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I thought it was one of their own buses just been rebranded (obviously not lol)
I wonder why Xplore Dundee has reverted their screen displays back to destination then number as it only lasted a few months as number then destination, ie Whitfield 17, then 17 Whitfield then back again, but I have noticed though when reverting back it seems some buses still have the previous set.
I thought it was one of their own buses just been rebranded (obviously not lol)
I wonder why Xplore Dundee has reverted their screen displays back to destination then number as it only lasted a few months as number then destination, ie Whitfield 17, then 17 Whitfield then back again, but I have noticed though when reverting back it seems some buses still have the previous set.
Probably an Alex Hornby influence they've got rid of since he left. Swtiching to number on the left is something that also happened at Trentbarton and Transdev when he was at both, even though it isn't overly passenger friendly as it isn't as easy to see when the vehicle is behind another tall vehicle and you're stood at a bus stop!
Probably an Alex Hornby influence they've got rid of since he left. Swtiching to number on the left is something that also happened at Trentbarton and Transdev when he was at both, even though it isn't overly passenger friendly as it isn't as easy to see when the vehicle is behind another tall vehicle and you're stood at a bus stop!
It does seem in terms of destination display they seem happy with just destination and number without via points.
Also another thing I’ve noticed, when National Express ran Xplore they use to decorate either 1 or 2 buses at Christmas, haven’t seen any since McGills took over.
It does seem in terms of destination display they seem happy with just destination and number without via points.
Also another thing I’ve noticed, when National Express ran Xplore they use to decorate either 1 or 2 buses at Christmas, haven’t seen any since McGills took over.
We’re almost back to the pre-Hornby norm, though the font is different to this previous one - a bit narrower for longer destinations perhaps.
McGill's aren’t big on liveries generally - see Xplore Aberdeen and Midland Bluebird's cascaded fleet with old logos on. It did make the 5‘s route branding a bit of a surprise. Their focus seems more on whether a bus is in an acceptable condition and getting it revenue-earning. It's a business, after all. That FLY bus is presumably blue to make it easier to slap some Loch Lomond Travel stickers on later? The new-ish bus stop signage in the city centre is good though as well as the revamped E400MMC exterior/interior, so it would be nice to see them rolled out further.
Somewhat surprised a new coach is arriving now, after the service uplift has begun. Are others moving on?
Not actually linked, as the coaches have been stuck in port for some time awaiting ‘clearance’ (along with many others - for other operators) due to changes to the importing process, now that we‘re no longer part of the EU.
Not actually linked, as the coaches have been stuck in port for some time awaiting ‘clearance’ (along with many others - for other operators) due to changes to the importing process, now that we‘re no longer part of the EU.
Not too bad of a delay then. Yeah last time i spoke to a company owner who ordered a new Tourismo this year they said it wasn’t due till 2026 at the earliest.
Not too bad of a delay then. Yeah last time i spoke to a company owner who ordered a new Tourismo this year they said it wasn’t due till 2026 at the earliest.
Indeed. This order has been delayed by red tape after arriving in the UK, hence why one has now finally entered service after a delay of around 3 months, with remainder of the order still awaited. From memory the lead time for these was somewhere around 15-18 months.
I think the order was placed early last summer. The official announcement from ScotGov was certainly last July, but I recall was delayed due to elections etc.
I think the order was placed early last summer. The official announcement from ScotGov was certainly last July, but I recall was delayed due to elections etc.
I just passed East Dock Street depot on an M9 coach and noticed at least one of the new U11DDs has been delivered. Unfortunately I couldn't see which one.
I just passed East Dock Street depot on an M9 coach and noticed at least one of the new U11DDs has been delivered. Unfortunately I couldn't see which one.
It’s 8602, which had spent the previous night at Inchinnan being recharged for the last leg of its journey.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
There was an official ‘launch’ of the new Yutong double-deck buses this morning, with the Cabinet Secretary in attendance. 8602/3/6 were the trio used.
A new fleet of 12 zero-emission electric double-decker buses has been unveiled by Xplore Dundee today, marking a significant leap forward in sustainable public transport for the City of Discovery.
The £8.4 million investment by McGill’s Group, owned by Sandy and James Easdale, highlights their ongoing commitment to innovation and decarbonisation within the public transport sector. The fleet was launched at an event attended by Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop MSP, and Dundee City Council Leader, Mark Flynn.
The new Yutong U11DD vehicles, each capable of carrying up to 84 passengers, set a new standard in passenger comfort, featuring air conditioning, USB charging sockets, and a whisper-quiet ride. Equipped with 422kWh capacity batteries, the fleet is supported by significant upgrades to Xplore Dundee’s East Dock Street depot to facilitate efficient charging and maintenance. McGill’s has previously invested £7.6 million in electric vehicles and infrastructure in Dundee.
This latest purchase brings the total number of electric buses in the McGill’s Group fleet to 121, with a further 30 due to be delivered this summer, reinforcing its position as one of the leading operators of zero-emission public transport in the UK.
The investment has been supported by around £2.7 million from the Scottish Government through the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB) – designed to accelerate the transition to a zero-emission bus fleet, further reinforcing Scotland’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions.
Investment by McGill’s in electric vehicle technology since 2021 now stands at £68 million, with £25 million invested by ScotZEB.
Charging infrastructure at McGill’s Group is provided by Zenobē. The Zenobē-led ScotZEB 2 consortium is deploying over 250 zero-emission vehicles and creating a network of shared charging infrastructure across Scotland. Zenobē’s financing approach provides efficient and effective delivery as demonstrated by today’s launch of 12 fully electric buses less than one year on from the launch of the ScotZEB 2 programme.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “I’m pleased to welcome the introduction of 12 new zero-emission buses by Xplore Dundee, supported through investment of around £2.7 million from the Scottish Government.
“This brings our total investment to McGill’s Group, through three previous rounds of subsidy for zero emission buses and charging infrastructure, to over £25 million. This has encouraged early investment and has resulted in 121 zero-emission buses being introduced for their customers since 2020.
“This means high levels of passenger comfort, zero emissions, and better air quality for people and communities in Dundee and across Scotland. This could not be achieved without the leadership and ambition we’ve seen from Xplore Dundee and McGill’s in our shared ambition to protect the climate and encourage more sustainable bus travel.”
Tony Williamson, Chief Executive of McGill’s Group, said: “We are thrilled to be bringing these state-of-the-art buses to passengers in Dundee, and we’re certain they will enjoy travelling on them in the months and years ahead.
“We were pleased to welcome the Cabinet Secretary and the council leader to the event today and it was a good opportunity to give them a tour of the work that has gone on to support this transition at the depot.
“With this latest rollout, McGill’s now operates one of the largest electric bus fleets in the UK. We are proud to lead the way in the transition to greener public transport and to provide a cleaner, more comfortable travel experience for our passengers.
“Owners Sandy and James Easdale have made a tremendous investment in McGill’s Group, and this latest addition to our electric fleet is a testament to their commitment to sustainable transport. Their vision and dedication have enabled us to take bold steps in making zero-emission travel a reality for thousands of passengers every day.”
Ian Downie, Head of Yutong UK, commented: “We have worked with McGill’s for a number of years and are absolutely delighted that they have ordered the first Yutong double decks to operate in Scotland. These state-of-the-art vehicles are fitted with customer-centric features such as passenger air conditioning and enhanced passenger information systems, as well as USB charge points. McGill’s have been a pleasure to work with, and we cannot wait to see these vehicles in operation, enhancing the passenger experience and decarbonising the transport system in Dundee.”
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