McGill’s Midland Bluebird

[Observer]

Larbert Depot is over 100 years old and prone to flooding from the River Carron. If a new EV fleet is earmarked for Midland, that could mean major reconstruction to the existing sites at Larbert and Bannockburn as there isn’t much yard-space to play with or relocating to new premises.

The flooding issue is already in the process of being taken care of - https://www.grangemouthfloodscheme.com/

The Grangemouth Flood Protection Scheme is the largest flood defence project in Scotland and one of the biggest in the United Kingdom, protecting communities in Grangemouth, Wholeflats, Glensburgh, Langlees, Carron, Carronshore and Camelon (Stirling Road).

The scheme was identified as the highest priority given the potentially huge costs if an extreme flood event were to occur. Whilst other parts of Scotland have been significantly affected by flooding over the last 5 years, Grangemouth has fortunately avoided significant flooding.

Flood defences are proposed various locations on the River Avon from Inveravon to the confluence with the Firth of Forth, River Carron from the A9 crossing at Larbert to the confluence with the Firth of Forth, Westquarter Burn from Grandsable cemetery to the M9, Chapel Burn from Carronshore Road to the confluence with the River Carron, Millhall Burn from Millhall Gardens to the confluence with the River Avon, flood relief channel from Rannoch Park to the confluence with the River Avon, Grange Burn between Zetland Park and confluence with the Firth of Forth, the Polmont Burn from Weedingshall to the M9 and the Firth of Forth between the River Carron and River Avon. The total length of flood defences is approximately 28km

The project team are continuing to develop the outline design and will continue to engage with the public and affected stakeholders prior to the statutory publication of the proposed final scheme expected in Spring 2024.

 

[overthewater]

This will pretty much clear out the ex First fleet and some of the older McGill’s fleet

Isn't all the Bright bus airport buses ex First? Could that mean we could see newer stock transferred on to it?

 

[stevenedin]

Isn't all the Bright bus airport buses ex First? Could that mean we could see newer stock transferred on to it?

I have no idea but maybe the citaros would be good for that route.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Should think the x38 is a higher priority for replacement vehicles

 

[stevenedin]

Should think the x38 is a higher priority for replacement vehicles

I agree, the current vehicles are awful with the tinted windows. I never understand why they do this. Maybe they will move to Bright Bus Airport Express once the new vehicles arrive.

 

[overthewater]

There is a lot of "IF's and Buts" here.

Why would they replace the X38 stock when it was just upgraded a few months ago? Of course they could be a good upgrade for Airport runs.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Possibly my bad here. I hadn't been aware that they had just changed the x38 vehicles, last time I observed it it was still using the street lites
Street assuming it's now E200 or similar?

 

[overthewater]

Yes, the fleet was replaced in May? Here are some pics from Flickr that people have taken pics of:

* https://flic.kr/p/2q3pZKE
* https://flic.kr/p/2q3La8e
* https://flic.kr/p/2q1eRgf

 

[Observer]

There is a lot of "IF's and Buts" here.

Why would they replace the X38 stock when it was just upgraded a few months ago? Of course they could be a good upgrade for Airport runs.

To be fair the only difference between the X38 E200s and the other 19 plates are the length and charger ports. They could easily be moved onto other service work no problem.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Were these cascaded from elsewhere in the McGills empire or were they bought from another operator or dealer for the route

 

[stevenedin]

Were these cascaded from elsewhere in the McGills empire or were they bought from another operator or dealer for the route

They were cascaded from elsewhere in McGill’s.

To be fair the only difference between the X38 E200s and the other 19 plates are the length and charger ports. They could easily be moved onto other service work no problem.

Also the tinted windows which make it very dark inside.

 

[overthewater]

I think that this is the first largish company to appear before the Traffic Commissioner in Scotland for a long time:-

From Office of the Traffic Commissioner Scotland Notices and Proceedings Publication Number: 2497 Publication Date: 08/07/2024

PSV notices and proceedings for Scotland

Notice of bus and coach operator licence applications to, and decisions made by, the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland.

www.gov.uk

Did anyone hear what happened at this inquiry? Was it all a storm in a teacup?

 

[Theproinsider]

Did anyone hear what happened at this inquiry? Was it all a storm in a teacup?

Alex Hornby has left the business

 

[Stena Galloway]

Alex Hornby has left the business

Is there any news article related to this?

 

[Bungle965]

Alex Hornby has left the business

Mod note: As per forum rules, can you please provide a source for this information?

 

[Theproinsider]

Internal staff message

SENIOR LEADERSHIP CHANGES Thursday 25th July 2024
In order to remain competitive and efficient in the marketplace, it is important that the Company continues to review its strategic direction in all matters.
In line with this commitment, I will be announcing some changes to the senior leadership of the business over the coming week.
The first announcement in this series is to advise that Alex Hornby will be leaving McGill's with immediate effect.
The Board thanks Alex for his passion and commitment to his role and wishes him well in his future career.
Ralph R Roberts CEO

 

[Resuwen]

Sudden development then as he was at the Swinney launch event on Tuesday

 

[iij]

Came across this discussion https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/1e2wnff/are_the_mcgills_buses_dodgylinked_with_criminals/

Are the McGills buses dodgy...

... Is there any merit to this, or was my work mate just winding me up?

 

[Class 466]

Internal staff message

No more big recycled rebrands for McGill’s then!

 

[VolvoOly85]

Sudden development then as he was at the Swinney launch event on Tuesday

He wasn’t

 

[CN04NRJ]

Does anyone know what sanctions, if any, were handed down at the PI?

 

[Stan Drews]

Does anyone know what sanctions, if any, were handed down at the PI?

On the day decisions are very rare, so unlikely you’ll hear anything official for a while.

 

[DunsBus]

Internal staff message

The infamous Carmuirs House revolving door strikes again!

 

[Simon75]

Internal staff message

Any idea where he's gone ?

 

[Simon75]

Came across this discussion https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/1e2wnff/are_the_mcgills_buses_dodgylinked_with_criminals/

Is this just internet gossip? Anything dodgy and I'm sure the traffic commissioner or police would get involved.

 

[Resuwen]

He wasn’t

Apologies. His tweets implied he was.

 

[Stan Drews]

The infamous Carmuirs House revolving door strikes again!

Although he was based in Greenock.

 

[Volvodart]

Is this just internet gossip? Anything dodgy and I'm sure the traffic commissioner or police would get involved.

The allegations made by the person made bankrupt in https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/mcgills-owners-bankrupt-blogger.267183/ were made to the Traffic Commissioner before several years ago, presumably by him.

 

[Stan Drews]

Is this just internet gossip? Anything dodgy and I'm sure the traffic commissioner or police would get involved.

Virtually all of it is complete nonsense and idle internet gossip that seems to keep these people going.

 

[GusB]

No matter what anyone thinks about the individuals involved in running a company, it's unwise to post anything that could deemed to be defamatory. If someone wishes to take that risk elsewhere on the internet that's their problem, but I'd ask forum members not to repeat any allegations here.