McGill's Buses - Renfrewshire & Inverclyde

[Gingerbus1991]

I dont understand McGills motives beyond there complaints.

 

[overthewater]

I fully get what Stan Drews was saying about the dilemma with PVR and having buses sitting around doing nothing for 20 hours a day... But everytime something comes back from Mcgills its just make them look worse and worse, and I get the feeling their not being honest with the cuts that are coming. The fact brand new buses have been brought for a route they know is not making profits or will not be able to deal with any cuts, is also bafffleing its not a problem that suddenly appeared. LEZ Can't be used since most of the buses are pretty new on said route in the first place.

I do think 23 will become every 15mins, and I do think other cuts are coming to the depot in question, in part to save money and also to be able to fit in Barrhead operations.

Why now? Why has it now caused all of the problems?

 

[gingerheid]

I expect that this totally unsubstantiated and probably false rumour, and for legal reasons we should be very clear about calling it that, might unfortunately have got wings because of the similarly opportunistic fraud perpetuated against the government previously by a key figure in the company; one that could be seen to suggest that key individuals might be willing to get up to just exactly that kind of thing.

Obviously we mustn't let ourselves be misled into thinking that way - the debt to society is deemed to have been repaid and it would be wrong for us to do anything other than assume that all involved are now reformed and honest members of society.

 

[GaryMcEwan]

It's McGill's so anything is possible...

 

[Sadsmileyface]

Well if the forum burns down tonight in a mysterious fire, we can chalk it up to... act of god.

 

[GaryMcEwan]

Well if the forum burns down tonight in a mysterious fire, we can chalk it up to... act of god.

Or we'll all get letters in the post from Jack Irvine...

 

[KGGXXXY]

I see the thread has been renamed, and not just to the shorter "Mcgill's Buses" but "McGills Buses Survival" and the rate of service and depot cuts I think it's fitting until further notice.

 

[Gingerbus1991]

I see the thread has been renamed, and not just to the shorter "Mcgill's Buses" but "McGills Buses Survival" and the rate of service and depot cuts I think it's fitting until further notice.

Accurate

 

[gingerheid]

Or we'll all get letters in the post from Jack Irvine...

Letters including paper towels, post including fuel tanks, and Jack Irvine including John Doe?

(Almost certainly from misguided fans of McGills acting unknown to them, of course)

 

[christopherrfc]

Wonder if the 2 includes Shawhead or if we are waiting on another registration for the 6?

McGill’s are continuing to run the 106 between Coatbridge and shawhead ever 30 minutes

 

[Observer]

PM0000015/298 Registered (Short notice)
MCGILL'S BUS SERVICE LTD

Route: Coatbridge, South Circular Road to Shawhead, Dunottar Avenue via Faraday Retail Park

Service number: 106 ()

Service type: Normal Stopping

Effective date: 11 Feb 2019

 

[Gingerbus1991]

I dont tend to read the news that often but this actually happened last year, what sort do this company employ?

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/disturbing-clip-shows-mcgills-bus-13272559

 

[Jordan Adam]

I see the thread has been renamed, and not just to the shorter "Mcgill's Buses" but "McGills Buses Survival" and the rate of service and depot cuts I think it's fitting until further notice.

Well it's certainly better than what it was previously! "McGills Hopes to Double In Size", they've done everything but that.

 

[Volvodart]

Fares for XP23, have been revised

http://www.mcgillsbuses.co.uk/news/service-23x23-update.aspx

Service 23/X23 update - updated 15/2/19
Thank you to all who attended our initial public consultation meetings in regards to our services 23 and X23.



We appreciate your feedback so far, which will allow us to put forward some alternative ideas for how to continue the AM peak portion of our X23 service.

Initial outcomes of the first meeting:
Service 23 will have new buses by the end of March this year
Service 23 may have adjusted frequency to timetable between Braehead and Glasgow (Erskine-Braehead unaffected)
Service X23 will remain the same after peak times (09:00), but will also have new single deck buses the same as service 23
Initial outcomes of second meeting:

Thank you to the thousands of people who provided feedback online, through our survey and at our last meeting, we have analysed all responses and we are finalising a plan going forward.

Going forward, we have listened to your feedback:



Fares for XP23, have been revised, and will now be:



All-day ticket - £5.50

Weekly ticket - £24.00

Monthly ticket (this will be for 30 days) - £80.00


Those who don't wish to opt for the premium, express service, have the option to use our service 23 during peak hours. Please note our services X23 and 23 fares will remain the same after peak time.

This service will begin Monday 1 April, and operate via Erskine to Glasgow city centre, and the other half of the route will operate via Newshot Drive to Renfrew, and Glasgow city centre. Timetable coming soon!


Other feedback:

Buses to be on time
Unfortunately, we don't have complete control over the majority of this, but with the introduction of a new fleet and a new timetable structure for good and bad traffic conditions, we will be aiming to achieve much improved punctuality.
Capacity - more seats
We will add more vehicles and more journeys to peak time, increasing from 12 to 16, including a combination of coaches, new buses and some double deckers.
Better reliability and reduce breakdowns
New buses will improve this.
Direct bus from Erskine
The new XP23 that serves Erskine will operate straight on the motorway at Erskine Hospital, (like the old Arriva X23 route) with the Renfrew side of the service starting at Inchinnan Village, through to Renfrew and into Glasgow.
Renfrew don't want the buses turning up full
The new XP23 that serves Renfrew will no longer serve Erskine and the XP23 that serves Erskine will not serve Renfrew, so that seats are available.
Do not cancel the service
We are not proposing to cancel this service.
Customer services is poor with response time, general tone and lack of empathy
We are introducing more training, changing our performance targets and considering outsourcing. As part of that process we will be recording all calls and introducing a regular mystery shopper survey.

The fares for these new services have still to be finalised. Please note 23 fares will not change and X23 fares after 9am will also remain unchanged.

We have to make changes to our X23 peak service. The service makes a significant loss due to the very high peak loadings, needing additional vehicles that then do not get utilised for most of the day, and this is unsustainable.

If you feel that you didn't get to make your point at the prior meetings, or you want to reiterate something, you can email us on the specific service 23/X23 email, listed above, x23feedback@mcgillsbuses.co.uk



Thank you.

 

[overthewater]

So its an extra £6 per week or £19 per month for the new service? Weekly is cheaper than Bridge of Weir / Kilbirnie /Beith /Houston, however its few quid more than the monthly for these same areas.

When will Mcgill highlight the fact the 23 will only be every 30mins between Glasgow and Breahead?

 

[Gingerbus1991]

So its an extra £6 per week or £19 per month for the new service? Weekly is cheaper than Bridge of Weir / Kilbirnie /Beith /Houston, however its few quid more than the monthly for these same areas.

When will Mcgill highlight the fact the 23 will only be every 30mins between Glasgow and Breahead?

Chances are it wont matter with a half-hourly service as firsts 77 and stageys x19 takes up the most passengers.
But, 80 quid for use on only one service? No Thanks.

 

[Volvodart]

When will Mcgill highlight the fact the 23 will only be every 30mins between Glasgow and Breahead?

They are supposed to be releasing timetable details on Monday.

 

[overthewater]

Chances are it wont matter with a half-hourly service as firsts 77 and stageys x19 takes up the most passengers.
But, 80 quid for use on only one service? No Thanks.

Thoses tickets are go zone 1 plus travel on the new express service.

 

[smtglasgow]

It’s a gamble for McGills. Most people will have no alternative so they’ll pay up. But some won’t – they drive, cadge lifts or head to Bishopton for the train. Maybe that’s the cunning plan – lose enough passengers to make the service viable.

 

[GaryMcEwan]

At least Dick Turpin wore a mask when he robbed people...

 

[Sadsmileyface]

Interesting news from their Tweets today;

SPT Zonecards not valid on the XP23
Student tickets not valid on the XP23
National Concession Cards not valid on the XP23
X23 will not operate before 9am
Your choice is pay up or get the bus that take over an hour and half instead

 

[overthewater]

So there will ve NO fast bus from renfrew? Your be quicker changing at breahead onto 901 or 7.

 

[GaryMcEwan]

Interesting news from their Tweets today;

SPT Zonecards not valid on the XP23
Student tickets not valid on the XP23
National Concession Cards not valid on the XP23
X23 will not operate before 9am
Your choice is pay up or get the bus that take over an hour and half instead

Can they actually enforce not accepting Zonecards or the NEC before 9am? I would comment on their tweets but they blocked for me no reason whatsoever.

Would be interesting to hear what SPT and Transport Scotland say if they get wind of it.

I can already see the complaints flooding in...

 

[smtglasgow]

It’s an *interesting* strategy. They appear to be playing hardball with their own passengers.

 

[overthewater]

Note zonecard and NEC not vaild at anytime on the new xp23.

 

[GaryMcEwan]

Are McGills trying to pull a fast one I wonder...

As far as I'm aware Euro 6 got introduced in 2015, so why on earth are McGill's now putting E6 stickers on their 11 plated B7RLE's? Clocked J2232 with one this morning...

I thought they were only E5?

 

[SarahDFIG]

Are McGills trying to pull a fast one I wonder...

As far as I'm aware Euro 6 got introduced in 2015, so why on earth are McGill's now putting E6 stickers on their 11 plated B7RLE's? Clocked J2232 with one this morning...

I thought they were only E5?

They are or were euro 5 so must have been upgraded to euro 6.

Far as I am aware euro 4 up can be upgraded to euro 6

 

[KGGXXXY]

Are McGills trying to pull a fast one I wonder...

As far as I'm aware Euro 6 got introduced in 2015, so why on earth are McGill's now putting E6 stickers on their 11 plated B7RLE's? Clocked J2232 with one this morning...

I thought they were only E5?

Might have something to do with this?
https://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/about-us/news/bus-retrofit-installations-delivering-cleaner-air

"31 JANUARY 2019

BUS RETROFIT INSTALLATIONS DELIVERING CLEANER AIR

Funded by Scottish government and delivered by Energy Saving Trust, the Bus Emissions Abatement Retrofit (BEAR) scheme enables Scottish bus operators to retrofit their existing vehicles with Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS) accredited technology which reduces harmful emissions. The conversion to Euro VI standard enables the vehicles to meet the requirements of new Low Emission Zones (LEZ) by reducing the levels of nitrogen dioxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) produced.

Today (31 January), the first seven of 42 buses awarded funding from the BEAR phase 1 scheme were revealed at McGill’s following retrofit. A total of 23 buses have now been retrofitted under the BEAR scheme, helping to improve air quality in the country’s towns and cities. Retrofitting buses typically results in a 95% reduction in NOx gases which cause health impacts for the people of Scotland.

Amir Rauf, Vehicle Retrofits Programme Manager at Energy Saving Trust commented: “The BEAR funding to retrofit buses to meet Euro VI criteria plays a significant role in reducing pollution in our towns and cities. Low Emission Zones are critical to improve air quality and their implementation is set for country-wide rollout at pace so it’s important bus operators prepare to meet new regulations.

“With £7.89 million funding available for Scottish bus and coach retrofitting in BEAR phase 2, I strongly encourage operators to apply before the deadline of 8 March 2019. Our team are available for an initial discussion and to support the application process.”

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said: "This scheme is breathing new life into buses and I’m proud that the Scottish Government is supporting a second round of the BEAR fund. It directly assists the older bus fleet comply with Low Emission Zones in order to help improve the quality of the air in our towns and cities.

"I am committed to continuing to support our vital bus sector which plays a key role in keeping Scotland moving as well as being an important part of the solution to the issue of air quality.”

Ralph Roberts, McGill’s Managing Director commented: “McGill’s fleet replacement policy is ahead of schedule and we operated Glasgow’s first LEZ compliant buses from as long ago as 2014. Nevertheless, the Glasgow LEZ will mean that by January 2023, 30% of our fleet will still be well within its serviceable life but not compliant with LEZ. This initial scheme has allowed 7 buses to be improved from Euro V status to Euro VI status via the fitment of exhaust after-treatment. McGill’s remains committed to achieving LEZ status as soon as possible."

 

[Gingerbus1991]

They are or were euro 5 so must have been upgraded to euro 6.

Far as I am aware euro 4 up can be upgraded to euro 6

Euro3 B7TL's can be retrofitted.

Are McGills trying to pull a fast one I wonder...

As far as I'm aware Euro 6 got introduced in 2015, so why on earth are McGill's now putting E6 stickers on their 11 plated B7RLE's? Clocked J2232 with one this morning...

I thought they were only E5?

https://www.route-one.net/articles/...veals_its_first_BEAR_funded_retrofitted_buses

There will be a "6" sticker on buses meeting euro6 levels whether they've came out a factory that way or have been converted.

I could be mistaken but I think I read somewhere that it's HJS Emission Technologies that are doing the retrofits on the B8RLEs.

*edited: I had read that. Note the screenshot

 

[SarahDFIG]

Euro3 B7TL's can be retrofitted.

https://www.route-one.net/articles/...veals_its_first_BEAR_funded_retrofitted_buses

There will be a "6" sticker on the buses mating euro6.

I could be mistaken but I think I read somewhere that it's HJS Emission Technologies that are doing the retrofits on the B8RLEs.

Thanks for confirming. Wasn't sure. Surely with a euro3 bus it would be more cost effective just to sell the vehicle on or if First transfer it outside an LEZ zone as it must be pretty expensive to get these vehicles retrofitted.