McGill’s Group, the UK’s largest independent bus company, has unveiled plans for a £25 million depot on a prime site close to Glasgow city centre, in a move that could deliver up to 850 jobs.
It follows the company’s acquisition this week of a 6.55-acre brownfield site on Kilbirnie Street in Tradeston.
Owned by Scottish entrepreneurs Sandy and James Easdale, McGill’s Group has experienced rapid growth in recent years, strengthening its core bus networks across Glasgow, Renfrewshire and Inverclyde while building a major presence in the coach market and wider geographical bases across Scotland.
This includes its own tour operator, Loch Lomond Travel, a thriving private hire division, and a fast-growing partnership with international long-haul operator FlixBus.
The new depot will provide a modern, strategically located hub to drive McGill’s continued expansion and will support further growth of its coach fleet to 300 vehicles.
It will also be strategically important in the event that bus franchising is introduced in Strathclyde. The new base will not affect operations at any of McGill’s existing depot sites.
Over the past five years, the company has invested £95 million in 151 zero-emission buses and associated infrastructure, giving it the highest share of electric buses in Scotland and placing the group among the top three operators for fleet decarbonisation in the UK.
Ralph Roberts, chairman, said: “This is a strategic purchase that fits squarely within McGill’s three-year plan.
“In little over five years, we have added operations in Dundee, Stirling, Falkirk, Edinburgh, Livingston, Aberdeen, Inverness and now Glasgow.
“With a modern, low-carbon fleet and the backing of owners Sandy and James Easdale, McGill’s Group is in excellent health and firmly focused on revolutionising public transport in Scotland.”
Sandy Easdale said: “This project is not only about our own growth – it’s about creating up to 850 jobs and driving further regeneration in this part of the city.
“And this is just the start – further strategic deals are already in the pipeline, both in company property and for the expansion of McGill’s operations.”
James Easdale added: “Our ambition for McGill’s is clear: to deliver sustainable, high-quality transport while building a business that supports communities and creates long-term employment.”
Alan Stewart, of Breck Property Consultants, acted on behalf of the purchaser.
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