McGill’s unveils £25m Glasgow depot plans
Proposal to grow coach fleet to 300 vehicles
McGill’s Group has unveiled plans for a new £25m depot on a site close to Glasgow city centre.
The new depot is envisioned to provide a ‘modern, strategically located hub’ to drive McGill’s continued expansion and is planned to support further growth of its coach fleet to 300 vehicles. As well as its extensive bus fleet, the company also has its own coach tour arm, Loch Lomond Travel, as well as a fast-growing partnership with FlixBus.
The company says the move could deliver up to 850 jobs.
The planned investment follows the company’s acquisition of a 6.55-acre brownfield site on Kilbirnie Street in Tradeston, 1.5 miles south of the city centre. McGill’s says the location benefits from ‘excellent transport connectivity’, with direct access to the M74, M8 and M77 motorway networks, a nearby subway station, pedestrian links to Eglinton Street and Albert Drive, and extensive staff parking already in place.
It will also be strategically important in the event that bus franchising is introduced in Strathclyde, according to the operator. The new base will not affect operations at any of McGill’s existing depot sites.
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.
“This is a strategic purchase that fits squarely within McGill’s three-year plan” – Ralph Roberts, Chairman of McGill’s Group
Ralph Roberts, Chairman of McGill’s Group, 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.”
“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” – Sandy Easdale, co-owner of McGill’s Group
Sandy Easdale, co-owner of McGill’s Group, 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. Tradeston is the ideal location, offering superb motorway and public transport links, staff facilities already in place, and the space we need to support both our bus and our fast-growing coach fleets. 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.”
“This Glasgow depot is another major step forward in our mission to transform transport across Scotland” – James Easdale, co-owner of McGill’s Group
James Easdale, co-owner of McGill’s Group, 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. With strategic property deals like this, backed by significant investment, we are ensuring McGill’s remains at the forefront of the sector. This Glasgow depot is another major step forward in our mission to transform transport across Scotland – and with further acquisitions and expansion opportunities in the pipeline, there is much more to come.”