First Bus and McGill’s Group announce continuation of Glasgow night bus network

First Bus and McGill’s Group have announced the formation of a new night bus network to ensure the continuation of Glasgow’s night bus network moving forward.

First Bus will operate four night bus routes between 12:45am and 3am on Friday and Saturday nights while McGill’s Group will take on a further five routes.

This collaborative solution preserves the majority of night bus journeys and highlights the commitment of the wider bus industry to meet the needs of the people of Glasgow.

First Bus’ data shows a post-pandemic shift in behaviour in Glasgow, with over 2,500 more people catching the bus between 10:30pm and midnight on Friday and Saturday nights than before.

Duncan Cameron, Managing Director for First Bus Scotland, said: “Following discussions with business owners and key stakeholders in the city, we are pleased to announce a new collaborative solution alongside McGill’s Group to continue offering a comprehensive night bus network in Glasgow.

“When we first announced the withdrawal of our night bus services, we highlighted the challenges we faced as a business. This solution allows us to continue to operate a night bus service in the face of the current driver shortage.

“It also highlights the importance of the Glasgow Bus Partnership in being agile and the benefits of operators working together to overcome challenges, providing the services needed by the people of Glasgow.

“We understand the need for a wider late-night public transport strategy in Glasgow. Our hope is we will now see action from stakeholders, politicians and other transport modes to support local businesses and provide a way forward for the city’s night-time economy.”

McGill’s added that it intends to build upon its initial provision to extend the service beyond two nights a week in future.

McGill’s also confirmed that its night-time bus network will be run on electric, zero-emission buses.

Ralph Roberts, CEO of McGill’s Group, said:

“Buses are vital to the success of Glasgow and we’ve been striving to find a solution that serves the night-time economy, residents and visitors.

“We’re delighted to be announcing an initial five night-time bus routes that will be run by McGill’s serving the city.

“McGill’s Group has been in discussions with Glasgow businesses to understand the issues they have been facing with transport and we have also deployed our management and staff overnight to the city centre to examine what measures Glasgow City Council could take on roads and streets to help buses deliver a better service for passengers. Our intention is to build our night-time services in future and work with the council and businesses to help achieve that.

“There will be a range of ticket options available on night-time services, including discounts for regular users and McGill’s ticket holders, and we will announce more details on that shortly.”

McGill’s will initially operate an hourly service between 00:15 and 03:45 on Fridays and Saturdays across five key routes:

  • Service N3: City Centre – Shawlands – Thornliebank – Nitshill – Pollok
  • Service N4: City Centre – Shawlands – Eastwood – Newton Mearns
  • Service N6: City Centre – Anniesland – Scotstoun – Clydebank
  • Service N38: City Centre – Ibrox – Paisley
  • Service N60: City Centre – Maryhill – Drumchapel

And First will operate the following routes between 12:45am and 3am on Friday and Saturday nights:

  • Service N2 (East): Sauchiehall Street – Central Station (Renfield St) – Parkhead – Shettleston – Baillieston – Easterhouse.
  • Service N18: Sauchiehall Street – Central Station (Union St) – Rutherglen – East Kilbride – Greenhills
  • Service N240: Sauchiehall Street – Central Station (Renfield St) – Parkhead – Tollcross – Viewpark – Bellshill – Motherwell – Wishaw – Coltness – Cleland
  • Service N267: Sauchiehall Street – Central Station (Union St) – New Gorbals – Rutherglen – Cambuslang – Hamilton – Hillhouse

 

For full information on all changes, please visit firstglasgow.com & mcgillsbuses.co.uk

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