McGill's launches new website; renews partnership with Passenger
Scottish independent McGill's has renewed its partnership with UK public transport app and website provider Passenger amid the launch of a new website.
The partnership will continue for another three years. The pair previously collaborated on the McGill's app, which was launched in October 2018.
The new website brings public transport data to desktops, including a new web-to-mobile eCommerce feature where customers can purchase tickets via the website to then access them in the McGill's app. It also provides information to let customers plan journeys and includes live bus tracking and disruption alerts, and gives information on vehicle features such as wi-fi and phone chargers. McGill's hopes it will continue to inspire more people to use the bus.
Like the app, the website is managed from Passenger Cloud, allowing staff to "work efficiently and save time when processing updates".
Says Colin Napier, Group Operations Director at McGill’s: "Our new website forms a vital part of our mission to inspire more people in Scotland to use their local bus services in favour of their cars. Not only will increased bus travel uptake help reduce congestion on the roads, but it also brings long-term environmental benefits.
"Sustainability is a core focus for our business as we’re on our way to having a fleet of over 100 battery-powered electric buses, so our new website launch complements our efforts to make public transport more appealing as a convenient, eco-friendly travel option for all."
Adds Tom Quay, CEO at Passenger: "We’re delighted to continue supporting McGill’s by providing easy-to-use technology to help its customers feel confident and in control of their journey.
"McGill’s shares our vision of building a greener future through making more sustainable transport options more accessible, and our combined efforts will help drive the overarching aims of the National Bus Strategy."
The McGill's app has reportedly seen over 32,000 active app users this month.
Grant Palmer is latest operator for DVSA Earned Recognition
Grant Palmer is the latest member of the coach and bus industry to be accredited as a member of the Earned Recognition (ER) scheme by DVSA.
The achievement follows what the Flitwick-based, 40-bus firm says is “considerable investment” in updating its systems and technology to ensure that it met the standards required by ER. Every member of Grant Palmer’s engineering team holds IRTEC certification, and its Bedfordshire depot has received the same accreditation.
Says Managing Director Grant Palmer: “I am delighted to announce our achievement in securing DVSA Earned Recognition status, and I am proud of our engineering and operations teams, who work tirelessly to provide safe and compliant bus services across the county.”
Grant Palmer joins several other coach and bus operators to have joined ER in 2022. Among those are Paul S Winson Coaches, First Beeline, First Hampshire and Dorset, Yelloway Coaches, Eavesway Travel and several National Express Transport Solutions-owned businesses.
Of the 383 O-Licences that form part of Earned Recognition, 90 are in the passenger sector.
Scottish Bus Week debuts to celebrate the industry
The first Scottish Bus Week is being held between Monday 23 and Sunday 29 May as a celebration “of all that the bus can do for us in Scotland."
In addition to highlighting the benefits that the mode brings to health, the environment, the economy and a fairer transport system, Scottish Bus Week will also acknowledge and thank the people that work in the sector, including those on the manufacturing side.
Using the hashtags #ScottishBusWeek and #lovemybus – the latter as part of wider work by Transform Scotland – the campaign also aims to generate social media awareness. Digital assets have been produced and a programme of events will be held across Scotland throughout the week to celebrate the bus industry and its people.
Information and promotional items will be shared at those events highlighting the benefits of the sector and educational establishments will play a major part in proceedings. In addition, a video that champions the sector, including its importance to young people, was released on the first day of Scottish Bus Week.
On Friday 27 May, an open-top bus will visit Ayr beach, while the day before will see Lothian Buses will host a roadshow at Edinburgh University. Stagecoach East Scotland will showcase its battery-electric buses in Perth city centre.
Scottish Bus Week has the support of operators and the wider industry, including Strathclyde Partnership for Transport. Says Transform Scotland #lovemybus Programme Lead Jess Pepper: “Scottish Bus Week is an opportunity to celebrate bus and all that it can do for us, plus thank all those who work in coach and bus – making low- and zero-emission buses right here in Scotland and delivering services across the country.”
Adds Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) Scotland Director Paul White: “CPT Scotland is delighted to be delivering, in partnership with #lovemybus and other supporters, the first Scottish Bus Week.
“This week will provide a perfect opportunity for the whole sustainable transport sector to highlight the important role that bus plays in many communities across Scotland by connecting people to work, education, family and friends.
“It will also allow us to champion the positive aspects of bus from helping the economy and reducing congestion on our streets to helping tackle climate change and reducing inequalities. We hope this week will inform, challenge preconceptions and inspire people to choose bus in future.”