McGill’s Midland Bluebird

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Then clearly it was altered when they stopped running local services out of Livingston and changed to 12 for Dundee and 30 for Larbert.

I don’t disagree with you, but this was announced in July 2024. Quite some time after McGill’s had pulled the plug on West Lothian locals. So something has gone wrong somewhere.

 

[AilsaBus]

I don’t disagree with you, but this was announced in July 2024. Quite some time after McGill’s had pulled the plug on West Lothian locals. So something has gone wrong somewhere.

Nothing has gone wrong, they were awarded funding for 42 buses, they've bought 42 buses. Where those buses end up is irrelevant as McGill's could have changed their plans at the time of ordering.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Nothing has gone wrong, they were awarded funding for 42 buses, they've bought 42 buses. Where those buses end up is irrelevant as McGill's could have changed their plans at the time of ordering.

I get that, but why is a press release from after they pulled out wrong? That’s what I’m saying. Livingston more than likely were never due any, as McGills would’ve pulled out more than 6 months before that announcement. 6 months is a long time in most industries.

Whilst 42 does make 42, it’s no reason for that press release to be so inaccurate. Had McGills pulled out after the announcement, fair enough, but they didn’t. So whoever’s done that press release has made a total mess of it.

 

[AilsaBus]

I get that, but why is a press release from after they pulled out wrong? That’s what I’m saying. Livingston more than likely were never due any, as McGills would’ve pulled out more than 6 months before that announcement. 6 months is a long time in most industries.

Whilst 42 does make 42, it’s no reason for that press release to be so inaccurate. Had McGills pulled out after the announcement, fair enough, but they didn’t. So whoever’s done that press release has made a total mess of it.

Well it's done and dusted now, so there's no more point in going on about it anymore, knowing why the press release is inaccurate now isn't going to change anything.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Well it's done and dusted now, so there's no more point in going on about it anymore, knowing why the press release is inaccurate now isn't going to change anything.

Be as it may, some of us do have an interest in where public funding goes and how it is used. Errors like that are pretty inexcusable, though not uncommon.

 

[Stan Drews]

I get that, but why is a press release from after they pulled out wrong? That’s what I’m saying. Livingston more than likely were never due any, as McGills would’ve pulled out more than 6 months before that announcement. 6 months is a long time in most industries.

Whilst 42 does make 42, it’s no reason for that press release to be so inaccurate. Had McGills pulled out after the announcement, fair enough, but they didn’t. So whoever’s done that press release has made a total mess of it.

Largely because the people who make up such press releases are often far removed from the sharp end. There was never a plan to allocate any EVs to the local bus network operating from Livingston, before or after the withdrawal of those services. The awards are largely based on a value, and can therefore alter sometimes once specific orders are placed.
For the avoidance of any further doubt, the McGill‘s order was for 30 E12s for Larbert and 12 U11DDs for Dundee. All have been delivered and in service.

 

[delt1c]

Mc `Gills never wanted local routes in Livingston , they wanted the depot . as for marketing they tel the public what they want to know and manipulate everything else for their own advantage. Its called marketing in the privatisation capitalistic era. Public transport is no longer for the public but is for the shareholders pockets

 

[Stan Drews]

…as for marketing they tel the public what they want to know and manipulate everything else for their own advantage. Its called marketing in the privatisation capitalistic era.

You got any examples of this manipulative marketing you speak of?

 

[delt1c]

Plenty info out there for people to search for.

 

[Stan Drews]

Plenty info out there for people to search for.

Ah, thanks for confirming. Thought it was another of your unsubstantiated rants, so I won’t waste my time searching!

 

[delt1c]

Ah, thanks for confirming. Thought it was another of your unsubstantiated rants, so I won’t waste my time searching!

Thank you for your understanding

 

[overthewater]

In a surprise move? The revised no2 timetable PDF has been added to the website, however none of the other services which have changed this year had yet to have the same pleasure.

 

[Highland050261]

Yes, they are, …along with 2853.

I think the fleetlist on the website is up to date, including liveries.

Fleet list for Midland Bluebird - Midland Bluebird

www.mcgillsscotlandeast.co.uk

Going off the website Fleetlist, that would mean 408, 409, 420, 441, 465, 2238, 2239, 3358, 8004, 8007, and 8010 are all withdrawn. Additionally, 2421, 2423, and 2426 are also gone from there.

Fleet List in Reference.

Fleet list for Midland Bluebird - Midland Bluebird

www.mcgillsscotlandeast.co.uk

 

[Stan Drews]

Going off the website Fleetlist, that would mean 408, 409, 420, 441, 465, 2238, 2239, 3358, 8004, 8007, and 8010 are all withdrawn. Additionally, 2421, 2423, and 2426 are also gone from there.

That is correct. None of these buses are currently in the active fleet.

 

[overthewater]

Either the No2 printed timetables have been delayed at the printers or someone has forgotten to give the drivers. Oddly No1 timetable PDF has been uploaded to the website however it listed under the Uni-link page.

 

[route101]

Either the No2 printed timetables have been delayed at the printers or someone has forgotten to give the drivers. Oddly No1 timetable PDF has been uploaded to the website however it listed under the Uni-link page.

Where would you get these timetables? Only place I see McGills timetables is Stirling Bus Station.

 

[overthewater]

Where would you get these timetables? Only place I see McGills timetables is Stirling Bus Station.

There are 3 places in Falkirk.

1: On the buses, they have been adding timetable holders to the new electric buses, but not all of them have been fitted, and drivers also have some in the cabs. The x38 Timetable holder are next to the doors.
2: Depot.
3: Forth Valley Hospital. Currently only has X36/37 timetables and No38. They do stock other timetables if someone in the depot remember to go up.

It unclear of the Mess room around the coner from Asda has any.

 

[smsm1]

Today I spotted an electric bus on the X37 between Falkirk and Glasgow.

 

[CSB0241]

3: Forth Valley Hospital. Currently only has X36/37 timetables and No38. They do stock other timetables if someone in the depot remember to go up.

Last time I was there, they also interestingly had timetables for the 1 - bit odd as it doesn’t even go near the hospital (best you’d get is probably Millenium Wheel Park & Ride).

Today I spotted an electric bus on the X37 between Falkirk and Glasgow.

Has happened a good couple times recently, I’ve seen it at least 3 times in the past month or so.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

Last time I was there, they also interestingly had timetables for the 1 - bit odd as it doesn’t even go near the hospital (best you’d get is probably Millenium Wheel Park & Ride).


Has happened a good couple times recently, I’ve seen it at least 3 times in the past month or so.

I'd say with a fleet of 30 Yutongs be you'll see one or 2 on the X37 at times it won't be that rare

 

[matchmaker]

I'm having a discussion on Facebook about the reliability or otherwise of services in Clackmannanshire. Someone has said that if the services don't improve the council could withdraw the contract from McGills. I stated that the (majority of) services aren't run under a council contract and are purely run under private enterprise so the council (or councils - Clackmannan and Stirling) can do no more than moan. Am I correct?

 

[318266]

In theory the council could raise objections but largely they can be brushed under the rug. The worst possible scenario is that they could be somewhat "obstructive" towards McGill's' use of council facilities (e.g. there own branded bus stop paper displays that tend to quietly hide competing operators), however in such circumstances I'm sure McGill's would have a suitable response, as Stagecoach have done when Fife Council and Dumfries & Galloway Council objected to their objections.

 

[overthewater]

The public really are clueless at times which is a shame. Clackmannanshire only pays for two routes C1 Alloa town service and H1/H2 Hospital bus and most of the time they operate without any issues. In fact H1 has had electric bus on it, so it had brand new stock, the lucky passengers.

I dare say the complaints are about the 51/52 but that would be down to congestion and that would be the fault of Stirling and Clackmannanshire councils.

 

[Stan Drews]

I'm having a discussion on Facebook about the reliability or otherwise of services in Clackmannanshire. Someone has said that if the services don't improve the council could withdraw the contract from McGills. I stated that the (majority of) services aren't run under a council contract and are purely run under private enterprise so the council (or councils - Clackmannan and Stirling) can do no more than moan. Am I correct?

You are correct. There is no contract to withdraw, as they are run purely commercially.

 

[markymark2000]

I'm having a discussion on Facebook about the reliability or otherwise of services in Clackmannanshire. Someone has said that if the services don't improve the council could withdraw the contract from McGills. I stated that the (majority of) services aren't run under a council contract and are purely run under private enterprise so the council (or councils - Clackmannan and Stirling) can do no more than moan. Am I correct?

Largely correct, however the council could, if they wanted to, could gather evidence and then send that into the traffic commissioner. This is what Exeter City Council/Devon County Council did against Stagecoach South West. Milton Keynes complained to the Traffic Commissioner against all bus operators because of the cuts to services during Covid which weren't being registered. It doesn't make the council popular though with the operator and will break any working relationship that they have.

 

[roadierway77]

When are Midland Bluebird going to officially announce the withdrawal of the AIRX? Its last day of operation is in nine days time and the only indication the service is being withdrawn is this notice here on their website, and that isn't even in the Service Updates section: https://www.mcgillsscotlandeast.co.uk/network-changes/af174586-7c9d-477e-b3bf-6957a6de05b1

Very poor communication and a pitiful end to the service. No doubt McGill's aren't keen to draw attention to its failure.

 

[Metal Mickey]

When are Midland Bluebird going to officially announce the withdrawal of the AIRX? Its last day of operation is in nine days time and the only indication the service is being withdrawn is this notice here on their website, and that isn't even in the Service Updates section: https://www.mcgillsscotlandeast.co.uk/network-changes/af174586-7c9d-477e-b3bf-6957a6de05b1

Very poor communication and a pitiful end to the service. No doubt McGill's aren't keen to draw attention to its failure.

There’s plenty of issues to be concerned of in today’s bus industry but I wouldn’t say this is one of them.

Had it been a withdrawal of service with no replacement then I suspect there would’ve been more of an announcement but in this case there is already a long established alternative already available.

 

[markymark2000]

When are Midland Bluebird going to officially announce the withdrawal of the AIRX? Its last day of operation is in nine days time and the only indication the service is being withdrawn is this notice here on their website, and that isn't even in the Service Updates section: https://www.mcgillsscotlandeast.co.uk/network-changes/af174586-7c9d-477e-b3bf-6957a6de05b1

Very poor communication and a pitiful end to the service. No doubt McGill's aren't keen to draw attention to its failure.

It's a common thing across the McGills groups to just just the rather shoddy service changes thing which is available on websites made by Passenger.

On the plus side, at least they have informed Flixbus about these changes. Unlike the previous set of changes, which means that even now, you can buy tickets on Flixbus for AirX trips which don't exist, and haven't existed in months.

There’s plenty of issues to be concerned of in today’s bus industry but I wouldn’t say this is one of them.

Had it been a withdrawal of service with no replacement then I suspect there would’ve been more of an announcement but in this case there is already a long established alternative already available.

I'd argue this is one of the issues with todays bus industry. A growing number of operators have such little care for passengers that they are posting service changes even later, in more hidden places, or simply not posting them at all. (some are great though and post weeks ahead in prominent places, such as Oxford Bus Group, but this isn't yet the 'norm' sadly.)

 

[Metal Mickey]

I'd argue this is one of the issues with todays bus industry. A growing number of operators have such little care for passengers that they are posting service changes even later, in more hidden places, or simply not posting them at all. (some are great though and post weeks ahead in prominent places, such as Oxford Bus Group, but this isn't yet the 'norm' sadly.)

I get that but my point on this one specifically is that hardly anyone will lose sleep over it’s withdrawal given that adequate provision is already on offer from Lothian.

But you’re correct in mentioning the lack of notice and there’s a certain big group who in the last few years have developed a really bad habit of posting changes and revised timetables sometimes with less than two weeks notice prior to the start date.

 

[Baileygirl]

I get that but my point on this one specifically is that hardly anyone will lose sleep over it’s withdrawal given that adequate provision is already on offer from Lothian.

But you’re correct in mentioning the lack of notice and there’s a certain big group who in the last few years have developed a really bad habit of posting changes and revised timetables sometimes with less than two weeks notice prior to the start date.

Their predecessor, First, used to only give you one weeks notice.