First Greater Glasgow

[GusB]

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[PaulMc7]

If First do go down the road of upgrading the likes of the 1s even more than just the new branding I think it would work out quite well given that the E300s could work on plenty of the routes in Glasgow and provide a decent level of capacity.

I don't think it will be the route they go down though. I think some routes with older vehicles will be the likely place for new vehicles. However, I believe it's anyone's guess currently which routes that would be. The likes of the 6/6A, 7/7A, 57/57A and 60/60A could be pretty interesting but I imagine the likes of the 87/88/89 routes getting new vehicles instead of seeing buses from other branded routes is also a potential avenue.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

More likely that the 1, 2 and 3 which are the gold standard in First services. From a point of view of income will get the new vehicles and the 8 year old E300 and even older B9s will be cascaded to other not so deserving services.

Exactly this. This is normally how it works. Usually the routes which see a higher turn over tend to get newer stock. It would allow the E300s which are now around 8/9 years old to be cascaded around the network and oust the Euro 3 buses.

 

[smtglasgow]

More likely that the 1, 2 and 3 which are the gold standard in First services. From a point of view of income will get the new vehicles and the 8 year old E300 and even older B9s will be cascaded to other not so deserving services.

I doubt this is the case. First have tweeted that all the buses are going to Caledonia. So that rules out the 1. With the 9 already down to go from Scotstoun to Cally, its unlikely that the 3 would also transfer, so it can probably be ruled out. No idea what proportion of the 2 runs out of Cally, but I think the allocation is skewed towards Scotstoun, so again, that would mean moving more buses into Cally. Maybe that’ll happen – you could move something the other way, obviously. I’d love to see double-deckers on the 2, but I suspect it will have to wait until another funding round when Scotstoun gets fitted out for charging.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

They’re limiting the amount of routes that could benefit from electric buses by having the charging ports only at Caledonia. I hope they move quite quickly with them into the rest of the depots soon enough.

There was talk of the 9/9A going to Caledonia in exchange for the 2. Perhaps the 2 is too long a route for electrical buses. Do we know roughly what their range is before needing charged?

 

[smtglasgow]

Perhaps the 2 is too long a route for electrical buses. Do we know roughly what their range is before needing charged?

I was wondering the same about the 1. Glasgow to Balloch is about 20 miles and the buses are going up and down all day. I know next to nothing about this, but it seems quite demanding for the current technology?? Is this the sort of route that would need another solution?

 

[route101]

LT02NWC is still out. Seen this bus running on the 4A.

 

[Jordan Adam]

LT02NWC is still out. Seen this bus running on the 4A.

I dont think there was any doubt about it still being in service? Its out practically every day except for routine maintenance.

 

[PaulMc7]

LT02NWC is still out. Seen this bus running on the 4A.

I was having a look on Bustimes.org just there. Been used on quite a range of services recently. It has even been used on the 2 on the 9th of March and also made an appearance on the 90 too in amongst everything.

 

[DunsBus]

The Glasgow heritage trio is now a duo. 32657, the Strathclyde Gemini, is no more after being gutted by fire last night.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Hearing that 32657, the Strathclyde Gemini, is no more after being gutted by fire last night.

Apparently 33981 has also been damaged in the fire at Caledonia.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

The Glasgow heritage trio is now a duo. 32657, the Strathclyde Gemini, is no more after being gutted by fire last night.

Whoa shocker! Do we know where this happened?

 

[lastbus]

Whoa shocker! Do we know where this happened?

In the depot. 33981 is also gone.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

In the depot 33981 also gone.

First seem to be plagued with fires recently and sadly most of it has been new stock!

I’m sure given its age 33981 will be repaired while 32657 may not be so lucky!

 

[DunsBus]

First seem to be plagued with fires recently and sadly most of it has been new stock!

I’m sure given its age 33981 will be repaired while 32657 may not be so lucky!

From the photo I've seen, 32657 definitely won't be back. There's nothing of it left other than the lower deck front and side panels, together with part of the rear.

33981 is badly damaged on its nearside so I'd say that the chances of it being repaired are 50:50.

 

[ScotRail158725]

From the photo I've seen, 32657 definitely won't be back. There's nothing of it left other than the lower deck front and side panels, together with part of the rear.

33981 is badly damaged on its nearside so I'd say that the chances of it being repaired are 50:50.

33981 has a lot of interior damage on the inside and thats only visible from the 2 pictures about. its probably worse than it looks and at 6 years old possible too much to repair

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

From the photo I've seen, 32657 definitely won't be back. There's nothing of it left other than the lower deck front and side panels, together with part of the rear.

33981 is badly damaged on its nearside so I'd say that the chances of it being repaired are 50:50.

Obviously, you can only gauge so much from a few photos. 34368 had quite a bit of damage but a fair bit was in the upper saloon where there is less damage to running units and electricals. 33981 looks like it has a lot more damage to the lower deck so more damage to those units and the inherent body structure.

 

[cnjb8]

33981 has a lot of interior damage on the inside and thats only visible from the 2 pictures about. its probably worse than it looks and at 6 years old possible too much to repair

The E400MMC is still in production remember, so depending on body damage it's more likely to be repaired then the Gemini

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The E400MMC is still in production remember, so depending on body damage it's more likely to be repaired then the Gemini

I think the poster was suggesting that the value of the vehicle may be less than the cost of repair, rather than anything else. Still being in production helps but, as I said before, we can only gauge so much from a few photos so who knows the true extent of the damage.

Fair to say that the Gemini might be a write off

 

[route101]

Shame to see that bus go. Was a bit of fleet oddity.

I dont think there was any doubt about it still being in service? Its out practically every day except for routine maintenance.

I knew it still in service but always surprised when I do. I always think, is this the last time!

I was having a look on Bustimes.org just there. Been used on quite a range of services recently. It has even been used on the 2 on the 9th of March and also made an appearance on the 90 too in amongst everything.

90 is a Scotstoun route so not sure why its on 90.

 

[cnjb8]

I think the poster was suggesting that the value of the vehicle may be less than the cost of repair, rather than anything else. Still being in production helps but, as I said before, we can only gauge so much from a few photos so who knows the true extent of the damage.

Fair to say that the Gemini might be a write off

To be fair, I can't find photos of them in Flickr

 

[Scotrail314209]

I wonder if First will paint another vehicle into the Strathclyde Red livery to make up for the one that they lost. Quite a sad loss actually as it was my personal favourite of the three. I think an MMC would look good in the livery.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

I wonder if First will paint another vehicle into the Strathclyde Red livery to make up for the one that they lost. Quite a sad loss actually as it was my personal favourite of the three. I think an MMC would look good in the livery.

Yes the Strathclyde Red was definitely very striking and well thought out having it on a bus with more rounded windows. It added to the vintage sort of look.

It would be nice if the E400MMC that was also damaged could be repaired and painted into the Strathclyde Red livery. Although that may be a while/if ever.

 

[DunsBus]

Yes the Strathclyde Red was definitely very striking and well thought out having it on a bus with more rounded windows. It added to the vintage sort of look.

It would be nice if the E400MMC that was also damaged could be repaired and painted into the Strathclyde Red livery. Although that may be a while/if ever.

Remember that 32657's repaint into Strathclyde's Buses livery was in connection with the 125th anniversary of public transport in Glasgow. Yes, a shame at what's happened to it, but I doubt that another bus will be painted in its place. The bus has gone, so too has the livery.

 

[awsnews]

I wonder if First will paint another vehicle into the Strathclyde Red livery to make up for the one that they lost. Quite a sad loss actually as it was my personal favourite of the three. I think an MMC would look good in the livery.

Given the recent noises from SPT with their vision of the future I suspect First might want to avoid further comparisons with the Strathclyde('s) Buses identity at this time.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Remember that 32657's repaint into Strathclyde's Buses livery was in connection with the 125th anniversary of public transport in Glasgow. Yes, a shame at what's happened to it, but I doubt that another bus will be painted in its place. The bus has gone, so too has the livery.

I tend to agree with you. It had two years running around and, to be honest, I wouldn't be surprised to see the others get repainted in the not too distant.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

The other 2 heritage buses get a tidy up frequently enough, 37751 has just had it's wheels repainted recently so I wouldn't completely rule out another candidate bus to be repainted into Strathclyde Red.

 

[ScotRail158725]

The other 2 heritage buses get a tidy up frequently enough, 37751 has just had it's wheels repainted recently so I wouldn't completely rule out another candidate bus to be repainted into Strathclyde Red.

37751 had a touch up along all the skirt panels after a bump

 

[lastbus]

37751 had a touch up along all the skirt panels after a bump

It has been upgraded to Euro 6 as well.

 

[Graham Alexand]

From the photo I've seen, 32657 definitely won't be back. There's nothing of it left other than the lower deck front and side panels, together with part of the rear.

33981 is badly damaged on its nearside so I'd say that the chances of it being repaired are 50:50.

Where could I find the photo?