McGill’s Midland Bluebird

[markymark2000]

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.

Just because there are alternatives available, you should still tell passengers as much as possible that your service is ending so that they can plan around using the alternatives. Perhaps people maybe budgeting a certain amount for the fare.

It's not devastating news because of the alternatives, I agree, but still. People plan things and should be told that their planned airport transfer is no longer available. Especially given all of the advertising that has been done.

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.

One division of a big group I know doesn't post changes, and hasn't posted any of the last 9 rounds of service changes. Passengers find out on the day that their timetable has changed!

 

[SilentWatcher]

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.

You're right that very few will lose sleep over it. However, it's not very fair on passengers who have return tickets for AirX, who intend on making their return journey after the 14th and could find themselves waiting on a bus that simply isn't coming.

Have their ticket sellers in the last few weeks been informing them of the withdrawal, does anyone know?

 

[overthewater]

Have their ticket sellers in the last few weeks been informing them of the withdrawal, does anyone know?

They have been talking about it in roundabout way, there all getting jobs else where within the company. There not being quiet about that part.

 

[Bus9120UK]

You're right that very few will lose sleep over it. However, it's not very fair on passengers who have return tickets for AirX, who intend on making their return journey after the 14th and could find themselves waiting on a bus that simply isn't coming.

Have their ticket sellers in the last few weeks been informing them of the withdrawal, does anyone know?

Additionally online you can still buy a return for all the remaining days of the service, even the last day, although anyone who intends to use the return after the 14th will obviously be unable to do so.
No mention otherwise on the Bright Bus site. The only hint is that if you try to book a date after the 14th, it'll say unavailable (only after you select the date - on the actual date picker you wouldn't know because all dates can be selected).

 

[Stan Drews]

When are they going to announce it ‘officially’ …apart from the official notice that’s been on their website for a couple of weeks! ???

The service change page is used for diversions etc with planned changes to timetables shown on the timetable page. Both also appear when anyone accesses the relevant timetable page of impacted services.

 

[Siemens Trains]

When are they going to announce it ‘officially’ …apart from the official notice that’s been on their website for a couple of weeks! ???

The service change page is used for diversions etc with planned changes to timetables shown on the timetable page. Both also appear when anyone accesses the relevant timetable page of impacted services.

Yes, it's difficult to see what the complaint is about. But it's fairly typical of the public who almost expect to be personally informed by a servant.

Strictly speaking I suppose the 'official' announcement is via the Traffic Commissioner's office and anything else might be treated as informal. But as you say there's information readily available on the website.

Here's the planned changes to timetables, which seems pretty clear:

and the relevant timetable page stating the service will be withdrawn following last day of operation on Friday 14 November:

 

[Bus9120UK]

Yes, it's difficult to see what the complaint is about. But it's fairly typical of the public who almost expect to be personally informed by a servant.

Strictly speaking I suppose the 'official' announcement is via the Traffic Commissioner's office and anything else might be treated as informal. But as you say there's information readily available on the website.

Here's the planned changes to timetables, which seems pretty clear:

and the relevant timetable page stating the service will be withdrawn following last day of operation on Friday 14 November:

I think the main concern is the assumption that users would be using the Midland Bluebird website, when the name itself is not generally associated with Bright Bus. No doubt some people may do, but it takes additional effort given it is not the first result - often not appearing in the first half if you haven't accessed it previously or there is an advertisement. When people search up Bright Bus Airport Express they are more than likely to check on the official Bright Bus site, the first three results. It is on this site where there is a lack of information.

Separately, although indeed I agree that the intention of the service updates page is not for route withdrawals/suspensions, this isn't initially obvious and naturally this is the page you would check for such information. This can lead to the impression that there is no information which perhaps is where some comments have come from, and I find that a totally valid mistake to make. We ought to remember that different people will navigate the internet and websites in different ways and you cannot assume that because you found the information, other people will also.

 

[SilentWatcher]

Yes, it's difficult to see what the complaint is about. But it's fairly typical of the public who almost expect to be personally informed by a servant.

Strictly speaking I suppose the 'official' announcement is via the Traffic Commissioner's office and anything else might be treated as informal. But as you say there's information readily available on the website.

I don't think it's difficult to see what the complaint is at all.

As mentioned above, unless you're in the know, you're going to head to the Bright Bus website rather than a McGills one. In addition to the lack of information on that site, I can't see any mention at all of their withdrawal on the BB social media accounts.
Like it or not, many people use social media as a means of obtaining the information they need from companies they're using. Despite not following their pages, I saw many sponsored posts appearing from BB on my feeds, so it was clearly a tool McGill's knew they had at their disposal and were keen to use it. They can't have just forgotten all about it.

 

[Volvodart]

Decision in the Traffic Commissioners Public Inquiry.

From

Decision for McGill's Scotland East Ltd (PM0000923) and Midland Bluebird Ltd t/a McGill's Midland Bluebird (PM0000003)

Written decision of the Traffic Commissioner for the Scottish traffic area for McGill's Scotland East Ltd and Midland Bluebird Ltd t/a McGill's Midland Bluebird

www.gov.uk

In that regard, deterrent action is required in order to achieve the aims of the statute and to ensure that levels of service match the expectations of the travelling public in Scotland. Putting aside the Growth duty and other obligations on regulators outside the tribunal room, the duty to promote the success of the company for the benefit of its members, is not my concern. That is one of the statutory obligations of the Directors. I have rejected the suggestion that the operators might use funds instead of paying a penalty. That would be to reward shareholders (including the Group), when the school children and public paid the price. The penalty to be paid to Scottish Ministers under section 39 of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 is £29,700. The Office of the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland will advise on how that payment is to be made.

R Turfitt

 

[stevenedin]

Decision in the Traffic Commissioners Public Inquiry.

Decision for McGill's Scotland East Ltd (PM0000923) and Midland Bluebird Ltd t/a McGill's Midland Bluebird (PM0000003)

Written decision of the Traffic Commissioner for the Scottish traffic area for McGill's Scotland East Ltd and Midland Bluebird Ltd t/a McGill's Midland Bluebird

www.gov.uk

Wow that's some report. I knew things were bad but not as bad as that. It seems like things are improving though at least.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

Decision in the Traffic Commissioners Public Inquiry.

Decision for McGill's Scotland East Ltd (PM0000923) and Midland Bluebird Ltd t/a McGill's Midland Bluebird (PM0000003)

Written decision of the Traffic Commissioner for the Scottish traffic area for McGill's Scotland East Ltd and Midland Bluebird Ltd t/a McGill's Midland Bluebird

www.gov.uk

That's wild

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Wow that's some report. I knew things were bad but not as bad as that. It seems like things are improving though at least.

You know things are bad when you have Backhouse Jones in as your legal counsel They have specialism in this area!

It's a pretty damning report.

 

[VioletEclipse]

Decision in the Traffic Commissioners Public Inquiry.

From:-
"Daily update from GOV.UK for:

Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain"

Decision for McGill's Scotland East Ltd (PM0000923) and Midland Bluebird Ltd t/a McGill's Midland Bluebird (PM0000003)

Written decision of the Traffic Commissioner for the Scottish traffic area for McGill's Scotland East Ltd and Midland Bluebird Ltd t/a McGill's Midland Bluebird

www.gov.uk

goodness me

 

[overthewater]

Well that could have been worse, but still rather damming in parts. I wouldn't say it makes First group any better as half the stuff had to come for thier legacy.

The issues with “Punctuality” I'm surprise it's those routes which are causing the trouble, there are routes which have bigger problems mainly linked to roadworks, which are causing alot of trouble. I dare say if McGills are being pulled up for that, then Lothian country and Stagecoach East Scotland better watch out.

He described the roll-out of on street information across the Falkirk area and the reintroduction of hard copy timetables on buses and in the bus station to cater for passengers who do not have access to on-line information

There is no Falkirk bus station any more nor is there enquire office? unless one has sneaked in of late? The only bus station in the area is Stirling, and the only timetable stand in the Falkirk area is at Hospital which does stock the booklets.

 

[markymark2000]

You know things are bad when you have Backhouse Jones in as your legal counsel They have specialism in this area!

It's a pretty damning report.

I did notice that they pop up a lot at PIs. They seem to work on behalf of most of the bigger operators.

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

He described the roll-out of on street information across the Falkirk area and the reintroduction of hard copy timetables on buses and in the bus station to cater for passengers who do not have access to on-line information

Interesting comments about those who have access to on line information given the issues raised above that service change information isn't as 'in your face' as it should be as the group tends not to use the 'news' pages to promote changes, just uses the silly service update feature for it.

 

[318266]

I did notice that they pop up a lot at PIs. They seem to work on behalf of most of the bigger operators.

Would explain the odd section explaining who Scots fines are payable to!

 

[matchmaker]

That's wild

Nearly a week on, the BBC have finally got hold of the report...

BBC

 

[overthewater]

It seems everyone has picked up on the story now, doesn't say much they waited over a week to report. It must be a slow news day... If only they read this forum like the someone from one of the Scottish newspaper

 

[Megafuss]

Decision in the Traffic Commissioners Public Inquiry.

From

Decision for McGill's Scotland East Ltd (PM0000923) and Midland Bluebird Ltd t/a McGill's Midland Bluebird (PM0000003)

Written decision of the Traffic Commissioner for the Scottish traffic area for McGill's Scotland East Ltd and Midland Bluebird Ltd t/a McGill's Midland Bluebird

www.gov.uk

Not quite the level of excoriation of a certain Forum favourite, but pretty close in places.

 

[Volvodart]

It seems everyone has picked up on the story now, doesn't say much they waited over a week to report. It must be a slow news day... If only they read this forum like the someone from one of the Scottish newspaper

The report was there last week, but the Traffic Commissioners only released the press release a couple of days ago.

 

[Ewan M]

Looks as if the withdrawal of the AIRX route has been brought forward to tonight rather than early December

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

Looks as if the withdrawal of the AIRX route has been brought forward to tonight rather than early December

Was always the case from about a month ago it's been mentioned plenty times in here

 

[Stan Drews]

Was always the case from about a month ago it's been mentioned plenty times in here

Yeah, 6 weeks ago when the registration cancellation was submitted.

 

[Baileygirl]

Yeah, 6 weeks ago when the registration cancellation was submitted.

it was brought forward due to the closure of Waverley Bridge for the Christmas period.

 

[Ewan M]

Was always the case from about a month ago it's been mentioned plenty times in here

I’ve only got up to date with this so apologies for saying stuff that’s already been said

 

[computerSaysNo]

Has the AIRX definitely been cancelled? It's still showing up on departure screens (this one was at Haymarket Station bus stop but I would assume that since it's showing here that it'll be showing everywhere) and the paper timetable is still present in the holder.

Image shows the departure board at Haymarket Station bus stop [HH] which shows two AIRX departures to Edinburgh Airport.

 

[JKP]

Has the AIRX definitely been cancelled? It's still showing up on departure screens (this one was at Haymarket Station bus stop but I would assume that since it's showing here that it'll be showing everywhere) and the paper timetable is still present in the holder.

Image shows the departure board at Haymarket Station bus stop [HH] which shows two AIRX departures to Edinburgh Airport.

The registration has been cancelled, so no it is not running. I suspect that the software has not been updated which is why it is still showing on the screen and the man with van has not done his rounds to change the paper display.

 

[Ewan M]

The registration has been cancelled, so no it is not running. I suspect that the software has not been updated which is why it is still showing on the screen and the man with van has not done his rounds to change the paper display.

Even the website is yet to be taken down

 

[Bus9120UK]

Even the website is yet to be taken down

As well as all the information in the bus stops.

Edit - the website has been updated and says "this service no longer operates". However it's not placed in a particularly obvious position!

 

[SilentWatcher]

Has the AIRX definitely been cancelled?

It has definitely gone, much to the surprise of some of their passengers. I have it on good authority that a number of Lothian staff have been approached by passengers with Bright Bus returns, who didn't know the service was being withdrawn