First Bus Becomes Official Sponsor of Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games

First Bus, part of the Aberdeen-based FirstGroup and one of the largest bus operators in Scotland, has become the latest addition to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Sponsor Family.

The bus operator’s network of high frequency, regular services across the city will be supplemented by designated spectator shuttle services linking principal Games venues within the city centre.

Tim O’Toole, Chief Executive of FirstGroup, which operates First Bus, said, “We are proud of our Scottish heritage and the important role we play connecting people and communities up and down Scotland, every day. The Commonwealth Games, falling in the Year of Homecoming, provides an important opportunity for Scotland to promote itself around the world, and we look forward to playing our part, moving people around Glasgow and Scotland as quickly and efficiently as we can.”

First is expected to publish details of its comprehensive Games transport arrangements in the coming weeks.

First will provide bus services for all client groups during the Games including athletes, technical officials and the media.

The company currently operates around 950 vehicles across Greater Glasgow, and will operate additional buses during the Games in order to transport the large numbers of spectators expected, as well as all the accredited client groups.

The company has also become an Official Supporter of Team Scotland.

Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games and Sport, Shona Robison, said, “It’s great to have First Bus on board as a sponsor of the XX Commonwealth Games. I would encourage people who are coming to watch the Games to take advantage of public transport in Glasgow as much as possible, as it will be the quickest, easiest and most efficient way to get around. Transport within the city boundaries is included in the price of Games tickets so it won’t even cost spectators anything extra to travel across Glasgow. It’s so inspiring and encouraging that so many big organisations across the country are rallying up and getting behind the Games – which are gearing up to be the best ever – and Team Scotland.”

Train operator ScotRail, also part of FirstGroup, is an Official Supporter - Passenger Services for the Games.