high prices for second rate service and constant service changes
Recommend to potential buyers:
no
Full review
First Mainline operate bus services throughout south Yorkshire in Rotherham, Sheffield, Doncaster and Some in Barnsley. They were originally Called Mainline and in Red and Yellow livery but now sport more attractive grey livery with pink and purple stripes and a purple "thin leaf" shape rising from these stripes. Although this livery looks very pretty on the newer buses it looks a little out of place on the older buses with the non-coordinating seat coverings and such.
I live in Kimberworth near Rotherham, in South Yorkshire, and one of the reasons for moving to the area that we did was that the transport links by bus seemed somewhat too good to be true, They were wonderful to begin with however since then they have deteriorated.
The buses... The vehicles owned by First Mainline are a range of buses varying from things that look 200 years old and are falling apart to those that are brand new and generally put onto services seemingly nobdy uses. Most of the buses are reasonable but by no means are they anything spectacular.
The routes... You used to be able to get a bus to where you wanted to but unfortnately now you can not. it is now that buses terminate at random places. The number 8 that did go to the centre of Kimberwrth park has now changed and terminates at some random field 15 minutes away from \kimberworth parks main road and shopping area. The number 7 that did go from Rotherham to meadowhall chnaged to terminate in Blackburn 5 minutes outside its orignal destination for no apparent reason. Generally most routes are good but they are changed so frequently you can not tell if you are coming or going nor where to or from.
Punctuality... The buses are very often according to their timetables however in life the buses turn up as and when they feel like it. The worst offender is the X78 Sheffield to Doncaster that has never heard of the word. This bus is always full to overflowing and despite adding more services to the route the only way to overcome overcrowding is to keep to the timetable. All in all puncuality is not a strong point for the company.
Pricing... I am lucky in some ways as I have a mega travel pass entitling me to 40p bus travel in south Yorkshire, however this expires in July 2007. This is not too bad other than the fact that when you have not got it you often get criticsised by the driver even if you have had it for 4 years and 364 days without losing it. Other than that prices are very high. Also, a quick note:- I onc travelled with a 65 year old who had an out of date pass to say she was allowed free travel due to her age. she was told that because it was out of date she could not use it meaning she had some how become six years younger in one day.
Staff... Most of the staff are reasonable and understanding of things hawever there are the odd few who are total and utter *beep*s (pardon my beeping, I do not wish to swear, I am not that kind of person), there really are some bad drivers who could not care less.
Generally an average company with above average prices. Most importantly they normally get you from A to B safely so not all is bad. I have also by request of Strood added the website to the review so for more information visit www.firstgroup.com
This product has not yet been reviewed. 
