FirstGroup, the UK’s largest transport provider and one of the Major Supporters of Glasgow’s 2014 Commonwealth Games Bid, has provided two branded state of the art luxury coaches to transport Games delegates around Glasgow.

The brand new coaches are fully equipped with the latest specifications and have never been in service before.  For the next six weeks the coaches will be dedicated to transporting representatives of the Commonwealth Games Federation around Glasgow to evaluate the city’s bid.

“First is totally committed to Glasgow's bid,” said Moir Lockhead, chief executive of FirstGroup.  “We are pleased to be able to provide the two coaches.  I hope the delegates enjoy their journeys on board, and more importantly, I hope they appreciate just what a vibrant and exciting city Glasgow is. 

“With over 8,500 employees in Scotland and more than 200 million passenger journeys completed in Scotland every year, First provides the backbone of Scotland's public transport infrastructure,” continued Lockhead.  “We will continue to be passionate in our support over the coming months to ensure that Glasgow is declared the winning city by the Commonwealth Games Federation in November 2007.

“First provided all the transport for athletes during the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games, a scheme that worked fantastically well.  Should Glasgow be successful, its something we would certainly hope to replicate.”

Louise Martin, chair of the Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland, was on the bus as it toured Glasgow with the first group of delegates this week.

Derek Casey, 2014 Bid Director said: "We are very grateful to FirstGroup for providing these excellent coaches. Many of the representatives of Commonwealth Games Associations responsible for deciding which City will host the 2014 Commonwealth Games will be visiting Scotland over the next six weeks, and it is a tremendous boost that they will see what an exceptional City Glasgow is and in such comfort and style."

Providing the high quality buses is the most recent initiative First has implemented to support Glasgow’s bid.  First has also provided free advertising on the backs of buses throughout its Scottish operations, while First ScotRail has provided a unique and distinctive livery on one of its trains, which operates throughout Scotland.