First Scotland East (Midland Bluebird and West Lothian operations)

[Darklord8899]

I’ve let people on before when I’ve been behind another bus, only to then get abuse from people when I do pull up to the flag because ‘I’ve been waiting longer than those people you just let on back there’. A bit of common sense is required, however drivers are reluctant to do it because of fear of complaints.

When I'm waiting (at the stop) for a bus behind the one currently loading, and the driver let's random people on the bus it does make me angry.

Sadly the whole bus stop etiquette of queuing in an orderly fashion has gone right out the window these days - some stops are worse than a rugby scrum.

 

[stevenedin]

When I'm waiting (at the stop) for a bus behind the one currently loading, and the driver let's random people on the bus it does make me angry.

Sadly the whole bus stop etiquette of queuing in an orderly fashion has gone right out the window these days - some stops are worse than a rugby scrum.

I gave up on queuing years ago due to missing a bus one time down to waiting behind people. I will wait behind people that want to get on first but if it looks like no one is moving I won’t bother waiting and just board the bus.

 

[Darklord8899]

I gave up on queuing years ago due to missing a bus one time down to waiting behind people. I will wait behind people that want to get on first but if it looks like no one is moving I won’t bother waiting and just board the bus.

Aye, I do the same

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

There's a joke about being taken to the cleaners, but do we know what was the cause? Sickness? Industrial Dispute? Admin failure to book the shift?

No idea what happened in the background.

All I can say is that I’m not surprised in the least.

 

[Observer]

Aren't the cleaners employed by an agency? Sure that change was made years ago.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Aren't the cleaners employed by an agency? Sure that change was made years ago.

Indeed they are.

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

Here is a prime reason why buses aren’t appearing on the tracker; journeys aren’t automatically loaded to the machine today so instead you have to enter them manually which isn’t allowing the GPS to work.

(Attached is an image of a ticket machine screen)

 

[Bus Lightyear]

Here is a prime reason why buses aren’t appearing on the tracker; journeys aren’t automatically loaded to the machine today so instead you have to enter them manually which isn’t allowing the GPS to work.

(Attached is an image of a ticket machine screen)

I don't know how First work but you've possibly made yourself liable to disciplinary proceedings after slating your employers and posting this image.

 

[CraigLockhart]

I don't know how First work but you've possibly made yourself liable to disciplinary proceedings after slating your employers and posting this image.

I think he said he was an agency driver before so I don't suppose that threat concerns him. I suppose he could just drive for someone else

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

I don't know how First work but you've possibly made yourself liable to disciplinary proceedings after slating your employers and posting this image.

Incorrect.

I think he said he was an agency driver before so I don't suppose that threat concerns him. I suppose he could just drove for someone else

Absolutely Correct.

 

[GusB]

Let's not be discussing Lothian Buses in a First thread. Stay on topic, please.

 

[CN04NRJ]

Here is a prime reason why buses aren’t appearing on the tracker; journeys aren’t automatically loaded to the machine today so instead you have to enter them manually which isn’t allowing the GPS to work.

(Attached is an image of a ticket machine screen)

When I used Ticketer at Cardiff Bus and had to enter an "ad hoc" (their terminology) trip like that (e.g if i'd accidentally ended the "planned" trip on ticketer) the bus would still track without a problem. Can't see why First couldn't fix this easily if they wanted to?

 

[PaulMc7]

I can imagine it wasn't much fun for people relying on the 21 today, going by the cancellations list. 6 hours between them from Bathgate earlier today due to 12:21-16:21 all being cancelled.

Midland Bluebird

Scotland's Largest Independent Bus Company

www.firstbus.co.uk

New timetable for the 51/52 from the middle of next month. As expected it's a cut as the 51 will now be every 30 mins between Cowie and Alloa and every 30 mins between Alloa and Clackmannan.

I won't be surprised if more changes come at some point.

 

[LiviCrazy]

Noticing much less cancellations in West Lothian now. Only really seen a list of cancellations on Sundays. Hopefully the current timetable is working. Buses have seemed a wee bit busier recently too.

 

[PaulMc7]

Noticing much less cancellations in West Lothian now. Only really seen a list of cancellations on Sundays. Hopefully the current timetable is working. Buses have seemed a wee bit busier recently too.

That's really good to hear. Even just a couple of weeks ago the 21 was still getting regular cancellations and with it being hourly I'd have imagined how bad that would be to rely on. Whenever I've seen services missing being mentioned on Twitter by passengers it seems to be mainly the 26.

 

[stevenedin]

I’ve noticed them being more reliable recently too.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

I wonder what FSE’s long term plan will be as diesel is eventually phased out. The Linlithgow bridge is very low which doesn’t open much scope for electric or hydrogen powered buses. I wonder how they’ll combat that.

 

[Graham Alexand]

I wonder what FSE’s long term plan will be as diesel is eventually phased out. The Linlithgow bridge is very low which doesn’t open much scope for electric or hydrogen powered buses. I wonder how they’ll combat that.

There will probably be exceptions made in this instance.

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

There will probably be exceptions made in this instance.

Or they’ll just do a “First” and get it wrong.

 

[JurassicMan]

r they’ll just do a “First” and get it wrong.

You still there with the agency?

I wonder what FSE’s long term plan will be as diesel is eventually phased out. The Linlithgow bridge is very low which doesn’t open much scope for electric or hydrogen powered buses. I wonder how they’ll combat that.

I would imagine up through Springfield is only alternative route.

Noticing much less cancellations in West Lothian now. Only really seen a list of cancellations on Sundays. Hopefully the current timetable is working. Buses have seemed a wee bit busier recently too.

Or is it just not being posted on the Twitter feed?
It would seem reading some of the tweets there are still issues although obviously not on the scale of previous months.

 

[LiviCrazy]

Or is it just not being posted on the Twitter feed?
It would seem reading some of the tweets there are still issues although obviously not on the scale of previous months.

They’d been reporting it through the website recently, up until a few weeks ago, and still on Sundays there has been a big list in the whole FSE area, last two weeks or so, there’s been none. I think there’s been a few breakdowns (my X22 last week didn’t turn up, but an out of service bus turned into an X22 at Mid Calder just as we passed on the X28). Seems to be a lot more actually tracking on the app too.

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

You still there with the agency?


I would imagine up through Springfield is only alternative route.


Or is it just not being posted on the Twitter feed?
It would seem reading some of the tweets there are still issues although obviously not on the scale of previous months.

God No.

The FSE fleet is a dilapidated mess, the depots aren’t much better and not to mention where I am now I’m on less pay but ultimately happier.

 

[overthewater]

The clean up continues:

• PM00000923/337 Cancelled​

  FIRST SCOTLAND EAST LTD
  Route: Appleton Parkway Roundabout or Inveralmond Community High School or Livingston, St John's Hospital to Livingston South Station via Burnbank, Criagshill, Livingston the Centre, Dedridge, Livingston the Centre, Craigshill
  Service number: 27
  Service type: Normal Stopping
  Effective date: 01 Sep 2022

Mod note: Please edit to add the link to your source. Thanks

 

[mb88]

No sign of them returning to Craigshill any time soon then. Find that very odd as there’s more punters to be had from Craigshill than Howden.

 

[PaulMc7]

PM0000923/339 Registered
FIRST SCOTLAND EAST LTD

Route: Livingston The Centre to Edinburgh, Regent Road via Uphall, Craigshill, ;Livingston the Centre, Mid Calder, East Clader, Hermiston, Sighthill, Haymarket

Service number: X22 (X23)

Service type: Limited Stop

Effective date: 01 Sep 2022

This was also appearing on VOSA today.

https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk/search/find-registered-local-bus-services/browse/results/?fields%5Bstatus%5D=&fields%5BacceptedDate%5D=2022-07-21&fields%5BtrafficAreas%5D%5B0%5D=M&security=435745e1f98caa81d6e9de219b0d02a7-cb25da3b676724ba90369b78543d81ce&form-actions%5Bsubmit%5D=&page=2&limit=10

 

[stevenedin]

PM0000923/339 Registered
FIRST SCOTLAND EAST LTD

Route: Livingston The Centre to Edinburgh, Regent Road via Uphall, Craigshill, ;Livingston the Centre, Mid Calder, East Clader, Hermiston, Sighthill, Haymarket

Service number: X22 (X23)

Service type: Limited Stop

Effective date: 01 Sep 2022

This was also appearing on VOSA today.

https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk/search/find-registered-local-bus-services/browse/results/?fields%5Bstatus%5D=&fields%5BacceptedDate%5D=2022-07-21&fields%5BtrafficAreas%5D%5B0%5D=M&security=435745e1f98caa81d6e9de219b0d02a7-cb25da3b676724ba90369b78543d81ce&form-actions%5Bsubmit%5D=&page=2&limit=10

So I take it that means the X23 or is the X22 cancelled as well?

 

[Jordan Adam]

So I take it that means the X23 or is the X22 cancelled as well?

No, it's a route/timetable change.

 

[stevenedin]

No, it's a route/timetable change.

Thanks I misread it. Sounds an interesting route.

 

[PaulMc7]

Midland Bluebird

Scotland's Largest Independent Bus Company

www.firstbus.co.uk

I've found it quite interesting seeing things change so dramatically in West Lothian especially as it's not an area I know that well. These changes don't feel that long ago...

 

[TheEastCoaster]

Thanks I misread it. Sounds an interesting route.

So is the X23 back? or is the X22 taking a long detour around Livingston before heading to Edinburgh! sorry I don’t understand!