Future growth of McGill’s Group could see it spread further across the UK and into other markets, Chairman Ralph Roberts has told routeone.
The business – owned by James and Sandy Easdale – has widened its bus presence over recent years with the purchase of Xplore Dundee from National Express and of the former First Scotland East operation. Recent acquisitions are seeing up to 12% annual patronage growth. The group’s coaching activities have also expanded.
Mr Roberts says that McGill’s is, and has been, “actively pursuing opportunities to expand in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, as well as other EU territories.” He adds that its owners’ financial strength leaves them able to consider very large potential deals as well as smaller ones.
Hinting that McGill’s may bid for future bus franchise contracts in the UK or abroad, Mr Roberts notes that despite having questioned proposed reregulation in the Glasgow city region, “a franchised market is no barrier to us.” It is currently building a ‘bid team’ to help meet future opportunities.
In an indicator of the scale of those ambitions, he has revealed that McGill’s was one of two final bidders alongside eventual purchaser FirstGroup for the RATP Dev Transit London business.
Besides the ‘bid team’ that is being created to drive growth, McGill’s continues to strengthen is leadership. In late 2024, Tony Williamson was named Group CEO. He has extensive senior-level experience in global regulated bus markets.
“There has been much said and written about McGill’s position on franchising, and this is a good place to restate that,” Mr Roberts continues.
“McGill’s has no ideological or dogmatic position against franchising per se, but we strongly oppose our business – which was built up commercially under the laws of the land and at great expense to the owners – being potentially auctioned off to the highest bidder without any compensation.”
Besides its core bus work, McGill’s has also seen coach holiday arm Loch Lomond Travel – formed in February 2024 – achieving “record numbers already,” Mr Roberts continues.
“The coaching side of the business is growing rapidly, with the only constraint being supply of new high-quality coaches.”
