GREENOCK businessmen Sandy and James Easdale have announced a £10million investment to massively expand the partnership between McGill’s Buses and international coach operator, FlixBus.
The outlay by the McGill’s owners will see 18 new Volvo vehicles added to the McGill’s FlixBus fleet.
The McGill’s partnership with FlixBus was its first foray into long-distance coach travel and the partnership has gone from strength to strength since launching in 2021.
Among the key routes are its popular Glasgow/Edinburgh to London service, a network connecting Scotland’s cities as well as services south to cities such as Newcastle upon Tyne, Manchester and Leeds.
The routes for the new coaches will be announced later in the year.
Sandy Easdale said: “Our partnership with FlixBus has been a resounding success for both parties and there was a clear determination to build on the successful service that has already been established.
“We’ve stepped up with a £10million investment to buy new state-of-the-art coaches that will equip us for the expansion we have planned.
“That is good news for passengers who will benefit from great value travel around Great Britain. It will also mean we will be creating new jobs as we announce the routes and the services start to get going.
“Between our FlixBus partnership, our purchase of Xplore Dundee and our acquisition of the Scotland East business from First Bus, we are firm in our desire to keep building the McGill’s Buses business and brand.”
James Easdale added: “We’re delighted to reveal the new investment into the FlixBus initiative and we look forward to announcing the new routes later this year.
“Last summer, the wider FlixBus group carried 34 million passengers over its summer season and McGill’s wants to be an integral part in growing that even further as FlixBus expands its UK services in the coming years.
“Sandy and I are continuously looking for opportunities to invest, whether that be through McGill’s or our property and manufacturing interests, and whilst the economic outlook is looking more challenging, we still believe 2023 and 2024 will bring openings to create jobs and growth within our businesses.”
