McGill’s Midland Bluebird

[stevenedin]

In my opinion. It would make sense to rebrand the whole of Midland Bluebird and Xplore Dundee to just Xplore and choose one livery to work with.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Although they appear to be doing just that with the Xplore buses to be used on a contract in Aberdeen.

I thought that was an offshoot of Dundee; are they getting a dedicated livery?

 

[Volvodart]

I thought that was an offshoot of Dundee; are they getting a dedicated livery?

Publicity shows a blue livery with Xplore fleet name.

New Routes, New Beginnings, new to the scene in Aberdeen

From 25 November, we’ll be running the 14 between Kingswells Village and City Centre, Bridge St. Running 5 days a week Monday to Friday

www.xploredundee.com

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Publicity shows a blue livery with Xplore fleet name.

New Routes, New Beginnings, new to the scene in Aberdeen

From 25 November, we’ll be running the 14 between Kingswells Village and City Centre, Bridge St. Running 5 days a week Monday to Friday

www.xploredundee.com

Ah right - so looks like they're going to use the Midland Bluebird livery. That could just be a couple of vehicles redeployed; might suggest that Eastern Scottish isn't going to be resurrected though.

I'm not certain about the clamour for Eastern Scottish. It's been a long time since it disappeared and even longer since it was a smart, well regarded operation. I wonder how many passengers would even remember it from those days.

 

[delt1c]

Ah right - so looks like they're going to use the Midland Bluebird livery. That could just be a couple of vehicles redeployed; might suggest that Eastern Scottish isn't going to be resurrected though.

I'm not certain about the clamour for Eastern Scottish. It's been a long time since it disappeared and even longer since it was a smart, well regarded operation. I wonder how many passengers would even remember it from those days.

In West Lothian Mc Gills trading as Eastern Scottish will take a long time to be forgotten

 

[Stan Drews]

Ah right - so looks like they're going to use the Midland Bluebird livery. That could just be a couple of vehicles redeployed; might suggest that Eastern Scottish isn't going to be resurrected though.

I'm not certain about the clamour for Eastern Scottish. It's been a long time since it disappeared and even longer since it was a smart, well regarded operation. I wonder how many passengers would even remember it from those days.

It is simply a case of buses being redeployed and retaining their existing livery. New buses are due for the Group in 2025, so likely to be some further changes made once they enter service.
Remember that this was a fairly short notice tender/award, so available vehicle options were limited.

 

[318266]

It is simply a case of buses being redeployed and retaining their existing livery.

All 3 vehicles known to be sent over (411, 480 and 481) have been very recently repainted to the best of my knowledge, so I'm not sure where you got this impression from. 411 had been in First Scotland East Urban and the other two in Trossachs Explorer wrap which presumably covered the old Xplore Dundee 360 livery.

 

[Stan Drews]

All 3 vehicles known to be sent over (411, 480 and 481) have been very recently repainted to the best of my knowledge, so I'm not sure where you got this impression from. 411 had been in First Scotland East Urban and the other two in Trossachs Explorer wrap which presumably covered the old Xplore Dundee 360 livery.

Those are the buses earmarked for the new Edinburgh contracts, not the new Aberdeen route which had been commented on, and for which the reply related.

 

[GusB]

It must be good to be right about everything, but my comments on recycling the Eastern name was based on logic, not nostalgia. Of course the Bus Group obviously had its fair share of brainless management too, hence Eastern Scottish having a depot at Baillieston and operating local services around Glasgow.

It's not about being right about everything. My point is that there's no point in keeping a very small number of vehicles in a dedicated livery when those vehicles will have to be swapped out at some point in order to undergo maintenance and other non-branded vehicles are substituted in the meantime. You're right in that it's no different to route branding, but that only works when there's a concerted effort to keep the correctly branded vehicles on the relevant route.

McGill's reintroduced the Eastern Scottish brand and pseudo Lothian Country livery whilst actively competing against Lothian, so I'm not convinced they even knew the whole operation was going to be dropped shortly afterwards.

I have no doubt that McGill's intention was to revive both brands, but it became apparent quite quickly that the Eastern Scottish brand wasn't going to work and it was dropped.

I'm sure you are also right about the cost of consulting Best Impressions to come up with a rebrand. No doubt Ray Stenning or one of his underlings went to the bother of designing the green livery for nothing, perhaps throwing in the Mercury graphic for free.

It's not a case of a livery being designed for nothing. The livery was designed once, but with different colour variations. It's no different to how things were under GRT, when they adapted the Aberdeen livery and then applied it to Midland Bluebird, Leicester, Northampton etc.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

In West Lothian Mc Gills trading as Eastern Scottish will take a long time to be forgotten

I have no doubt that McGill's intention was to revive both brands, but it became apparent quite quickly that the Eastern Scottish brand wasn't going to work and it was dropped.

I'm not certain that the McGills iteration of the Eastern Scottish name will be remembered at all, except by enthusiasts. I mean, how many vehicles got reliveried? Did it get to double figures? I don't think the vehicles in First colours gained fleetname vinyls?

As @GusB says, they probably thought they could turn it around. Hence they went for a new image that was a clear break from First for both operations. However, they quickly realised that the losses were irredeemable.

 

[CSB0241]

Taken from the Edinburgh Tender’s thread:

Full details of the new Midland Bluebird routes 13 and 60 are now available on their website/app.

Network changes - Midland Bluebird

www.mcgillsscotlandeast.co.uk

Midland Bluebird will commence operating service 13 on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council. - Midland Bluebird

www.mcgillsscotlandeast.co.uk

From the 2nd of December 2024 we will be operating service 13 on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council. The route and timetable will be similar to the current service, but we would encourage customers to view our information online or look out for our leaflets which we will shortly be distributing.

https://passenger-line-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mcgillsse/MESC/13-timetable-20241202-87c06aff.pdf

https://passenger-line-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mcgillsse/MESC/13-map-20241202-7ccae80d.pdf

New service 60 will link Dumbiedykes with Surgeons Hall, Tolllcross and Haymarket. - Midland Bluebird

www.mcgillsscotlandeast.co.uk

We will commence the operation of this service on behalf of City of Edinburgh Council. The new route will link the Dumbiedykes area with Surgeons Hall, Tollcross & Haymarket, please view the map and timetable on line or look out for our leaflets.

https://passenger-line-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mcgillsse/MESC/60-timetable-20241202-7af4279a.pdf

https://passenger-line-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mcgillsse/MESC/60-map-20241202-c2a27168.pdf

In my opinion. It would make sense to rebrand the whole of Midland Bluebird and Xplore Dundee to just Xplore and choose one livery to work with.

I completely disagree. I think that, yeah, now that they’re running routes (or rather, a route) in Aberdeen, maybe rebranding Xplore Dundee to Xplore East Coast, but thats a discussion for another thread (such as the MGA or XPD thread). As for Midland Bluebird, it’s fine as it is, & if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

Publicity shows a blue livery with Xplore fleet name.

New Routes, New Beginnings, new to the scene in Aberdeen

From 25 November, we’ll be running the 14 between Kingswells Village and City Centre, Bridge St. Running 5 days a week Monday to Friday

www.xploredundee.com

So they’re just gonna take a vehicle from us & send it up to Aberdeen? Could at least paint it green.

New buses are due for the Group in 2025, so likely to be some further changes made once they enter service.

What buses are these, might I ask? Do we know?

All 3 vehicles known to be sent over (411, 480 and 481) have been very recently repainted to the best of my knowledge, so I'm not sure where you got this impression from. 411 had been in First Scotland East Urban and the other two in Trossachs Explorer wrap which presumably covered the old Xplore Dundee 360 livery.

Curious as to what the other one will be, presumably 0412 or 0410 if McGills still have them?

 

[Stan Drews]

What buses are these, might I ask? Do we know?

The 42 electric buses part of the last ScotZEB announcement. 12 DD for Dundee and 30 SD for Larbert.

 

[LothianBusesPh]

I'm not certain that the McGills iteration of the Eastern Scottish name will be remembered at all, except by enthusiasts. I mean, how many vehicles got reliveried? Did it get to double figures? I don't think the vehicles in First colours gained fleetname vinyls?

I am sure it will be by the residents of West Lothian, not all but a lot of them, they will certainly remember the McGill’s name. Fortunately for McGill’s, not all know that Midland Bluebird and Bright Bus are the same company.

 

[CSB0241]

The 42 electric buses part of the last ScotZEB announcement. 12 DD for Dundee and 30 SD for Larbert.

Might the 30 see the Streetlites out then? There’s 31 DFs in the company currently so if some buses were moved from Larbert to compensate, that could be their idea. They do also stick out in the fleet as the only integral Wright buses in a fleet of mostly ADLs (if you ignore the odd Mercedes, Yutongs, or Wright-bodied Volvos).

 

[stevenedin]

On the Move: Midland Bluebird Extends Services to New Areas with Routes 13, 60, and X39

www.mcgillsscotlandeast.co.uk

On the Move: Midland Bluebird Extends Services to New Areas with Routes 13, 60, and X39​

From 2 December, Midland Bluebird is extending their services into new areas with routes 13, 60 and X39.
The 13 contecting Craigleith (Retail Park) to Lochend via Blackhall, West End and Broughton
The 60 serving Tollcross to Holyrood Gait via Nicolson Square and Holyrood Road to serve Dumbiedykes residents.
The X39 linking Livingston, Deans Road, Edinburgh Lochend via Broxburn, Newbridge and Barnton
Ready to ride? Getting your ticket is simple and convenient! Tickets are available on board from the driver, or skip the queue by purchasing your ticket in advance through our mobile app. Whether you're commuting, running errands, or planning a day out, Midland Bluebird has you covered.
More areas, more connections, and more ways to travel—Midland Bluebird is on the move, and we can’t wait to welcome you aboard.

 

[EMU303]

Is this the beginning of a bus war between McGills and Lothian?

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

Is this the beginning of a bus war between McGills and Lothian?

Not really a bus war they’re tendered services except the X39 that only runs a few journeys a day and are placing journeys for the tendered routes

 

[mb88]

Find it quite amusing they’re actually trying to plug the X39 as an Livingston to Edinburgh service. Three journeys a day in each direction and only serving 3 stops that could actually be classed as being in Livingston, but are only any use to a very small number of people working at Deans industrial estate.

 

[EMU303]

Not really a bus war they’re tendered services except the X39 that only runs a few journeys a day and are placing journeys for the tendered routes

Ah, cheers..

 

[Spsf3232]

Find it quite amusing they’re actually trying to plug the X39 as an Livingston to Edinburgh service. Three journeys a day in each direction and only serving 3 stops that could actually be classed as being in Livingston, but are only any use to a very small number of people working at Deans industrial estate.

They could improve on it using the coaches that run into Edinburgh empty on Flix or even the open toppers if they wanted to!

 

[scosutsut]

They could improve on it using the coaches that run into Edinburgh empty on Flix or even the open toppers if they wanted to!

But then the buses needed for the 13/60 wouldn't be in place for the rest of the day. It needs to be the vehicles for that for as long as they continue to run them from Livingston.

 

[Christmas]

An hourly St. John's Hospital to Edinburgh via the Centre and FastLink would definitely be worth it. Perhaps via Broxburn but with a focus on speed. This could be used to transfer drivers for Bright Bus.

 

[Stan Drews]

They could improve on it using the coaches that run into Edinburgh empty on Flix or even the open toppers if they wanted to!

FlixBus services aren’t registered so can change at relatively short notice, so wouldn’t be ideal if they had registered depot trips.
They are also more likely to be delayed on longer trips up and down the country, so return to depot trips could become unreliable.

An hourly St. John's Hospital to Edinburgh via the Centre and FastLink would definitely be worth it. Perhaps via Broxburn but with a focus on speed. This could be used to transfer drivers for Bright Bus.

Bright Bus tour driver beaks are taken at their premises in Edinburgh city centre.

 

[Tartanarmy85]

Bright bus Airport staff regularly tout at Edinburgh Airport thought this illegal?

 

[Stan Drews]

Bright bus Airport staff regularly tout at Edinburgh Airport thought this illegal?

Not illegal, although there are restrictions within the contract with the Airport authority. Lothian have the same restrictions, which they blatantly flout, so I assume the airport are happy to look the other way!

 

[Tartanarmy85]

Not illegal, although there are restrictions within the contract with the Airport authority. Lothian have the same restrictions, which they blatantly flout, so I assume the airport are happy to look the other way!

What have Lothian done ain't seen them tout?

 

[Stan Drews]

What have Lothian done ain't seen them tout?

Haha! Do you wear madder tinted specs by any chance?

 

[Tartanarmy85]

Haha! Do you wear madder tinted specs by any chance?

No I just commuter regularly at airport I use the 909 bus so maybe not see what you do? But sure you will tell us?

Haha! Do you wear madder tinted specs by any chance?

I am question do you work for bright bus went quite when I just want know what these lothian claims are and I am not related any company

 

[Stan Drews]

No I just commuter regularly at airport I use the 909 bus so maybe not see what you do? But sure you will tell us?


I am question do you work for bright bus went quite when I just want know what these lothian claims are and I am not related any company

They often have a small army of people trying to ensure people don’t head towards their rivals. Surprised you haven’t seen them if you’re through the airport regularly, but no big deal.

 

[LothianBusesPh]

They often have a small army of people trying to ensure people don’t head towards their rivals. Surprised you haven’t seen them if you’re through the airport regularly, but no big deal.

I am at the Airport a lot. Lothian guys tend to stick at their spot as do Bright Bus, who usually only have one or two staff members at the Airport at a time. Lothian are more conservative with their staff promoting their service with most of the noise coming from Bright Bus’ end. This is also the case at Waverley Bridge. I’m not talking about signage inside the Airport, I am talking about what the staff do. Lots of the work the Airlink staff do is help people get to other departments of the Airport!

Lothian staff from my observation only really nag you if you ask them a question, whereas Bright Bus does all the campaigning they can (which isn’t a critique of either company).