McGill's Buses - Renfrewshire & Inverclyde

[Volvodart]

McGill’s starts diesel phase-out with electric Yutong order​

McGill’s starts diesel phase-out with electric Yutong order - routeone

McGill’s has placed an order with Pelican Bus and Coach for 22 Yutong E12 electric buses. The order marks the start of a phase-out of diesel.

www.route-one.net

McGill’s starts diesel phase-out with electric Yutong order​

By
routeone Team
-
February 17, 2021
https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php...-diesel-phase-out-with-electric-yutong-order/
https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?te...with-electric-yutong-order/&via=@routeoneteam

https://www.linkedin.com/shareArtic...s+diesel+phase-out+with+electric+Yutong+order

McGill’s has placed an order with Pelican Bus and Coach for 22 Yutong E12 battery-electric buses. The operator says the order marks the beginning of a phase-out of diesel purchases in an effort to respond to the air quality and climate crisis.
The 12m zero-emission buses will be delivered in the third quarter of 2021. Each vehicle has been specified with the 422kW/h battery pack, which Pelican claims is capable of daily operational range of over 300km on a single charge. The delivery is aided by the Scottish Ultra Low Emission Bus Scheme.
“After careful evaluation of the full size EV bus products available, we opted for the Yutong E12 which matched our need for a quality product with a long and reliable service life,” says McGill’s CEO Ralph Roberts. “Operating range is critical in a battery powered bus and the Yutong electric vehicle (EV) fulfils our arduous duty cycles.
“Customer and driver comfort is at the forefront of our specification and we are confident that bus users will enjoy the silence and comfort, safe in the knowledge that their already low-emission journeys are now zero emission at the point of use. This is the start of our zero-emission journey and our aim is that we will phase out clean diesel purchases where possible in favour of EV or hydrogen”
Ian Downie, Head of Yutong Bus UK, adds: “We are absolutely delighted that one of the premier operators in Scotland, McGill’s, has started its zero-emission journey with Yutong and Pelican. Pelican is able to offer zero-emission coaches and buses from Yutong, and with over 117,700 Yutong electric vehicles in service around the world, these are the tried and tested, market-leading product.
“We are committed to providing the very best in class vehicle, with fast DC charging and air conditioning fitted as standard. The vehicles will be fully commissioned and completed in the UK by the team at Pelican.”

 

[Jordan Adam]

McGill’s starts diesel phase-out with electric Yutong order​

McGill’s starts diesel phase-out with electric Yutong order - routeone

McGill’s has placed an order with Pelican Bus and Coach for 22 Yutong E12 electric buses. The order marks the start of a phase-out of diesel.

www.route-one.net

I know this will open a can of worms but it's a shame they couldn't buy a UK built product, that being said the recent Yutongs elsewhere seem to be doing well. Good to see McGill's investing.

 

[Volvodart]

They are getting Alexander Dennis for the previous electric bus order. Prior to that order, McGills said that these were coming (one should have already been here I think).

 

[Zakforbes4]

Will they be painted into stock McGills livery or are they gonna do some sort of fancy one?

 

[overthewater]

You have to wonder if McGills managed to get these Yutongs cheap?

 

[Bwsbro]

Does anyone know if the sale of Xplore Dundee has now been finalised, seeing that a new app is imminent for Dundee.

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

Does anyone know if the sale of Xplore Dundee has now been finalised, seeing that a new app is imminent for Dundee.

The new app was launched on February 1st and was in development before the sale to McGills.

AIUI the company is still in the three-month transition period.

 

[Bwsbro]

The new app was launched on February 1st and was in development before the sale to McGills.

AIUI the company is still in the three-month transition period.

Thanks

 

[Stan Drews]

Does anyone know if the sale of Xplore Dundee has now been finalised, seeing that a new app is imminent for Dundee.

The sale was finalised in December, and McGill’s took over on 1st January.

 

[awsnews]

I know this will open a can of worms but it's a shame they couldn't buy a UK built product, that being said the recent Yutongs elsewhere seem to be doing well. Good to see McGill's investing.

This all seems a bit confusing, the article states that funding has been provided by the Scottish Ultra Low Emission Bus Scheme but the original awards back in Sept 2020 were announced as for 41 buses of which 35 were to be built in Scotland by ADL. The full breakdown from Transport Scotland is no longer available on their website as it now provides details of the second round of funding which is still open for submissions. In the header text for this round though it states the first round funded 62 vehicles which doesn't align with the earlier press release. Can anyone recall what McGill's actual award was in round 1?

 

[Simon75]

I know this will open a can of worms but it's a shame they couldn't buy a UK built product, that being said the recent Yutongs elsewhere seem to be doing well. Good to see McGill's investing.

I think Yutong have factory in West Yorkshire???

 

[Bwsbro]

I think Yutong have factory in West Yorkshire???

Yes, in Castleford near Leeds

 

[Volvodart]

This all seems a bit confusing, the article states that funding has been provided by the Scottish Ultra Low Emission Bus Scheme but the original awards back in Sept 2020 were announced as for 41 buses of which 35 were to be built in Scotland by ADL. The full breakdown from Transport Scotland is no longer available on their website as it now provides details of the second round of funding which is still open for submissions. In the header text for this round though it states the first round funded 62 vehicles which doesn't align with the earlier press release. Can anyone recall what McGill's actual award was in round 1?

Of the 41 buses in the original award, ADL are supplying 22 to First Glasgow and 13 for McGills and Xplore Dundee from the first funding round. The funding has been increased by £3.4 million and 21 buses (from outwith Scotland) to 5 operators, the same number of operators in the original announcement. The amount of the awards now exceeds what they said was the maximum amount of money available. The difference could be the one bus McGills were said to be getting anyway, which I think should have been here by now.

The article below gives more information:-

https://www.heraldscotland.com/business_hq/19103148.mcgills-buys-35-electric-buses-17-5m-investment/

McGill's buys 35 electric buses in £17.5m investment​

By Brian Donnelly @BrianDonnellyHTBusiness Correspondent

BUSINESS BULLETIN​

Scottish bus company invests £17.5m in 35 electric buses

0 comment


A £17.5million investment in all-electric buses has been announced by McGill’s.
A total of 35 buses have been ordered by the company, comprising 23 fully electric single deck buses for McGill’s Johnstone to Glasgow route as well as 12 fully electric double deck buses for Xplore Dundee. Xplore Dundee was acquired by McGill’s from National Express in December.
Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) are to supply the 12 double deck buses (ADL / BYD E400EV) plus one single deck bus (ADL/BYD E200EV) whilst Pelican Yutong will supply 22 Yutong E12 vehicles to the firm.

As part of its investment into the cleanest transport technology, McGill’s will also install new electrical charging infrastructure for its depots in Johnstone and Dundee.
The electric buses and infrastructure will be delivered in the second half of this year, in advance of the COP26 conference. McGill’s investment is aided by the Scottish Ultra Low Emission Bus Scheme.
READ MORE: Easdale brothers' plans for mixed-use development at former IBM site

In addition to the all-electric transportation, McGill’s, which says it is the UK’s largest independent bus operator, also announced that it is in advanced talks with a variety of partners to bring 12 hydrogen buses into the business in the next 12 months.
The new fleet purchase takes McGill’s capital investment since 2014 to more than £50million – around £40million of which has been spent on new vehicles.
Ralph Roberts, chief executive of McGill’s Group, said: “McGill’s is recognised for the exceptionally high standard of its fleet and we’re delighted to be making this new investment into electric vehicles.
“Customer and driver comfort is at the forefront of our specification and we are confident that bus users will enjoy the silence and comfort, safe in the knowledge that their already low-emission journeys are now zero emission at the point of use, with the benefits that brings for air quality and the environment. We led the charge on introducing clean diesel Euro VI fleet and by the end of 2021, the McGill’s Group will operate more electric buses than any other operator in Scotland.”

The company is owned by Scottish businessmen and investors Sandy and James Easdale, whose extensive portfolio includes commercial and residential property, transport, manufacturing and hospitality interests.
Sandy Easdale said: “The transport sector continues to be affected by the pandemic but this hasn’t dented our confidence in the business – far from it. When we purchased Xplore Dundee in December we promised we would continue to invest and this brings our expenditure to more than £50million over the past seven years. McGill’s has been built into such a successful brand by our willingness to spend and provide a quality service to passengers and this will continue.”
James Easdale said: “The last 18 months has seen Sandy and I announce construction projects worth more than £400m as well as the planned £20m redevelopment of the Watt Brothers store in Glasgow. Whilst we’ve been asked if our focus has shifted from transport to property, this deal for new vehicles demonstrates that McGill’s continues to be a key business for us and one which we will continue to grow in the years to come.”

The hydrogen buses are the 12 for Dundee that have been talked about for a couple of years.

 

[cnjb8]

I think Yutong have factory in West Yorkshire???

Yes, in Castleford near Leeds

No. Yutong buses are sold by Pelican Bus &Coach dealership in Castleford. The Yutongs are built in China

 

[Robertj21a]

You have to wonder if McGills managed to get these Yutongs cheap?

Why ? - they're a respected vehicle type for many.

 

[overthewater]

Why ? - they're a respected vehicle type for many.

Its not a type Mcgill would have went for, IE they have gone for Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) so to make the switch means they either gotten them cheaper per buses compared to other stock or the design is overwhelming outstanding.

 

[cnjb8]

Its not a type Mcgill would have went for, IE they have gone for Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) so to make the switch means they either gotten them cheaper per buses compared to other stock or the design is overwhelming outstanding.

It's not an ADL chassis though, it's BYD. So even if an operator prefers ADL then they might switch to Yutong in McGills case or Caetano in Abellio London's case simply because they prefer them over BYD. This will change when ADL starts making its own chassis soon, albeit with BYD components

 

[Stan Drews]

Its not a type Mcgill would have went for, IE they have gone for Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) so to make the switch means they either gotten them cheaper per buses compared to other stock or the design is overwhelming outstanding.

They had both types for evaluation and have chosen the Yutong. Not sure why that is so odd, as that tends to be how the majority of operators decide on significant investment, especially when new technology is involved.

 

[overthewater]

They had both types for evaluation and have chosen the Yutong. Not sure why that is so odd, as that tends to be how the majority of operators decide on significant investment, especially when new technology is involved.

When did they have it for Evaluation? I never release that point, thats why I first thought it was odd.

 

[Astradyne]

McGills went to the world leader of electric buses. Yutong have sold more electric buses worldwide than BYD. Why not go to the No1 supplier.

 

[cainebj]

I'd have said it was operational suitability of the Yutongs rather than price, as it does state in the RouteOne article. The Yutongs have a battery capacity of 422kwh, compared to the BYD/E200s having a battery capacity of 348kwh, so the Yutongs are likely to cover more mileage between charging than the BYD/E200s can. If there's limited or no opportunity for charging during the day then overall capacity will be more important to last the day out.

 

[Volvodart]

The electric buses award has changed again and now all McGills 23 buses are supposed to be funded and Orkney Council's award withdrawn:-

https://www.transport.gov.scot/publ...ultra-low-emission-bus-scheme-completed-bids/

McGill’s Bus Service Ltd​

Bid: 1 single deck ADL E200, 22 single deck Yutong E12 buses and infrastructure
Total funding awarded: £3,938,827

 

[Volvodart]

Over £40 million for zero emission buses​

https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/over-40-million-for-zero-emission-buses/

​

The Scottish Government has awarded £40.5 million through a second round of the Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme (SULEBS).
This is the largest investment yet through the SULEBS programme, and will support operators in replacing 215 old diesel buses with new battery-electric models. This is a substantial increase on the 57 buses supported through the first round and to help meet demand, the intended budget for this second round has been increased by £15 million.
With 172 of the buses to be built in Falkirk, this investment supports skilled, green manufacturing jobs in Scotland, as well as reducing transport emissions.
The Scottish Government has also published a new information and ideas pack which shows how the bus and finance sectors are innovating to speed up the transition to net-zero. This is the first report from The Bus Decarbonisation Taskforce, which brings together senior leaders from the energy, bus and finance sectors to co-design a pathway to a fully decarbonised bus fleet. The information pack identifies new routes for financing green buses that can build on government support and bring about faster fleet transformation.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said:
“The Scottish Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme continues to help drive a green recovery, responding to the global climate emergency and improving air quality.
“Ensuring a just and fair transition to a net-zero economy is a truly national endeavour and I’m delighted that the Scottish Government’s investment is matched by private investment from bus operators and the finance sector. 172 of these new buses will be manufactured in Falkirk – benefitting the Scottish bus industry and wider supply chain.
“More journeys are made by bus compared to any other public transport mode and a vibrant bus industry can provide the solutions to complex challenges in our society. By helping operators to invest in a greener fleet we can support our green recovery – and keep more people moving with fewer carbon emissions and better air quality as a result.
“Our bus decarbonisation work, both through SULEBS and the Taskforce, is part of a wider package of support for our bus industry – including long-term funding of over £500 million for bus priority infrastructure. We’re also providing support of up to £191.3 to help maintain essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic and help keep Scotland moving.”
Paul Davies, Alexander Dennis President & Managing Director said: “The Scottish Government deserves huge credit for leading by example to support bus operator’s commitment to invest in cleaner, greener buses and we are delighted that bids for 172 of our electric buses have been successful.
“These zero emission buses will be built at our factory in Falkirk and therefore ensure this Scottish Government investment is made domestically, allowing the benefits to be felt across our communities whilst helping to underpin skilled jobs. We very much look forward to working with the successful operators to finalise terms and get these vehicles into service at pace.”
Paul White, Director at CPT Scotland said: “This announcement highlights the commitment of Scotland’s bus sector to decarbonisation. The £40.5m awarded by Government will be met with investment of over £80m from bus companies to fund these 215 vehicles.
“CPT will continue to work with Scottish Government to create an operating environment that prioritises sustainable and active travel, frees buses from congestion and maximises the benefits of this investment.”
Dave Moxham – Deputy General Secretary for the STUC and member of the Just Transition Commission said: “I am delighted to see that all of the ADL buses will be manufactured in Falkirk. This is positive news for the workers who through their union have been working hard to achieve this.
“There is no doubt that we need to build on our existing domestic manufacture if we are to ensure that Scotland can be at the forefront of a net-zero industrial revolution.
“This announcement is an example of the kind of interventions we need if we are to embark on a real green recovery.”

McGill’s Bus Service Ltd​

Bid: 33 single deck Yutong buses and infrastructure
Total funding awarded to date: £4,966,500

 

[GusB]

I would like to remind everyone that when citing an external source, you must:

• Provide a link to your source
• Provide a quotation from that source with the text copied and pasted (no screenshots) within quote tags

This is required by forum rules and failure to comply may result in your post being deleted. Please also consider that if anyone has replied to your post, it will also be deleted.

 

[gnolife]

http://www.mcgillsbuses.co.uk/news/johnstone.aspx

We’re proposing to introduce a number of local services, to ensure that journeys within the Johnstone area are not impacted by delays caused by regular congestion and disruptions in Paisley and Glasgow.​

McGills are going for radical changes to the services in Johnstone, effectively terminating all of their commercial routes via Johnstone Centre (except the 904) at Houston Square. So, the current service is
- Route 20, every half hour Whitehaugh - Paisley - RA Hospital - Johnstone Centre - (North Road/Floors Street) - Johnstone Castle - Cochrane Castle
- Route 38, every 10 minutes Glasgow - Paisley - Johnstone Centre - Graham Street, with extensions every 20 minutes to each of Spateston and Kilbarchan.

This is being replaced with
- Route 20, every half hour Whitehaugh - Paisley - RA Hospital - Johnstone Centre
- Route 30, every 20 minutes Johnstone Centre - (North Road/Floors Street/Graham St) - Quarrelton Road - Spateston
- Route 31, every 20 minutes Johnstone Centre - Graham Street - Cochrane Castle - Johnstone Castle - Johnstone Station - Johnstone Centre
- Route 32, every 20 minutes Johnstone Centre - Graham Street - Kilbarchan
- Route 38, every 10 minutes Glasgow - Paisley - Johnstone Centre
During peak times, some trips on route 32 and 38 are linked to provide through journeys between Glasgow/Paisley and Kilbarchan.
Route 38A is unaffected by the changes, continuing to offer a peak time only route Glasgow - Paisley - Johnstone Castle - Spateston.
Route 904 is unaffected by the changes, continuing to offer a trip every hour Paisley - Johnstone - Milliken Park station and on to Largs.


It's worth noting, as per the quoted text, that the routes in Johnstone, particularly the 38 are horribly unreliable, often coming through in dense bunches. However, given that they've said that they're continuing to run linked trips on between the 32 and 38 during peak times when the roads are most prone to congestion, it's going to completely fail to fix the problem for journeys to Kilbarchan. It's also not a particularly good thing that they're cutting direct links to the RA Hospital from the Johnstone Castle area - that's one of the bigger flows on the existing route 20, and I don't think people will be particularly inclined to make changes of bus on trips to the hospital, probably shifting to taxis. Similarly, while there is some demand for local journeys within Johnstone, as a general rule, far more people off peak will be making through journeys to Paisley or Glasgow.

 

[markymark2000]

http://www.mcgillsbuses.co.uk/news/johnstone.aspx


McGills are going for radical changes to the services in Johnstone, effectively terminating all of their commercial routes via Johnstone Centre (except the 904) at Houston Square. So, the current service is
- Route 20, every half hour Whitehaugh - Paisley - RA Hospital - Johnstone Centre - (North Road/Floors Street) - Johnstone Castle - Cochrane Castle
- Route 38, every 10 minutes Glasgow - Paisley - Johnstone Centre - Graham Street, with extensions every 20 minutes to each of Spateston and Kilbarchan.

This is being replaced with
- Route 20, every half hour Whitehaugh - Paisley - RA Hospital - Johnstone Centre
- Route 30, every 20 minutes Johnstone Centre - (North Road/Floors Street/Graham St) - Quarrelton Road - Spateston
- Route 31, every 20 minutes Johnstone Centre - Graham Street - Cochrane Castle - Johnstone Castle - Johnstone Station - Johnstone Centre
- Route 32, every 20 minutes Johnstone Centre - Graham Street - Kilbarchan
- Route 38, every 10 minutes Glasgow - Paisley - Johnstone Centre
During peak times, some trips on route 32 and 38 are linked to provide through journeys between Glasgow/Paisley and Kilbarchan.
Route 38A is unaffected by the changes, continuing to offer a peak time only route Glasgow - Paisley - Johnstone Castle - Spateston.
Route 904 is unaffected by the changes, continuing to offer a trip every hour Paisley - Johnstone - Milliken Park station and on to Largs.


It's worth noting, as per the quoted text, that the routes in Johnstone, particularly the 38 are horribly unreliable, often coming through in dense bunches. However, given that they've said that they're continuing to run linked trips on between the 32 and 38 during peak times when the roads are most prone to congestion, it's going to completely fail to fix the problem for journeys to Kilbarchan. It's also not a particularly good thing that they're cutting direct links to the RA Hospital from the Johnstone Castle area - that's one of the bigger flows on the existing route 20, and I don't think people will be particularly inclined to make changes of bus on trips to the hospital, probably shifting to taxis. Similarly, while there is some demand for local journeys within Johnstone, as a general rule, far more people off peak will be making through journeys to Paisley or Glasgow.

The linked trips onto the 38 seem to be with the flow of passengers so it shouldn't cause an issue as the passengers who would be affected by any unreliability, will already be on the buses. This is better than at current when the buses can get back to Johnstone late and then it causes delays through the morning due to an issue at 8am. I would presume that some of the interworking trips will be dead from (am) or to (pm) the depot so there is no ongoing issues with unreliability.

 

[sannox]

Can't say the changes strike me a positive. Not sure if I was coming to and from Kilbarchan that I'd fancy standing in Johnstone High Street in the wind and rain to connect to a 38. Bus connections, especially at night, make people nervous regarding safety and reliability and I doubt it will encourage bus journeys in Johnstone. Many of the buses don't reach Johnstone Station either.

Will these locals actually make money? Didn't McGill's can the Linwood/Johnstone local for this reason in the past? Arriva used to supplement the 36/38/39 with the 30 local services between the Castle and Spateston.

McGill's say they considered Paisley-Kilbarchan/Spateston and Paisley-Glasgow 38 but the passenger flows didn't work. I kind of get that, think the 38 has a fair bit of cross Paisley usage, but I can't see these locals working.

It has, rather predictably gone down like a lead balloon on social media.

 

[overthewater]

Then why not revised the 38 to operate every 20min to Johnston? and extend No31 or 32 with every 20mins to Paisley ?

 

[Scotrail314209]

I wouldn't feel too great about waiting in Johnstone Centre during the night, having been through at night, it doesn't look that nice a place to wait. If they redeveloped the town centre and made it a proper transport hub, I'd reconsider.

 

[PaulMc7]

I can only recall getting the bus to Johnstone twice and despite both being during the day it is definitely not a great place to have to wait on any bus. It's not a place you'd consider safe anyway.

I could definitely see people who have a car using it instead of the bus as well as others deciding to learn to drive just so they don't have to get the bus.

Erskine especially at the town centre isn't great either but I'd still definitely put it above Johnstone even in the dark.