McGill's Buses - Renfrewshire & Inverclyde

[Spsf3232]

Are you sure on that? Airports don't usually have such restrictions after the Luton Airport court case.

You can for example book the limited Citylink services between the airport and the City Centre?

They can and do still have restrictions and remember they are private property so can refuse any operator access without any reason

 

[Stan Drews]

They can and do still have restrictions and remember they are private property so can refuse any operator access without any reason

First effectively pay a significant ‘fee’ to have the exclusive use of the prime stand at the front of the terminal building. Any other service that was regarded as a competitor would likely be allocated a more ‘out of the way’ stopping point.

 

[sannox]

They can and do still have restrictions and remember they are private property so can refuse any operator access without any reason

No legal expert but surely that would fall foul of competition laws? I think there could be valid reasons for refusing - safety, congestion etc, but not just without any reason.

Any other service that was regarded as a competitor would likely be allocated a more ‘out of the way’ stopping point.

This is far more likely. I've often wondered if the Braehead diversions are justified in terms of cost/time for an express route.

 

[Stan Drews]

I've often wondered if the Braehead diversions are justified in terms of cost/time for an express route.

The general rule of thumb used to determine if such a diversion is (or would be) viable is to look at the revenue against the cost of providing. You’d probably only save 1 bus if you didn’t call at Braehead, so the loss of passengers/revenue is likely to be much more than the potential savings, even accounting for the likelihood of a little growth if the journey time reduces by around 5 mins.

 

[Numpt33]

I don't know in Glasgows case but Stansted and Bristol certainly do their upmost to restrict competition with their 'concessions' or in Bristols case they refuse access without battling through a lot of bureaucracy and providing a lot of commercially sensitive data to their public transport manager (who just so happens to also dictate the airports contracted buses. 100% not a conflict of interest there).

Airports have the legal right to charge bus operators for stopping at the airport. Edinburgh airport takes a cut of every Airlink, Jet747 and all the other airport ticket sold.

I don't know the specifics, but the airport may charge the operator for access, but they can also charge an amount per sale. Some UK airports charge a low rent to retail, but they want a share of every sale. It does help with new businesses, or when covid occured - no sales, no rent.

 

[Volvodart]

McGill's are trialling double deckers from Midland Bluebird on the X23.

 

[Stan Drews]

McGill's are trialling double deckers from Midland Bluebird on the X23.

That is correct. With the reduction on the Stirling Unilink service kicking in this week, 3 of the Unilink branded E400MMCs (8936/8/40) have gone on loan from Bannockburn to Inchinnan depot, where they will be used on the X23 between Erskine and Glasgow. Inchinnan X23 branded Citaros 3328/9 have gone on loan to Bannockburn in exchange.

 

[danielhogg2005]

From 12th June, McGill's will introduce a new night service the N26 between Glasgow & Renfrew (most likely replicating the daytime route then using the M8 to return back to Glasgow like the others), this will be accompanied by a timetable change of the other night services.

Source - https://www.andypreece.co.uk/glasgowbus/servicechanges.htm

 

[Stan Drews]

From 12th June, McGill's will introduce a new night service the N26 between Glasgow & Renfrew (most likely replicating the daytime route then using the M8 to return back to Glasgow like the others), this will be accompanied by a timetable change of the other night services.

Source - https://www.andypreece.co.uk/glasgowbus/servicechanges.htm

The changes to the night buses are largely down to the timings of the Scotland World Cup matches, with them all running an extra hour to cover the 2am kick off time for the first game and then running on Wed night/Thu morning for the last game.
The N60 has a slight route change to follow the daytime X10 route from Hope St to Maryhill Rd.

Network changes - McGill's Buses

www.mcgillsbuses.co.uk

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

The changes to the night buses are largely down to the timings of the Scotland World Cup matches, with them all running an extra hour to cover the 2am kick off time for the first game and then running on Wed night/Thu morning for the last game.
The N60 has a slight route change to follow the daytime X10 route from Hope St to Maryhill Rd.

Network changes - McGill's Buses

www.mcgillsbuses.co.uk

Surprised the N60 route wasn't to go that route along Napiershall Street since it began

 

[Stan Drews]

Surprised the N60 route wasn't to go that route along Napiershall Street since it began

When the N60 started back in 2023 the long term closure of Phoenix Road under the M8 was apparently due to reopen again soon after, meaning that the X10 and the N60 would have gone back to the ‘normal’ route. However, that never happened and as it dragged on longer and longer, the X10 route via Napiershall St and Gt Western Rd became permanent, so now we’re just taking the opportunity to align the N60.

 

[Gflynorw]

I wish the 26 ran later and earlier especially on a Sunday. I live in Govan and it's a good service into Town

 

[Stan Drews]

I wish the 26 ran later and earlier especially on a Sunday. I live in Govan and it's a good service into Town

There will be some Sunday evening journeys added to the 26 from 12th July, along with an improved frequency on the 23 through Govan. Full details coming soon!

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

There will be some Sunday evening journeys added to the 26 from 12th July, along with an improved frequency on the 23 through Govan. Full details coming soon!

23 & 26s must be the busiest routes McGill's operate, always packed even the 26s as frequent as they are can get 2 & 3 at a time and every one has healthy loads

 

[Gflynorw]

23 & 26s must be the busiest routes McGill's operate, always packed even the 26s as frequent as they are can get 2 & 3 at a time and every one has healthy loads

Yeah. They're fairly reliable as well. Once you leave Govan you're in town in less than 10 mins. Plus McGills for £3.80 all day ticket. I know McGills get some flack but I dont have any complaints. The fastlink bus lanes are great.

Mcgills buses are better looked after than FirstBus, their app is much better and it shows better bus tracking. Interiors are usally spotlessly clean. I have to use First 2 and 3 sometimes and the difference is so stark

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

Yeah. They're fairly reliable as well. Once you leave Govan you're in town in less than 10 mins. Plus McGills for £3.80 all day ticket. I know McGills get some flack but I dont have any complaints. The fastlink bus lanes are great.

Mcgills buses are better looked after than FirstBus, their app is much better and it shows better bus tracking. Interiors are usally spotlessly clean. I have to use First 2 and 3 sometimes and the difference is so stark

I'm a buyer of the All Zones ticket on the odd occasion, I shop about for certain things in Braehead and sometimes Cumbernauld and I've stretched my legs to Stirling, good value for the distance you can travel

 

[Stan Drews]

McGill’s have rebranded one of their Yutong E12’s (5063) as McGinn’s with suitable John McGinn graphics on either side to show their support for the Scotland team at the World Cup.

McGill’s becomes ‘McGinn’s’ as Scotland World Cup fever grips the nation

From McGill's to McGinn's

www.mcgillsbuses.co.uk

For those that do Facebook you can see more here.

McGill's Buses

From McGill’s to McGinn’s. We've given one of our buses a special makeover in honour of John McGinn as Scotland gears up for football's biggest stage. Keep an eye out for the 'McGinn's' bus on the...

www.facebook.com

 

[WiltsBus]

New service 24

New Service 24 - McGill's Buses

www.mcgillsbuses.co.uk

New Service 24
Mon 13th Jul onwards

This new hourly service will link Clydebank with Kings Inch Road, Braehead and QEUH utilising the Renfrew Bridge. Buses will also continue beyond QEUH as service 23 to provide additional direct links to the Govan area and the City Centre via Fastlink

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

New service 24

New Service 24 - McGill's Buses

www.mcgillsbuses.co.uk

New Service 24
Mon 13th Jul onwards

This new hourly service will link Clydebank with Kings Inch Road, Braehead and QEUH utilising the Renfrew Bridge. Buses will also continue beyond QEUH as service 23 to provide additional direct links to the Govan area and the City Centre via Fastlink

I reckon this will do well with shoppers for Braehead

 

[WiltsBus]

3 hour bridge closures. I wonder if there is another example of a bus adapting a timetable for an opening bridge and what the strategies are? If successful, it will impact the Clyde Shopping Centre

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

New service 24

New Service 24 - McGill's Buses

www.mcgillsbuses.co.uk

New Service 24
Mon 13th Jul onwards

This new hourly service will link Clydebank with Kings Inch Road, Braehead and QEUH utilising the Renfrew Bridge. Buses will also continue beyond QEUH as service 23 to provide additional direct links to the Govan area and the City Centre via Fastlink

Seems the X19 will have competition as well along the Broomielaw with the 23s being rerouted along there from the same day

 

[voidwxrranty]

Seems the X19 will have competition as well along the Broomielaw with the 23s being rerouted along there from the same day

Along with that, they’ll also now use the full length of the Fastlink on the south side of the water (STV Studios - Linthouse), using Golspie Street in Govan both ways, along with Govan Road rather than Summertown Road.

 

[WiltsBus]

Glasgow Bus Timetable Finder - Forthcoming Service Changes

Refers to changes to XP21, X21 and a new 21 on the 13th July

 

[sannox]

I reckon this will do well with shoppers for Braehead

Nothing from Clydebank to QUEH / Braehead has ever lasted via the Tunnel - pretty sure Arriva / Avondale have tried it and the CQ1 was a bit of a flop due to being timed to be non-stop due to funding. The 24 should do well via the new route however.

Good to see the back of the 23P which was confusing IMO, a return to more sensible numbers.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

Nothing from Clydebank to QUEH / Braehead has ever lasted via the Tunnel - pretty sure Arriva / Avondale have tried it and the CQ1 was a bit of a flop due to being timed to be non-stop due to funding. The 24 should do well via the new route however.

Good to see the back of the 23P which was confusing IMO, a return to more sensible numbers.

They're not using the tunnel this time round it'll take under 15 minutes to get Braehead utilising the new Renfrew Bridge, More U22s will use the service, the bus back then was years ago now, At least they're providing a new link and trying something different, it will also change to a 23 at QEUH and continue to the City Centre

 

[NorthClyde320]

Seems the X19 will have competition as well along the Broomielaw with the 23s being rerouted along there from the same day

I always wondered at the time why McGill's never did this with the 23 when they withdrew the short lived F1 service but maybe they didn't want to provoke a reaction from Stagecoach at the time, now with Stagecoach retracting in Glasgow and the continuing issues with the X19 it's a better time to try it out. It could also be as simple as the 23 and 26 overlapping on similar sections of the route at present in and out of the City so now each will have it's own separate route.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

I always wondered at the time why McGill's never did this with the 23 when they withdrew the short lived F1 service but maybe they didn't want to provoke a reaction from Stagecoach at the time, now with Stagecoach retracting in Glasgow and the continuing issues with the X19 it's a better time to try it out. It could also be as simple as the 23 and 26 overlapping on similar sections of the route I guess too.

26 is going via Summertown Road and Orkney Street replacing the 23 and still going via Paisley Road Toll so it’s doing the exact same route as the X19 including not going via Govan Road and going via Golspie Street instead, Be much quicker and I reckon the 23 will be a bit more punctual, The X19 is bad just now due to the Diversions in the City Centre, it'll be back to normal once everything eventually opens back up, the nonsense outside Buchanan Bus Station is the main problem

 

[erskinebus]

3 hour bridge closures. I wonder if there is another example of a bus adapting a timetable for an opening bridge and what the strategies are? If successful, it will impact the Clyde Shopping Centre

A senior member of the McGill's team has said on the enthusiast Facebook group that it will terminate on the Renfrew side of the bridge when closed to road traffic.

 

[Stan Drews]

Glasgow Bus Timetable Finder - Forthcoming Service Changes

Refers to changes to XP21, X21 and a new 21 on the 13th July

You can find the full details of all the revised services on their website at the following links.

Timetable changes are on the way from 12 July 2026

Find out more here.

www.mcgillsbuses.co.uk

Network changes - McGill's Buses

www.mcgillsbuses.co.uk

 

[danielhogg2005]

I'm not sure if this has been asked before in this thread but can you use the Night Buses to go into Glasgow (on the motorway sections where the bus returns to the city centre)?, McGill's journey planner say you can, but I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with this.

Many thanks.