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First Midland Bluebird

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Jordan Adam

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Agree with you on the FSE having a more distinct look.

I’m not overly sold on the vinyl over almost everything
https://flic.kr/p/2fxuUok

Think Bristol do it better
https://flic.kr/p/NpFzS3

Just personal preference. Know what you mean about Aberdeen livery roll out. Guess they’ve had other fish to fry.

Yeah i agree with you regarding the vinyl, i think it would look much better with just the frequency circle, "Free Wifi" logo and perhaps some text above the display with the start/end point of the route.

Aberdeen still have a pair of coaches getting work done at Caledonia, that mixed with them trying to speed through repainting West Lothian vehicles is why Aberdeen has only had the one done. Aberdeen is in quite a unfortunate position regarding fleet appearance, in that around 1/3rd of the fleet is due for repaint this year, to make matters worse most of the E200MMCs and Artics are also in need of repaint. I think given the circumstances they should consider getting an external contractor in NE Scotland to do Aberdeen repaints because even at best Caledonia can only manage 1 bus per week and that simply isn't good enough.
 
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In Focus

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Yeah i agree with you regarding the vinyl, i think it would look much better with just the frequency circle, "Free Wifi" logo and perhaps some text above the display with the start/end point of the route.

Aberdeen still have a pair of coaches getting work done at Caledonia, that mixed with them trying to speed through repainting West Lothian vehicles is why Aberdeen has only had the one done. Aberdeen is in quite a unfortunate position regarding fleet appearance, in that around 1/3rd of the fleet is due for repaint this year, to make matters worse most of the E200MMCs and Artics are also in need of repaint. I think given the circumstances they should consider getting an external contractor in NE Scotland to do Aberdeen repaints because even at best Caledonia can only manage 1 bus per week and that simply isn't good enough.
Think a few from West Lothian were in getting the 600 livery done in prep for May 27th
 

Jordan Adam

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Think a few from West Lothian were in getting the 600 livery done in prep for May 27th

Perhaps it wouldn't have been a bad idea to move the former Glasgow Airport E200MMCs on to the 600. With it going to half hourly allocation 7 E400MMCs to it seems a waste.
 

overthewater

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These changes seem to be more radical than first appeared, however the X86 I believe was infact faster since it was Glasgow - Express - Kirkintilloch - Kilsyth. This x35 will still take 45min Just as fast as th 89 slow bus, what is the point of this change? more like flash in the pan than anything else.

X36 going via Condorrat, you have to wonder why is FSE trying to compete with Stagecoach? Why isn't First Glasgow doing it? What would have made more since would have swapped X35/37 and 36, so 36 goes the slow way and other get the faster routes.
 

Jordan Adam

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These changes seem to be more radical than first appeared, however the X86 I believe was infact faster since it was Glasgow - Express - Kirkintilloch - Kilsyth. This x35 will still take 45min Just as fast as th 89 slow bus, what is the point of this change? more like flash in the pan than anything else.

X36 going via Condorrat, you have to wonder why is FSE trying to compete with Stagecoach? Why isn't First Glasgow doing it? What would have made more since would have swapped X35/37 and 36, so 36 goes the slow way and other get the faster routes.

I hadn't noticed the changes to the route of the X36 until last night, but i agree. The X36/X37 should be Express from the Town Centre on a 15 Minute frequency (Once combined with the X35) with the X3 being increased to Every 20 Minutes becoming the slower bus.
 

overthewater

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  • PM0000003/674 Registered
    MIDLAND BLUEBIRD LTD
    Route: Camelon, Ochiltree Terrace or Falkirk Wheel to Larbert, Forth Valley Royal Hospital or Cross via Stenhousemuir
    Service number: 6 (7, 6A)
    Service type: Normal Stopping
    Effective date: 10 Jun 2019

  • PM0000003/670 Registered
    MIDLAND BLUEBIRD LTD
    Route: Camelon, Ochiltree Terrace or Falkirk Wheel to Fankerton, Myot View via Stenhousemuir, Forth Valley Hospital, Bonnybridge
    Service number: 8 (8A)
    Service type: Normal Stopping
    Effective date: 10 Jun 2019
 

overthewater

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Falkirk must be the worse council of the lot for local bus network. Mind you it used to waste alot of money aswell.

In other news: Revised 38 timetable is here: https://www.firstgroup.com/uploads/node_images/Service 38 TT 200519.pdf

Also news about X35-7 is here: https://www.firstgroup.com/south-east-and-central-scotland/routes-and-maps/express-services

Personnel I dont think the ideas will work and really the X35 should have went via the M80.

Express Services
Your Express Services
Travel straight to Glasgow on Service X35, X36 and X37.
First Midland are pleased to announce changes to our Express Services to Glasgow.

Andrew Jarvis, Managing Director for First Midland, said: “These improvements provide new direct links to Glasgow from Stirling, Falkirk and Cumbernauld. Customers in these areas will benefit from better route coverage as well as a refurbished fleet with a fresh look, and 4G WIFI. This represents improvements in most areas and the changes to these services are based on customer feedback, so I hope the public get behind these new services to ensure their commercial viability going forward.”

X36.png


X35
A new service connecting Falkirk to Glasgow via Bonnybridge, Dennyloanhead, Haggs, Banknock, Banton, Kilsyth & Croy.

New service which replaces the full length of route 4B between Falkirk and Croy via Bonnybridge, Banknock, Banton and Kilsyth. Buses then extend from Croy to Glasgow via Craiglinn (Main Road), Mollinsburn, Moodiesburn Cross, Muirhead, Crowwood and the M80/M8 Motorways.

Buses run every hour during the day and in the early evenings on Mondays to Saturdays, maintaining the existing frequency currently offered on route 4B, while offering new and direct hourly links with Glasgow City Centre.

The two early morning links between Croy and Cumbernauld Town Centre that service 4B provides on Saturdays will also be maintained by service X35.

X36
Travel from Stirling to Glasgow via Denny, Dennyloanhead, Haggs, Cumbernauld Village & Cumbernauld Town Centre.

Route of Service X36 revised within Cumbernauld to operate via North Carbrain Road (offering better access to the Antonine Shopping Centre, New College Lanarkshire, Tryst Sports Centre and the New Town Hall). As a result, the stops at Cumbernauld Town Centre will no longer be served.

The service is also altered to serve Condorrat (Etive Drive and Main Road) and Mollinsburn. Buses will then run non-stop from Mollins Interchange via the M80/M8 motorways into Glasgow City Centre.

Service X36 will continue to operate every 30 minutes during the day on Mondays to Saturdays, and every 60 minutes during the day on Sundays. The nightly evening service will reduce in frequency from 60 to 90 minutes, however the timetable has been extended to offer later journey opportunities from Glasgow back to Stirling, including a new late-night departure at 2330 from Glasgow on Mondays to Saturdays.

X37
Your link from Falkirk to Glasgow via Bonnybridge, Allandale, Cumbernauld Village & Cumbernauld Town Centre.

The route of service X37 remains unchanged, however the daily frequency will revert back to hourly following insufficient demand to support the cost of running the route on a half-hourly basis.

For passengers located along the sections of route between Falkirk and Bonnybridge, and between Condorrat and Crow Wood, service X35 and X37 will offer a half-hourly service to Falkirk and Glasgow on a combined basis.
 
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Kilsyth folk want a quicker bus to Glasgow and they put it through condorrat mollinsburn and muirhead ....:rolleyes::?:
 

Gingerbus1991

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Going by the timetables the X35 and 89 will both take 44min to Kilsyth Parkfoot.
Some early morning journeys on the 89 will actually be slightly quicker to Glasgow than those on the x35.

A few closed fb groups have had a fair few not wanting a tour of Cumbernauld, the X35 will be serving areas which are already served to glasgow, not a good decision at all.
 
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Jordan Adam

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Going by the timetables the X35 and 89 will both take 44min to Kilsyth Parkfoot.

To be fair, given the distance 44 minutes isn't that bad. While the X35 is a little daft, it is a improved service for Kilsyth so that's something. It's more the changes to the X36 that are odd to me.
 

Blackpudding

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For those interested since the recent timetable changes the following vehicles are now recorded with a 'SORN' (Statutory Off Road Notification)

Volvo B7TL: 30941, 31143, 31146 and 31147 (All Bannockburn?)
Dennis Trident: 33037 (Larbert)
Optare Solo: 50468 (Balfron?)
Scania L94UB: 61225 (Bannockburn)
 

alexf380

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Yes, those B7s are Bannockburn. Just leaves the other sole ALX400 at Larbert. It's either 50460 or 50468 at Balfron, can never remember which one it is though.
 

Blackpudding

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Yes, those B7s are Bannockburn. Just leaves the other sole ALX400 at Larbert. It's either 50460 or 50468 at Balfron, can never remember which one it is though.

Thanks for the confirmation Alex. I had both 50460 and 50468 at Balfron but my list was out of date even before the recent changes. I would expect 30940, the B7TL you mention, 33029 the last Dennis Trident and perhaps some more of the Solo to suffer the same fate or have I got that wrong?
 

alexf380

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I think there's still a couple if Y reg solos going about (50232?) So there might be a wee reshuffle, but I'd expect the Tridents won't last too much longer.
 

Boynewater

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Yes, those B7s are Bannockburn. Just leaves the other sole ALX400 at Larbert. It's either 50460 or 50468 at Balfron, can never remember which one it is though.

Both the optaires have been at Balfron in recent times but since the 916 has gone then there is no need for them at Balfron
 

Blackpudding

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I think there's still a couple if Y reg solos going about (50232?) So there might be a wee reshuffle, but I'd expect the Tridents won't last too much longer.

Both the optaires have been at Balfron in recent times but since the 916 has gone then there is no need for them at Balfron

Thanks for the feedback chaps. 50233 is the one still plodding on - it replaced 50232 at the turn of the year.
 

Jordan Adam

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Full press release for the services changes is now online.

https://www.firstgroup.com/south-ea...-service-updates/west-lothian-network-changes

Service Details of Change
600
Livingston The Centre – Deer Park – Uphall – Broxburn – Winchburgh – Kirkliston – Edinburgh Airport

Now every 30 minutes during the day Monday to Saturday.

New direct route from Whitburn and Blackburn to Livingston.

More links to Edinburgh Airport.

Now serving Ingliston Park & Ride.

  • Frequency increased to every 30 minutes during the day, Monday to Saturday

  • Route extended from Livingston Centre to Whitburn via Kirkton Campus, Seafield and Blackburn Cross
Monday to Saturday daytime frequency between Edinburgh Airport and Livingston Centre improved to operate every 30 minutes, with an additional stop also introduced at Ingliston Park + Ride. Service 600 is also extended beyond Livingston Centre on Mondays to Saturdays to Whitburn (Rigghouse) via Kirkton Campus, Seafield, Blackburn Cross and Whitburn Cross.

These improvements will provide Whitburn and Blackburn with an improved level of service to Livingston, as well as a direct link to Edinburgh Airport.

It will also introduce a bus service to the Rigghouse area of Whitburn for the first time. The existing hourly service on Sundays between Edinburgh Airport and Livingston Centre will continue.

Services not listed below will continue to operate unchanged.

Service Details of change
21
Whitburn – Armadale – Bathgate – Blackburn – Kirkton Campus – Livingston The Centre

IMPROVED FREQUENCY IN WHITBURN AND ARMADALE

The frequency between Whitburn and Bathgate via Armadale (Asda, Rail Station and Main Street) will be increased to every 30 minutes during the day, Monday to Saturday

22
Harthill – Whitburn – Blackburn – Livingston Village – Livingston The Centre – St John’s Hospital

Revised timetable, daily.

23
Deans – Eliburn – Livingston The Centre – Mid Calder – East Calder – Kirknewton – Edinburgh

Revised timetable, daily.

X23
Broxburn – Uphall – Craigshill – Livingston The Centre – Mid Calder – East Calder – Edinburgh

IMPROVED DAYTIME FREQUENCY – LIVINGSTON TO EDINBURGH

The frequency between Livingston and Edinburgh via Mid Calder and East Calder will be increased to every 30 minutes during the day, Monday to Saturday.

24
Deans – Eliburn – Livingston The Centre – Pumpherston – Uphall – Broxburn – Edinburgh

Revised timetable, daily.

25
Blackridge – Armadale – Bathgate – Deans – Livingston The Centre – Uphall – Broxburn – Edinburgh

IMPROVED SUNDAY DAYTIME FREQUENCY

  • Revised timetable, daily
On Sundays, the daytime frequency will be increased to every 30 minutes.

26/ 26A
Bathgate – Whitburn – Fauldhouse – Bents – Addiewell – West Calder – Livingston The Centre – Howden – St John’s Hospital – Ladywell – Knightsridge – Livingston North – Deans – Bathgate

Revised timetable, daily.

27
St John’s Hospital – Craigshill – Livingston The Centre – Dedridge



Revised timetable, daily.

29
Falkirk – Shieldhill – Avonbridge – Westfield – Armadale – Bathgate – Dechmont – Uphall – Broxburn

Revised timetable, Monday to Saturday.

Changes Effective from 20th May 2019
Service Details of Change
38
Stirling – Bannockburn – Forth Valley Royal Hospital – Larbert – Falkirk – Linlithgow – Winchburgh – Kirkliston – Edinburgh



Revised timetable, daily.

What are the benefits of travelling with us?
  • More buses, simpler routes, simpler frequencies and new links
  • ALL First buses accept contactless payments and mobile ticketing
  • Regular Friday/Saturday Night Services connect West Lothian and Edinburgh
You can download and print timetables directly from our website, and plan your journey online here.

See below for more detailed information on our new services, routes as well as all the timetables, so you can plan your journey in advance.
 

Blackpudding

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Joined
5 Feb 2016
Messages
394
For those interested since the recent timetable changes the following vehicles are now recorded with a 'SORN' (Statutory Off Road Notification)

Volvo B7TL: 30941, 31143, 31146 and 31147 (All Bannockburn?)
Dennis Trident: 33037 (Larbert)
Optare Solo: 50468 (Balfron?)
Scania L94UB: 61225 (Bannockburn)

Add to this list Volvo B7TL 30940 and 32294 (Both Larbert)
 
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