehicle but I am happy to be corrected.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/145244805@N07/35047838132/in/dateposted/

 

[GaryMcEwan]

For reference. Copyright remains with the photographer. For Leicester I believe. The fleet number would suggest a trial vehicle but I am happy to be corrected.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/145244805@N07/35047838132/in/dateposted/

Not a trial. They've already got Streetdecks in the 35xxx fleet numbering system.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

For reference. Copyright remains with the photographer. For Leicester I believe. The fleet number would suggest a trial vehicle but I am happy to be corrected.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/145244805@N07/35047838132/in/dateposted/

Think you may be right - looks like it could be some form of experimental or trial vehicle. 35101/2 were the prototype Streetdecks. 35103+ were the production Streetdecks. Think the B5s are 39***

 

[GaryMcEwan]

Think you may be right - looks like it could be some form of experimental or trial vehicle. 35101/2 were the prototype Streetdecks.

Bradford have got quite a few Streetdecks, so I can't see how they could now be experimental...

39xxx are usually only for the Hybrids. There are loads of Streetdecks in and around Leeds as well.

 

[Robertj21a]

It has some experimental features and will be touring around various First operations, starting in Leicester.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Bradford have got quite a few Streetdecks, so I can't see how they could now be experimental...

More importantly, Leicester have Streetdecks across two batches. Perhaps there is some technical change (transmission? Engine?) that they wish to evaluate against the existing ones?

Wasn't one of the Potteries Streetlites carrying a different powerplant and was evaluated at a few different depots? Think it has an NI registration?

 

[GaryMcEwan]

More importantly, Leicester have Streetdecks across two batches. Perhaps there is some technical change (transmission? Engine?) that they wish to evaluate against the existing ones?

Wasn't one of the Potteries Streetlites carrying a different powerplant and was evaluated at a few different depots? Think it has an NI registration?

Yeah I'm certain it was 63180 (DRZ9713). Wasn't this one of the first ones to have the Euro 6 Daimler engine rather than the normal Mercedes engine?

 

[Robertj21a]

Yeah I'm certain it was 63180 (DRZ9713). Wasn't this one of the first ones to have the Euro 6 Daimler engine rather than the normal Mercedes engine?

63180 has been returned from First Leicester after long term loan. I'm not sure if it is owned by First.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Yeah I'm certain it was 63180 (DRZ9713). Wasn't this one of the first ones to have the Euro 6 Daimler engine rather than the normal Mercedes engine?

Well, judging by what Robert said and the number, may be a similar type arrangement.

 

[overthewater]

So where is this years fleet order?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

So where is this years fleet order?

The only sensible course of action is to write to Tim and Giles demanding it...
Or just wait. As has been said, the Purdah requirement has necessitated the delay in Metrobus in Bristol and that may be the reason for the delay.

It'll be apparent soon enough.

 

[Robertj21a]

So where is this years fleet order?

Fairly soon now.

 

[overthewater]

So is xmas

 

[Robertj21a]

Well, if Xmas comes round before the order is announced then at least you'll know that they're still struggling to decide. If any key staff suddenly resign you'll also get a flavour of things.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

So is xmas

Christmas tends to be on a set day and is welcomed and celebrated by billions across the world.

The First Group bus order is not quite so important though you'd think otherwise by the fevered posts at times

 

[KendalKing]

As has been said, the Purdah requirement has necessitated the delay in Metrobus in Bristol and that may be the reason for the delay.

I believe that one of the reasons......

The First Group bus order is not quite so important though you'd think otherwise by the fevered posts at times

 

[DragonEast]

New bus order? Whoaa . . . surely you've all missed the Really Important News . . . they've appointed a Customer Service Improvement Director. Now that Really Will Make a Difference. Get the make-up bag out. Bus orders are old hat. When we're talking . . . Transformation!!! Though disappointingly you've have thought they could have managed Albus Dumbledore or Lord Voldemort, or even Gandalf, perhaps, but perhaps they're on the way (by First Bus, that'd explain it).

 

[Volvodart]

I do not see this as bad, as it is another acquisition from Stagecoach.

 

[winston270twm]

First Beeline are coming off the Surrey CC supported 555 from Sept:

PH0007007/138 Cancelled
FIRST BEELINE BUSES LTD
Route: Heathrow Terminal 5 to Hersham Green via Sunbury, Shepperton, Walton
Service number: 555
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 02 Sep 2017

 

[overthewater]

First Beeline are coming off the Surrey CC supported 555 from Sept:

PH0007007/138 Cancelled
FIRST BEELINE BUSES LTD
Route: Heathrow Terminal 5 to Hersham Green via Sunbury, Shepperton, Walton
Service number: 555
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 02 Sep 2017

or maybe its getting retendard and there just making sure. There could win but its slightly different

 

[winston270twm]

or maybe its getting retendard and there just making sure. There could win but its slightly different

The 555 wasn't on the list of SCC tenders, however, Hallmark Connections (Rotala) have won the 557 which is said to be extended to Heathrow Central, therefore, that may be replacing part of the 555 (i.e. Sunbury - Heathrow) section from Sept ?