Latest news with #FirstBus
Glasgow Times
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
13 fan photos at Simple Minds Bellahouston Park gig
Fans were all smiles as they looked forward to watching the Glasgow band take to the stage last night. Glasgow Times photographer Gordon Terris captured shots of gig-goers ahead of the show as part of the Summer Sessions series of concerts. Simple Minds said this was their 'biggest' headline gig in 34 years, since their Real Life tour in 1991. Revellers didn't let the rain dampen their spirits and showed they were definitely Alive And Kicking as they queued up to see the Don't You Forget About Me rockers. READ MORE: 'Absolute chaos': Residents fume as roads clogged after Lana Del Rey concert 13 fan photos at Simple Minds Bellahouston Park gig (Image: Gordon Terris) (Image: Gordon Terris) (Image: Gordon Terris) (Image: Gordon Terris) (Image: Gordon Terris) (Image: Gordon Terris) (Image: Gordon Terris) (Image: Gordon Terris) (Image: Gordon Terris) (Image: Gordon Terris) (Image: Gordon Terris) (Image: Gordon Terris) (Image: Gordon Terris) Speaking ahead of the gig, Simple Minds frontman Jim Kerr said: 'Simple Minds live in Glasgow, the city that made us, is always a glorious occasion for both band and fans." Since forming in Glasgow in 1977, Simple Minds has gone on to achieve global success and sold over 60 million albums. The group have continued to stay relevant in the modern music scene having played to around one million fans in the last 12 months. READ MORE: Simple Minds share memories of Glasgow ahead of Bellahouston Park gig READ MORE: Extra First Bus services to run for Glasgow Summer Sessions They've stood on world-renowned stages like Madison Square Garden in New York and Wembley Arena in London, but playing in the cellars of small Glasgow pubs is what sticks out for Simple Minds.
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Extra First Bus services to run for Glasgow Summer Sessions
First Bus has announced an extended 9 and 9A timetable to help people to and from this weekend's Summer Sessions at Bellahouston Park. These extra buses will run today and tomorrow as thousands are set to watch Simple Minds and Stereophonics at the Southside park. This comes as the Subway will be shut due to strikes. 9 and 9A leaving from outside O'Neill's on Union Street in the city centre, dropping off at Edmiston Drive within a short walking distance of Bellahouston Park. After the event, additional services 9 and 9A will take concertgoers from Paisley Road West (after Edmiston Drive) to Oswald Street in the city centre. READ NEXT: Urgent warning to concertgoers ahead Chris Brown's gig Graeme Macfarlan, commercial director for First Bus Scotland, said: 'We love seeing so many people attending this year's Summer Sessions in Glasgow and it's important they can travel safely and affordably to and from the event. 'That's exactly why we've worked hard to put on extra buses on Services 9 and 9A across Friday and Saturday this week to ensure people can enjoy their evening safe in the knowledge they won't have to worry about their travel arrangements. 'We are looking forward to welcoming gig-goers onto our services across the next couple of days.'
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Essex bus shelter hit by bus less than 24 hours after it was built
A bus shelter was crashed into less than 24 hours after being Bus East of England confirmed "one of our vehicles was involved in an incident" in Stock Road, Billericay, on Wednesday services went to the scene and a woman was taken to hospital, but police said no one was seriously injured and no arrests had been made. Essex County Council later removed the shelter but insisted it "did not overhang into the road". First Bus East of England said a "full investigation" would be carried out. 'Carnage' Resident Jon Magee, 50, said there was "glass and bits of twisted metal everywhere". Describing the scene as " carnage", he added: "The bus was there, and half the bus stop was falling towards the fence."My first thought was 'that's the place where a load of kids get on and off the bus to school'."Kurwant Sharma, 73, who lived near the stop, added that there were multiple police vehicles and lots of people at the scene. James Collins, 73, who lived near the bus shelter, said: "It looked like the bus stop roof was too wide."He was not in favour of the shelter and added: "Do we need all these fancy bus stops? It didn't look attractive."It seems a waste of money to me because they're every quarter of an hour to 20 minutes." Andy Barnes, Conservative councillor for Billericay East at Basildon Council, said the new bus shelter "lasted less than 24 hours".He continued: "We have been trying for years to get this bus shelter a place."Basically, there were all kinds of toing and froing with it because it was on private land and we had to get it organised." An Essex County Council spokesperson said its contractor went to the site to make it "safe and remove the shelter swiftly". "The bus shelter was recently installed on 24 June 2025, in accordance with relevant guidance, which includes providing space between the shelter and the road," they added. "The shelter did not overhang into the road. We are investigating with the bus company what happened and are making arrangements for the shelter to be replaced."A First Bus East of England spokesperson said its bus made contact with the shelter and added: "We are currently undertaking a full investigation to understand what happened. Safety is always our number one priority." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
First Bus to dish out free pies to celebrate night bus relaunch
First Bus wins night bus contract with five new late-night services launching to support Aberdeen's nightlife economy Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Aberdeen's nightlife is about to get a whole lot tastier! Teaming up with Aberdeen staple, Murdoch Allan, owners of Thains Bakery, First Bus is offering the ideal midnight snack to late-night staff and partygoers to celebrate the launch of the city's new night bus service. Kicking off from 27th June, those out late in town won't just be able to pick up a free tasty treat, they'll also be able to hop on a night bus as the new routes come into service. Partnering with Aberdeen City Council, First Bus is set to introduce five new night bus routes, providing a reliable and safe transportation option for partygoers and night shift workers alike. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad To celebrate the service, First Bus is running the giveaway for the first three weekends following the night bus launch, with late night revellers able to pop along to Bridge Street where staff will be handing out free pies from one of Murdoch Allan's bakery shops, Thains Bakery. Offering something for everyone, the giveaway includes some of the bakery's most popular flavours, including steak and peppercorn, macaroni and chicken. Staff will be out at the bus stop on Bridge Street from midnight till 3am, or until stock runs out, on the Friday and Saturday nights into the early hours of the next morning. Running on the 27th and 28th of June and 4th, 5th, 12th and 13th of July, those out late can pick up their freebie before hopping on the night bus home at nearby stops. First Bus to dish out free pies to celebrate night bus relaunch Designed with convenience, safety, and reliability in mind, the new night bus services will depart from Union Terrace, Bridge Street and Alford Place and run through key areas of Aberdeen including George Street, King Street and Holburn Street. The five routes will operate at regular intervals throughout the night from midnight to the final 3.47am route from Bridge Street, to ensure a regular and reliable service. David Adam, Head of Operations for First Bus Aberdeen, said: 'We are thrilled to announce the launch of this new night bus service which we hope will allow everyone in Aberdeen to enjoy the city's nightlife to the fullest, without worrying about how they'll get home. And who wouldn't love a free pie from Thains to end the night? 'So, whether you're out dancing the night away or clocking out from a late shift, head to Bridge Street for a free pie and hop on a First Bus for a safe ride home. Aberdeen nights just got a whole lot better!' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With Aberdeen's nightlife sometimes criticised for its lack of late-night transport options, First Bus hopes to plug the gap to support the city's bustling evening and early-morning activities. The new service aims to ensure that everyone can enjoy their night out or commute to work without the worry of how to get home safely. First Bus to dish out free pies to celebrate night bus relaunch Open around the clock, Thains Bakery, on George Street, is owned by family-run bakery Murdoch Allan who are best known in the city for the Pittodrie Pie and of course, their Aberdeen Buttery. Colin Waddell, Sales Area Manager, at Murdoch Allan, added: 'With Thains open 24-hours a day, we know just how much people love a pie no matter the time of day and we're pleased to be partnering with First Bus to offer a little treat to Aberdeen's night owls. It's great to see initiatives like this that encourage people to enjoy our city at nighttime without the worry of how they will get home so we're excited to be playing a part in supporting First bus launch this new service.'
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
MSP calls for publicly owned bus company in Glasgow
SPT has recently consulted on a plan to introduce a franchising system for buses in the city region. It would involve the authority setting expectations for routes, timetables and fares, which bus operators would then bid to deliver. Patrick Harvie, Green MSP for Glasgow, writing for the Glasgow Times, sets out his position, which would see the city go even further and set up a publicly owned bus firm. Patrick Harvie said: "Glasgow deserves world class public transport, but everyone who uses it can see that it's confusing, expensive and unreliable. "I rely on bike, bus and train to get around, and I see the problems every day. On a recent trip to a Glasgow hospital, figuring out the bus journey was far more stressful than the medical procedure I was there for! "Public transport is vital to connect people with opportunities, jobs and services, friends, family and basic essentials. Yet all too often people in Glasgow simply can't rely on it, making our lives harder and inequality deeper. READ NEXT:Glasgow's new ship hall opened in honour of woman shipbuilding pioneer "People on the sharp end of the cost of living crisis are the most reliant on buses, yet a First Bus local day ticket is now nearly £6 - and that's if they haven't already cut your bus route. "It doesn't have to be this way! We can have bus services that serve passengers instead of profit. Campaigners like Get Glasgow Moving and the STUC have been building the case for change, and that's why I'm bringing a debate on the future of Glasgow's buses to Holyrood. "The Scottish Greens have always made the case for cheaper and better transport, winning free bus travel for under 22s and scrapping peak rail fares, as well as investing to make it safer and easier to walk and cycle. "Free bus travel has had an incredibly positive impact on young people's lives; 94,000 young people in Glasgow have taken just shy of 30 million free bus journeys since it was introduced in 2022. "But bus fares should be cheap or free for everyone, all the time. But without reliable, accessible and integrated buses even free travel won't get you very far. READ NEXT:Susan Aitken says new wave of youth violence needs re-energised response "If we had publicly owned bus companies we'd deliver great results for communities. You just have to look at Lothian buses in Edinburgh - over the last decade, they've paid back a £36 million dividend to the Council that runs them. That's the norm in many parts of Europe, and cities like Manchester have made great progress in recent years too. "So why can't we run our buses ourselves here in Glasgow too? "SPT is already looking at how Glasgow could either commission or run bus services. But the Scottish Government must back this plan if it's going to work. "First, we need to give councils the power to plan the routes they need and cap fares. But that's only the first step - from there we need to properly support new publicly owned bus operators. "If we get this right, Glasgow and the wider region can achieve better buses for everyone - cheaper, more reliable, and greener. Glasgow deserves nothing less."
