McGill’s Midland Bluebird

[AndrewTaylor95]

If we are to get people out of cars, we need public transport to be provided early when new housing is built rather than leaving it to some point in the future.

Nobody will ever choose a bus over a car let's be honest

 

[stevenedin]

Nobody will ever choose a bus over a car let's be honest

I do and know lots of others that do.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

I do and know lots of others that do.

Very small percentage then

 

[smsm1]

I've just ~20:00 spotted an electric bus on the 3 to Grangemouth departing the first stop on the route from Falkirk.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Jun 2025 ==

Big Bus Tours brand for McGill's Edinburgh sightseeing operation - routeone

The Bright Bus Tours open-top sightseeing operation in Edinburgh that is part of McGill’s Bus Group will adopt the Big Bus Tours global brand.

www.route-one.net

The Bright Bus Tours open-top sightseeing operation in Edinburgh that is part of McGill’s Bus Group has begun a transition to falling under the Big Bus Tours global brand.

Such collaboration places Edinburgh as the 28th city within the Big Bus Tours portfolio. The change is described as “a significant milestone” for McGill’s as the business takes Bright Bus Tours “into a new chapter.”

The operation was established by First Bus in 2019 to compete with established open-top services in the Scottish capital run by Lothian. If came into McGill’s ownership in 2022 when the independent business bought the First Scotland East undertaking.
A shift to the Big Bus Tours brand is “an incredibly exciting moment for McGill’s,” says CEO Tony Williamson. “Bright Bus Tours has become a much-loved part of the Edinburgh tourism landscape and this new partnership with Big Bus Tours takes that offering to the next level,” he continues.

“We are proud to bring our local expertise to the table, and equally proud to join forces with a global leader in sightseeing. Together, we are ready to create something exceptional for the city.”

Big Bus Tours Executive Chairman Pat Waterman has welcomed the addition of the Scottish capital to its open-top portfolio.
“Edinburgh’s fantastic history, vibrant festivals, rich culture and architectural splendour make is an outstanding addition to our global offerings. Our goal is to give customers a truly immersive experience as they explore this iconic Scottish city,” he says.

The Bright Bus Airport Express brand for a service to Edinburgh Airport that began in 2024 will be retained, a McGill’s spokesperson has confirmed.

Information on the Edinburgh tour rebrand.

 

[Stan Drews]

I've just ~20:00 spotted an electric bus on the 3 to Grangemouth departing the first stop on the route from Falkirk.

There’s normally one out on the 3 or 4 Grangemouth circulars each day, as their normal allocation (route 1) only needs 5 buses, and they have 6 at the moment. Therefore, when they’re all available the 6th bus gets allocated to the 3 or 4.

 

[overthewater]

This went thought the other day, I take it the all new X35 from Falkirk to Glasgow will be starting in July?

PM0000003/687 Cancelled
MIDLAND BLUEBIRD LTD
Route: Falkirk Garriston Place to Kilsyth Church
Service number: X35
Service type: Hail & Ride, Normal Stopping
Effective date: 12 Jul 2025

 

[danielhogg2005]

This went thought the other day, I take it the all new X35 from Falkirk to Glasgow will be starting in July?

PM0000003/687 Cancelled
MIDLAND BLUEBIRD LTD
Route: Falkirk Garriston Place to Kilsyth Church
Service number: X35
Service type: Hail & Ride, Normal Stopping
Effective date: 12 Jul 2025

Is this the merge of the 35 and Craigs of Cumbernauld No. 72 that was mentioned in the McGill's West thread a while back?

 

[smsm1]

I was looking at some old timetables from first from a decade or two ago and noticed there used to be a bus that ran the current 35 route but also continued on to Croy and Glasgow, so is it the reintroduction of an old route or variation of?

 

[overthewater]

I was looking at some old timetables from first from a decade or two ago and noticed there used to be a bus that ran the current 35 route but also continued on to Croy and Glasgow, so is it the reintroduction of an old route or variation of?

Your thinking of the old route 27. 35 covers the route between Falkirk and Kilsyth. No27 then went on to Kirkintilloch, then follow the current day 89 to Glasgow.

Route 89 cover the Glasgow end of the old 14/24 and 27 used to operate years ago.

 

[Stan Drews]

Is this the merge of the 35 and Craigs of Cumbernauld No. 72 that was mentioned in the McGill's West thread a while back?

Yes, the combined route will run as the 72.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

Yes, the combined route will run as the 72.

So will this run by Asda Robroyston and through Balornock and then down Auchinairn if so that's a route I will be using frequently to Falkirk and saving the need to go into the City Centre

 

[smsm1]

Your thinking of the old route 27. 35 covers the route between Falkirk and Kilsyth. No27 then went on to Kirkintilloch, then follow the current day 89 to Glasgow.

Route 89 cover the Glasgow end of the old 14/24 and 27 used to operate years ago.

https://www.firstbus.co.uk/uploads/maps/Bus%20service%20X35_X37%20-%20Falkirk%20-%20Glasgow.pdf

Here's a PDF from 2019 showing the X35 Falkirk-Glasgow via Kilsyth and Croy. It's linked with the X37.

 

[Stan Drews]

So will this run by Asda Robroyston and through Balornock and then down Auchinairn if so that's a route I will be using frequently to Falkirk and saving the need to go into the City Centre

Yup, every hour during the day - Mon to Sat

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

Yup, every hour during the day - Mon to Sat

Excellent news

 

[danielhogg2005]

This will mean that the F2 will require a timetable change, as this service interworks with the 35. Unless they're going to keep them working, which would be rather too long and could significantly delay the F2.

 

[Stan Drews]

This will mean that the F2 will require a timetable change, as this service interworks with the 35. Unless they're going to keep them working, which would be rather too long and could significantly delay the F2.

There’s a slight change to the F2 timings. It will still interwork with the 72.
The 312 is also withdrawn, so a few tweaks to the evening F2 times as well.

 

[danielhogg2005]

There’s a slight change to the F2 timings. It will still interwork with the 72.
The 312 is also withdrawn, so a few tweaks to the evening F2 times as well.

Where is this information?

 

[Stan Drews]

Where is this information?

It was shared with staff a couple of weeks ago. Should be on the web/app fairly soon, as usually aim for 3 weeks before the change date.

 

[Observer]

There’s a slight change to the F2 timings. It will still interwork with the 72.
The 312 is also withdrawn, so a few tweaks to the evening F2 times as well.

Is this still doable, why still interwork with the F2 when that could be run under its own bus? Unless it's to do with driver hours and such.

How many buses are needed altogether now for the full day? Also was the 312 withdrawn completely or was it awarded to another operator?

Lastly, is it going to work with the 178 (the other route picked up with the 72) - is that bus starting and finishing from Falkirk too?

 

[Stan Drews]

Is this still doable, why still interwork with the F2 when that could be run under its own bus? Unless it's to do with driver hours and such.

How many buses are needed altogether now for the full day? Also was the 312 withdrawn completely or was it awarded to another operator?

Lastly, is it going to work with the 178 (the other route picked up with the 72) - is that bus starting and finishing from Falkirk too?

The F2 doesn’t really work as a standalone bus, as it takes 28 mins each way, so would have no recovery time. The 35 (and now the 72) is a bit more slack so putting them together balances them out better.

 

[CSB0241]

This will mean that the F2 will require a timetable change, as this service interworks with the 35. Unless they're going to keep them working, which would be rather too long and could significantly delay the F2.

There’s a slight change to the F2 timings. It will still interwork with the 72.

The F2 doesn’t really work as a standalone bus, as it takes 28 mins each way, so would have no recovery time. The 35 (and now the 72) is a bit more slack so putting them together balances them out better.

Could the F2 not just interwork with the 29? It gets 4min at Avonbridge & 8min at Falkirk, that’s surely plenty for them to interwork? I think this could always work;

F2 dep. Falkirk	XX00
F2 arr. Limerigg	XX28
F2 dep. Limerigg	XX30
F2 arr. Falkirk	XX58
29 dep. Falkirk	XX03
29 arr. Avonbridge	XX27
29 dep. Avonbridge	XX29
29 arr. Falkirk	XX55

Timings obviously aren’t perfect, ideally buses on both routes could leave at exactly the o’clock, but that’s not really possible if we want the routes to have an even amount of time terminating (which I have as 2min at Limerigg & Avonbridge, & 5min ag Falkirk).

 

[Jordan Adam]

Could the F2 not just interwork with the 29? It gets 4min at Avonbridge & 8min at Falkirk, that’s surely plenty for them to interwork? I think this could always work;

F2 dep. Falkirk	XX00
F2 arr. Limerigg	XX28
F2 dep. Limerigg	XX30
F2 arr. Falkirk	XX58
29 dep. Falkirk	XX03
29 arr. Avonbridge	XX27
29 dep. Avonbridge	XX29
29 arr. Falkirk	XX55

Timings obviously aren’t perfect, ideally buses on both routes could leave at exactly the o’clock, but that’s not really possible if we want the routes to have an even amount of time terminating (which I have as 2min at Limerigg & Avonbridge, & 5min ag Falkirk).

The 29 works well as a standalone service though so what would be the point, especially when the 35 (and 72) as mentioned have a lot more slack in the timetable.

 

[Jordan1296]

Timetables for 72, 178/178A/178B are now available from 14th July;

72, 72A - Falkirk Newmarket Street - Bonnybridge Toll-Kilsyth-Kirkintilloch-Lenzie school-Auchinloch - Glasgow Buchannan Bus Station

Midland Bluebird

bustimes.org

178 - Moodiesburn - Kirkintilloch

Midland Bluebird

bustimes.org

178A - Moodiesburn - Stepps - Kirkintilloch

Midland Bluebird

bustimes.org

178B - Moodiesburn - Lindsey Beg Road - Kirkintilloch

Midland Bluebird

bustimes.org

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

Timetables for 72, 178/178A/178B are now available from 14th July;

72, 72A - Falkirk Newmarket Street - Bonnybridge Toll-Kilsyth-Kirkintilloch-Lenzie school-Auchinloch - Glasgow Buchannan Bus Station

Midland Bluebird

bustimes.org

178 - Moodiesburn - Kirkintilloch

Midland Bluebird

bustimes.org

178A - Moodiesburn - Stepps - Kirkintilloch

Midland Bluebird

bustimes.org

178B - Moodiesburn - Lindsey Beg Road - Kirkintilloch

Midland Bluebird

bustimes.org

Noticed the 72 is going through Sighthill as well, probably more to do with the horrendous traffic at Possil Road and Garscube Road, Noticed there's a 72A as well but that doesn't show any times, Presumably a depot run, last 178 towards Moodiesburn runs in Service back to Larbert to the depot and running into FVRH as well I notice

 

[Dfatcontroller]

Noticed the 72 is going through Sighthill as well, probably more to do with the horrendous traffic at Possil Road and Garscube Road, Noticed there's a 72A as well but that doesn't show any times, Presumably a depot run, last 178 towards Moodiesburn runs in Service back to Larbert to the depot and running into FVRH as well I notice

The Craigs 72 currently goes down Pinkston Road so a minor divert to serve Sighthill will most likely be most welcome.

 

[overthewater]

Noticed the 72 is going through Sighthill as well, probably more to do with the horrendous traffic at Possil Road and Garscube Road, Noticed there's a 72A as well but that doesn't show any times, Presumably a depot run, last 178 towards Moodiesburn runs in Service back to Larbert to the depot and running into FVRH as well I notice

178A operate the morning journey from Larbart to Moodiesburn. You never know it might get some nightshift workers.

 

[Stan Drews]

Noticed the 72 is going through Sighthill as well, probably more to do with the horrendous traffic at Possil Road and Garscube Road, Noticed there's a 72A as well but that doesn't show any times, Presumably a depot run, last 178 towards Moodiesburn runs in Service back to Larbert to the depot and running into FVRH as well I notice

The 72A is a school day variation to better serve pupils going to/from Lenzie Academy.
Not sure if this link to the company website will retain the date, but if select a weekday in the later part of August the school variations for the 72A and 178A should show up.

72 - Falkirk to Glasgow via Kirkintilloch

Timetable for 72 - Falkirk to Glasgow via Kirkintilloch

www.mcgillsscotlandeast.co.uk

 

[EMU303]

Noticed the 72 is going through Sighthill as well, probably more to do with the horrendous traffic at Possil Road and Garscube Road, Noticed there's a 72A as well but that doesn't show any times, Presumably a depot run, last 178 towards Moodiesburn runs in Service back to Larbert to the depot and running into FVRH as well I notice

Hundreds of new homes being built in Sighthill so maybe more by design than avoiding roadworks?

 

[Stan Drews]

Hundreds of new homes being built in Sighthill so maybe more by design than avoiding roadworks?

It is most definitely by design. Part of the alternative option submitted for the contract, along with the commercial extension to Kilsyth and onwards to Falkirk.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Jun 2025 ==

The latest disposals of former First (or Xplore) buses are:
Volvo B7RLEs - 2285, 2296
Volvo B7TLs - 2837, 2839
ADL E300 - 8488

 

[Volvodart]

Is the The Trossachs Explorer coming back this year? I think it, needs to stay as it would help combat the traffic levels in the area.

Coming back with McColls.

New bus service to 'explore' Scottish national park announced

A NEW bus service aimed at helping people explore a popular national park has been announced following a successful pilot last year ...

www.thenational.scot