Midland Bluebird makes Stirling-Alloa bues routes fully electric

Keith Brown MSP meets Midland Bluebird team as electric fleet saves 3,360 tonnes of carbon emissions in first year

Key bus routes connecting Stirling and Alloa are going fully electric following investment by Midland Bluebird, bringing quieter, more comfortable journeys to passengers.

Services 51 and 52 will now operate entirely with electric buses, providing frequent connections between the two communities from 5.30am until 11.30pm.

The announcement coincided with a meeting between the company and Keith Brown, MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, who praised Midland Bluebird’s commitment to sustainable travel.

The move to electric has been made possible by the recent consolidation of the company’s depot operations at Larbert, enabling electric buses to serve more routes across the Forth Valley.

Passengers on Services 51 and 52 have already benefited from a dedicated team of drivers, improved punctuality and enhanced bus stop provision. They can also connect at Stirling with the fully electric Service 38, which serves Forth Valley Royal Hospital on its route to Falkirk.

The meeting with Mr Brown also marked the first anniversary of Midland Bluebird’s introduction of 30 electric buses across its Forth Valley network.

Over the past 12 months, the fleet is estimated to have prevented 3,360 tonnes of carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere. Alongside the environmental benefits, the buses offer air conditioning, USB charging sockets and significantly quieter journeys.

The further expansion of electric services comes as Midland Bluebird continues to attract more passengers. Customer journeys across its network have increased by 38% since McGill’s Group took ownership of the business in September 2022.

Keith Brown, MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, said: “Decarbonising public transport is a key part of the transition towards a net zero economy, bringing cleaner, quieter journeys and helping to create healthier communities.

“Bus services are also a vital public service for many people locally, particularly those who rely on them to get to work, education, healthcare and other essential services. I know there have been challenges with the reliability and delivery of some local services, and I have raised those concerns directly on behalf of constituents.

“That is why I welcome the investment being made in these new electric buses, alongside the steps being taken to improve local services. I hope this investment can help deliver the reliable, high-quality service passengers rightly expect, rebuild trust and confidence in our local bus network, and encourage more people to choose public transport.”

Colin Napier, Group Service Delivery Director, McGill’s Buses, said: “We are pleased to meet Keith Brown and to share the positive contribution that our zero-emissions buses are making to the environment. We are proud to be playing our part in building a more sustainable transport network for the communities we serve.

“Making Services 51 and 52 fully electric builds on the improvements we have already introduced, from a dedicated team of drivers to better punctuality. Passengers travelling between Stirling and Alloa can now enjoy quieter, more comfortable journeys, with connections to Forth Valley Royal Hospital on our electric Service 38.

“Customer journeys across Midland Bluebird have grown by 38% since we took ownership in 2022. We want to build on that progress by continuing to invest in services that people can rely on for work, education, appointments and leisure.”

The total number of electric buses in the McGill’s Group fleet stands at 151, underlining its position as one of the leading operators of zero-emission public transport services in the UK. McGill’s has invested £95 million in electric vehicle technology since 2021, as part of the firm’s commitment to innovation and decarbonisation of public transport.