Latest news with #McGill's
Glasgow Times
10 hours ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
McGill's boss hits back at Glasgow MSP public bus firm plan
McGill's, one of the Glasgow region's biggest bus firms, is vehemently opposed to the idea. Sandy Easdale, who owns McGill's with his brother JAmes has written for the Glasgow Times in response to Patrick Harvie's suggestion of publicly owned bus companies. (Image: newsquest) Sandy Easdale said: "Let's be blunt. Patrick Harvie's knowledge of transport appears to be restricted to whether or not he needs to fix a puncture on his bike. "He is also so irresponsible he doesn't feel the need to wear a helmet, a great example to young cyclists everywhere. "Mr Harvie hates cars, he hates buses. To quote Noel Gallagher, he is 'a man with a fork in a world of soup.' "Let's get factual. Strathclyde's bus services boast a very high approval rating in Transport Focus's survey — the highest in Scotland and comfortably among the UK's best. READ NEXT:Patrick Harvie MSP calls for publicly owned bus firm in Glasgow "Interestingly, the anti-bus ownership clique in Scotland keeps whining on about the great Manchester franchising experiment run by another political egomaniac, Mayor Andy Burnham. Manchester are leagues below us. "Egged on by activists and highly -paid external consultants who see the opportunity to line their own pockets, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) – which has £180m of Scottish taxpayers' money sitting in its coffers and reaped a staggering £8m in annual interest — plays the major role in this bureaucratic charade that could lead to hyper-expensive franchising. (Image: newsquest) "I warned last year that SPT's extensive wish list could cost £400m a year of Scottish taxpayers' money — a figure based on detailed expert analysis shared with McGill's Group. That's almost double the still-growing financial disaster we're seeing in Manchester. "Not one councillor, MSP, or government minister can now claim ignorance over the true cost of this madness. "Franchising cheerleaders love to parrot the line that it 'returns control to the public. READ NEXT: Glasgow's new ship hall opened in honour of woman shipbuilding pioneer "But let's be clear: McGill's was never some hand-me-down from the council — it was built from the ground up at great cost to the owners. "McGill's Group has delivered where politicians have long failed: integrating ticketing which reduces costs for passengers, introducing Euro VI buses to Scotland and the first Disability Discrimination Act compliant network in Scotland plus much more. "A business forged by years of risk and personal sacrifice — by me, my brother James, and ably steered by chairman Ralph Roberts — is now at risk of being confiscated, carved up, and auctioned off to the lowest bidder. "As James said to me only this morning, 'Why are the government and local councils even contemplating this horrendous expenditure when it has just been revealed that our cancer treatment waiting times are the worst in our country's history?' "My final word to Mr Harvie – get on your bike son and leave transport to the adults."
Glasgow Times
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Deadline looms this week on major Glasgow bus survey
People with an interest in how to improve bus services for passengers are being urged to get their views in before the deadline of 5pm on Thursday, May 29. Strathclyde Partnership for Transport is running the consultation to help it develop a regional bus strategy for the west of Scotland. READ NEXT: 'Come up here' and say that: Anas Sarwar challenges Nigel Farage Measures being considered include bus franchising, where the authority sets conditions and operators bid for routes and gives greater control of frequency, routes and fares. SPT said: 'Bus services are vital to our communities, connecting towns, villages and city neighbourhoods across the west of Scotland. 'Despite the significant value of bus to society, economy and the environment, the bus network has been experiencing a decline.' The organisation said there has been a decline in bus use and it wants to grow the number of passengers who use buses again. It added: 'This means a bus network that attracts more people to buses and ensures access for communities who rely on bus for everyday travel needs. This also means a bus network for everyone." READ NEXT:'Significant disruption' to city centre buses for a year and a half It said the findings from the survey will help it understand views on key elements of the draft strategy and consider if any changes are required prior to the SPT Partnership approving the strategy for delivery. The draft Strathclyde Regional Bus Strategy can be accessed from SPT's website: The survey can be found at Get Glasgow Moving, a campaign backing public control of buses has encouraged people to have their say. It posted on: 'We now have a once-in-generation opportunity to bring our region's bus network back into public control. 'Please support SPT's bus franchising plans to make it happen. 'Make sure you complete SPT's consultation by this Thurs 29 May, 5pm' Poverty Alliance also told people to fill in the questionnaire. 'We all need freedom to travel - but too often our buses are too dear for people on low incomes and don't take them where they need to go. 'We support public control and ownership of our bus services - you can too!' READ NEXT: McGill's looks to expand and say 'franchising is no barrier' Bus operator McGill's has been a vocal critic of bus franchising. It has said it will resist franchising and pledged to take legal action if necessary to protect its business.
Daily Record
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Bus curfew call made by MSP in wake of "abhorrent" behaviour on local services
The call follows the suspension of evening services through the main bus stance in Tillicoultry due to a rise in antisocial behaviour and would see the curfew in place for repeat under-22s bus pass offenders. Calls are being made for an overnight curfew to be put in place for repeat under-22s bus pass offenders. Local Scottish Conservative Mid-Scotland & Fife MSP, Alexander Stewart has called for the 8pm to 7am ban on use of the passes for some troublemakers. It has been nearly three years since under 22s were granted free bus travel and since then reports of drivers being abused are said to have risen considerably. A recent Unite union survey of 1100 bus drivers found 84 per cent said abuse had increased in the last 12 months - 16 per cent of it physical and much of it going unreported. In Tillicoultry alone, bus company McGill's had to suspend evening bus services through the main bus stance due to a significant increase in antisocial behaviour. It included young people attempting to force their way onto buses, throwing missiles, and smashing windows. In response, McGill's supported calls for the removal of free bus passes from those who engage in such behaviour. However, whilst Mr Stewart also believes this should be the ultimate action for the worst offenders, he says a curfew may go some way in attempting to curtail this 'abhorrent' behaviour. He recently met with a senior police officer who also highlighted the situation in more detail and confirmed police are introducing a range of clampdowns. Scottish Conservative Shadow Minister for Local Government, Mr Stewart said: 'This free bus travel scheme for under-22 year-olds was introduced in January 2022 with the main objective of making public transport more affordable and accessible to Scotland's young people. 'However it appears that whilst it was introduced with all good initial intentions, the initial idea may have backfired in many areas. 'Especially in the evenings, right across my region, bus drivers are being threatened, physically and mentally abused – and buses attacked and vandalised – all with huge monetary and mental cost to both the operators and the individuals just wanting to hold down a job. 'The majority of this abhorrent behaviour appears to take place in the evenings, so whilst I support the ultimate removal of this privilege for the very worst and repetitive offenders, a curfew from 8pm could certainly go some way in attempting to curtail the disturbances.' But Green MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife Mark Ruskell said more education was key, adding: 'Anyone who commits anti-social behaviour on the buses, regardless of their age and whether they are fare paying or have a pass, can be refused travel under the bus operator's 'Conditions of Carriage'. 'Bus operators need more support from the police to enforce this rather than attempting to create curfews for certain groups. 'The U22s scheme has been hugely successful for thousands of young people around the Stirling area and we should celebrate the freedom and opportunity it has given them. 'There is a need for education around bus use for young people, but that's more about courtesy to other passengers than tackling anti-social behaviour and High Schools could play a greater role working with Young Scot.'
Glasgow Times
07-05-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Calls for McGill's to run bus service over Renfrew Bridge
The highly anticipated project will be operational for traffic and pedestrians on Friday, May 9. Costing £117 million, the route will connect Renfrew with Yoker and Clydebank. The bridge is set to open on Friday, March 9 (Image: Renfrewshire Council) Councillor Jamie McGuire insists it is "essential" that a bus service is made available for the bridge opening. The Scottish Labour politician detailed discussions he has been involved in with the operator on the topic. He said: "If a service like this were to run, then it would be significant for local people. "I believe the bus route would be a real win for the area of Renfrew and would make the town more accessible for those coming in and out of it. "It could also potentially help those seeking employment in other areas or educational opportunities that otherwise would be out of reach for those without a car. "It makes complete sense for a bus service to run across the bridge and I am hopeful McGill's will provide this based on the discussions I have been involved in so far." READ NEXT: Children's classrooms damaged after thugs torch area in 'targeted attack' READ NEXT: Global brand opens first-ever Scottish store in Glasgow city centre McGill's has been asked to consider running a bus service across the new Renfrew Bridge (Image: Newsquest)The Renfrew Bridge project is funded by the UK and Scottish Governments through the £1.13 billion Glasgow City Region City Deal. It was originally due to be fully operational for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists in Autumn 2024. Councillor McGuire explained how a bus service would help locals "make the most" of the new bridge. The Renfrew North and Braehead representative continued: "There will be real benefits for the area's economy and I can only see positives [from a bus route being introduced]. "I think the improved transport links would support local shops, cafes and other businesses. "It also reinforces Renfrew's position as a well-connected hub and not somewhere that is cut off from the wider Glasgow area. "Residents are keenly aware of the opportunity here and have been in touch regularly about this. "Sometimes, those who do not drive in Renfrew can feel a bit isolated because there isn't a train station or subway nearby, so a bus route across the bridge would help counteract this." McGill's were approached for comment.
