First Group: General Discussion

[dgl]

In recent days I've seen photos of corporate livery repaints at Weymouth and Slough. I've also heard that the first Tinner-branded Cornwall MMC may have gone for repaint (about time!) into corporate livery.

Does that leave untouched areas (excepting Leicester, Solent and Greater Manchester of course)?

Though I understand the E400 at Weymouth was a transfer from Somerset and was already in ultraviolet, so not a repaint from the current fleet, although it was from the same batch of ex. Manchester E400's that Weymouth got.

 

[fgwrich]

In recent days I've seen photos of corporate livery repaints at Weymouth and Slough. I've also heard that the first Tinner-branded Cornwall MMC may have gone for repaint (about time!) into corporate livery.

Does that leave untouched areas (excepting Leicester, Solent and Greater Manchester of course)?

A bit of a shame that it’s one of the native Tinner branded vehicles going for a repaint first, given the messy range of other liveries that can be seen there now.

 

[scosutsut]

I have to say, the more I see of the new livery, the more I like it.

I have to say it's the least awful First corporate one in my opinion.

It's also the first time in history I've thought their scheme is better than Stagecoach's equivalent.

It's just a shame it will probably be replaced again before all vehicles in the fleet receive it, which is par for the course with all the big groups.

 

[Goldfish62]

A bit of a shame that it’s one of the native Tinner branded vehicles going for a repaint first, given the messy range of other liveries that can be seen there now.

A lot of the Tinners look very scruffy now, especially those with advert frames slapped partly over the branding.

The problem is given there's been a two year gap with nothing repainted there's an enormous backlog to be caught up with.

 

[Volvodart]

First Bus London launches as landmark acquisition completes

First Bus London launches as landmark acquisition completes | First Bus UK News

News from First Bus UK

news.firstbus.co.uk

FirstGroup plc has today announced the completion of its acquisition of RATP Dev Transit London, which will now operate as First Bus London, marking the Group’s entrance into bus operations in London. The strategic move, first announced on 10 December 2024, will see First Bus London join First Bus, which will strengthen the latter’s position as a leading provider of sustainable bus operations in the UK and Ireland.

The completion brings together two organisations with shared values, a focus on colleagues and a proven track record of operational excellence. The combined operation now manages a fleet of over 5,750 buses across the UK, with First Bus London contributing circa 1,000 buses across 83 routes in west and central London from ten garages, serving 180 million passengers annually.

Janette Bell, MD First Bus, Bill Cahill, MD First Bus London & Colin Brown CFO First Bus
Colin Brown, Chief Financial Officer at First Bus, who will be leading the team at First Bus London said: “The successful integration of First Bus London marks a pivotal moment in our strategy to expand our operations and strengthen our contribution to sustainable travel across the UK and Ireland.

"We are entering the London bus market in a strong position and this will also bolster our credentials to participate as a partner of choice in future franchising opportunities across the UK.”

“We’re exceptionally well-positioned to accelerate innovation in fleet electrification, enhancing service quality for the millions of passengers who rely on us daily.”

Bill Cahill, who transfers as Managing Director of First Bus London added: “Becoming part of First Bus opens an exciting new chapter for our operation. Our shared commitment to our people, operational excellence and sustainability provides a strong foundation for growth. With First Bus’s support, we are well-positioned to enhance our service delivery while accelerating our journey toward a zero-emission future.”

This integration brings together a workforce of over 17,200 dedicated colleagues, including First Bus London’s 3,700 employees who will continue their crucial roles, delivering excellent service to Londoners. The business’ close working relationship with Transport for London will continue seamlessly, ensuring consistency for passengers while building on its impressive track record of consistently ranking at the top of TfL’s league tables for punctuality and reliability.

Notes to editors
The combined expertise in electric vehicle operations – including First Bus London’s 19 electric routes from six converted garages and First Bus' existing fleet of more than 650 zero-emission buses nationwide – creates a powerful platform for advancing sustainable transport.
Plans to convert three existing London routes to electric vehicles and begin the operation of a new electric route in 2025 remain firmly on track, supporting First Bus' commitment to achieving a zero-emission fleet by 2035.
Existing supplier relationships and points of contact will remain unchanged, ensuring continuity in daily operations.
About First Bus

At First Bus, we’re on a mission to grow bus usage – so we’ll get behind initiatives that move people out of cars and onto the bus. 

We’re one of the UK’s largest bus operators, transporting more than 1.5 million passengers a day. Our local bus services serve more than 25% of the population of Great Britain and over half of the UK’s top 15 most populated urban areas. 

We are a leading operator in the majority of our local areas, including major urban centres such as Glasgow, Bristol and Leeds.

We have proudly launched our First Bus London operation and now operate 83 routes in west and central London from 10 garages serving 180 million passengers annually.

The combined operation now manages a fleet of over 5,750 buses across the UK.

Transforming our business for the better, we’re putting our people and customers at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we’re the UK’s largest national bus operator to achieve real Living Wage employer status, cementing our position as an employer of choice in the sector.   

First Bus is committed to operating a zero-emission bus fleet by 2035. We will have over 1000 zero-emission buses in operation across our UK fleet by the end of 2025.

We’re passionate about giving back to the communities we serve, which is why we’re helping local businesses to progress their decarbonisation journeys – giving them access to our charging hubs while our buses are on the road. 

We also operate, Specialist Passenger Solutions, First Travel Solutions, York Pullman Bus Company, Lakeside, Ensignbus, Anderson Travel - and the Aircoach network and Matthews in Ireland.

First Bus is a division of FirstGroup.   

Find more information on our website here: https://news.firstbus.co.uk/ 

 

[darylyates17]

First Bus London launches as landmark acquisition completes

First Bus London launches as landmark acquisition completes | First Bus UK News

News from First Bus UK

news.firstbus.co.uk

I wonder if they’ll bid for Merseyside and try to win back stuff in Manchester now their rail franchises are about to be renationalised.

 

[Leyland Bus]

I wonder if they’ll bid for Merseyside and try to win back stuff in Manchester now their rail franchises are about to be renationalised.

They've a fair few years to wait for Manchester but anything is possible.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I wonder if they’ll bid for Merseyside and try to win back stuff in Manchester now their rail franchises are about to be renationalised.

They did win back stuff in Manchester. Lost Oldham but won Rochdale...but they'll have to wait for the existing contracts to be re-tendered. Assuming that nothing untoward happens, tranche 1 will probably be let in 2028 (ish).

I'm sure they'll be in for Merseyside, not least because they'll also have a lot to lose in West and South Yorkshire.

 

[darylyates17]

They did win back stuff in Manchester. Lost Oldham but won Rochdale...but they'll have to wait for the existing contracts to be re-tendered. Assuming that nothing untoward happens, tranche 1 will probably be let in 2028 (ish).

I'm sure they'll be in for Merseyside, not least because they'll also have a lot to lose in West and South Yorkshire.

I knew they won Rochdale but lost Oldham and sold off the rest before franchising.

 

[mangad]

They did win back stuff in Manchester. Lost Oldham but won Rochdale...but they'll have to wait for the existing contracts to be re-tendered. Assuming that nothing untoward happens, tranche 1 will probably be let in 2028 (ish).

Rochdale is small compared to Oldham. But on the other hand, they have skin in the franchising game. It will give them experience that may come in handy elsewhere. Something may well be better than nothing.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I knew they won Rochdale but lost Oldham and sold off the rest before franchising.

Rochdale is small compared to Oldham. But on the other hand, they have skin in the franchising game. It will give them experience that may come in handy elsewhere. Something may well be better than nothing.

All true. Just that the question was whether First would try and win back GM ops. Given that they got one of the smaller packages in T2 suggests that they are interested in franchises?

 

[Metal Mickey]

Just my suspicion, but I wonder if First’s new style timetables with irregular intervals could be having an adverse impact regarding successful franchising bids.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Just my suspicion, but I wonder if First’s new style timetables with irregular intervals could be having an adverse impact regarding successful franchising bids.

I doubt it. The bids are based on a quality criteria (which is very much on demonstrating capability in operations), commercial criteria, and price. After all, they did actually win a Tranche 2 package!

 

[KendalKing]

Just that the question was whether First would try and win back GM ops. Given that they got one of the smaller packages in T2 suggests that they are interested in franchises?

Also, given that First has previous experiences with franchising in London, and having just returned to the London Bus market.

 

[mattb7tl]

Just my suspicion, but I wonder if First’s new style timetables with irregular intervals could be having an adverse impact regarding successful franchising bids.

If we are being honest it is a good high quality company outside of terrible commercial decisions but it does lose the ability to make said commercial decisions under franchising so those horrid timetables really would not matter. I think the main issue would be their unrealistic profit margin expectations (commercial and contractual) which seems to be 10% and it seems they haven't budged on that target. IIRC London has a couple of garages running at 2-4%

 

[317 forever]

They did win back stuff in Manchester. Lost Oldham but won Rochdale...but they'll have to wait for the existing contracts to be re-tendered. Assuming that nothing untoward happens, tranche 1 will probably be let in 2028 (ish).

I'm sure they'll be in for Merseyside, not least because they'll also have a lot to lose in West and South Yorkshire.

They do of course have experience of running services on the Wirral, as they used to have Chester and Rock Ferry depots, before selling them to Stagecoach.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

They do of course have experience of running services on the Wirral, as they used to have Chester and Rock Ferry depots, before selling them to Stagecoach.

Indeed - they had extensive operations and also used to have a depot at Moreton in the Wirral until c.2006.

Operating contracts on behalf of the combined authority will be markedly different however.

 

[Edvid]

The first production-batch NewPower-converted StreetDeck EV started tracking in Leicester today, joining a prototype already based there.

71009 - XIG 1739 (SK16 GVP)

First day in service (to my knowledge) since electric conversion by Newpower Formerly numbered 35192

www.flickr.com

 

[YorkRailFan]

(Unsure whether or not to put this in First York thread so put it in here, please move if needed)

First Company York Pullman has announced their successful retender of services 36/X36 between Bielby/Sutton-upon-Derwent and York. Simultaneously, Pullman has won the contract for service 16 (currently operated by Connexions) between Acomb, Ascot Way and York Centre.

Exciting News! ✨

We’re delighted to announce that from 7th April, we’ll be taking over the 16 service, between York Piccadilly and Ascot Way.

Also we have secured service 36 & X36 between York and Sutton upon Derwent via Elvington for another five years.

https://x.com/YorkPullmanBus/status/1900537555033973039?t=yNTOtjOimFkCOX2SuCe-Qw&s=19

Bigger buses for the 16 by the looks of it, Connexions currently uses a Solo for it.

 

[YorkRailFan]

York Pullman has now published a timetable on their website for the 16 (to be branded as "My16" to fit in with other Pullman services in York) commencing 7 April:

My16 - York Pullman

For service updates, please CLICK HERE Timetable From Monday April 7th 2025 Download Here My16 From York Piccadilly and Ascot Way via Acomb Green Lane. Monday – Saturday 16A 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 NS, A York, Piccadilly PF — 08:14 09:25 10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30 17:20 […]

www.yorkpullmanbus.co.uk

 

[Tim33160]

Roger French is reporting a shake up of First Bus organisation - but nothing on First Bus websites?? Late April Fool??

First Bus restructures:
If it seems Arriva, First Bus and Stagecoach are for ever restructuring or launching transformative new branding and liveries you won’t be surprised to hear this week see’s another management reorganisation at First Bus.

This week’s new structure comprises three “delivery units” which have all the hallmarks of being devised by external management consultants as naturally they’re defined by “management speak” acronyms – B2B; B2C and B2G.

In plain English these are Business to Business (ie coaching and contract operations) headed by Andrew Jarvis; Business to Customer headed by Colin Brown and Business to Government (ie franchised areas) headed by Gary Hitchmough (who’s the current lead on bidding and development).

All First’s local commercial teams based in regional bus companies are being made redundant with all commercial decision making now centralised at First Bus head office.

Regional companies will be allocated to Andrew (Aircoach, Ensign, coach businesses and First Travel Solutions); Colin (South, East and West and Wales and eventually Scotland) and Gary taking those areas for franchising (Manchester, Midlands and the Yorkshires). Regional bus companies will just be delivery units with no commercial decision making.

https://busandtrainuser.com/2025/04/03/seen-around-31/#more-72016

 

[Metal Mickey]

Roger French is reporting a shake up of First Bus organisation - but nothing on First Bus websites?? Late April Fool??

First Bus restructures:
If it seems Arriva, First Bus and Stagecoach are for ever restructuring or launching transformative new branding and liveries you won’t be surprised to hear this week see’s another management reorganisation at First Bus.

This week’s new structure comprises three “delivery units” which have all the hallmarks of being devised by external management consultants as naturally they’re defined by “management speak” acronyms – B2B; B2C and B2G.

In plain English these are Business to Business (ie coaching and contract operations) headed by Andrew Jarvis; Business to Customer headed by Colin Brown and Business to Government (ie franchised areas) headed by Gary Hitchmough (who’s the current lead on bidding and development).

All First’s local commercial teams based in regional bus companies are being made redundant with all commercial decision making now centralised at First Bus head office.

Regional companies will be allocated to Andrew (Aircoach, Ensign, coach businesses and First Travel Solutions); Colin (South, East and West and Wales and eventually Scotland) and Gary taking those areas for franchising (Manchester, Midlands and the Yorkshires). Regional bus companies will just be delivery units with no commercial decision making.

https://busandtrainuser.com/2025/04/03/seen-around-31/#more-72016

 

[Goldfish62]

Roger French is reporting a shake up of First Bus organisation - but nothing on First Bus websites?? Late April Fool??

First Bus restructures:
If it seems Arriva, First Bus and Stagecoach are for ever restructuring or launching transformative new branding and liveries you won’t be surprised to hear this week see’s another management reorganisation at First Bus.

This week’s new structure comprises three “delivery units” which have all the hallmarks of being devised by external management consultants as naturally they’re defined by “management speak” acronyms – B2B; B2C and B2G.

In plain English these are Business to Business (ie coaching and contract operations) headed by Andrew Jarvis; Business to Customer headed by Colin Brown and Business to Government (ie franchised areas) headed by Gary Hitchmough (who’s the current lead on bidding and development).

All First’s local commercial teams based in regional bus companies are being made redundant with all commercial decision making now centralised at First Bus head office.

Regional companies will be allocated to Andrew (Aircoach, Ensign, coach businesses and First Travel Solutions); Colin (South, East and West and Wales and eventually Scotland) and Gary taking those areas for franchising (Manchester, Midlands and the Yorkshires). Regional bus companies will just be delivery units with no commercial decision making.

https://busandtrainuser.com/2025/04/03/seen-around-31/#more-72016

Late April Fool, it must be. Too absurd to be true.

Roger has forgotten to mention London.

 

[F Great Eastern]

Roger French is reporting a shake up of First Bus organisation - but nothing on First Bus websites?? Late April Fool??

First Bus restructures:
If it seems Arriva, First Bus and Stagecoach are for ever restructuring or launching transformative new branding and liveries you won’t be surprised to hear this week see’s another management reorganisation at First Bus.

This week’s new structure comprises three “delivery units” which have all the hallmarks of being devised by external management consultants as naturally they’re defined by “management speak” acronyms – B2B; B2C and B2G.

In plain English these are Business to Business (ie coaching and contract operations) headed by Andrew Jarvis; Business to Customer headed by Colin Brown and Business to Government (ie franchised areas) headed by Gary Hitchmough (who’s the current lead on bidding and development).

All First’s local commercial teams based in regional bus companies are being made redundant with all commercial decision making now centralised at First Bus head office.

Regional companies will be allocated to Andrew (Aircoach, Ensign, coach businesses and First Travel Solutions); Colin (South, East and West and Wales and eventually Scotland) and Gary taking those areas for franchising (Manchester, Midlands and the Yorkshires). Regional bus companies will just be delivery units with no commercial decision making.

https://busandtrainuser.com/2025/04/03/seen-around-31/#more-72016

Aircoach is a consumer to consumer business for the most part, so not sure why it's been shoved in the B2B part

The lack of localindustry experience in the Aircoach senior management is already a problem. The MD was a colleague of Jeanette Bell in the shipping world and never worked in Buses before becoming MD of Aircoach. That business is crying out for someone with industry knowledge and local market knowledge to turn it around after a very turbulent time (see thread on boards.ie) Instead it seems that First are obsessed with running a coach operation in Ireland the same way they run a bus operation in the UK when it really needs a firm experienced hand.

We've seen all thing thing before with First, where things got centralised and it didn't work under Lockhead and eventually all the local operators started to get some power back when everyone realised that it didn't work and people on the ground in the local areas know better than someone who sits in an office hundreds of miles away who never has even heard of many of the places they serve and the local issues that their markets have. it really does feel like we have gone full circle.

I wonder what Giles Fearnley thinks.

 

[johnw]

Giles Fearley’s only claim to fame was to introduce the awful Olympia Livery. I would argue that it was the following regime that allowed more local management and liveries. There was possibly too many of the individual liveries in operating companies such as Leicester pre electric and Sheffield that has lead to a return to a corporate style.

Janette Bell started the downfall of P&O Ferries and messed up a regional structure at First Bus that seemed to be working. How can a manager in Wales have his ear to the ground in Cornwall?

 

[F Great Eastern]

Giles Fearley’s only claim to fame was to introduce the awful Olympia Livery. I would argue that it was the following regime that allowed more local management and liveries. There was possibly too many of the individual liveries in operating companies such as Leicester pre electric and Sheffield that has lead to a return to a corporate style.

Janette Bell started the downfall of P&O Ferries and messed up a regional structure at First Bus that seemed to be working. How can a manager in Wales have his ear to the ground in Cornwall?

Jeanette Bell appointed her former colleague at P&O Ferries to Aircoach MD and it's hardly been a success since, with articles in the media outlining a record loss, a botched network redesign, industrial relations issues, driver shortages, declining service reliability and a deluge of negative customer reviews being just some of the issues involved.

The situation in Aircoach is mad. You have an MD with no experience in the bus industry, supported by a parent company who are trying to run a scheduled coach service in Ireland in the same way and with the same kind of structure as a bus service in the UK. It's exactly the kind of operation that needs a local experienced figure and they have the worst of all worlds. It's no wonder on the discussion forums in Ireland, on social media and general feeling about the company lately in the press is pretty negative.

I'm no lover of National Express after the fact they destroyed rail transport in East Anglia by their awful standards, but at least their Dublin Xpress operation has a bit more of a clue of what they are doing.

 

[Simon75]

Leicester and the Potteries are in the Midlands, but not as far as I'm aware no franchise plans (though West Midlands are)

 

[mangad]

Late April Fool, it must be. Too absurd to be true.

Roger has forgotten to mention London.

Conceptually London would fit into the Business to Government side of the business. Not a franchise but same kind of operation.

 

[nick291]

Jeanette Bell appointed her former colleague at P&O Ferries to Aircoach MD and it's hardly been a success since, with articles in the media outlining a record loss, a botched network redesign, industrial relations issues, driver shortages, declining service reliability and a deluge of negative customer reviews being just some of the issues involved.

The situation in Aircoach is mad. You have an MD with no experience in the bus industry, supported by a parent company who are trying to run a scheduled coach service in Ireland in the same way and with the same kind of structure as a bus service in the UK. It's exactly the kind of operation that needs a local experienced figure and they have the worst of all worlds. It's no wonder on the discussion forums in Ireland, on social media and general feeling about the company lately in the press is pretty negative.

I'm no lover of National Express after the fact they destroyed rail transport in East Anglia by their awful standards, but at least their Dublin Xpress operation has a bit more of a clue of what they are doing.

One of the NatEx Ireland managers(if he still works there) used to work for First as well, Ironically

 

[F Great Eastern]

One of the NatEx Ireland managers(if he still works there) used to work for First as well, Ironically

One of the previous long serving Aircoach management team who left after Kim Swan from P&O took over as MD is also now working as a consultant for National Express Ireland too according to what has been posted by people who are more in the know than me on Irish forums.