Plans for investment at the former First Scotland East operation that is now part of McGill’s Group have been underlined by its new owners, brothers James and Sandy Easdale, with an updated fleet a “key priority.”
McGill’s has already revealed that thoughts have turned to zero-emission buses for the recently acquired business. The brothers add that local management of the operation – now known as McGill’s Midland Bluebird in Stirling and Falkirk and McGill’s Eastern Scottish in West Lothian, alongside the retained Bright Bus brand for the Edinburgh open-top sightseeing operation – will be better empowered to make decisions.
The owning group says it will “now work to rejuvenate every area of the business in the coming months and years.” James Easdale adds that McGill’s Group is “determined to invest operationally to ensure that our customers receive a service they value and can enjoy using.”
Sandy Easdale, meanwhile, says that the brothers have “a clear vision for growth and profitability” for the operation, adding that acquiring the business was “an attractive proposition.”
He adds that they continue to seek new opportunities across their business portfolio, which includes construction and property in addition to transport.
McGill’s will examine “every area” of the undertaking, including customer interaction, staff development and training, vehicle quality and local decision making, continues McGill’s Group CEO Ralph Roberts. Mr Roberts says that a priority among that work will be fleet investment.
Reintroduction of the Eastern Scottish and Midland Bluebird names represents a hark back to previous identities used on buses in the areas in question. To mark a beginning of the shift, McGill’s quickly applied the new brands to a pair of Alexander Dennis Enviro400 double-deckers that came as part of the deal.
