The UK’s largest independent bus company McGill’s urges Greater Glasgow’s residents to join them onboard and be ‘zero heroes’ as it launches its first full-electric bus route in Paisley, with a further two routes to follow later this month.
It comes as the firm’s owners pledge to “go further and faster to cut carbon emissions” as they promise further investment.
McGill’s £32.5 million investment in 68 zero emission buses supplied by Pelican Bus and Coach, will see it become the largest operator of electric buses in Scotland, aided by funding from the Scottish Ultra Low Emission Bus Scheme.
The McGill’s 26, 23 and 38 electric routes, all branded Switch, will be live by the end of October just as Glasgow prepares to host world leaders at COP26.
The new buses were on show at The Cenotaph in Paisley where members of the public could have a look at the new vehicles. Shortly after 1900hrs, Ralph Roberts, CEO of McGill’s Group flipped a switch to officially launch the new fleet.
He was joined by Renfrewshire Provost Lorraine Cameron as well as local politicians including MP Gavin Newlands.
Says Ian Downie, Head of Yutong Bus UK at Pelican Bus and Coach: “It was a fantastic night in Paisley, attending the Switch event for Zero Hero launch.
“All 22 vehicles were delivered on time, the engineers and drivers fully trained and now the buses are in service.
“It has been a real partnership with McGills, Zenobe and Pelican in achieving this launch. The next batch of 33 buses start to be delivered this week, so no rest for us!”
McGill’s has launched a major marketing campaign to encourage more residents to make the switch from their cars, including video content starring local people and McGill’s very own animated zero heroes.
Ralph Roberts, CEO of McGill’s Group said: “The scale of our investment truly demonstrates our commitment to the green agenda, and cements us as leaders in clean, zero emission journeys. This is just the beginning as we look to provide more and more game-changing technology to improve air quality in our towns and cities.
There is a big call for bus operators to build back better, and even though the last two years have been extremely challenging, that’s exactly what we intend to do. There’s never been a better time to be a zero hero.”
