McGill’s subsidiary Midland Bluebird, which runs bus services across the Forth Valley and into Edinburgh, has announced it is to invest £14 million to introduce a fleet of 30 new electric buses and install supporting infrastructure. The operator, which was acquired by McGill’s Group in September 2022, will introduce the new Yutong single-decker electric buses alongside the electrification of Larbert depot to support its transition to zero-emission transport.
The investment is part of what the company says is a major transformation of Midland Bluebird, having invested heavily to enhance its fleet, services and infrastructure since McGill’s took ownership. Recent improvements since becoming part of McGill’s Group have directly contributed to an 8% year-on-year passenger growth, reflecting increased reliability and improved service quality, the company says.
The company says new Yutong electric buses will be similar to those which have already proved immensely popular with passengers elsewhere in the McGill’s Group network, which has more than 100 electric buses already in use. Sandy Easdale, director and
co-owner of McGill’s Group, said: “When we took over Midland Bluebird, we made a firm commitment to invest in the business and its future. This landmark £14 million investment is proof of that promise. We are determined to provide our passengers with the best possible travel experience, and introducing state-of-the-art electric buses is a key part of that strategy coupled with significant investment in infrastructure to support the fleet.”
Fellow director and co-owner James Easdale added: “We are proud of the rejuvenation of Midland Bluebird since joining McGill’s Group. As has been seen at McGill’s and Xplore Dundee, Sandy and I are not just ready to acquire other operators to bring into the group, we are also committed to driving these businesses forward once under our control. Our focus has always been on innovation and sustainability, and this investment underscores our commitment to providing high-quality public transport across Scotland.”
CEO of McGill’s Buses Tony Williamson commented: “From day one at Midland Bluebird, our focus has been on improving services for our passengers, whether through fleet upgrades, driver recruitment, or network enhancements. Our strong passenger growth is proof that these efforts are making a difference. Now, with the launch of our electric bus fleet, we’re taking another major step in delivering cleaner, greener, and more comfortable transport for the communities we serve.”
