Funding for the industry and improving bus priority were among the topics discussed by Scottish Shadow Transport Minister, Graham Simpson, on a visit to McGill’s in Johnstone on 29 January.
Mr Simpson met Managing Director Alex Hornby and other staff and partook in a tour of the Scottish independent operator’s depot.
Following news last month that the Scottish Government was to pause allocation of Bus Partnership Funding for local priority measures, speeding up buses was a key subject of conversation.
Meanwhile, funding for the bus sector was also discussed, with McGill’s pointing out the disparity with rail when it comes to government subsidy.
Mr Simpson says: “It was great to visit McGill’s. We discussed a number of issues, not least the electrification of buses in Scotland. McGill’s has more than 100 electric buses and Paisley has the greatest proportion of electric buses anywhere in Britain.
“We also discussed some of the funding issues which affect the industry. Thanks to Alex Hornby and the team for their time.”
Mr Hornby adds: “We were pleased to welcome the Shadow Minster for Transport to our Johnstone depot and chat through the latest developments at McGill’s Group and on transport policy more generally.
“Buses are so important to Scotland’s communities and economy and it is vital that we as a company represent the views of the sector to Scotland’s policymakers.
“We want to increase the number of people who leave the car keys at home and choose to use these buses and we’re glad to take the time to speak to Mr Simpson, as we do with other MSPs from across the political spectrum, to enable that to happen.”
