Exactly. Not to mention 99% of people jump on the first available bus and don’t care whether it’s a bigger, newer or fancier bus. Most people are also driven by price so if they can save a few £ they’ll jump a BB. It’s sort of win win for McGills and definitely one of their better ideas.
To be fair, said double decker is only out there due to the Bus and Boat Tour being off. That's not to say they couldn't get more in the future though, depends on loadings and what is available to be moved after the Yutongs come.
Only busy runs is when bright bus agents shout and put there hands out standing middle pavement guide passengers on to there buses.
The competition between Guide Friday and LRT* (as LB was at the time) on the Airport run from 1989 to 1999 showed that there was room for two operators on it. LRT with coach-seated Olympians at a premium fare, and GF* with elderly Atlanteans and later, Titans, at a cheaper price.
www.falkirkherald.co.uk
The Unilink needs DDs. From my observations, it's by far the busiest route in the Stirling area.
The new U11DD's for Xplore Dundee will probably replace their 06 plates Volvo Deckers first.
The plan is to replace single deck Volvo B7RLEs to allow routes like the 17 to become fully DD.
B7RLEs could be good for Stirling routes rather than the clapped out Streetlites if that's the case
www.route-one.net
Great news but I wonder who they will acquire next.Confirmation of the 30 Yutongs. How are McGills appearing to succeed with Midland Bluebird where First could not make it work for them?
30 Yutong battery-electrics for Midland Bluebird ordered by McGill's - routeone
McGill’s Group subsidiary Midland Bluebird will take delivery of 30 Yutong battery-electric single-deck buses for its depot at Larbert.
McGill’s Group subsidiary Midland Bluebird will take delivery of 30 Yutong battery-electric single-deck buses for the former First Scotland East depot at Larbert, it has announced.
Those vehicles will follow many existing Yutongs that have been delivered to the McGill’s Buses fleet to the west of Glasgow. They will be to what the operator says is a high specification and be accompanied by infrastructure work at Larbert to support them.
Purchase of the Yutong zero-emission buses is part of what McGill’s adds is an ongoing “remarkable transformation” of the Midland Bluebird business, which it claims has delivered 8% year-on-year patronage growth. They are due in service “soon.”
McGill’s Group Director and co-owner James Easdale notes that he and his brother Sandy “are not just ready to acquire other operators to bring into the group, we are also committed to driving these businesses forward once under our control.”
Mr Easdale adds that the brothers’ focus “has always been on innovation and sustainability, and this investment underscores our commitment to providing high-quality public transport across Scotland.”
Battery-electrics already in service elsewhere within McGill’s Group have “proved immensely popular with passengers,” a statement continues.
The Midland Bluebird procurement represents an investment of £14 million. Some of that is coming from the second tranche of the Scottish Zero Emission Bus challenge fund, via which McGill’s Group will overall deploy 42 vehicles and infrastructure.
McGill’s Buses CEO Tony Williamson adds that fleet upgrades sit alongside network enhancements and driver recruitment as work being done to develop the Midland Bluebird operation, which the independent group purchased from First Bus in 2022.
“Our strong passenger growth is proof that these efforts are making a difference. Now, with the launch of our electric bus fleet, we are taking another major step in delivering cleaner, greener and more comfortable transport for the communities we serve.”
First had to keep City investors happy. McGill's don't have that to worry to worry about. Add to that, First Scotland East were hamstrung by corporate dictat, a merry-go-round of company MDs and having to implement the latest half-baked scheme which had been dreamed up by HQ that week.
That is a large part of it.
In retrospect, GRT Bus Group buying SMT and then Lowland in quick succession prior to the formation of First, proved to be a fatal mistake. I believe that GRT had been an unsuccessful bidder for Lowland when it was privatised. The carving-up of SMT by First within 18 months of being purchased by GRT showed that there was little real ambition to invest in it, Lowland or Midland Bluebird.
Route numbers seemed to change on a monthly basis. There was one of the Stirling area routes - forget which but might have been the 54 - which has A, B, C and D (possibly E as well) route suffixes, some of which seemed to bear no relation to any of the others. They also changed the Clackmannanshire routes from 60, 62 and 63, which had been used for decades to, I think, 51 and 52.
I clearly did not think that far.
I completely understand both arguments. Personally, as I have my disabled buspass, I almost always choose Airlink, but I definitely get most arguments for either or.
Very true.
8951’s only on it whilst the Boat & Bridges Tour is out of service. 8944 was probably only on it to cover for other buses.
You’ve hit the nail right on the head.
Agreed, even at every 8 minutes I’ve seen several journeys filled to the brim.
I had the same thoughts.
Heard talks of a Prentice of Haddington acquisition as further competition with the Lothian Group in East Lothian.
I wonder if they would be keen on West Coast Motors Glasgow operation. Would enhance their presence in the city and give them a foothold in the north with the 15 and 17. Of course WCM might have no interest in selling, the 15 and 17 look quite busy as do the city tours outwith the winter months.
shows how unobservant I am that I only noticed it today, although arguably having a more generic livery for all buses might be more ideal, seeing as AIRX branded buses have been used occasionally on the bridges tour, 13, X39 and 60 - none of which have any relevance to the airport.
Do seem to be changes registered - effective Monday 24th March. Appears to be minor retimings on some journeys and last bus 2130 from Edinburgh/2100 from Airport. (First services are still 0355/0330 though.)
The new timetables are on the Midland Bluebird website.
I hope you’re okay, that must have been quite an experience!
Oh dear yet more cut backs on this service wonder how much longer it will last