First Greater Glasgow

[route101]

The new airport buses must be due out soon at some point.

I took the 500 on Saturday, very quick trip early in the morning out to the airport. Always find it interesting when someone sits backwards in the bay of 4 seats upstairs when its quiet, only ever seen that on the 500 bus or on trains.

 

[Dfatcontroller]

I found some pictures, it's 38455

38464 is mentioned.

 

[Scott mac]

The new airport buses must be due out soon at some point.

I took the 500 on Saturday, very quick trip early in the morning out to the airport. Always find it interesting when someone sits backwards in the bay of 4 seats upstairs when its quiet, only ever seen that on the 500 bus or on

Usually when the airport route gets brand new buses it is always a upgrade but to me the new ones seem to be a downgrade

 

[JumpinTrainz]

Usually when the airport route gets brand new buses it is always a upgrade but to me the new ones seem to be a downgrade

They don’t seem as high spec as the E400City’s they’re replacing I’ll admit. I wonder if the lack of tables/standard interior is deliberate so they can be used on other services during shortages like often happened with the current airport buses.

 

[LT02 NVV]

They work perfectly fine and no point doing work to something thats uncertain how long its here for.

They look really battered with their bodywork and paintwork. Plus if 63099 (a Streetlite BTW) and 69368 can be re-painted, then I don’t get why those other 3 Eclipse buses in Olmpyia livery can’t?

 

[camro]

They look really battered with their bodywork and paintwork. Plus if 63099 (a Streetlite BTW) and 69368 can be re-painted, then I don’t get why those other 3 Eclipse buses in Olmpyia livery can’t?

Because sooner or later they may all have a fate of being trainer vehicles, and the Olympia ones can go straight to Blantyre if that's the case, given they already run 133 and 335 in that livery.

 

[LT02 NVV]

Because sooner or later they may all have a fate of being trainer vehicles, and the Olympia ones can go straight to Blantyre if that's the case, given they already run 133 and 335 in that livery.

You have a point, but why was 69368 re-painted?

 

[Volvodart]

You have a point, but why was 69368 re-painted?

Someone said it had accident damage so got repainted as part of that repair.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

You have a point, but why was 69368 re-painted?

They're staying here permanently now anyway, The Leicester E400, Essex Streetlites and the Newpower Streedeck have returned down South.

 

[route101]

They don’t seem as high spec as the E400City’s they’re replacing I’ll admit. I wonder if the lack of tables/standard interior is deliberate so they can be used on other services during shortages like often happened with the current airport buses.

I thought it was an age thing. Buses have to be replaced every 5 years. I guess they are diesel so an oddball compared to the electric ones.

 

[duffers2324]

speaking of the fleet and the recent issues etc, I have always thought that the ADL products have been of a lesser quality overall the last few years, now this is just a few comparisons and thoughts i have when riding around on First Glasgow Buses

For example the Volvo B9TL's despite their age dont seem to rattle, squeak and creak half as much as any of the Enviro 400EV'sand have a far better ride quality, I understand this may be due to the fact that the B9'S are seen as heavyweight buses etc
ADL Enviro 200EV's seemingly having a lot of issues and again poor ride quality and probably a little short on capacity for some routes IE Service 7 between Summerston and Rutherglen or Westburn
Enviro 300's are decent and the diesel enviro 200's are just about passable for ride quality and comfort

Anyone noticing the trend that IMO the ADL buses are poor when it comes to comfort and ride quality over the last few years and this is something i would consider although it is never likely to happen is for First to consider the MCV Evora for replacement of the Enviro 300's in a few years for example, the only reason i say this is because when i compare a journey on a First Enviro200EV vs WCM MCV Evora then the Evora is far more comfortable, has a better build quality and doesn't seem to rattle and squeak over every bump etc

Now i know some might say oh your comparing electric vs diesel but its not about the type of bus but the comfort and ride quality of each and well i think First might have missed a trick and i do not wish to open up the ADL Enviro VS Yutong debate as this has been done to death....

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

speaking of the fleet and the recent issues etc, I have always thought that the ADL products have been of a lesser quality overall the last few years, now this is just a few comparisons and thoughts i have when riding around on First Glasgow Buses

For example the Volvo B9TL's despite their age dont seem to rattle, squeak and creak half as much as any of the Enviro 400EV'sand have a far better ride quality, I understand this may be due to the fact that the B9'S are seen as heavyweight buses etc
ADL Enviro 200EV's seemingly having a lot of issues and again poor ride quality and probably a little short on capacity for some routes IE Service 7 between Summerston and Rutherglen or Westburn
Enviro 300's are decent and the diesel enviro 200's are just about passable for ride quality and comfort

Anyone noticing the trend that IMO the ADL buses are poor when it comes to comfort and ride quality over the last few years and this is something i would consider although it is never likely to happen is for First to consider the MCV Evora for replacement of the Enviro 300's in a few years for example, the only reason i say this is because when i compare a journey on a First Enviro200EV vs WCM MCV Evora then the Evora is far more comfortable, has a better build quality and doesn't seem to rattle and squeak over every bump etc

Now i know some might say oh your comparing electric vs diesel but its not about the type of bus but the comfort and ride quality of each and well i think First might have missed a trick and i do not wish to open up the ADL Enviro VS Yutong debate as this has been done to death....

First won't buy any Evora's so that's a pipe dream of yours, All orders from now are all Electric, Volvo BZLs is a possibility but highly doubtful, Looking like it'll be Wrightbus and Yutongs from here on in

 

[camro]

Let's not forget there are other more left field options too, off the top of my head there's the Scania Fencer BEV, the Switch Metrocity as well as Switch's new E1 and EiV, the Irizar ie, and all of BYD's new range.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

I wouldn’t be surprised if First order new gen E400EV’s to replace the B9TLs in Glasgow. Despite the inferior range to the Yutongs - First still ordered two batches of the E200EVs so honestly it wouldn’t surprise me.

Failing that going by the airport buses - we’re getting Wright Electroliners

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

I wouldn’t be surprised if First order new gen E400EV’s to replace the B9TLs in Glasgow. Despite the inferior range to the Yutongs - First still ordered two batches of the E200EVs so honestly it wouldn’t surprise me.

Failing that going by the airport buses - we’re getting Wright Electroliners

Those batch of E200EVs where already on order through Government funding before an order was placed for the Aberdeen Yutongs

 

[LT02 NVV]

Those batch of E200EVs where already on order through Government funding before an order was placed for the Aberdeen Yutongs

And when the Aberdeen Yuntongs worked in Glasgow for a few months, they were apparently much better than the E200EVs.

 

[YorkRailFan]

First has announced fare changes in Glasgow from 30 March:

First Bus is changing some of the fares across its Glasgow network, including its Two-Trip, Day and Weekly tickets, from Sunday 30th March.

The changes are due to inflationary pressures, as rising fuel and maintenance costs continue to impact the price of operations.

From 30th March, Adult Day City/Local tickets will move from £5.60 to £5.90, Two-Trip City/Local tickets are increasing from £5.20 to £5.60; and Adult Week City/Local tickets will go from £22.50 to £24.50.

The review of the First Bus ticketing options in Glasgow will also see changes to Single tickets, First Unlimited, and selected other fares.

Selected First Bus fares to change across Glasgow network | FirstBus Scotland News

News from FirstBus Scotland

news-scot.firstbus.co.uk

The increases aren't substantial, but are noticeable for regular travelers.

 

[EMU303]

“The public transport operator is investing heavily in the running of its network, electrifying its Glasgow fleet with more new electric buses entering the network in the coming weeks”…

Presumably First are referring to the new airport buses (approximately 1% of the fleet) which of course will not be used by 99% of their “ordinary “ passengers?

 

[JumpinTrainz]

“The public transport operator is investing heavily in the running of its network, electrifying its Glasgow fleet with more new electric buses entering the network in the coming weeks”…

Presumably First are referring to the new airport buses (approximately 1% of the fleet) which of course will not be used by 99% of their “ordinary “ passengers?

I guess there will need to be a new order for Glasgow somewhere in the next year or so as the oldest B9TLs are turning 18 this year and the E300s aren’t getting any younger as some of them are turning 13 this year - and there’s a lot of them.

 

[92002]

“The public transport operator is investing heavily in the running of its network, electrifying its Glasgow fleet with more new electric buses entering the network in the coming weeks”…

Presumably First are referring to the new airport buses (approximately 1% of the fleet) which of course will not be used by 99% of their “ordinary “ passengers?

Interesting that the new airport buses have yet to enter service.
Are they having problems with them ...

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

Interesting that the new airport buses have yet to enter service.
Are they having problems with them ...

Be entering service soon

 

[Whiteway215]

Be entering service soon

Do we know if the existing airport buses are staying with First Greater Glasgow or leaving?

 

[Volvodart]

The electric airport buses appear to have started service.

 

[Glasgowbusguy]

Just spotted at Queen Street

 

[ScotRail158725]

2 of the Airport deckers in service today

 

[Volvodart]

Do we know if the existing airport buses are staying with First Greater Glasgow or leaving?

According to bustimes.org, at least some of them are going to West of England.

 

[ScotRail158725]

According to bustimes.org, at least some of them are going to West of England.

Correct, bristol to be precise

 

[Callum15632]

Correct, bristol to be precise

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think they will be going to Hengrove Depot for the A1 Airport Service as the PVR (Peak Vehicle Requirement) is going up from 6th April.

 

[route101]

Just spotted at Queen Street

Aberdeen reg plates on them I think. Not my favourite model of bus, the back design is a bit better but always thought they looked quite odd with the short wheelbase.

Hopefully the next order is double deckers.

 

[Glasgowbusguy]

Aberdeen reg plates on them I think. Not my favourite model of bus, the back design is a bit better but always thought they looked quite odd with the short wheelbase.

Hopefully the next order is double deckers.

Have to disagree in person there smart looking buses with a strong road presence and very modern look.