I came across this picture of a Greyhound coach (USA) and it reminded me of the remarkable story of First Group. In 1989 any visitor to Aberdeen would be familiar with the scruffy buses of Grampian Regional Transport. But this was also the year that the municipal bus company was sold off and an employee buy our resulted. The company improved services and was rather successful. So successful in fact that they started buying up other local city bus operators all over the UK. Then came the new name – First and a new bright cheerful livery. Together with new buses First developed a reputation for high quality, clean, comfortable and reliable bus services. In just twenty years they are now a global bus and rail company. Currently they own several UK railways including Scotrail, First Great Western, First Capital Connect and First Transpennine Express. My experience of their rail and bus services has been very positive. In Scotland they have really improved rail services since taking over from National Express. The impression is they are more serious about running the trains and they are certainly a lot cleaner. On a recent journey to Glasgow I enjoyed the comfort of a Scotrail (First Group) Turbostar train with comfortable seats, big picture windows and a catering service. Arriving in Glasgow I was able to use the local First buses with my train ticket which included local bus services (Plusbus). The bus stop (First Group again) had an electronic display telling me how long till the next bus. I got on and of course being a bus in an unfamiliar city I had no idea where to get off but they had even thought of that – there was an electronic display linked to a GPS system giving street names so you knew where the bus was! First has become a truly successful company with great transport products.
Bus travel in the USA has long been neglected. Greyhound is a huge company but it is interesting to see what First is doing. Route by route these new Greyhound coaches are appearing along with nice refurbished terminals. Here’s what First are saying: “In its continued commitment to offering the best in leisure bus travel, Greyhound Lines, Inc., the largest North American provider of intercity bus transportation, today began unveiling its fleet of new buses designed to offer a more comfortable riding experience. The first of the 102 re-designed buses debuted on the company’s New York to Montreal and New York to Toronto routes, with additional buses slated to begin appearing on the New York to Boston route by mid-April. Over time, Greyhound will replace the entire nationwide fleet.
“More than an updated paint job, our new buses offer a truly upgraded experience for customers and a new way to sit back and experience the open road,” said Dave Leach, president and chief executive officer, Greyhound Lines, Inc. “As the industry leader, Greyhound sets the bar for what bus travel should aspire to be, continuously evolving and innovating to offer the very best service.”
The new buses will feature a sleek exterior of strong blue and premium silver colors, highlighting a new Greyhound logo. Inside, passengers will be delighted with the vast upgrades and amenities available onboard including extra legroom, free Wi-Fi access, power outlets and three-point seat belts."
Some people may be skeptical but we have seen First’s track record. If anyone can transform coach travel in the US it is Greyhound. These are exciting times for Scotland’s bus and rail company, still Aberdeen based.
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