McGill's Buses - Renfrewshire & Inverclyde

[KGGXXXY]

The Herald - McGill's boss confirms the operator will run Glasgow night buses

McGill's boss confirms the operator will run Glasgow night buses​

By Catriona Stewart


McGill's has said it would take over night bus services


The boss of one of First Bus's transport rivals has confirmed the company will run night bus services from the end of the month - but only on selected routes.

He said these would include: Glasgow city centre to the Paisley corridor through Bellahouston and and Cardonald; the Govan corridor out to Drumoyne through Renfrew to Paisley; Easterhouse along Alexandra Parade; and a route out to Pollok and Nitshill.
McGill's had announced earlier in the week that it was looking at the viability of running night bus services following a shock announcement by First Glasgow on Monday that it would end the city's 11 night time routes.
There has been outcry from politicians, night time workers, charities, safety experts and unions about the loss of the service.
First Glasgow said as few as 14 passengers an hour were running on some routes and driver shortages meant drivers would be deployed to enhance day time services.
Mr Roberts told the BBC that footfall had returned to 90% of its pre-pandemic levels on McGill's services but cost bases have risen, in part due to Brexit, and that access to employees has been difficult.

But he added: "We feel we can make these work and, if they do, then we would expand the routes."
Duncan Cameron, chief executive of First Bus Scotland, told The Herald earlier this week that the company was willing to be flexible around driver recruitment and suggested that pub staff could be trained as drivers then work a hybrid bar/bus shift.

In response to this Mr Roberts replied: "You really need to be doing [bus driving] as your sole job to be good at it."
He said teams at McGill's are "working hard" to get the permissions needed to go ahead with the new routes and were trying to cut a three month process to one month in order to ensure a "seamless handover" of services at the end of this month.
McGill’s Buses, the UK’s largest independent bus operator, is owned by Scottish billionaire brothers Sandy and James Easdale

 

[EMU303]

The Heard - McGill's boss confirms the operator will run Glasgow night buses

This is going to be really interesting. If McGill's can make a success of the night routes (or most of them), do they see this as an opportunity for leverage (and good PR) into eventually operating more services beyond their current routes? Whilst First Glasgow (FG) will be watching them very closely and looking to preserve their general dominance in Glasgow, could a success of night buses by McGill's create a thought amongst some passengers that McGills are the "plucky upstarts" against the "big bad" First? That thought probably doesn't occur in West Lothian at the moment (!) but McGills must have their eye on a bigger slice of the lucrative Glasgow market if they can grab some more for themselves.

To add: their proposed night bus services are mainly concentrated in their current area - Paisley corridor, Govan corridor, Pollok, but Easterhouse is their first venture into the east of the city. If they manage to retain the Easterhouse route then maybe they eventually look to build something from that small start. Of course, it might not work out for them and everything remains the same as today. Generally both companies keeping to themselves. Unclear at the moment if they are taking on all FG axed night services or just what's quoted in the article. They are talking about "four or five" routes as per this quote via the BBC:

First Bus delays withdrawal of Glasgow night services

The bus firm has delayed the Glasgow cancellation to allow more time to explore potential options.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[voidwxrranty]

This is going to be really interesting. If McGill's can make a success of the night routes (or most of them), do they see this as an opportunity for leverage (and good PR) into eventually operating more services beyond their current routes? Whilst First Glasgow (FG) will be watching them very closely and looking to preserve their general dominance in Glasgow, could a success of night buses by McGill's create a thought amongst some passengers that McGills are the "plucky upstarts" against the "big bad" First? That thought probably doesn't occur in West Lothian at the moment (!) but McGills must have their eye on a bigger slice of the lucrative Glasgow market if they can grab some more for themselves.

To add: their proposed night bus services are mainly concentrated in their current area - Paisley corridor, Govan corridor, Pollok, but Easterhouse is their first venture into the east of the city. If they manage to retain the Easterhouse route then maybe they eventually look to build something from that small start. Of course, it might not work out for them and everything remains the same as today. Generally both companies keeping to themselves. Unclear at the moment if they are taking on all FG axed night services or just what's quoted in the article.

McGill’s used to be contracted to run a service out that way (service 310 - Moodiesburn-Shettleston), hopefully these night routes work well.

 

[EMU303]

First Bus delays withdrawal of Glasgow night services

The bus firm has delayed the Glasgow cancellation to allow more time to explore potential options.

www.bbc.co.uk

Maybe FG genuinely want to see if they can make it work or perhaps they didn't expect (or like the idea of) McGills taking on the night services...

 

[Simon75]

Would there be much dead miles in running night buses?

 

[smtglasgow]

Do McGills have enough drivers for this? The short notice cancellations tab on the website (last updated on Wednesday) has a lot of missing journeys. If they can resource the night buses AND run their daytime journeys, fair enough, but taking on extra work when they can’t cover the day to day stuff seems daft.

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

Do McGills have enough drivers for this? The short notice cancellations tab on the website (last updated on Wednesday) has a lot of missing journeys. If they can resource the night buses AND run their daytime journeys, fair enough, but taking on extra work when they can’t cover the day to day stuff seems daft.

That’s because it is daft.

 

[delt1c]

That’s because it is daft.

Fully agree.

 

[markymark2000]

Do McGills have enough drivers for this? The short notice cancellations tab on the website (last updated on Wednesday) has a lot of missing journeys. If they can resource the night buses AND run their daytime journeys, fair enough, but taking on extra work when they can’t cover the day to day stuff seems daft.

You will have some drivers who will only work for a firm if they have the nights though. Some people are night owls and prefer to work all night and right now, McGills doesn't offer that kind of working and so someone may be put off from applying because the work doesn't suit their lifestyle. With nights however, someone may apply on the basis that they do the night buses.

You will also have normal drivers who will refuse to do overtime on the 38 as they may see it as boring but will happily volunteer to do night buses because it's something different.

I say this because I am the same. 'Yes I will work overtime but only if it's something that I like doing'.

The same thing was said about Scotland East taking on Flixbus when they can't cover all of their local service work.

 

[WestieBus]

Service 312 has been re-allocated to Midland Bluebird. Makes sense since Larbert is 2x closer than Inchinnan or Johnstone https://bustimes.org/services/312-coatbridge-caldercruix

312 - Coatbridge - Caldercruix​

A bus service operated by McGill's Scotland East

Coatbridge - Caldercruix​

Coatbridge Bus Stance (stop 3 eastbound)	18:45	19:45	20:45	21:45	22:45
Whinhall, at Ralston Street	18:55	19:55	20:55	21:55	22:55
Clarkston Forrest Street (at 97)	19:03	20:03	21:03	22:03	23:03
Plains, at Post Office	19:07	20:07	21:07	22:07	23:07
Caldercruix, before Craigsmile	19:12	20:12	21:12	22:12	23:12

Caldercruix - Coatbridge​

Caldercruix, at Church View	18:15	19:15	20:15	21:15	22:15
Plains Main Street (after 78)	18:20	19:20	20:20	21:20	22:20
Clarkston Forrest Street (Opp 111)	18:24	19:24	20:24	21:24	22:24
Whinhall, opp Ralston Street	18:32	19:32	20:32	21:32	22:32
Coatbridge Bus Stance (stop 3 westbound)	18:42	19:42	20:42	21:42	22:42

 

[gingerheid]

It'll be interesting to see how night buses work out. The general impression that I get of daytime Glasgow would preclude me wanting to spending an evening or night there, but maybe I'm just too old now!

 

[christopherrfc]

McGills have registered a new Night service numbered N3 between the City Centre and Pollok

https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk/search/find-registered-local-bus-services/details/614720/

Bus registration details​

• Registration numberPM0000015/336
• Licence NumberPM0000015
• Variation number0
• StatusNew
• Service number.N3
• Service typeNormal Stopping
• Start pointCharing Cross, Glasgow
• Finish pointCircular
• ViaThornliebank & Pollock
• Date received09 Aug 2023
• Effective date25 Aug 2023
• End date
• Supported by subsidies?No
• Local authorities covered by routeStrathclyde Partnership for Transport
• TAOs covered by routeScotland

Registration history

Reg No.	Var No.	Status	Application type	Date received	Date effective	End date	Action
PM0000015/336	0	New	Manual	09/08/2023	25/08/2023

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Also N4 between the City Centre and Newton Mearns.

https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk/search/find-registered-local-bus-services/details/614721/

Bus registration details​

• Registration numberPM0000015/337
• Licence NumberPM0000015
• Variation number0
• StatusNew
• Service number.N4
• Service typeNormal Stopping
• Start pointCharing Cross, Glasgow
• Finish pointCircular
• ViaShawlands & Newton Mearns
• Date received09 Aug 2023
• Effective date25 Aug 2023
• End date
• Supported by subsidies?No
• Local authorities covered by routeStrathclyde Partnership for Transport
• TAOs covered by routeScotland

Registration history

Reg No.	Var No.	Status	Application type	Date received	Date effective	End date	Action
PM0000015/337	0	New	Manual	09/08/2023	25/08/2023

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Also N6 between the City Centre and Clydebank

https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk/search/find-registered-local-bus-services/details/614723/

Bus registration details​

• Registration numberPM0000015/338
• Licence NumberPM0000015
• Variation number0
• StatusNew
• Service number.N6
• Service typeNormal Stopping
• Start pointHope Street, Glasgow
• Finish pointCircular
• ViaBotanic Gardens & Clydebank
• Date received09 Aug 2023
• Effective date25 Aug 2023
• End date
• Supported by subsidies?No
• Local authorities covered by routeStrathclyde Partnership for Transport
• TAOs covered by routeScotland

Registration history

Reg No.	Var No.	Status	Application type	Date received	Date effective	End date	Action
PM0000015/338	0	New	Manual	09/08/2023	25/08/2023

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Also N38 between the City Centre and Paisley

https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk/search/find-registered-local-bus-services/details/614724/

Bus registration details​

• Registration numberPM0000015/339
• Licence NumberPM0000015
• Variation number0
• StatusNew
• Service number.N38
• Service typeNormal Stopping
• Start pointCharing Cross, Glasgow
• Finish pointCircular
• ViaCardonald & Paisley
• Date received09 Aug 2023
• Effective date25 Aug 2023
• End date
• Supported by subsidies?No
• Local authorities covered by route
• TAOs covered by route

Registration history

Reg No.	Var No.	Status	Application type	Date received	Date effective	End date	Action
PM0000015/339	0	New	Manual	09/08/2023	25/08/2023

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Also N60 between the City Centre and Drumchapel

https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk/search/find-registered-local-bus-services/details/614725/

Bus registration details​

• Registration numberPM0000015/340
• Licence NumberPM0000015
• Variation number0
• StatusNew
• Service number.N60
• Service typeNormal Stopping
• Start pointHope Street, Glasgow
• Finish pointCircular
• ViaMaryhill & Drumchapel
• Date received09 Aug 2023
• Effective date25 Aug 2023
• End date
• Supported by subsidies?No
• Local authorities covered by route
• TAOs covered by route

Registration history

Reg No.	Var No.	Status	Application type	Date received	Date effective	End date	Action
PM0000015/340	0	New	Manual	09/08/2023	25/08/2023

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[sannox]

Interesting to see the areas they feel are worthwhile covering. It's very much south and west so better placed for McGill's to operate.

I wonder if the fact they are registered as circular indicate they will run 'in service' back - likely fast via motorways etc but public could hypothetically use it? This not reminiscent of the old GCT services which looped from George Square!

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

McGills have registered a new Night service numbered N3 between the City Centre and Pollok

Bus registration details​

• Registration numberPM0000015/336
• Licence NumberPM0000015
• Variation number0
• StatusNew
• Service number.N3
• Service typeNormal Stopping
• Start pointCharing Cross, Glasgow
• Finish pointCircular
• ViaThornliebank & Pollock
• Date received09 Aug 2023
• Effective date25 Aug 2023
• End date
• Supported by subsidies?No
• Local authorities covered by routeStrathclyde Partnership for Transport
• TAOs covered by routeScotland

Registration history

Reg No.	Var No.	Status	Application type	Date received	Date effective	End date	Action
PM0000015/336	0	New	Manual	09/08/2023	25/08/2023

Back to topBack to search results

Also N4 between the City Centre and Newton Mearns.

Bus registration details​

• Registration numberPM0000015/337
• Licence NumberPM0000015
• Variation number0
• StatusNew
• Service number.N4
• Service typeNormal Stopping
• Start pointCharing Cross, Glasgow
• Finish pointCircular
• ViaShawlands & Newton Mearns
• Date received09 Aug 2023
• Effective date25 Aug 2023
• End date
• Supported by subsidies?No
• Local authorities covered by routeStrathclyde Partnership for Transport
• TAOs covered by routeScotland

Registration history

Reg No.	Var No.	Status	Application type	Date received	Date effective	End date	Action
PM0000015/337	0	New	Manual	09/08/2023	25/08/2023

Back to topBack to search results

Also N6 between the City Centre and Clydebank

Bus registration details​

• Registration numberPM0000015/338
• Licence NumberPM0000015
• Variation number0
• StatusNew
• Service number.N6
• Service typeNormal Stopping
• Start pointHope Street, Glasgow
• Finish pointCircular
• ViaBotanic Gardens & Clydebank
• Date received09 Aug 2023
• Effective date25 Aug 2023
• End date
• Supported by subsidies?No
• Local authorities covered by routeStrathclyde Partnership for Transport
• TAOs covered by routeScotland

Registration history

Reg No.	Var No.	Status	Application type	Date received	Date effective	End date	Action
PM0000015/338	0	New	Manual	09/08/2023	25/08/2023

Back to topBack to search results

Also N38 between the City Centre and Paisley

Bus registration details​

• Registration numberPM0000015/339
• Licence NumberPM0000015
• Variation number0
• StatusNew
• Service number.N38
• Service typeNormal Stopping
• Start pointCharing Cross, Glasgow
• Finish pointCircular
• ViaCardonald & Paisley
• Date received09 Aug 2023
• Effective date25 Aug 2023
• End date
• Supported by subsidies?No
• Local authorities covered by route
• TAOs covered by route

Registration history

Reg No.	Var No.	Status	Application type	Date received	Date effective	End date	Action
PM0000015/339	0	New	Manual	09/08/2023	25/08/2023

Back to topBack to search results

Also N60 between the City Centre and Drumchapel

Bus registration details​

• Registration numberPM0000015/340
• Licence NumberPM0000015
• Variation number0
• StatusNew
• Service number.N60
• Service typeNormal Stopping
• Start pointHope Street, Glasgow
• Finish pointCircular
• ViaMaryhill & Drumchapel
• Date received09 Aug 2023
• Effective date25 Aug 2023
• End date
• Supported by subsidies?No
• Local authorities covered by route
• TAOs covered by route

Registration history

Reg No.	Var No.	Status	Application type	Date received	Date effective	End date	Action
PM0000015/340	0	New	Manual	09/08/2023	25/08/2023

Back to topBack to search results

Financially viable? Nope

 

[roadierway77]

Interesting to see McGill’s actually go for the night services. I wonder what First's reaction will be to a rival running services along corridors they currently only operate.

It's unlikely these services will be financially viable, like the previous night bus services, unless McGill’s up the frequencies and heavily promote them. Perhaps what they're hoping for is for the services to be eventually subsidised by SPT.

 

[Falcon1200]

Perhaps McGills could concentrate on running their existing services before adding new routes? I have sent this complaint to them after a delay yesterday:

Yesterday (Monday 14th August) the 1205 66 from Paisley to Neilston was shown on the information screen at the originating stop at Paisley Piazza until 1207, when it vanished from the screen, and the bus never turned up. Can you please advise why this was cancelled, why the information screen did not show this, and why a bus on a half-hourly only route was cancelled when other far more frequent routes such as the 26 ran normally? Thank you.

I could have added that while waiting for the non-existent 66, numerous other buses passed, including on more than one occasion one 26 right behind another! Do bus operators in general, and McGills in particular, not monitor their services and take action when they are disrupted? Also, what is the point of information screens showing only what is planned to happen but ignoring disruption, it makes them no more use than a printed timetable.

 

[Stan Drews]

Perhaps McGills could concentrate on running their existing services before adding new routes? I have sent this complaint to them after a delay yesterday:

Yesterday (Monday 14th August) the 1205 66 from Paisley to Neilston was shown on the information screen at the originating stop at Paisley Piazza until 1207, when it vanished from the screen, and the bus never turned up. Can you please advise why this was cancelled, why the information screen did not show this, and why a bus on a half-hourly only route was cancelled when other far more frequent routes such as the 26 ran normally? Thank you.

I could have added that while waiting for the non-existent 66, numerous other buses passed, including on more than one occasion one 26 right behind another! Do bus operators in general, and McGills in particular, not monitor their services and take action when they are disrupted? Also, what is the point of information screens showing only what is planned to happen but ignoring disruption, it makes them no more use than a printed timetable.

The information screens are provided by SPT, and like most of these types of display, if they show a time rather than a number of minutes, it means the bus isn’t tracking.
There have been significant roadworks in Barrhead recently, causing a lot of late running, so that might have played a part.

 

[Falcon1200]

The information screens are provided by SPT, and like most of these types of display, if they show a time rather than a number of minutes, it means the bus isn’t tracking.
There have been significant roadworks in Barrhead recently, causing a lot of late running, so that might have played a part.

Thanks, the roadworks in Barrhead (and Neilston too) are not helping reliability! But it is a great pity that real time information cannot be shown, in my case it would have allowed me to make alternative arrangements sooner than was actually the case.

 

[Stan Drews]

Thanks, the roadworks in Barrhead (and Neilston too) are not helping reliability! But it is a great pity that real time information cannot be shown, in my case it would have allowed me to make alternative arrangements sooner than was actually the case.

Unfortunately different technologies aren’t always the best at communicating with each other!
The company app is usually the most likely to be accurate, as you can track buses and see exactly where they are on their routes.

 

[WestieBus]

SG71OTH has "Switch 3" branding added to the vehicle

 

[roadierway77]

SG71OTH has "Switch 3" branding added to the vehicle

Definitely makes sense to add the 3 to the 'Switch' network considering I believe it's used 28-branded Yutong electrics since the launch of the Switch brand. It probably should have been done a while ago. At least the allocated vehicles will now finally begin to have suitable route branding.

 

[sannox]

Interesting to note that McGill's will run back in service to Glasgow on the night buses. Much of that with be done express via M77 (N3/4) M8 (N38). The N6/N60 will go back via Great Western Road. This provides rare services back into Glasgow at night

 

[danielhogg2005]

Interesting to note that McGill's will run back in service to Glasgow on the night buses. Much of that with be done express via M77 (N3/4) M8 (N38). The N6/N60 will go back via Great Western Road. This provides rare services back into Glasgow at night

This allows McGill's to only run one vehicle per route as according to the timetable the bus returns to the city centre 5-10 minutes before the next journey departs.

Does anyone have a list or an idea of what routes are run by McGill's commercially and what routes are run as council contracts?

 

[LothianBusesPh]

Does anyone have a list or an idea of what routes are run by McGill's commercially and what routes are run as council contracts?

You can check on the registrations on bustimes.org and it will state if it's supported by a subsidiary, this is the easiest way but you can also check on the government website, the following link takes you to bustimes.org's McGill's page and it should state when you click a registration if they are or not.

PM0000015 – MCGILL'S BUS SERVICE LTD – bustimes.org

For example, you will see that the Service 330A states it is supported by SPT whilst the 38 doesn't.

 

[WestieBus]

You can check on the registrations on bustimes.org and it will state if it's supported by a subsidiary, this is the easiest way but you can also check on the government website, the following link takes you to bustimes.org's McGill's page and it should state when you click a registration if they are or not.

PM0000015 – MCGILL'S BUS SERVICE LTD – bustimes.org

For example, you will see that the Service 330A states it is supported by SPT whilst the 38 doesn't.

SPT also lists their subsidised bus routes and their timetables on their website

 

[roadierway77]

Does anyone have a list or an idea of what routes are run by McGill's commercially and what routes are run as council contracts?

Off the top of my head, these services are subsidised, either fully or partially:

1
1A
2
2A
10
20
20A
26A
30
49
59
64
81
81A
81B
121
124
153
164
165
166
264
307
307A
330
330A
331
337
364
374
507
521
521A
530
543
545
576
578
M7
X6A
X7
X22

There may be a few more.

 

[Stan Drews]

Off the top of my head, these services are subsidised, either fully or partially:

1
1A
2
2A
10
20
20A
26A
30
49
59
64
81
81A
81B
121
124
153
164
165
166
264
307
307A
330
330A
331
337
364
374
507
521
521A
530
543
545
576
578
M7
X6A
X7
X22

There may be a few more.

Other than the 26A (which is fully commercial), these are all correct, for at least one trip a day - yes, I’m looking at you no.30
I haven’t checked to see if you’ve missed any, but it looks fairly comprehensive.

 

[erskinebus]

757 is subsidised weekday evenings, Saturday early mornings and evenings, and Sundays.

 

[Stan Drews]

757 is subsidised weekday evenings, Saturday early mornings and evenings, and Sundays.

21 is another to add. It’s tendered evenings and Sundays.

 

[route101]

Anyone know how the new night bus services went?