West Coast Motors & Borders Buses

[Jordan Adam]

What's the current City bus livery? They say they're not changing it but it would save money if it was the same as the other divisions.

The Glasgow Citybus livery is the same as the other divisions.

11711 SN17MUC Glasgow Citybus

Glasgow Citybus Alexander Dennis Enviro200 11711 (SN17 MUC) is seen here on Maryhill Road whilst operating service 17 (Duntocher-Central Station). It was new to Borders Buses in March 2017.

www.flickr.com

 

[Dfatcontroller]

What's the current City bus livery? They say they're not changing it but it would save money if it was the same as the other divisions.

The current GCB livery is the WCM "hook" livery.

11522 - SG65EEO (WCM)

Seen at Cowcaddens on service 17 is Glasgow Citybus MCV Evolution bodied Volvo B8RLE recently transferred from Dunoon.

flic.kr

 

[Anthony ross]

Wonder if they will even phase out the borders buses name

 

[scosutsut]

Wonder if they will even phase out the borders buses name

I suspect not, given the fact it's on the east coast and doesn't overlap in any way.

 

[InOban]

The Glasgow Citybus livery is the same as the other divisions.

11711 SN17MUC Glasgow Citybus

Glasgow Citybus Alexander Dennis Enviro200 11711 (SN17 MUC) is seen here on Maryhill Road whilst operating service 17 (Duntocher-Central Station). It was new to Borders Buses in March 2017.

www.flickr.com

Thanks. Weren't they once all red?

 

[Dfatcontroller]

Thanks. Weren't they once all red?

These are my oldest GCB photos:

J639KCU

Seen on route 15 at Cowcaddens heading for Cadder is Glasgow Citybus Wright Handybus bodied Dennis Dart J639KCU. New to Go-Ahead North East.

flic.kr

DOC41V

Seen turning onto Argyle Street at Glasgow Central Station is Glasgow Citybus former West Midlands Leyland National DOC41V.

flic.kr

 

[WestieBus]

Wonder if they will even phase out the borders buses name

Very unlikely, unless they want to be like McGill's and rename it to Lowland Scottish, which would likely introduce a change of colours if they done that

 

[InOban]

Entirely speculation but I wonder if WCM have ideas of taking over the routes around Helensburgh and Loch lomond currently operated by a number of small operators.

 

[Stan Drews]

Entirely speculation but I wonder if WCM have ideas of taking over the routes around Helensburgh and Loch lomond currently operated by a number of small operators.

Aren’t they all largely tendered services?
I can’t think of many commercial services in the area, that aren’t First’s.

 

[gnolife]

Aren’t they all largely tendered services?
I can’t think of many commercial services in the area, that aren’t First’s.

The 316 (Helensburgh to Coulport) is the only example that I can think of.

 

[WHL Spotter]

The 316 (Helensburgh to Coulport) is the only example that I can think of.

The breakdown of Commercial/Supported is:
Wilson's of Rhu
316 Helensburgh - Garelochhead/Coulport 2x Buses - (No Supported Journeys)
315 Churchill Circular (No Supported Journeys) 1x Bus
Garelochhead Coaches
302 Helensburgh - Carrick Castle 1x Bus (Fully Supported)
315 Churchill Circular [Sunday Only] 1x Bus (Fully Supported)
316 Helensburgh - Coulport 1x Bus (first 2hrs and last 2hrs M-Sa Supported along all day Sunday)
456 Isle of Jura would gain them another Island

 

[WestieBus]

Entirely speculation but I wonder if WCM have ideas of taking over the routes around Helensburgh and Loch lomond currently operated by a number of small operators.

Nah, WCM is only interested in the Highlands, Helensburgh and Lomond being a SPT area and in the Lowlands. Expansion into Helensburgh and Lomond is unlikely, as its also a lot culturally closer related to the rest of Dunbartonshire, although WCM faces competition with Garelochhead Coaches on routes 484 and 302 from Lochgoilhead to Carrick Castle, as both villages are halfway between Dunoon and Helensburgh, only being closer to Helensburgh by a couple of minutes.

 

[Shaharish]

Rumours that West Coast Motors is acquiring Stagecoach West Scotland

 

[Scotrail88]

Rumours that West Coast Motors is acquiring Stagecoach West Scotland

Any source of rumour?
Is it the whole element of West Scotland or just particular depots?

 

[DunsBus]

Any source of rumour?
Is it the whole element of West Scotland or just particular depots?

I thought today's date was February 19th, not April 1st.

 

[317 forever]

Rumours that West Coast Motors is acquiring Stagecoach West Scotland

I thought it more likely that West Coast Motors would eventually be acquired by McGills.

 

[GusB]

Is it conceivable that West Coast Motors could acquire Stagecoach West Scotland? A year ago I don't think anyone saw McGill's acquisition of First Scotland East coming, so never say never.

I suppose it all depends on the source of this 'rumour' as to how accurate it is.

 

[roadierway77]

If this rumour is true, it's definitely an interesting development.

I don't have much experience with Stagecoach West Scotland but looking at the recent changes to the X36 and 101/102, there's a vibe of disinterest, somewhat similar to First with Scotland East. Perhaps Stagecoach wish to focus on their core operations of East Scotland, Bluebird and Highlands and just let WCM and McGill’s fight it out for the west coast. Or maybe not, only time will tell.

 

[overthewater]

When is the Arran contact up for renewal?

 

[PaulMc7]

I thought it more likely that West Coast Motors would eventually be acquired by McGills.

This is exactly what I thought to be honest. I've already seen quite a few members of the public say that they'd take Mcgills over Stagecoach in West Scotland in a heartbeat too and out of the companies around Central Scotland, Mcgills have been the ones who are very open about wanting to expand.

Anything seems possible in the bus world at the moment though so I wouldn't rule anything out.

 

[317 forever]

Maybe this could be the start of a new approach towards Stagecoach under new ownership by DWS. DWS may be happy to let Stagecoach expand where convenient (as in the recent HCT and Tower Transit operations in east London) but to accept to sell operations subject to suitable offers. DWS, not being a bus company as such, might not be concerned about the total size of their British bus network.

 

[Scotrail88]

I thought it more likely that West Coast Motors would eventually be acquired by McGills.

I would have thought McGills for Stagecoach West Scotland is the better fit.
Slightly off topics but Unsure how that relationship with citylink would continue tho with Flixbus.

Would be a surprise if WCM did buy it - be a big cost and investment required.

 

[sannox]

I would have thought McGills for Stagecoach West Scotland is the better fit.
Slightly off topics but Unsure how that relationship with citylink would continue tho with Flixbus.

Would be a surprise if WCM did buy it - be a big cost and investment required.

That would be just be linking back up 'Western' with Clydeside half again.

I wonder if it's not all the Stagecoach West Scotland operations but perhaps depots that make sense to WCM and don't to Stagecoach. Cumbernauld or maybe Arran?

 

[ClydeCoaster]

Arran only exists as a depot because of SPT tenders, so if Stagecoach didn't want it I'd imagine they'd just not tender when it comes to the next round.

Ardrossan seems out of it now,, the X36 being savagely cut back, X34 gone, other than that it's 3 towns locals or contributing vehicles to the 11 or 585, both of which can be run from Kilmarnock or Ayr respectively. WCM wouldn't be a good fit for just a handful of local routes around Ardrossan and Saltcoats. So if Stagecoach wanted out of Ardrossan I'd imagine they could just punt the unwanted routes to McGills or Shuttle Buses.

The investment in electric buses for Kilmarnock and Irvine last year suggests there's viability in those town networks so I'd be surprised if the core "Western" business is going.

 

[sannox]

Arran only exists as a depot because of SPT tenders, so if Stagecoach didn't want it I'd imagine they'd just not tender when it comes to the next round.

Is that not similar to Dunoon and Rothesay which WCM took over?

I'd feel Ardrossan is a better fit for McGill's certainly, especially the X36.

 

[InOban]

I would have thought that having taken over Xplore and First East, that McGills have enough to digest at the moment.
It may explain why WCM are rebranding Citybus to WCM.

 

[chiltern trev]

Arran only exists as a depot because of SPT tenders, so if Stagecoach didn't want it I'd imagine they'd just not tender when it comes to the next round.

Ardrossan seems out of it now,, the X36 being savagely cut back, X34 gone, other than that it's 3 towns locals or contributing vehicles to the 11 or 585, both of which can be run from Kilmarnock or Ayr respectively. WCM wouldn't be a good fit for just a handful of local routes around Ardrossan and Saltcoats. So if Stagecoach wanted out of Ardrossan I'd imagine they could just punt the unwanted routes to McGills or Shuttle Buses.

The investment in electric buses for Kilmarnock and Irvine last year suggests there's viability in those town networks so I'd be surprised if the core "Western" business is going.

Whilst you may be able to transfer vehicles from Ardrossan to Kilmarnock or Ayr, what about staff - drivers and engineers? It's longer travel to work so they may lose staff which given the shortage of drivers is probably not a good move as you may be not using Ardrossan as a source of staff.

 

[WestieBus]

Is that not similar to Dunoon and Rothesay which WCM took over?

Yes but the reason for that was conflict between Stagecoach and Argyll and Bute Council I believe

 

[ClydeCoaster]

Does today's launch in Ayr of the first pair of a 25 Bolvo BZL order (and 2 additional Enviro200EVs) for Stagecoach West Scotland seem a bit contradictory to sale rumours?

 

[GusB]

Does today's launch in Ayr of the first pair of a 25 Bolvo BZL order (and 2 additional Enviro200EVs) for Stagecoach West Scotland seem a bit contradictory to sale rumours?

Indeed, and since @Shaharish hasn't returned to back up this "rumour", I think we can knock the speculation on the head for now, until someone can come up with a credible source to back it up!