First Glasgow came about in 1996 after the take over of Strathclydes buses, GCT and Kelvin Central. It has inherited around 118 services, in and around the Greater Glasgow area, and cover such areas as Lanarkshire, Dumbartonshire, Helensburgh, East Renfrewshire, Linnwood/Bridge of Wier, West Lothian, Stirlingshire and Glasgow City. Since then the company has integrated itself and broadcast change, to encourage people back onto the buses, this includes:
• New rolling stock • Structured fare stage • Cheaper fares for regular travellers • Cleaner buses • Clampdown on antisocial behaviour (e.g. smoking, dropping litter, causing disruption etc) • More reliable services • Integrated transport links
One of these which has been intensively promoted is the "Overgroud" concept. Launched in Glasgow circa 1999, it made a promise to ensure popular services would run at least every 10 minutes, and abolishing service numbers which are subdivided with letters (e.g. 8/8A etc).
however this changed slightly with A,B number creaping back in and the popular services having individual service times. e.g. every 5 mins or 15 mins.
the Fare structure is straightforward, there are many different types of tickets (don't worry it is easy to
understand).
Single Fare tickets cost depend on the time and distance of travel. (I remember when I was in first year in High School and child fares only cost 29p...my how things changed)
First Day Tickets cost between £2.50 (Adult peak), £2.20 (Adult off Peak and Student with ID) and £1.35 (child).
NB: Conditions and restrictions apply. Valid until midnight on the day of purchase. Only the £2.50 FirstDay ticket is valid for purchase between 0100 and 0430.
First Week Tickets cost between £11 (adult) and £9.50 (student with ID) per week and are bought on bus (no need for photo cards)
First Cards (bought in a travel centre, photo needed), Cost depends on the number of zones (either 1,2 or 3) purchased and duration of ticket (1 week, 4 week and 10 week tickets) These Cards run from saturday to saturday. Cost ranges from £7.20 (1 week, 1 zone Adult card) to £106 (10 week, All zone Adult card), and Child cards costing from £4.70 (1 week,1 zone) to £35 (4 week, All Zone card).
There are also First Term Cards (photo needed) which have student term time prices, a student card is needed. look on first website for more info.
First also operate a regular traveller scheme for Senior Citizens. Senior Citizens who hold a Strathclyde Concession card (who travel free after 9.30am) on First buses who collect their tickets can redeem them for gifts.
Please note that all First week and First Card Holders can travel on Night Services Without any surcharge.
*Please double check prices on first website or by phoning first.
(Strathclyde passenger Transport also have a Zonecard, which is only bought at travel centres, this can be used on all bus services, trains and the underground - its very expensive though)
Now there is some issues which bug me about first glasgow. one of them is buses either not turning up or late. my mum has to work early in the morning, and she has had to put up with buses not turning up on time, she even had to have her contract changed as the bus times were revised to no longer operate early morning (this has'nt been reinstated).
Sometimes I have to work shifts (early or late) and there has been times where by bus has been early or very late.
The Frequency of some services is excellent especially if you live in a main throughfare of the city such as Partick, Shawlands, Denniston or Maryhill. but some first services are high frequency because of competition from other companies such as Arriva and Stagecoach.
there are many services in the city which have a low frequency (every 30 mins) and some services are curtailed after 19.30, with no sunday operation. The only buses that run after that are the city bound buses and they are usually reduced to 20/30 min frequences.
I personally don't like travelling on buses in the evening due to the youths that normally travel on these services (I know its not fair to stigmatize), but sitting on a bus with people causing a racket, drug addicts smoking illegal substances on the bus, people drinking/smoking and vandelising the bus.
Most of the time, the driver does nothing, (either because of personal safety or can't be bothered) and i've even seen drivers smoke on the bus and drive whilst using mobile phones.
Once I was on the bus and just out of the blue, the windows were broken by a gang of youths who pelted the bus with stones. The level of vandalism on buses is appauling with slashed seats, graffitti, rubbish on the floor such as fast food packets, buckfast bottles, cigarette ends, metro newspapers (which makes a wonderful impression on visitors to glasgow and people travelling on the bus).
What first should really do is put duplicate or bigger buses on at peak times such as morning peak, after school as well as the number of pensioners who insist on travelling home at after school time and complain that the bus is busy.
I must admit that the shake up of the buses especially the night services is teriffic, with some services being made 24 hour services, but it would be great if ALL of the Overground services, (not just a select few) get the 24 hour treatment. I have travelled on a night service bus, before and was put off by it simply because the bus was full of drunken people being abusive, and it wasn't nice esp when they start calling you a poof, all because you stand out to them. So maybe a security gaurd on buses on night services or through neighbourhoods which are troublespots would be a good idea.
Also some (not all) of the drivers do not have a clue about customer care,,and what about their driving skills - this ain't formula one.
I thought First Glasgow were bad, I was in for a shock when I travelled with First Edinburgh in Stirling, customer service to them is an alien concept, they are rude, abrupt, appauling drivers and do not stop for you.
One thing which I really don't like about First (and a lot of people will pick up on this) is the turn around of services. i.e. services only stay about 2 minutes at the terminus, and change to another service. But if one service is running late (e.g. bad traffic) then this results in the other service running late. Their turn around time is low and doesn't take into account traffic jams (thats why Easyjet and Ryanair have a bad rep too don't you know).
You won't really expect value for money on First Glasgow, but if you are a regular traveller and have a pass, then you will see the savings.
To conclude this very long review (sorry guys I am on a role here lol), Bus travel (in this city anyway) has had a shake up, but I feel there is room for improvement, such as more services in evenings, nights and sundays. And even doing what Manchester PTE does and offer additional services during the Summer (and perhaps Christmas as well) and encouraging people to leave their cars at home.
I wonder how First will do when they take over Scotrail? Will they improve the buses too?
Answer is...I don' t know...but as soon as I get a car, or if Glasgow transport is of the standard of London, I don't want to go back to public transport EVER.
Rant over.
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I don't have a problem with public transport. As a non-driver it's my way of getting about and I don't think the service is that bad. It's like everything else, can be improved but I think it operates pretty well most of the times. Many drivers have no customer service skills but you do get the odd 1 or 2 who are so nice. Needs improving but hopefully that will happen over time
mark-southside 25.11.2004 15:46
Sadly very true. And since First Group have taken over Scotrail its gone to pieces. Last two nights there have been cancellations. They are much more determined to collect fares but I've got a season ticket and get quite pi**ed off having to queue for 10 mins for it to be inspected AGAIN before I can get off Central Station. The SPT ZoneCard isnt that bad - £16.40 for all of Glasgow, 6 days allday tickets on the bus alone would be £15. I use the X9/X10 and it was not unusual for it to be cancelled or run early / late. Recently I got the 38A which is supposed to be every 10 mins but I waited an hour. I have reported Drivers smoking, running early and they send travel tokens. Drivers in Edinburgh are much worse and better paid. One said 'Welcome to bloody festival city' to a tourist and another I had to give directions as she was lost!!! Smoking (including dodgy substances) is endemic on some routes. 62 is the Neds special
MikeLB 20.10.2004 21:08
Very Good review which backs up my own expereinces of First Glasgow - Appalling. When i complained i was told that First felt i had over reacted. (the bus was swilling in urine at 7.45am!). And sadly First have already started to affect the quality of Scotrail within 1 week - more cancellations and delays - sadly this is standard in my opinion and it wont get better until they loose franchises and bus routes to teach them how to treat customers.
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Advantages: Regular buses, numerous routes Disadvantages: Poor drivers, uncomfortable and dirty buses, no change offered, expensive, lack of customer care
tangoman1984 27.10.2009 ·
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Review of First Glasgow
Advantages: Regular buses, numerous routes Disadvantages: Poor drivers, uncomfortable and dirty buses, no change offered, expensive, lack of customer care
tangoman1984 27.10.2009 ·
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Review of First Glasgow
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