McGill's Buses - Renfrewshire & Inverclyde

[Surreyman]

I believe the very old Citaros and the 57 plate Eclipses have been ousted by the Yutongs, (with the exception of a few I believe).

The Pulsars are staying as are the newer Citaros (so all the ClydeFlyer and 38 batch).

EDIT: Not sure about the Eclipses and Pulsars. The SF57 Eclipses are definitely going, not sure about the SF11 batch as well as the 10 Pulsars (YJ09 CVH - CUW)

McGills were awarded funding for 7 & then 72 Euro 6 vehicle upgrades under the 'BEAR' programme, presumably the 79 newest non Euro 6 diesel buses have/are being upgraded? Anyone have more details?

 

[Volvodart]

Presumably the Euro 5 Citaros, Enviro200s. Have they anything else? The terms of the award are that they have to be used for 5 years after conversion.

 

[318266]

I've updated the list with more information

 

[GusB]

I've updated the list with more information

Which list?

 

[318266]

Going of memory of what used to be in on other depots but here is a list:

Greenock -> Inchinnan

Some drivers as they do not have enough

3323*
3325
3326*
3327
3329

8007
8008
8009
8041
8042
8043
8044
8432

Greenock -> "reserve"

8456
8471

Greenock -> Johnstone

3331
3332

8006**

Greenock -> Coatbridge

Some drivers as they do not have enough
2 Stratas on rotation

Johnstone -> Greenock

3351
3352
3353
3354
3355
3364
3365
3366

Inchinnan -> Greenock

4100
4101
4102
4103*
4104
4105
4106
4107
4108
4109
4110
4200
4201
4202
4203

Johnstone -> "reserve"

2403
2404

8441

Coatbridge -> "reserve"

7259

Coatbridge -> Johnstone

8445**

Other suspected reserve/withdrawn (10+yo not on since late Oct/early Nov when the transfers happened)

G0401
G0404
J2237
J2405
J2407
J6001
J6003
J6004
J6006
J6009
C2751
J7273
C7289
J7291
C7800
J8424
J8429
G8431
J8434
C8435
J8437
C8438
J8443
J8445**
G8455
G8472
G8473
3300-3319,3334-3339
G6906

*Shows as Ixxxx on tracker; has not done new depot routes yet.
**Still shows as C8445

The driver and strata rotation update is from a driver I had a chat with on the bus; essentially Greenock has more drivers than the other depots so loans some out, and some Stratas go to Coatbridge with them.

Should of clarified that I meant this one that I had made earlier

 

[route101]

How many ADL electrics do McGills have?

 

[lastbus]

How many ADL electrics do McGills have?

1

 

[route101]

1

Do they have more on order?

 

[Stan Drews]

Do they have more on order?

No

 

[markymark2000]

No

Reports from drivers are that they really dislike the 200MMCs and much prefer the Yutongs so I guess, is that view is shared with mechanics and higher ups, they won't see any more 200MMCs unless grant funding demands some UK built vehicles.

 

[Scotrail314209]

What was the reason for getting that one random BYD?

If the drivers don't like it does this mean it might not stick around? It's a bit of an oddity.

 

[Stan Drews]

What was the reason for getting that one random BYD?

I believe it was so that it could be compared to the Yutongs.

The next ScotZeb funding round is expected to be announced in January, so it will be interesting to see what they plump for, if they are successful again.

Scottish Zero Emission Bus challenge fund | Transport Scotland

www.transport.gov.scot

Scottish Zero Emission Bus challenge fund​

Applications closed at midnight, 29 November 2021.
We are aiming to inform successful applicants in January 2022.
The aim of the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB) is to support swift, and significant, change in the bus market in favour of zero-emission technologies. This will support the Scottish Government’s purpose to create sustainable and inclusive growth. In particular, the fund aims to support the National Outcomes relating to the Economy, the Environment, and Fair Work and Business.
By supporting the swift transition to zero emission vehicles and infrastructure, the fund will help to achieve targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contribute to the delivery of Low Emission Zones, encourage inward investment and growth in the supply chain of zero carbon vehicle and energy solutions in Scotland, with associated employment, economic and social benefits.
ScotZEB is a new challenge fund focussed on supporting innovative business models designed around the characteristics and opportunities presented by zero-emission buses and associated charging or refuelling infrastructure. Bidders are strongly encouraged to put in place arrangements with partners or collaborators, to minimise the level of subsidy being requested. This may involve, for example:

• collaborations across multiple bus operators to get the financial benefits of scaled demand for new buses;
• collaborations with non-bus vehicle operators or Local Authorities to get the benefits of scaled up demand for hydrogen;
• partnerships between energy companies, operators and financiers to use the charging infrastructure to generate new revenue streams;
• partnerships between financiers, manufacturers to purchase buses for leasing to operators;
• or a range of other possibilities.

 

[Scotrail314209]

I believe it was so that it could be compared to the Yutongs.

The next ScotZeb funding round is expected to be announced in January, so it will be interesting to see what they plump for, if they are successful again.

Scottish Zero Emission Bus challenge fund | Transport Scotland

www.transport.gov.scot

Scottish Zero Emission Bus challenge fund​

Applications closed at midnight, 29 November 2021.
We are aiming to inform successful applicants in January 2022.
The aim of the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB) is to support swift, and significant, change in the bus market in favour of zero-emission technologies. This will support the Scottish Government’s purpose to create sustainable and inclusive growth. In particular, the fund aims to support the National Outcomes relating to the Economy, the Environment, and Fair Work and Business.
By supporting the swift transition to zero emission vehicles and infrastructure, the fund will help to achieve targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contribute to the delivery of Low Emission Zones, encourage inward investment and growth in the supply chain of zero carbon vehicle and energy solutions in Scotland, with associated employment, economic and social benefits.
ScotZEB is a new challenge fund focussed on supporting innovative business models designed around the characteristics and opportunities presented by zero-emission buses and associated charging or refuelling infrastructure. Bidders are strongly encouraged to put in place arrangements with partners or collaborators, to minimise the level of subsidy being requested. This may involve, for example:

• collaborations across multiple bus operators to get the financial benefits of scaled demand for new buses;
• collaborations with non-bus vehicle operators or Local Authorities to get the benefits of scaled up demand for hydrogen;
• partnerships between energy companies, operators and financiers to use the charging infrastructure to generate new revenue streams;
• partnerships between financiers, manufacturers to purchase buses for leasing to operators;
• or a range of other possibilities.

It would be interesting to see more Yutongs ordered, they've been straying onto different routes lately, most notable is the Johnstone ones appearing on the likes of the 3, 7 and 51.

 

[Volvodart]

What was the reason for getting that one random BYD?

That was the sole bus for McGills in the original award announcement. It was later amended to include the Yutongs (that made the total award amount more than the Scottish Government said would be available).

 

[Volvodart]

The first award was subsequently amended to include the 22 Yutongs. It is covered further up this thread in posts 913 and 922.

 

[Stan Drews]

The first award was subsequently amended to include the 22 Yutongs. It is covered further up this thread in posts 913 and 922.

Those posts just show that you’ve queried the details of the Transport Scotland announcements before!
It isn’t unusual for Governments to release media announcements to suit whatever ‘political’ statement may suit their purpose at the time, ...or even to announce the same funding more than once!!

I reiterate that there were 23 buses in round 1, and 33 in round 2, if you discount the 12 for Xplore Dundee, which predated the sale to McGill’s.

 

[318266]

In the past few days I was out and about and saw that the the 517 (Burns Square - Greenock) now has route branding on what I think is 4200-4203, one of the newer transfers to Greenock depot.

 

[gnolife]

In the past few days I was out and about and saw that the the 517 (Burns Square - Greenock) now has route branding on what I think is 4200-4203, one of the newer transfers to Greenock depot.

Another that's picked up route branding is route 61 (Paisley - Foxbar Road), I think on 4207. You could still see remnants of the 23/X23 branding if you looked closely.

 

[Scotrail88]

What happened to the ex Kinch Citaros?

I don’t see many of them about now following the EV introduction.

 

[gnolife]

What happened to the ex Kinch Citaros?

I don’t see many of them about now following the EV introduction.

There's some at Johnstone running 7s, 51s and 904s, and some at Inchinnan running 757s

 

[Stan Drews]

What happened to the ex Kinch Citaros?

I don’t see many of them about now following the EV introduction.

Basically, the 67 plates moved to Greenock (ousting older indigenous 64 plates to Inchinnan for the X23), and the 64 plates stayed at Johnstone for the 7 and 904.

 

[Scotrail88]

Basically, the 67 plates moved to Greenock (ousting older indigenous 64 plates to Inchinnan for the X23), and the 64 plates stayed at Johnstone for the 7 and 904.

Thanks


Be interesting to see if they have bid for any more EVs and what routes.
The last round is due to be announced soon!

 

[318266]

4100 and 4103 appear to hold branding for the 531/532/533 series - the branding this time is a bit iffy compared the 517, especially on the rear map.

 

[Scotrail88]

Following all the new EVs, it looks like the old Citaros, Darts, B7RLEs and ex Gibson Solos are no longer in use.

Have these just been scrapped or are any moving on to new operators?

 

[Stan Drews]

Following all the new EVs, it looks like the old Citaros, Darts, B7RLEs and ex Gibson Solos are no longer in use.

Have these just been scrapped or are any moving on to new operators?

I’m not aware of any turning up with new operators.

 

[Scotrail314209]

Commuters are back with a vengeance. On a McGills 38 right now and the bus is absolutely rammed including standees.

Things are normal!

 

[route101]

Commuters are back with a vengeance. On a McGills 38 right now and the bus is absolutely rammed including standees.

Things are normal!

Always thought they could go every ten minutes with double deckers on the 38.

 

[adrock1976]

Always thought they could go every ten minutes with double deckers on the 38.

A while ago at some point last year, I travelled from my partner's in Paisley heading to Glasgow on the 38, which had the double deck branding of the original incarnation of McGills of Barrhead on it.

I am unsure if that vehicle is still out and about or if it has been moved to another route.

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

Always thought they could go every ten minutes with double deckers on the 38.

They have it as frequent as possible to take as many concession journeys off of the 9/9A as possible

 

[Scotrail314209]

A while ago at some point last year, I travelled from my partner's in Paisley heading to Glasgow on the 38, which had the double deck branding of the original incarnation of McGills of Barrhead on it.

I am unsure if that vehicle is still out and about or if it has been moved to another route.

The vehicle is currently sitting in Johnstone Depot. It’s not coming back out I don’t think.