McGill’s Buses has been fined £29,700 following an inquiry that revealed significant faults in its operations, particularly regarding punctuality and vehicle maintenance. The investigation, led by Traffic Commissioner Richard Turfitt, determined that the Greenock-based company failed to ensure its buses adhered to scheduled timetables and maintained an acceptable state of readiness.
The inquiry was prompted by several alarming incidents, including one where a bus caught fire while in service. According to the findings, McGill’s Buses did not meet the expected maintenance and management standards necessary for safe public transportation. The inquiry assessed the operator’s compliance with its licensing obligations, which included punctuality, vehicle maintenance, defect reporting, and overall management of transport services.
Regulatory Oversight and Passenger Concerns
Evidence presented by Bus Users Scotland underscored growing passenger dissatisfaction regarding the reliability of McGill’s services. Monitoring data indicated that many buses were not consistently adhering to published schedules, which jeopardized public trust and violated license conditions. The inquiry’s findings revealed weaknesses in McGill’s systems for identifying and rectifying vehicle defects, as well as lapses in maintenance oversight.
Traffic Commissioner Turfitt issued a final warning, stating that McGill’s Buses could no longer cite poor vehicle conditions as an excuse for not meeting timetables. He emphasized, “The repute of each entity is severely tarnished by the findings of maintenance issues identified at the hearing. Any further reports are likely to result in consideration of more extensive intervention.”
Despite acknowledging the seriousness of the infractions, Turfitt recognized that McGill’s has begun taking steps towards improvement. The company has reportedly invested in new systems and made personnel changes to address the identified issues. Nonetheless, the penalty was deemed necessary to deter future violations and ensure compliance with safety standards.
Company Response and Future Commitments
In response to the findings, a spokesperson for McGill’s expressed regret over the issues highlighted during the inquiry. The spokesperson stated, “We acknowledge the findings of the Traffic Commissioner, and it is a matter of regret that we suffered unacceptable maintenance and punctuality issues, much of which arose immediately after we acquired the businesses in 2022.”
To remedy these shortcomings, McGill’s has strengthened its engineering leadership and introduced more rigorous inspections on a four-weekly basis. The company is also making a substantial investment of £14 million in a new fleet that includes 30 zero-emission buses. The spokesperson emphasized that “safety and reliability are non-negotiable for our business.”
The Traffic Commissioner has confirmed that McGill’s operations will undergo close monitoring to ensure that improvements in service reliability and compliance are sustained. As the company works to enhance its operations, the focus remains on restoring public confidence and adhering to regulatory standards.
