First Bus & McGill’s Group Renew Night Services for Glasgow Residents

First Bus & McGill’s Group Address Glasgow’s Night-Time Transit Needs Head-On

In a strategic response to Glasgow’s evolving transportation needs, First Bus and McGill’s Group have unified their strengths. Together, they’re rolling out an enticing weekend night-time bus service across Glasgow, ensuring the city remains vibrant even during the wee hours.

Previously, First Bus disclosed plans to cut services across 11 routes due to dwindling passenger counts. This announcement triggered significant concerns among the public. However, the narrative has changed. Together with McGill’s Group, First Bus will revitalize services on nine key routes, specifically catering to late-night commuters on Fridays and Saturdays.

Here’s what’s on the new nocturnal map:

• First Bus will helm four pivotal routes, connecting the city’s heart to suburbs like Easterhouse, Greenhills, Cleland, and Hillhouse.
• McGill’s Group will steer five routes, linking central Glasgow with buzzing areas like Pollok, Newton Mearns, Clydebank, Paisley, and Drumchapel.

Reflecting on the initiative, Duncan Cameron, the top executive at First Bus Scotland, remarked, “Our earlier announcement underscored the economic challenges we grappled with. However, this collaboration embodies Glasgow Bus Partnership’s agility and the magic that ensues when operators collaborate. Glasgow deserves a robust late-night transport blueprint. Now, the ball is in the court of stakeholders and policymakers to fortify the city’s nocturnal economy.”

The genesis of this revamped network was First Bus’s decision to pare down night-time services. They pointed to low post-pandemic passenger volumes, with some buses ferrying as few as 14 passengers hourly. Despite the odds, the company endeavored to keep the services afloat. On this collaboration, Ralph Roberts of McGill’s Group asserted, “Our endgame is bolstering Glasgow’s night-time transit scene and harmonizing with local establishments to make this vision tangible.”

Echoing the sentiment, Glasgow City Council’s spearhead, Susan Aitken, commended the move, stating, “This collective gesture by our premier bus operators resonates with Glasgow’s transportation ethos. With evening foot traffic outpacing pre-pandemic figures, this initiative guarantees Glaswegians reliable, safe, and economical post-dusk travel alternatives.”