I've never come across a First Bus Driver this happy...

[whole diary]

[thetrout]

Saw this on TV^▸ (Thames Valley, or TeleVision, depending on context) a couple of days ago and just stumbled across it on YouTube!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tIv3Z64HCI

I'm yet to meet such a happy bus driver

[inspector_blakey]

I'm trying to decide if it's better or worse than the new BA^» (British Airways - about) advert...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4JdQi60an0

On the one hand, it's definitely incredibly well made. On the other, it's dead po-faced and ripe for parody.

BTW^▸ ('by the way'), if anyone can confirm whether the voiceover is Jack Davenport or Andy Serkis it would be marvellous. For some unknown reason it's bugging me tremendously.

[grahame]

... it's dead po-faced and ripe for parody.

I note a spin-off or two already ....

(Network Rail - home page)=1&v=e_TCSOMOIW8" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=e_TCSOMOIW8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=sXfCaSDL-s8

And a more general one on the theme ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=PbNGy45uNxA

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

lol quotes from one of those videos

Top Comments
First Manchester are hated with a passion, majority of drivers are moody and do not know what good manners and customer service means

GJBRAITHWAITE 2 weeks ago 4
first buses in sheffield and south yorkshire are awful,expensive fares and clapped out buses,thank heavens for stagecoach with it's reasonable prices and decent buses

woodhouse122b 2 weeks ago 2 

[plymothian]

Damn someone got there already

[Chris from Nailsea]

cf Nailsea & Backwell Station, where First Bus never compiled their timetable to be compatible with the First Great Western one: was not that the original First Bus parody? 

[thetrout]

Don't even get me started on how silly some timetables are for connections to buses etc! You're getting awfully close to the hornets nest there CfN...!

[Chris from Nailsea]

Hornets nest - or tin of worms - indeed. 

You will also need to consider the distinctly different approach of North Somerset Coaches - my local commercial operator, in whom I have absolutely no financial interest, but for whose future I have wholehearted support: see http://www.northsomersetcoaches.co.uk/whatsnew.htm 

[anthony215]

I have to admit even though i dont live anyway near nailsea  i am a big fan of north somerset coaches.

Maybe first's management should take note.

Sadly i also have first as my local operater, ow where is stagecoach when you want them.

Unlike first stagecoach will actually buy brand new vehicles for their south wales operations such as the case when stagecoach wales receive 7 new  low floor Scannia single deckers for service 172 Aberdare - Porthcawl from march 2012 as well as 11 VDL double deck coaches for megabus services which are due to start arriving from december.

Another point is that at least with stagecoach you get more value for your money with their fares.

[inspector_blakey]

My considered opinion is that GoAhead (at least in the guise of the Oxford Bus Company) knocks spots off both Stagecoach and First...

[thetrout]

Don't GoAhead also run the Southern, Southeastern and London Midland Rail Franchises also?

I'm not overly concerned as to the operator of the bus service. Provided it gets me for A - B I wouldn't mind if the Bus company was First or The Pink and Fluffy Giraffe Bus Company

I find that First do a half reasonable job on the 267 Frome - Bath Service. It's reliable and punctual. My friends and I regularly travel on this route and we have some fantastic drivers... But there is one really grumpy sod who gets in a flap at you if you drink a bottle of water on the bus Although it takes 50 or so minutes and it would be much quicker to drive, it's not that bad. The buses a reasonably clean. It's a service that works well 99% of the time. But since 2006 the bus fare has gone up from ^5.00 to ^5.95 which is almost as much as the First Day South West Ticket at ^6.50 IIRC^▸ ('if I recall/remember/read correctly')

As an aside, I recall a school once came up with a punishment for pupils, that they had to go home on the Pink Punishment Bus...!! Now to me, that wouldn't bother me in the slightest... It's a bus, it gets me home! I don't care what colour the thing is!

[Brucey]

Don't GoAhead also run the Southern, Southeastern and London Midland Rail Franchises also?

The rail franchises are operated by Govia, which is owned 65% by GoAhead and 35% by Keolis.

Had my first bus journey with Arriva (aka MK^▸ (Milton Keynes) Metro Ltd) earlier in the week.  Price was very reasonable: ^2.50 for a single which took just over one hour (although you can drive it in twenty minutes).  Driver seemed polite and waited for people to sit down before moving (not something many bus drivers actually do).

I've never met a friendly First Bus driver ... there's a first time for everything!