FirstBus.co.uk Reviews: 43

I had this whole saga with the bus services around South West Wales

So, I had this whole saga with the bus services around South West Wales. You know how they say you can go just about anywhere with a weekly or monthly ticket? Yeah, not so much. Turns out, if you're planning to head to Gower or Cardiff, you're out of luck because that's a different company altogether. And don't even get me started on Sundays—there's zero service between Port Talbot and Swansea. Seriously, nothing! The drivers, though, have gotten a bit nicer lately, which is a silver lining I guess. But the misleading ticket info is a major letdown. Glad we dodged buying the monthly ticket, that would have been a total waste!

I gotta share my experience

I gotta share my experience with Firstbus Co. It was quite a ride, and not in the good way. The management there? It's like they're running some kind of underground operation. Seriously, the whole place feels off. I've seen too many good folks get shown the door over the weirdest accusations. It's like the managers have their own twisted game plan, and they're not shy about playing dirty. It feels like they're on a power trip, making decisions that make no sense. If you're considering working there, I'd think twice. The atmosphere is just too toxic, and it's hard to see any good coming out of it. Better steer clear if you value your peace of mind.

I hopped on the Hullbridge

I hopped on the Hullbridge bus today, and let me tell you, it was quite the ride. The driver, Gareth, really set the tone with his friendly vibe. He greeted every single passenger with a cheerful hello, which is rare these days. You could just see the mood lifting in the bus. I usually just sit there with my headphones on, but even I couldn’t help but smile. Everyone seemed a bit happier, all thanks to Gareth's positive energy. The bus was on time, as always, but today felt different, in a good way. Kudos to Gareth for making a regular bus ride feel a bit more special.

So, today was another adventure

So, today was another adventure with the 23 bus. I'm waiting at the Purland Road stop, expecting it to show up at 07:32 like the schedule says. But, of course, it's a no-show until 07:45. Meanwhile, another 23 just breezes by us over on the Heartsease Estate. It’s beyond frustrating—feels like this company just can't get it together. I mean, seriously, can’t Norwich Council find a bus service that actually runs on time? This isn’t the first time it’s happened, and it throws off my whole morning routine. Getting to work shouldn’t be this complicated. Something’s gotta give, right?

I was on the 52a

I was on the 52a bus in Sheffield the other evening, heading out from the city centre, and witnessed something really upsetting. The bus driver closed the doors right in front of a young woman who was about to get on, even though he'd just let another person board. It felt so intentional and mean-spirited. The poor woman looked really distressed and it made me think about past experiences where drivers seem to target people of colour. It's not just rude—it's downright dangerous. I really think First Bus needs to look into this kind of behavior. Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected while traveling, and this kind of discrimination should be addressed seriously.

I had a terrible experience

I had a terrible experience with their service. I got charged twice for the same trip because the driver switched buses halfway. When I tried to sort it out, they kept denying it was their fault. I spent an hour on the phone and sent a bunch of emails, but still no refund. They keep asking for my card and bank details over and over, even though I've already provided them. As a "gesture of goodwill", they offered me a free ticket for a system I don't even use, which is absolutely pointless. Make sure to keep an eye on your bank statements if you're using their service.

I've usually been happy with

I've usually been happy with the First Bus service in the Gosport, Fareham, and Portsmouth area, but my last experience was pretty frustrating. I visit Gosport once a year and buy a weekly bus and ferry ticket for my husband, son, and myself to get around while visiting my mum. On December 27, 2024, I bought the three tickets on the bus using my card, but two transactions got declined. In the chaos, the driver asked me to pay £103 in cash, which I did. Later, I found out that the card transactions had actually gone through. First Bus refuses to reimburse me even though I have proof of purchase. Paying twice really made this trip way too expensive!

I had a terrible experience

I had a terrible experience with this company. The coach showed up 26 minutes late, and when I tried to get some help from customer service, they were no use at all. They wouldn't even give me a refund and just kept making excuses for the poor service. It felt like they didn't care about their customers at all. I regret not checking the reviews before buying my ticket. Definitely won't be using them again!

I waited for a bus

I waited for a bus that never came on time, and it was a real hassle. Imagine standing there for 30 minutes, only to give up and start walking. Just my luck, the bus zoomed by 50 minutes late! Seriously, why isn't there any tracking system for these buses? It's 2024, come on. I can't help but wonder how much money they make and how many luxury items they buy while we, the everyday folks, struggle with unreliable public transport. It’s frustrating, especially for those with mobility or financial challenges. They really need to improve their service so people can plan their day without such headaches. It’s just ridiculous.

Took a ride on the

Took a ride on the new First Solent X4 & X5 electric buses recently. At first, they seemed super quiet, but one ride was full of odd clanking noises from the back. Seats have USB ports for charging, which is awesome, but mine didn't work. Only the right-side ports were lit up. The bus was almost empty, and weirdly, the destination board said we were heading to Hanover, which was totally wrong. Also, the automated voice announcing stops cut off mid-sentence, making it confusing. Drivers are mostly nice, some even chatty. The tech is cool but seems hit-or-miss. Maybe the drivers just need better training on how to use it all properly?

I swear these buses are

I swear these buses are driving me nuts. Sometimes they're so early you miss them, other times you wait forever and start thinking maybe that £15 taxi isn't such a bad idea. Seriously, can we get drivers who actually follow the timetable? And don't even get me started on the timetable itself. The paper version says one thing, but the machine tells you something completely different. It's just ridiculous. If the drivers want a pay raise, maybe they should try doing their job right first. Fix the timetable, get the drivers to stick to it, and maybe then we'll all be a bit happier.

I’ve honestly never dealt with

I’ve honestly never dealt with such a frustrating bus service. Always late, and they cancel without letting anyone know. Their Twitter is basically useless—no responses at all. Prices keep going up, but service just gets worse. Drivers even take breaks to smoke or go to the toilet right behind the bus stop, which is super gross. I ride the bus twice a day, Monday to Friday, and it’s a rare day when I don’t have some sort of issue. I’ve seen public transport in less developed countries run better than this. It’s a total mess.

I was trying to get

I was trying to get to Suffolk Wildlife Park on a Saturday evening and checked traveline.info for the 99 bus from Waterloo Road, Lowestoft. It said the bus would be there at 1744, so I headed to the stop a few minutes early. The First Bus App on my phone, which isn’t the easiest to use, confirmed the same time. But, as the minutes ticked by, the bus never showed up. By 1754, it was clear it wasn’t coming, so I ended up paying £13 for a taxi. This isn't the first time I’ve experienced "phantom buses" on this app. The bus starts at the Bus Station, so they must've known it was cancelled before it was supposed to arrive. If the app had shown it was cancelled, I wouldn’t have wasted time waiting and could’ve taken a taxi earlier. Two things need fixing: 1. Make the app user-friendly like Google. 2. Stop showing buses as ‘due’ if they're not coming.