INDEPENDENT bus operator McGill’s Buses has confirmed it’s to introduce a brand new night time bus service for Glasgow.
The choice follows dialogue with Glasgow Metropolis Council and different stakeholders after First Bus’s announcement that it was desiring to conclude its night-time companies within the metropolis.
McGill’s will initially function an hourly service between 12:15am and three:45am on Fridays and Saturdays throughout 5 key routes to and from town centre.
Following discussions, First Bus has mentioned it additionally plans to proceed working 4 separate night time bus routes between 12:45am and 3am on Friday and Saturday nights.
McGill’s added that it intends to increase the service past two nights per week sooner or later.
The agency, owned by Scottish billionaire brothers Sandy and James Easdale, additionally confirmed that its night-time bus community might be run on electrical, zero-emission buses.
Ralph Roberts, CEO of McGill’s Group, mentioned: “Buses are important to the success of Glasgow and we’ve been striving to discover a resolution that serves the night-time economic system, residents and guests.
“We’re delighted to be saying an preliminary 5 night-time bus routes.
“McGill’s Group has been in discussions with Glasgow companies to know the problems they’ve been going through with transport.
“We’ve got additionally deployed our administration and employees in a single day to town centre to look at what measures Glasgow Metropolis Council may tackle roads and streets to assist buses ship a greater service for passengers.
“Our intention is to construct our night-time companies in future and work with the council and companies to assist obtain that.
“There might be a variety of ticket choices obtainable on night-time companies, together with reductions for normal customers and McGill’s ticket holders,” Ralph added.
Chairman of McGill’s Group, James Easdale, mentioned: “From chatting with passengers and enterprise homeowners, there may be substantial concern relating to Glasgow metropolis centre and its skill to draw individuals and funding.
“For the Glasgow night-time economic system to prosper, this can’t be seen as a ‘job completed’ second.
“Civic leaders want to make sure they’re offering a long-term technique that encourages public transport use and makes it simpler for operators resembling ourselves to ship higher companies for passengers.”
McGill’s Group has depots throughout Scotland in Greenock, Inchinnan, Johnstone, Dundee, Larbert, Bannockburn, Balfron and Livingston.
The corporate bought Xplore Dundee from Nationwide Categorical in late 2020, and bought First Scotland East and Shiny Bus Excursions in September 2022.
