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Quote:Firm rules out £100m McGill’s bid
Published: 15 Jan 2014 13:30

A MAJOR bus company has ruled itself out of the running for a £100 million-rated Greenock firm.


‘NO BID’: McGill’s have over 350 vehicles.


Bosses at the Go-Ahead Group say they are not interested in buying McGill’s Buses, which is said to have been the subject of two recent bids in the region of £80m.

In December, the Tele revealed how two substantial offers had been made for the Larkfield-based operation, with Go-Ahead believed to be one of the suitors.

Brothers James and Sandy Easdale, the Greenock businessmen who own the company, were said to have knocked back the approaches because they want nearer £100m for the company.

Bosses at London-based Go-Ahead today said they were not interested in McGill’s.

A spokeswoman for the company said: “Go-Ahead has not put in any bid for this company.”

The Easdales took over McGill’s in 2001 and the company boasts a fleet of more than 350 vehicles.

It employs over 700 people across its operations in Inverclyde, Inchinnan, Johnstone, Dumbarton and Barrhead.

McGill’s moved back into the black last year, posting a profit of £659,404 compared with a loss of more than £550,000 the year before.

Turnover almost doubled from £15m to £28m following the takeover of rival Arriva Scotland West in 2012.

The Easdale brothers also have significant other business interests in Inverclyde and beyond including Blairs Windows, taxi firms and private and commercial property.

The duo own shares in Rangers FC and both are directors at Ibrox, with Sandy Easdale chairman of the club’s football board.

He owns a stake of just over 4.5 per cent in the club and holds voting rights over around a quarter of Rangers shares.

The brothers recently had online Rangers fans’ forum Sons of Struth shut down after alleged offensive comments and threats were posted about them.

If Go-Ahead are not going to buy McGills, maybe Transdev or RATP can? Mind you, it might be the asking price of £100m that is deterring potential purchasers.

(01/02/2014 22:12)Metroline1511 Wrote: [ -> ]If Go-Ahead are not going to buy McGills, maybe Transdev or RATP can? Mind you, it might be the asking price of £100m that is deterring potential purchasers.

McGill's owners have also denied, on TV, that the company is actually for sale.

If it was for sale though, and the price is correct, then you are right, it would be a deterrent. A fleet of largely second hand london crap isn't worth £100Millon!

Quote:Probe launched after Port bus fire
Published: 8 Feb 2014 10:30

AN investigation is under way after a fire suddenly broke out on a bus in Port Glasgow town centre.

Picture by Paul Tipping.


The fire started in the rear of a McGill's bus at around 6.30pm when it was parked at the bus terminal in Church Street.

A fault in the engine compartment is being blamed for the fire.

Two fire engines and police raced to the scene when the alarm was raised.

Eyewitnesses said flames shot out the rear of the bus and thick smoke also billowed out the back of the vehicle.

But the fire was quickly brought under control by emergency services.

Six passengers walked from the bus and there were no injuries.

Church Street was shut for several hours while the incident was ongoing.

Investigations are now underway to establish the cause.

A spokeswoman for McGill's said: "We can confirm that Fire Service Scotland attended to a fire which broke out on a bus on our 533 service whilst it was stationary at Port Glasgow bus station.

"The fire was confined to the engine bay and was quickly extinguished and the six passengers walked from the bus without injury.

"Investigations are now under way to establish the cause."

McGill's have also acquired Mercedes-Benz Citaro X439 KON, re-registered 7 UUC, and numbered G3316.

I don't know if this is to replace the, unidentified, fire damaged Citaro or not. Though I haven't seen which Citaro it is, you can rule some out. That is the old style Citaro styling, and the emergency exit sticker looks like an Arriva one. Unfortunately it might be either G3311, G3312 or G3313.

Quote:£2.5 Million Bus Order Is Just The Ticket
Friday, 21 March 2014


GREENOCK bus company McGill’s is investing £2.5million in new state-of-the-art vehicles for routes from Inverclyde to Glasgow and Largs.

The firm, Scotland’s largest independent bus operator, is buying 14 new Mercedes buses. McGill’s say the vehicles will play an “integral part in the company’s development plans” for their popular Glasgow to Largs routes 901, 906 and 908 which go via Greenock, Gourock and Port Glasgow.

Delivery is expected to take place over July and August.

Ralph Roberts, managing director of McGill’s, said: “The new buses are Euro 6 Mercedes Benz Citaros, with extra comfort coach-style seating for forty-four, free Wi-Fi and tinted glass to reduce sun glare. They will provide a high-degree of added comfort for our customers on these busy routes.”

He added: “Feedback from our customers is that they choose McGill’s because they appreciate the reliability, the quality, free Wi-Fi and the great value tickets. The addition of these brand new Citaros supports our commitment to provide our passengers – both current and new -- with a first-rate service at unbeatable prices.

“With journey times similar to those of the train, and with fares as much as 50 per cent cheaper with McGill’s, we believe this investment in the fleet will encourage many more people to choose McGill’s.”

McGill's will take over SPT supported Service 100 from First Glasgow on 27 April.

Quote:New Riverside Museum service from 27 April!

From Sunday 27 April, McGill's will operate service 100 between Glasgow city centre's George Square and the Riverside Museum, via the SECC. The 100 will operate seven days a week and will be included within our Go!Zone1 ticket.

Download your timetable today!

Service 100 to Riverside Museum.pdf (324.39 KB)

McGill's have released details of their Services on Easter Monday.

Quote:Easter Monday Service Levels - 21 April

On Easter Monday, we will operate a reduced service across the network. Details for every route are noted below.

If you require any further information, please call us on our Freephone number 08000 51 56 51.

A SATURDAY service will operate on services:
X7, X22, 330/331, 530, 538, 540, 545, 547, 550, 578/580, 901, 906, 907 and 908.

A SUNDAY service will operate on services:
3, 11, 20, 21, 22, 23, 38, 54, 60, 61, 64, 101, 208, 305, 306, 309, 757 and 904.

A HOLIDAY service will operate on services:
507, 517, 531, 532, 533, 534 and 543.

SERVICES X7A, 8, 10, 10, X21, 52, 61A, 70, 184, X23, 520/521 and 535 will not operate.

SERVICE 7 will operate a SUNDAY service, with an additional 0730hrs journey from Linwood.

SERVICE 26 will operate a SUNDAY service, with additional journeys at 0706hrs and 0758hrs from Nethercraigs to Paisley.

SERVICE 66 will operate a SUNDAY service, with additional journeys from Dykebar at 0800hrs and 0900hrs.

Timetables for all services are available on our 'timetables' page.

McGill's have also released details of changes to their Service 7 as a result of First withdrawing the Paisley West End - Linwood Section of their Service 9.

Quote:Extra journeys on service 7 from 27 April

From Sunday 27 April, we will operate additional journeys on our service 7 to/from Linwood. The new timetable will see the 7 operate from 0530hrs to after midnight across the week.

For other routes serving Linwood, please see timetables for our X7, X6A and 8.

TT 7 Apr 27 14 for web.pdf(803.98 KB)

McGill's have released details of their Service Levels for May Day Holidays.

Quote:Service Levels for May Day Holidays

On Monday 5 May and Monday 26 May, McGill's will operate a reduced service as follows:

A SUNDAY service will operate on services:
3, 11, 20, 21, 22, 23, 38, 54, 59, 60, 61,64,101, 208, 305, 306, 309, 757 and 904.

A SATURDAY service will operate on services:
X6A, X7, X22, X23, 530, 538, 540, 545, 547, 550, 578/580, 901, 906, 907 and 908.

A HOLIDAY service will operate on services:
507, 517, 531, 532, 533, 534 and 543.

SERVICE 7
will operate a SUNDAY service with an additional 0730hrs journey from Linwood.

SERVICE 26
will operate a SUNDAY service, with additional journeys at 0706hrs and 0758hrs from Nethercraigs to Paisley.

SERVICE 66
will operate s SUNDAY service, with additional journeys from Dykebar at 0800hrs and 0900hrs.

SERVICES 100, 300/331
will operate a NORMAL service.

SERVICES X7A, 8, 10, 19, X21, 52, 61A, 70, 184, 520/521 and 535 will not operate.

PLEASE SEE OUR TIMETABLES SECTION OF THE WEBSITE FOR FULL DETAILS. YOU CAN ALSO SPEAK TO OUR CUSTOMER SERVICES TEAM FREE ON 08000 51 56 51, BETWEEEN 8AM-6PM FOR MORE INFORMATION.