First Midland Bluebird

[Bus Lightyear]

Should this particular thread be retitled First Midland Bluebird and West Lothian? I see a lot of posts regarding First's West Lothian/Edinburgh operation (like the previous post from Jordan) despite the thread being titled First Midland Bluebird Survival (what's that all about? ). There's also numerous posts relating to First West Lothian and Edinburgh on the Lothian Country West Lothian thread.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Should this particular thread be retitled First Midland Bluebird and West Lothian? I see a lot of posts regarding First's West Lothian/Edinburgh operation (like the previous post from Jordan) despite the thread being titled First Midland Bluebird Survival (what's that all about? ). There's also numerous posts relating to First West Lothian and Edinburgh on the Lothian Country West Lothian thread.

"First Scotland East" would be a better name given that FSE is the collective name for both operations and they're no longer selling off bits to any random Tom, Dick and Harry

 

[Gingerbus1991]

The use of the word "survival" implicates that the company may be in trouble of some kind and its only a matter of time before going bust, why not simply First Scotland East & Midland Bluebird?

 

[Jordan Adam]

The use of the word "survival" implicates that the company may be in trouble of some kind and its only a matter of time before going bust, why not simply First Scotland East & Midland Bluebird?

A quick check will show you the thread is 3 years old and created in the time when First were selling off the East Lothian business....

 

[Gingerbus1991]

Yeah, A name change may be appropriate.

 

[Bus Lightyear]

The use of the word "survival" implicates that the company may be in trouble of some kind and its only a matter of time before going bust, why not simply First Scotland East & Midland Bluebird?

I would say the word survival is applicable to the whole of FirstGroup, not just individual parts.

 

[Bus Lightyear]

A quick check will show you the thread is 3 years old and created in the time when First were selling off the East Lothian business....

I'm I right in saying that wasn't part of First Midland Bluebird? It was on the First Scotland East O/L.

 

[In Focus]

I would say the word survival is applicable to the whole of FirstGroup, not just individual parts.

The Word "survival" is applicable to a large majority if business in this day and age as one walk down any local High Street will show .

 

[Jordan Adam]

I'm I right in saying that wasn't part of First Midland Bluebird? It was on the First Scotland East O/L.

Snap! Yes you're right.

 

[overthewater]

What is the actully problem? Also this thread has changed to reflect the revised area.

 

[Bus Lightyear]

The Word "survival" is applicable to a large majority if business in this day and age as one walk down any local High Street will show .

That is indeed true however FirstGroup's financial problems have been evident for almost a decade hence why some parts of the group have been offloaded or relinquished and the current apparent uncertainty at Greater Manchester.

 

[Bus Lightyear]

What is the actully problem? Also this thread has changed to reflect the revised area.

The issue I have there seems to be a lot of talk on this thread of First's operations in Edinburgh and the Lothians so in what way does that relate to the survival of First Midland Bluebird? If I'm not mistaken FMB only run in the Central region ie Stirling and Falkirk with just a handful of long distance routes to Glasgow and Edinburgh. There's also a lot of discussion of First's operation on the Lothian Country thread.

 

[Surreyman]

The use of the word "survival" implicates that the company may be in trouble of some kind and its only a matter of time before going bust, why not simply First Scotland East & Midland Bluebird?

The Midland Bluebird part has made an operating loss for at least 2 years, plus Livingstone is under theat from Lothian, I would have thought 'Survival' is completely relevant, very likely to be one of the operating companies that could be considered for disposal or 'Right Sizing"

 

[Gingerbus1991]

Create a space for passengers items then plop a pick me up box in it, smarts..

 

[CM]

Create a space for passengers items then plop a pick me up box in it, smarts..

Even though that luggage rack looks about as much use as a chocolate teapot to begin with. Having a Metro newspaper box in it probably won't make even the tinyest difference.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Even though that luggage rack looks about as much use as a chocolate teapot to begin with. Having a Metro newspaper box in it probably won't make even the tinyest difference.

IIRC part of the reason the Metro boxes have been kept, albeit it would help if they bothered to remove the sticker.

 

[Gingerbus1991]

Even though that luggage rack looks about as much use as a chocolate teapot to begin with. Having a Metro newspaper box in it probably won't make even the tinyest difference.

Thats like saying "we will create a dedicated wheelchair bay but we'll put bars in front of it so no one can use it".

 

[CM]

Thats like saying "we will create a dedicated wheelchair bay but we'll put bars in front of it so no one can use it".

Err, aye.... If that luggage rack didn't have the Metro tray in it it probably wouldn't be able to hold anything at all and that's the whole point of a luggage rack, to hold things.....

 

[overthewater]

Council cuts are bigger...

06.38 and 07.48 Tamfourhill journeys are gone
21.05, 22.05, 23.05 Journeys to Tamfourhill are also gone

It looks like 8A on a sundays is gone as well..

 

[Observer]

Yes, that is what I said when the cancellations went in, always cuts, never improvements.

 

[overthewater]

You would think part of the 8 would have been kept on a sunday.

 

[Bluebirdscot66]

Got a timetable today .no 8 s at all on a Sunday

 

[In Focus]

All First Scotland East services offering 2 kids between 5 and 15 free travel with every adult day ticket purchased again between June 28 and August 20.
A good offer for families during the summer holidays .

 

[route101]

Glasgow to Stirling /Falkirk fares , i take it these are quite expensive fares

 

[GaryMcEwan]

Glasgow to Stirling /Falkirk fares , i take it these are quite expensive fares

Wel it used to be £4 a single from Cumbernauld to Glasgow on the X37 and £5 a single on the old X39.

I dread to think what they are now...

 

[overthewater]

Just to say a 3 zone ticket will cover this for only: £11.50. Travel around Falkirk and Glasgow included. However Stagecoach express give yous £9.40 return and weekly for £25.80.

In another news Falkirk council has become like most other English councils and has started to destroy its bus network.
https://www.firstgroup.com/south-ea...d-service-updates/planned-changes/changes-f16

 

[Bluebirdscot66]

It’s not all that different .you can try to bring up the x37&x36 fare on a journey planner on traveline ( mobile app),( I’m probably not doing it right at the moment.)
Returns are just day returns and not open anymore so often it will be cheaper to do a day ticket .

 

[Observer]

In another news Falkirk council has become like most other English councils and has started to destroy its bus network.
https://www.firstgroup.com/south-ea...d-service-updates/planned-changes/changes-f16

This has been known for months. And the 7 / 8 had its Sunday service removed too.

 

[overthewater]

Its not like it been shouted at the roof tops.

 

[Observer]

65749 has been destroyed in a fire.