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McGill's Buses - Renfrewshire & Inverclyde

Stan Drews

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5 Jun 2013
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1,569
I believe all 3 of the Airport owned buses are on loan, as they aren’t required on their normal Long Stay parking duties, and will only appear on the 757 service.
 
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awsnews

Member
Joined
13 Mar 2019
Messages
315
I believe all 3 of the Airport owned buses are on loan, as they aren’t required on their normal Long Stay parking duties, and will only appear on the 757 service.
Are McGill's operating a reduced capacity seating policy? If so I don't think you are going to get that many on something that only has 23 seats, lots of room for luggage though!
 

Strathclyder

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Joined
12 Jun 2013
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3,180
Location
Clydebank
In storage at Greenock. It mainly came out offering tours of Greenock on days when cruise ships docked in the town. That and special occasions and private hire, of which obviously there’s been none in 2020 sadly.
The vehicle in question was one of the ex-Arriva London South Gemini-bodied DAF (VDL) DB250s that was originally bought for ousting the last Tridents from the X23 (linked image here showing it in that guise), but was converted into an open-topper after sustaining damage from a bridge strike in Barrhead.
 

route101

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Joined
16 May 2010
Messages
10,595
Surprised the Airport doesn't make more of the 757 service.

Easier for people to take the 500 than change at Gilmour St.

Cant see many locals using it to airport , other than that people coming from Ayrshire on train
 

PaulMc7

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9 Jul 2019
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4,029
Anytime I've used or seen the 757 around in the last 2/3 years it's been unbelievably quiet at either end of the route. Quite a decline from when I used the old 22C from Clydebank into Paisley for college back in 2012/13. That was very rarely quiet regardless of the time of day I used it at
 

Stan Drews

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Joined
5 Jun 2013
Messages
1,569
The MD has advised through the ’Official McGill’s Bus Enthusiast Group‘ on Facebook, that the following 11 Citaros have been acquired from Kinchbus. They are excepted to join other similar buses at Johnstone depot operating on service 38.
BX64WHUMB Citaro O295 WEB62801523127975MB B40F
9/2014​
Kinchbus
907​
BX64WHVMB Citaro O295 WEB62801523127977MB B40F
9/2014​
Kinchbus
908​
BX64WHWMB Citaro O295 WEB62801523127978MB B40F
9/2014​
Kinchbus
909​
BX64WHZMB Citaro O295 WEB62801523127982MB B40F
9/2014​
Kinchbus
910​
BX64WJAMB Citaro O295 WEB62801523127979MB B40F
9/2014​
Kinchbus
911​
BX64WJCMB Citaro O295 WEB62801523127980MB B40F
9/2014​
Kinchbus
912​
BX64WJDMB Citaro O295 WEB62801523127981MB B40F
9/2014​
Kinchbus
913​
BX64WJEMB Citaro O295 WEB62801523127977MB B40F
9/2014​
Kinchbus
914​
BF67WHNMB Citaro O295 WEB62801623134110MB B38F
1/2018​
Kinchbus
915​
BF67WHPMB Citaro O295 WEB62801623134111MB B38F
1/2018​
Kinchbus
916​
BF67WHRMB Citaro O295 WEB62801623134112MB B38F
1/2018​
Kinchbus
917​
Data courtesy of Bus Lists on the Web.
 

cnjb8

Established Member
Joined
26 Feb 2019
Messages
2,113
Location
Nottingham
The MD has advised through the ’Official McGill’s Bus Enthusiast Group‘ on Facebook, that the following 11 Citaros have been acquired from Kinchbus. They are excepted to join other similar buses at Johnstone depot operating on service 38.
BX64WHUMB Citaro O295 WEB62801523127975MBB40F
9/2014​
Kinchbus
907​

BX64WHVMB Citaro O295 WEB62801523127977MBB40F
9/2014​
Kinchbus
908​

BX64WHWMB Citaro O295 WEB62801523127978MBB40F
9/2014​
Kinchbus
909​

BX64WHZMB Citaro O295 WEB62801523127982MBB40F
9/2014​
Kinchbus
910​

BX64WJAMB Citaro O295 WEB62801523127979MBB40F
9/2014​
Kinchbus
911​

BX64WJCMB Citaro O295 WEB62801523127980MBB40F
9/2014​
Kinchbus
912​

BX64WJDMB Citaro O295 WEB62801523127981MBB40F
9/2014​
Kinchbus
913​

BX64WJEMB Citaro O295 WEB62801523127977MBB40F
9/2014​
Kinchbus
914​

BF67WHNMB Citaro O295 WEB62801623134110MBB38F
1/2018​
Kinchbus
915​

BF67WHPMB Citaro O295 WEB62801623134111MBB38F
1/2018​
Kinchbus
916​

BF67WHRMB Citaro O295 WEB62801623134112MBB38F
1/2018​
Kinchbus
917​

Data courtesy of Bus Lists on the Web.
Good luck with them, they were extremely unreliable for us down here. Six of them were originally going to Ipswich Buses, but of course that isn't happening now.
 

Strathclyder

Established Member
Joined
12 Jun 2013
Messages
3,180
Location
Clydebank
Good luck with them, they were extremely unreliable for us down here. Six of them were originally going to Ipswich Buses, but of course that isn't happening now.
If any Scottish operator can get Citaros running at least relatively reliably, it's McGill's. And before the inevitable 'fire' trope appears, the newer O295 Citaros are significantly less prone to cooking themselves than the older O530 models. The first 8 of the vehicles quoted above are slightly older than the first Clyde Flyer batch (by about a month) and the last 3 are the same age as the 6 McGill's examples that arrived in January 2018 (one for the Clyde Flyer, the rest for the 38). Reasonable to assume that they'll gain the 3356-3366 fleetnumbers when they eventually enter service.
 

paul1609

Established Member
Joined
28 Jan 2006
Messages
7,189
Location
Wittersham Kent
Easier for people to take the 500 than change at Gilmour St.

Cant see many locals using it to airport , other than that people coming from Ayrshire on train
I'm surprised that Macgills don't highlight the rail interchange at Dalmuir. Its an easier straightforward change for passengers coming to/from the West Highland or Helensburgh lines for the airport to walk down Swindon Street than any of the Central Glasgow options.
 

route101

Established Member
Joined
16 May 2010
Messages
10,595
I'm surprised that Macgills don't highlight the rail interchange at Dalmuir. Its an easier straightforward change for passengers coming to/from the West Highland or Helensburgh lines for the airport to walk down Swindon Street than any of the Central Glasgow options.

Bit of unknown compared to the frequent 500 to City Centre. Plus you may be boarding an already busy train at Dalmuir going to West Highlands. I guess many are renting a car or staying in Glasgow before heading North. Im not sure how well used the Citylink services are from the airport.
 

Stan Drews

Established Member
Joined
5 Jun 2013
Messages
1,569
Good luck with them, they were extremely unreliable for us down here. Six of them were originally going to Ipswich Buses, but of course that isn't happening now.
They went down the production line at the same time as the last two batches of Citaros that McGill’s took new, and they are popular buses with the drivers, so I’d expect these additional 11 buses to also prove popular additions to the fleet.
 

cnjb8

Established Member
Joined
26 Feb 2019
Messages
2,113
Location
Nottingham
If any Scottish operator can get Citaros running at least relatively reliably, it's McGill's. And before the inevitable 'fire' trope appears, the newer O295 Citaros are significantly less prone to cooking themselves than the older O530 models. The first 8 of the vehicles quoted above are slightly older than the first Clyde Flyer batch (by about a month) and the last 3 are the same age as the 6 McGill's examples that arrived in January 2018 (one for the Clyde Flyer, the rest for the 38). Reasonable to assume that they'll gain the 3356-3366 fleetnumbers when they eventually enter service.

They went down the production line at the same time as the last two batches of Citaros that McGill’s took new, and they are popular buses with the drivers, so I’d expect these additional 11 buses to also prove popular additions to the fleet.
To be fair, I think there was an issue with Evobus not providing spare parts to Wellglade on time. They are certainly splendid vehicles.
 
Joined
21 Aug 2017
Messages
366
Location
Glasgow
Led to believe there is power sockets on the 64 plate models as well, Kinchbus has quite a nice interior as well so they'll fit in well.
 

paul1609

Established Member
Joined
28 Jan 2006
Messages
7,189
Location
Wittersham Kent
Bit of unknown compared to the frequent 500 to City Centre. Plus you may be boarding an already busy train at Dalmuir going to West Highlands. I guess many are renting a car or staying in Glasgow before heading North. Im not sure how well used the Citylink services are from the airport.
Ive used the 757 via Dalmuir to get to Garelochead/ Faslane quite a bit over the years.
I'm not suggesting that a massive interchange is built or that the bus is diverted but some publicity on the timetable and some signage at the bus stop/ station wouldnt cost much.
If you are connecting on to a train service that only runs every 2 hours the bus frequency isnt that important but reliability is. The 500 often doesnt make its advertised 20 odd minute journeytime due to congestion on the M8/Kingston Bridge. I was posted to Faslane for around 5 years and I was never on a West Highland train out of Glasgow that was so busy that you couldnt get a seat. Busy means you cant get a table to yourself on that line.
 

route101

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Joined
16 May 2010
Messages
10,595
Glasgow Airport is not the best when it comes to local bus services using it. With the 757 its the reliability, as its a long route id be concerned about.
 

Scotrail314209

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Joined
1 Feb 2017
Messages
2,346
Location
Edinburgh
Glasgow Airport is not the best when it comes to local bus services using it. With the 757 its the reliability, as its a long route id be concerned about.

Also, I think a Citaro on the 757 is wasted, particularly on those very tiny roads when heading to the Airport. Wouldn't it be better justified as an Enviro 200?
 

route101

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Joined
16 May 2010
Messages
10,595
Also, I think a Citaro on the 757 is wasted, particularly on those very tiny roads when heading to the Airport. Wouldn't it be better justified as an Enviro 200?

The change to Citaros must be recent used to be dart/solo or e200!
 

Strathclyder

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Joined
12 Jun 2013
Messages
3,180
Location
Clydebank
The change to Citaros must be recent used to be dart/solo or e200!

It's been Citaros for at least 2 years
Being a Clydebank local and from my own observations, Citaros have been on-again/off-again regulars on the 757 for at least the last year and a half to 2 years. E200s, E300s, Darts, Solos and Pulsars have all stood in for Citaros when needed. The ex-F1/23-branded examples have been staples since lockdown/social distancing came into effect. Given the above in addition to the 757's frequency Mon-Sat daytime, it sorta makes sense. From a fuel consumption and overall suitabilty standpoint, it doesn't make quite as much sense. One presumes the E200s, Darts (if any are left in service) & Solos are needed more urgently elsewhere, hence their scarcity on the 757.

At the end of the day, one presumes their prevalence comes down to McGill's using whatever assets are available to them.
 
Last edited:

Randomher05

New Member
Joined
4 Dec 2020
Messages
1
Location
Glasgow
The MD has advised through the ’Official McGill’s Bus Enthusiast Group‘ on Facebook, that the following 11 Citaros have been acquired from Kinchbus. They are excepted to join other similar buses at Johnstone depot operating on service 38.
BX64WHUMB Citaro O295 WEB62801523127975MBB40F
9/2014​
Kinchbus
907​

BX64WHVMB Citaro O295 WEB62801523127977MBB40F
9/2014​
Kinchbus
908​

BX64WHWMB Citaro O295 WEB62801523127978MBB40F
9/2014​
Kinchbus
909​

BX64WHZMB Citaro O295 WEB62801523127982MBB40F
9/2014​
Kinchbus
910​

BX64WJAMB Citaro O295 WEB62801523127979MBB40F
9/2014​
Kinchbus
911​

BX64WJCMB Citaro O295 WEB62801523127980MBB40F
9/2014​
Kinchbus
912​

BX64WJDMB Citaro O295 WEB62801523127981MBB40F
9/2014​
Kinchbus
913​

BX64WJEMB Citaro O295 WEB62801523127977MBB40F
9/2014​
Kinchbus
914​

BF67WHNMB Citaro O295 WEB62801623134110MBB38F
1/2018​
Kinchbus
915​

BF67WHPMB Citaro O295 WEB62801623134111MBB38F
1/2018​
Kinchbus
916​

BF67WHRMB Citaro O295 WEB62801623134112MBB38F
1/2018​
Kinchbus
917​

Data courtesy of Bus Lists on the Web.
Only McGills can purchase new vehicles and still increase the age profile of the fleet of the depot they’re going to
 

Stan Drews

Established Member
Joined
5 Jun 2013
Messages
1,569
Only McGills can purchase new vehicles and still increase the age profile of the fleet of the depot they’re going to
Ok, as it looks like you’ve gone to the effort of signing up just to post that, ...I’ll bite.

How are you working that out?


Apologies for the ‘auto merge’, no idea how to prevent that!

A second Mercedes Tourismo coach has been acquired. This time BF67WLE, which was last with McNee, Edinburgh.
 
Last edited:

156478

Member
Joined
3 Aug 2013
Messages
186
Only McGills can purchase new vehicles and still increase the age profile of the fleet of the depot they’re going to
Well its not the age of the bus, but the condition of the bus that matters and presentation at McGills is generally very good.

Unlike a rival multinational operator who has buses that are in a terrible condition internally, but has operations in England where similar and older buses have been throughly refurbished have theres not a hint of the original old Willow Leaf seat fabric to be seen.....

Or more specifically- Mercedez Benz citaro thats well looked after or a rival operators scabby stinking Eclipse with worn out seats and more rattles than Mothercare, I know which one I would choose.
 

route101

Established Member
Joined
16 May 2010
Messages
10,595
Well its not the age of the bus, but the condition of the bus that matters and presentation at McGills is generally very good.

Unlike a rival multinational operator who has buses that are in a terrible condition internally, but has operations in England where similar and older buses have been throughly refurbished have theres not a hint of the original old Willow Leaf seat fabric to be seen.....

Or more specifically- Mercedez Benz citaro thats well looked after or a rival operators scabby stinking Eclipse with worn out seats and more rattles than Mothercare, I know which one I would choose.

I sampled some of Mcgills buses other day, condition of them pretty good compared to first.
 

derbybusdepot

Member
Joined
17 Dec 2015
Messages
97
I sampled some of Mcgills buses other day, condition of them pretty good compared to first.
I believe the Kinch Citaros should now be at McGills, apart from the one that didn't make the journey and is now recieving mechanical attention in the East Midlands.
 

Stan Drews

Established Member
Joined
5 Jun 2013
Messages
1,569
I believe the Kinch Citaros should now be at McGills, apart from the one that didn't make the journey and is now recieving mechanical attention in the East Midlands.
They are still down in England being repainted, prior to their move north of the border.
 

GusB

Established Member
Associate Staff
Buses & Coaches
Joined
9 Jul 2016
Messages
6,546
Location
Elginshire
I have moved posts regarding McGill's takeover of Xplore Dundee to that particularl thread. Please continue discussion here:

 

Stan Drews

Established Member
Joined
5 Jun 2013
Messages
1,569
Some service levels are being reduced from next week.

Coronavirus Emergency Timetables - 18th January 2021
McGill's services will be running reduced timetables from Monday 18th January 2021.

Links to all the revised timetables can be found at the following link.
 

route101

Established Member
Joined
16 May 2010
Messages
10,595
Some service levels are being reduced from next week.

Coronavirus Emergency Timetables - 18th January 2021
McGill's services will be running reduced timetables from Monday 18th January 2021.

Links to all the revised timetables can be found at the following link.
Not bad, still good frequencies.
 

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