Stagecoach West Scotland
Encyclopedia
Stagecoach West Scotland is an operating region
of Stagecoach UK Bus
, comprising Western Buses Ltd and Stagecoach Glasgow Ltd, based in Ayr
, Scotland
.
and Braehead
to the north, Hamilton
to the east, Carlisle to the south and the Isle of Arran
to the west. Frequent express services also reach Glasgow
from throughout Ayrshire
.
Stagecoach West Scotland operates under five different brands:
In addition, vehicles operating on the former AA Buses services in the Irvine area wear the historical AA green and cream livery, though to date there has never been a Stagecoach AA Buses brand. Buses wearing this livery carry simplistic 'Stagecoach' branding.
The company also provide vehicles for Scottish Citylink
express work, mainly on the Glasgow to Edinburgh corridor.
Stagecoach West Scotland had faced sustained competition from the First Group between Ardrossan and Kilmarnock since Stagecoach launched its network of Glasgow city services in the heart of First's Glasgow operating territory in 1997, though First withdrew from Ayrshire in October 2005 leaving Stagecoach the sole dominant operator once again. While minor competition existed for several years from T & E Docherty around Irvine, Stagecoach has since purchased the routes and vehicles used by that operator. Minor competition exists from Shuttle Buses between Irvine and West Kilbride
(including local operation around Ardrossan and Saltcoats) and McGill's Bus Service between Largs
and Greenock.
The company has depots in Brodick(Isle of Arran), Ardrossan
, Kilmarnock
, Ayr
, Cumnock
, Glasgow
, Stranraer
, Dumfries
.
At both the 2005 and 2006 UK Bus Awards, Stagecoach West Scotland took the top award of 'UK Bus Operator of the Year', having narrowly missed out on the prize in 2004. It also received the 'Best Large Fleet Operator' award at the industry ceremony for both years http://www.stagecoachgroup.com/scg/media/press/pr2006/2006-11-01/.
Stagecoach arrived in the west of Scotland when it purchased Western Scottish Omnibuses Ltd
of Kilmarnock for £
6m in July 1994. Western Scottish was, at that time, owned by its management and employees, who had purchased the company from the state-owned Scottish Bus Group
in October 1991 on the breakup and privatisation of that concern.
Stagecoach wasted no time in expanding its operations in the west of Scotland, and in October 1994 purchased the small Arran Transport business based in Brodick, on the Isle Of Arran. In January 1995 Western took over the operations of A1 Service of Ardrossan, bringing with it some 80 vehicles and operations in the towns of Ardrossan, Saltcoats
, Stevenston
and Kilwinning
, together with the very busy and frequent Ardrossan to Kilmarnock service. Though for a time the former A1 Service operations were under the separate legal entity of Stagecoach (A1 Service) Ltd, that company has since been absorbed by Western Buses.
Clyde Coast Coaches of Ardrossan, a previous competitor to Western Scottish in services around Kilmarnock, sold its bus operations to Western in 1995, adding services from Saltcoats to Largs and Beith to the Western portfolio.
The last 'big' purchase Stagecoach Western has made to date was that of AA Buses - the bus operations of Dodd's Of Troon, in summer 1997. At the same time the bus operations of Shuttle Buses of Kilwinning
were also absorbed (note Shuttle Buses have since restarted local bus operation, though mainly restricted to tendered services). This would add local bus operation around Irvine, Stewarton
and Troon
, and would consolidate the Stagecoach Western operation, securing it as the dominant operator in north Ayrshire
, a role Western Scottish never succeeded in filling.
Stagecoach operated in Glasgow as Magic Bus in the late 1980s using old London
Routemaster
buses, though it sold the operation to Kelvin Central Buses
in the early 1990s. After a stillborn attempt in 1995 to purchase KCB, Stagecoach settled for a 20% stake in competitor Strathclyde Buses
who purchased KCB), the present Stagecoach Glasgow operations were launched in 1997, after Strathclyde Buses sold to First Group, and offered fast, direct and frequent services from Glasgow City Centre to Easterhouse
, Castlemilk
, Pollok
, Darnley
, East Kilbride
and Cumbernauld
.
The Pollok and Darnley routes were express services which made good use of the new M77 motorway
in the area and used new low floor vehicles. However, due to First Glasgow's
new operations in Stagecoach's key Ayrshire and Fife markets Stagecoach decided to scale down operations in the area. It acquired Arriva Scotland West's
49% stake in Paisley company Dart Buses
. Dart took over operation of the Pollok and Darnley services, which were closer to its base in Paisley and more in fitting with the rest of its west of Glasgow motorway express services. Stagecoach supplied vehicles to operate the routes, which continued under the Stagecoach Glasgow livery and brand, while several Dart vehicles were repainted into the Stagecoach corporate livery. It is unclear as to when Stagecoach acquired the stake in Dart Buses and as such it is likely that the company operated the Stagecoach services while Arriva retained their stake. Dart Buses ran into financial trouble early in the new millennium and without notice suddenly ceased operations overnight. First capiltatised on the collapse of Dart Buses and registered the defunct company's motorway services before either Arriva or Stagecoach could, and as such Stagecoach decided not to re-start operations.
The East Kilbride services were soon withdrawn, some regarding the timetabling of it as optimistic, and the remaining operations were rebranded as the "no-frills" Magic Bus with rock bottom fares and older vehicles. The Castlemilk operation was taken over by First in June 2005 who until January 2006 kept the old Stagecoach service 175 running alongside its own 75 service. Vehicles in the Magic Bus operation wear a deep blue livery with bright yellow lettering, complete with slogans "It's magic!" and "It goes roon the toon!" (sic
), the latter imitating the Glasgow dialect
. Though the Ballieston service was withdrawn during summer 2006, the Easterhouse service is still operated, though now by Stagecoach in Glasgow branded vehicles, the Magic Bus brand having been dropped in the city.
In July 2004, Stagecoach announced the acquisition of the M8 Motorvator Glasgow to Edinburgh express service from Lanarkshire
firm, Longs Coaches. This pitched Stagecoach in fierce and direct competition from Scottish Citylink, a company Stagecoach ironically operated vehicles for under a franchise
agreement. Stagecoach continued to use the distinctive M8 Motorvator brand on this route, with vehicles wearing a red and off-white livery, and was operated by Stagecoach Glasgow Ltd. Some seats on the Motorvator service were available for purchase through the low-cost Stagecoach subsidiary Megabus
. Both companies offered fast, frequent and affordable express services along the M8 motorway corridor between the two Scottish
cities, a situation that continued until 13 September 2005. On that date, Stagecoach and Citylink parent company ComfortDelGro
announced a joint venture in the provision of express coach services in Scotland. Under the terms of the agreement, Stagecoach would take a 35% stake in Citylink in return for certain rights to the Megabus brand in Scotland. This ended competition between the two operators and the withdrawal of the Motorvator brand. Stagecoach has resumed operating vehicles for Citylink under a franchise agreement, and many vehicles that operated as Motorvator now wear Citylink livery. However this sale is being investigated by the office of fair trading.
During 2006, Stagecoach has introduced several new express services, including the X33 from Ayr to Paisley
later extended to Braehead Shopping Centre, of which part of the route from Ayr to Paisley was originally operated by Western until the 1970s, albeit using a slightly different route. The X33 service is the first time the company has strayed into the heartlands of 'Clydeside
' Territory (now owned by Arriva Scotland West
) since the split of the Western Company. Another innovative new service is the X16 connecting Ayr with Hamilton and East Kilbride via Kilmarnock and Prestwick Airport. The success of this service has been such that the frequency was doubled after only a few months and throughout the summer months it saw regular duplication.
Region
Region is most commonly found as a term used in terrestrial and astrophysics sciences also an area, notably among the different sub-disciplines of geography, studied by regional geographers. Regions consist of subregions that contain clusters of like areas that are distinctive by their uniformity...
of Stagecoach UK Bus
Stagecoach Group
Stagecoach Group plc is an international transport group operating buses, trains, trams, express coaches and ferries. The group was founded in 1980 by the current chairman, Sir Brian Souter, his sister, Ann Gloag, and her former husband Robin...
, comprising Western Buses Ltd and Stagecoach Glasgow Ltd, based in Ayr
Ayr
Ayr is a town and port situated on the Firth of Clyde in south-west Scotland. With a population of around 46,000, Ayr is the largest settlement in Ayrshire, of which it is the county town, and has held royal burgh status since 1205...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.
Operation
Stagecoach West Scotland operates in west central and southwest Scotland, in an area bounded by GreenockGreenock
Greenock is a town and administrative centre in the Inverclyde council area in United Kingdom, and a former burgh within the historic county of Renfrewshire, located in the west central Lowlands of Scotland...
and Braehead
Braehead
Braehead is a commercial development located at the former site of Braehead Power Station in Renfrew on the south bank of the River Clyde in Renfrewshire. It is particularly notable for its large shopping centre, arena and leisure facilities....
to the north, Hamilton
Hamilton, South Lanarkshire
Hamilton is a town in South Lanarkshire, in the west-central Lowlands of Scotland. It serves as the main administrative centre of the South Lanarkshire council area. It is the fifth-biggest town in Scotland after Paisley, East Kilbride, Livingston and Cumbernauld...
to the east, Carlisle to the south and the Isle of Arran
Isle of Arran
Arran or the Isle of Arran is the largest island in the Firth of Clyde, Scotland, and with an area of is the seventh largest Scottish island. It is in the unitary council area of North Ayrshire and the 2001 census had a resident population of 5,058...
to the west. Frequent express services also reach Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
from throughout Ayrshire
Ayrshire
Ayrshire is a registration county, and former administrative county in south-west Scotland, United Kingdom, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine. The town of Troon on the coast has hosted the British Open Golf Championship twice in the...
.
Stagecoach West Scotland operates under five different brands:
- Stagecoach Western is the prevalent brand and is used for the vast majority of bus operations throughout the West Scotland region. Stagecoach Western branded vehicles wear the Stagecoach corporate liveryLiveryA livery is a uniform, insignia or symbol adorning, in a non-military context, a person, an object or a vehicle that denotes a relationship between the wearer of the livery and an individual or corporate body. Often, elements of the heraldry relating to the individual or corporate body feature in...
of red, blue, orange and white. It is the principal trading name of Western Buses Ltd. - Stagecoach A1 Service, was a trading name of Western Buses Ltd, is used for the trunk service between ArdrossanArdrossanArdrossan is a town on the North Ayrshire coast in south-western Scotland. The name "Ardrossan" describes its physical position — 'ard' from the Gaelic àird meaning headland, 'ros' a promontory and the diminutive suffix '-an' - headland of the little promontory...
and KilmarnockKilmarnockKilmarnock is a large burgh in East Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of 44,734. It is the second largest town in Ayrshire. The River Irvine runs through its eastern section, and the Kilmarnock Water passes through it, giving rise to the name 'Bank Street'...
that came with the purchase of the A1 Service business, though this trading name occasionally overlaps the Stagecoach Western brand in the area previously served by the independent A1 Service. Vehicles under this brand wear a simple blue and cream livery. (As of June 2010 vehicles now carry Stagecoach corporate livery.) - Stagecoach in Glasgow is used for services within Glasgow and those from Glasgow to CumbernauldCumbernauldCumbernauld is a Scottish new town in North Lanarkshire. It was created in 1956 as a population overspill for Glasgow City. It is the eighth most populous settlement in Scotland and the largest in North Lanarkshire...
. Initially not carried on any vehicles while the Magic Bus brand was used for services in the city, it is now commonplace on Glasgow-based buses. It is the trading name of Stagecoach Glasgow Ltd.
In addition, vehicles operating on the former AA Buses services in the Irvine area wear the historical AA green and cream livery, though to date there has never been a Stagecoach AA Buses brand. Buses wearing this livery carry simplistic 'Stagecoach' branding.
The company also provide vehicles for Scottish Citylink
Scottish Citylink
Scottish Citylink Coaches Ltd is a long distance express coach operator in Scotland and the Republic of Ireland . The company was formed as a subsidiary of Scottish Transport Group in June 1985...
express work, mainly on the Glasgow to Edinburgh corridor.
Stagecoach West Scotland had faced sustained competition from the First Group between Ardrossan and Kilmarnock since Stagecoach launched its network of Glasgow city services in the heart of First's Glasgow operating territory in 1997, though First withdrew from Ayrshire in October 2005 leaving Stagecoach the sole dominant operator once again. While minor competition existed for several years from T & E Docherty around Irvine, Stagecoach has since purchased the routes and vehicles used by that operator. Minor competition exists from Shuttle Buses between Irvine and West Kilbride
West Kilbride
West Kilbride is a village in North Ayrshire, on the west coast of Scotland by the Firth of Clyde, looking across the water to Goat Fell and the Isle of Arran...
(including local operation around Ardrossan and Saltcoats) and McGill's Bus Service between Largs
Largs
Largs is a town on the Firth of Clyde in North Ayrshire, Scotland, about from Glasgow. The original name means "the slopes" in Scottish Gaelic....
and Greenock.
The company has depots in Brodick(Isle of Arran), Ardrossan
Ardrossan
Ardrossan is a town on the North Ayrshire coast in south-western Scotland. The name "Ardrossan" describes its physical position — 'ard' from the Gaelic àird meaning headland, 'ros' a promontory and the diminutive suffix '-an' - headland of the little promontory...
, Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock is a large burgh in East Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of 44,734. It is the second largest town in Ayrshire. The River Irvine runs through its eastern section, and the Kilmarnock Water passes through it, giving rise to the name 'Bank Street'...
, Ayr
Ayr
Ayr is a town and port situated on the Firth of Clyde in south-west Scotland. With a population of around 46,000, Ayr is the largest settlement in Ayrshire, of which it is the county town, and has held royal burgh status since 1205...
, Cumnock
Cumnock
Cumnock is a town in East Ayrshire, Scotland. The town sits at the confluence of the Glaisnock Water and the Lugar Water...
, Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Stranraer
Stranraer
Stranraer is a town in the southwest of Scotland. It lies in the west of Dumfries and Galloway and in the county of Wigtownshire.Stranraer lies on the shores of Loch Ryan on the northern side of the isthmus joining the Rhins of Galloway to the mainland...
, Dumfries
Dumfries
Dumfries is a market town and former royal burgh within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland. It is near the mouth of the River Nith into the Solway Firth. Dumfries was the county town of the former county of Dumfriesshire. Dumfries is nicknamed Queen of the South...
.
At both the 2005 and 2006 UK Bus Awards, Stagecoach West Scotland took the top award of 'UK Bus Operator of the Year', having narrowly missed out on the prize in 2004. It also received the 'Best Large Fleet Operator' award at the industry ceremony for both years http://www.stagecoachgroup.com/scg/media/press/pr2006/2006-11-01/.
History
Western Scottish
Western Scottish Omnibuses Ltd, in Scotland, was a bus operating subsidiary of the Scottish Transport Group formed in June 1985 from Western SMT Company Ltd and operated until 1997, when it became Western Buses Ltd...
of Kilmarnock for £
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
6m in July 1994. Western Scottish was, at that time, owned by its management and employees, who had purchased the company from the state-owned Scottish Bus Group
Scottish Bus Group
The Scottish Bus Group was a state-owned Scottish holding company that included a number of bus operators covering the whole of Scotland. The group was formed in 1961 as Scottish Omnibuses Group Ltd, to take control of the British Transport Commission's bus operating subsidiaries in Scotland...
in October 1991 on the breakup and privatisation of that concern.
Stagecoach wasted no time in expanding its operations in the west of Scotland, and in October 1994 purchased the small Arran Transport business based in Brodick, on the Isle Of Arran. In January 1995 Western took over the operations of A1 Service of Ardrossan, bringing with it some 80 vehicles and operations in the towns of Ardrossan, Saltcoats
Saltcoats
- References :*McSherry, R. & M. . Old Saltcoats, Stenlake Publishing, Ochiltree. ISBN 1-872074-57-X.*Stansfield, G. . Ayrshire & Renfrewshire's Lost Railways, Stenlake Publishing, Catrine. ISBN 1-84033-077-5.-External links:***...
, Stevenston
Stevenston
Stevenston is a town in North Ayrshire, Scotland. It is one of the 'Three Towns' along with Ardrossan and Saltcoats.-History:The town is named after Stephan Loccard or Lockhart, whose father obtained a grant of land from Richard de Morville, Lord Cunninghame and Constable of Scotland, around 1170....
and Kilwinning
Kilwinning
Kilwinning is a historic town in North Ayrshire, Scotland. It is known as The Crossroads of Ayrshire. The 2001 Census recorded it as having a population of 15,908.-History:...
, together with the very busy and frequent Ardrossan to Kilmarnock service. Though for a time the former A1 Service operations were under the separate legal entity of Stagecoach (A1 Service) Ltd, that company has since been absorbed by Western Buses.
Clyde Coast Coaches of Ardrossan, a previous competitor to Western Scottish in services around Kilmarnock, sold its bus operations to Western in 1995, adding services from Saltcoats to Largs and Beith to the Western portfolio.
The last 'big' purchase Stagecoach Western has made to date was that of AA Buses - the bus operations of Dodd's Of Troon, in summer 1997. At the same time the bus operations of Shuttle Buses of Kilwinning
Kilwinning
Kilwinning is a historic town in North Ayrshire, Scotland. It is known as The Crossroads of Ayrshire. The 2001 Census recorded it as having a population of 15,908.-History:...
were also absorbed (note Shuttle Buses have since restarted local bus operation, though mainly restricted to tendered services). This would add local bus operation around Irvine, Stewarton
Stewarton
Stewarton is a town in East Ayrshire, Scotland. In comparison to the neighbouring towns of Kilmaurs, Fenwick, Dunlop and Lugton, it is a relatively large town, with a population of over 6,500. It is 300 feet above sea level.Groome, Francis H. . Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland. Pub. Caxton. London....
and Troon
Troon
Troon is a town in South Ayrshire. It is situated on the west coast of Scotland, about eight miles north of Ayr and three miles northwest of Glasgow Prestwick International Airport. Lying across the Firth of Clyde, the Isle of Arran can be seen. Troon is also a port with freight and ferry services...
, and would consolidate the Stagecoach Western operation, securing it as the dominant operator in north Ayrshire
North Ayrshire
North Ayrshire is one of 32 council areas in Scotland with a population of roughly 136,000 people. It is located in the south-west region of Scotland, and borders the areas of Inverclyde to the north, Renfrewshire to the north-east and East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire to the East and South...
, a role Western Scottish never succeeded in filling.
Stagecoach operated in Glasgow as Magic Bus in the late 1980s using old London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
Routemaster
Routemaster
The AEC Routemaster is a model of double-decker bus that was built by Associated Equipment Company in 1954 and produced until 1968. Primarily front-engined, rear open-platform buses, a small number of variants were produced with doors and/or front entrances...
buses, though it sold the operation to Kelvin Central Buses
Kelvin Central Buses
Kelvin Central Buses Ltd was a bus operating subsidiary of the Scottish Bus Group formed in July 1989 from the merger of Kelvin Scottish and Central Scottish in preparation for privatisation, and operated until July 1998 when it became First Glasgow Ltd....
in the early 1990s. After a stillborn attempt in 1995 to purchase KCB, Stagecoach settled for a 20% stake in competitor Strathclyde Buses
Strathclyde Buses
Strathclyde Buses was a bus operating company in Glasgow and west-central Scotland. It commenced operations in October 1986. Prior to 1986, the council-owned buses had belonged to Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive , and therefore were owned by Strathclyde Regional Council...
who purchased KCB), the present Stagecoach Glasgow operations were launched in 1997, after Strathclyde Buses sold to First Group, and offered fast, direct and frequent services from Glasgow City Centre to Easterhouse
Easterhouse
Easterhouse is a suburb about east of Glasgow city centre, Scotland. It was partially built on land gained from the county of Lanarkshire as part of a boundary expansion of Glasgow before the Second World War. Building began in the mid-1950s by the then local authority, Glasgow Corporation...
, Castlemilk
Castlemilk
Castlemilk is a district of Glasgow, Scotland. It lies to the south of the city adjacent to Rutherglen, Croftfoot, Simshill and the separate village of Carmunnock...
, Pollok
Pollok
Pollok is a large district on the south-western side of the city of Glasgow, Scotland. It was built to house families from the overcrowded inner city...
, Darnley
Darnley
Darnley is an area in south-west Glasgow, Scotland located on the A727 just west of Arden. During the second half of the 20th Century Darnley has experienced total transformation from being a modest semi-rural community to becoming a significant part of Glasgow's response to a post-war housing...
, East Kilbride
East Kilbride
East Kilbride is a large suburban town in the South Lanarkshire council area, in the West Central Lowlands of Scotland. Designated as Scotland's first new town in 1947, it forms part of the Greater Glasgow conurbation...
and Cumbernauld
Cumbernauld
Cumbernauld is a Scottish new town in North Lanarkshire. It was created in 1956 as a population overspill for Glasgow City. It is the eighth most populous settlement in Scotland and the largest in North Lanarkshire...
.
The Pollok and Darnley routes were express services which made good use of the new M77 motorway
M77 motorway
The M77 motorway is a motorway in Scotland. It originally began in southern Glasgow at the M8 motorway at Kinning park, and terminates near Kilmarnock at the village of Fenwick. However, changes were made in autumn 2005 segregating a lane on the M8 motorway almost as far as the Kingston Bridge,...
in the area and used new low floor vehicles. However, due to First Glasgow's
First Glasgow
First Glasgow is the largest bus company serving the Greater Glasgow area in, Scotland. It forms part of FirstGroup, a company operating transport services across the British Isles and in North America...
new operations in Stagecoach's key Ayrshire and Fife markets Stagecoach decided to scale down operations in the area. It acquired Arriva Scotland West's
Arriva Scotland West
Arriva Scotland West Ltd is a bus operating subsidiary of Arriva based in Inchinnan, near Paisley, Scotland, trading simply as Arriva. It is currently the group's sole operation in Scotland.-Operation:...
49% stake in Paisley company Dart Buses
Dart Buses
Dart Buses were an independent bus operator in the Paisley and Renfrewshire area in the 1990s. The company is attributed with starting a bus war with the main operator of the area, Clydeside Scottish...
. Dart took over operation of the Pollok and Darnley services, which were closer to its base in Paisley and more in fitting with the rest of its west of Glasgow motorway express services. Stagecoach supplied vehicles to operate the routes, which continued under the Stagecoach Glasgow livery and brand, while several Dart vehicles were repainted into the Stagecoach corporate livery. It is unclear as to when Stagecoach acquired the stake in Dart Buses and as such it is likely that the company operated the Stagecoach services while Arriva retained their stake. Dart Buses ran into financial trouble early in the new millennium and without notice suddenly ceased operations overnight. First capiltatised on the collapse of Dart Buses and registered the defunct company's motorway services before either Arriva or Stagecoach could, and as such Stagecoach decided not to re-start operations.
The East Kilbride services were soon withdrawn, some regarding the timetabling of it as optimistic, and the remaining operations were rebranded as the "no-frills" Magic Bus with rock bottom fares and older vehicles. The Castlemilk operation was taken over by First in June 2005 who until January 2006 kept the old Stagecoach service 175 running alongside its own 75 service. Vehicles in the Magic Bus operation wear a deep blue livery with bright yellow lettering, complete with slogans "It's magic!" and "It goes roon the toon!" (sic
Sic
Sic—generally inside square brackets, [sic], and occasionally parentheses, —when added just after a quote or reprinted text, indicates the passage appears exactly as in the original source...
), the latter imitating the Glasgow dialect
Glasgow patter
Glaswegian or The Glasgow Patter is a dialect spoken in and around Glasgow, Scotland. In addition to local West Mid Scots, the dialect has Highland English and Hiberno-English influences, owing to the speech of Highlanders and Irish people, who migrated in large numbers to the Glasgow area in the...
. Though the Ballieston service was withdrawn during summer 2006, the Easterhouse service is still operated, though now by Stagecoach in Glasgow branded vehicles, the Magic Bus brand having been dropped in the city.
In July 2004, Stagecoach announced the acquisition of the M8 Motorvator Glasgow to Edinburgh express service from Lanarkshire
Lanarkshire
Lanarkshire or the County of Lanark ) is a Lieutenancy area, registration county and former local government county in the central Lowlands of Scotland...
firm, Longs Coaches. This pitched Stagecoach in fierce and direct competition from Scottish Citylink, a company Stagecoach ironically operated vehicles for under a franchise
Franchising
Franchising is the practice of using another firm's successful business model. The word 'franchise' is of anglo-French derivation - from franc- meaning free, and is used both as a noun and as a verb....
agreement. Stagecoach continued to use the distinctive M8 Motorvator brand on this route, with vehicles wearing a red and off-white livery, and was operated by Stagecoach Glasgow Ltd. Some seats on the Motorvator service were available for purchase through the low-cost Stagecoach subsidiary Megabus
Megabus (United Kingdom)
Megabus is a UK coach service operated by Stagecoach Group. It started in 2003 and as of February 2010 operated 19 UK coach routes serving 41 destinations in England, Scotland and Wales. Some services link with Megatrain services which are also operated by Stagecoach...
. Both companies offered fast, frequent and affordable express services along the M8 motorway corridor between the two Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
cities, a situation that continued until 13 September 2005. On that date, Stagecoach and Citylink parent company ComfortDelGro
ComfortDelGro Corporation
ComfortDelGro Corporation Limited is the world's second-largest transport company with a fleet of 46,200 vehicles.Headquartered in Singapore, ComfortDelGro also has operations in China, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Vietnam and Malaysia. Currently, overseas ventures account for 50% of...
announced a joint venture in the provision of express coach services in Scotland. Under the terms of the agreement, Stagecoach would take a 35% stake in Citylink in return for certain rights to the Megabus brand in Scotland. This ended competition between the two operators and the withdrawal of the Motorvator brand. Stagecoach has resumed operating vehicles for Citylink under a franchise agreement, and many vehicles that operated as Motorvator now wear Citylink livery. However this sale is being investigated by the office of fair trading.
During 2006, Stagecoach has introduced several new express services, including the X33 from Ayr to Paisley
Paisley
Paisley is the largest town in the historic county of Renfrewshire in the west central Lowlands of Scotland and serves as the administrative centre for the Renfrewshire council area...
later extended to Braehead Shopping Centre, of which part of the route from Ayr to Paisley was originally operated by Western until the 1970s, albeit using a slightly different route. The X33 service is the first time the company has strayed into the heartlands of 'Clydeside
Clydeside Scottish
Clydeside Scottish Omnibuses Ltd, in Scotland, was a bus operating subsidiary of the Scottish Transport Group formed in June 1985 from Western SMT Company Ltd...
' Territory (now owned by Arriva Scotland West
Arriva Scotland West
Arriva Scotland West Ltd is a bus operating subsidiary of Arriva based in Inchinnan, near Paisley, Scotland, trading simply as Arriva. It is currently the group's sole operation in Scotland.-Operation:...
) since the split of the Western Company. Another innovative new service is the X16 connecting Ayr with Hamilton and East Kilbride via Kilmarnock and Prestwick Airport. The success of this service has been such that the frequency was doubled after only a few months and throughout the summer months it saw regular duplication.
Depots
- ArdrossanArdrossanArdrossan is a town on the North Ayrshire coast in south-western Scotland. The name "Ardrossan" describes its physical position — 'ard' from the Gaelic àird meaning headland, 'ros' a promontory and the diminutive suffix '-an' - headland of the little promontory...
(Harbour Road) (T) (It is allocated the letter T to signify the Three Towns of Ardrossan, Salcoats & Stevenston which make up the Ardrossan area) - AyrAyrAyr is a town and port situated on the Firth of Clyde in south-west Scotland. With a population of around 46,000, Ayr is the largest settlement in Ayrshire, of which it is the county town, and has held royal burgh status since 1205...
(Waggon Road)(A) - BrodrickBrodrickBrodrick is a surname, and may refer to:* Alan Brodrick, 1st Viscount Midleton* Alan Brodrick, 2nd Viscount Midleton* Charles Brodrick, Archbishop of Cashel* Cuthbert Brodrick, British architect* George Brodrick, 2nd Earl of Midleton...
(The Pier) (Isle Of Arran) (N) - CumnockCumnockCumnock is a town in East Ayrshire, Scotland. The town sits at the confluence of the Glaisnock Water and the Lugar Water...
(Ayr Road) (C) - DumfriesDumfriesDumfries is a market town and former royal burgh within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland. It is near the mouth of the River Nith into the Solway Firth. Dumfries was the county town of the former county of Dumfriesshire. Dumfries is nicknamed Queen of the South...
(Eastfield Road) (D) - GlasgowGlasgowGlasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
(Blochairn Road - Blochairn) (BN) - KilmarnockKilmarnockKilmarnock is a large burgh in East Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of 44,734. It is the second largest town in Ayrshire. The River Irvine runs through its eastern section, and the Kilmarnock Water passes through it, giving rise to the name 'Bank Street'...
(Mackinlay Place) (K) - StranraerStranraerStranraer is a town in the southwest of Scotland. It lies in the west of Dumfries and Galloway and in the county of Wigtownshire.Stranraer lies on the shores of Loch Ryan on the northern side of the isthmus joining the Rhins of Galloway to the mainland...
(Lewis Street) (S)
Mainland Services
Stagecoach West Scotland services run throughout the West of Scotland excluding Isle of Arran| Number | Depot | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | K | Stewarton - Kilmarnock - Darvel | BioBus |
| 2 | K | Kilmarnock Bus Station - Asda - Hurlford - Galston | |
| 3 | K | Onthank - Shortlees | |
| 4 4A |
K | Glasgow - Kilmarnock - Prestwick International Airport - Ayr | |
| 5 | K | New Farm Loch - Town Centre | |
| 6 | K | New Farm Loch - Bellfield | |
| 7 | K | New Farm - Kilmarnock - Bellfield | |
| 8 | K | Southcraigs - Kilmarnock - Bonnyton | |
| 10 | K | Troon - Dundonald - Muirhead - Kilmarnock | |
| 11 | T & K | Ardrossan - Kilwinning - Irvine - Kilmarnock | |
| 12 | T | Ardrossan - Saltcoats - Stevenston | |
| 14 | A | Ayr - Prestwick - Troon - Irvine | |
| 15 | A | Templehill - Muirhead - Barassie | |
| 17 | K | Kilmarnock - Hurlford | |
| 18 | T | Saltcoats (New England) - Stevenston (Hayocks) | |
| 20 | T | Kilwinning Station - Woodwynd - Blacklands - Kilwinning Station | |
| 21 | K | Kilmarnock - Dundonald - Irvine | |
| 22 | K | Perceton - Irvine X - Castlepark | |
| 23 | K | Hunter Drive - Quarry Road - Irvine Cross - Mill Road - Broomlands | |
| 24 | A | Ayr Hospital - Ayr - Prestwick - Crosshouse Hospital | |
| 25 | T | Kilbirnie - Dalry - Irvine | |
| 27 | T | Whitehurst Park - Five Roads - Irvine Station - Irvine Cross | |
| 28 | K | Irvine Station/Tesco - Irvine - Bourtreehill | |
| 28A | K | Livingston Terrace - Irvine - Bourtreehill - Broomlands - Irvine - Livingston Terrace Circular | |
| 30 | K | Montgomerie Park - Irvine Cross - Greenwood Academy | |
| 32 | T | Kilbirnie - Glengarnock - Beith | |
| 43 343 |
C | Ayr - Mauchline - Cumnock | |
| 43A | A | Annbank - Mossblown - Whitletts Cross - Ayr Bus Station | |
| 45 | C | Ayr to Drongan | |
| 46 | C | Muirkirk - Cumnock - Ayr | |
| 48 | C | Ayr to Cumnock via Drongan | |
| 49 | C | Cumnock - Logan | |
| 52 | A | Ayr Bus Station - Ailsa Hospital - Ayr Hospital - Dalmellington - Bellsbank | |
| 57 | A | Ayr, Ballantrae, Bargrennan, Barr, Barrhill, Colmonell, Crosshill, Culroy, Culzean, Dailly, Dalrymple, Dunure, Girvan, Glenapp, Glentrool, Kirkoswald, Kirkmichael, Lendalfoot, Maidens, Maybole, Minishant, Old Dailly, Pennyglen, Pinmore, Pinwherry, Portpatrick, Straiton, Stranraer, Turnberry, Wigtown, Whithorn | |
| 58 | A/S | Ayr, Ballantrae, Bargrennan, Barr, Barrhill, Colmonell, Crosshill, Culroy, Culzean, Dailly, Dalrymple, Dunure, Girvan, Glenapp, Glentrool, Kirkoswald, Kirkmichael, Lendalfoot, Maidens, Maybole, Minishant, Old Dailly, Pennyglen, Pinmore, Pinwherry, Portpatrick, Straiton, Stranraer, Turnberry, Wigtown, Whithorn | |
| 60 | A/S | Ayr, Ballantrae, Bargrennan, Barr, Barrhill, Colmonell, Crosshill, Culroy, Culzean, Dailly, Dalrymple, Dunure, Girvan, Glenapp, Glentrool, Kirkoswald, Kirkmichael, Lendalfoot, Maidens, Maybole, Minishant, Old Dailly, Pennyglen, Pinmore, Pinwherry, Portpatrick, Straiton, Stranraer, Turnberry, Wigtown, Whithorn | |
| 125 | T | Montgomerie Park or Crosshouse Hospital - Irvine - Dalry - Kilbirnie - Beith | |
| 246 | C & D | Ayr - Cumnock - Dumfries | |
| 302 | A | Hillfoot Road - Ayr High Street - Marchburn | |
| 331 | K | Kilmarnock - Torrance Lodge - Kirklandside Hospital | |
| 347 | A | Ayr, Burns Statue Square, Ayr Hospital, Drongan, Rankinston | |
| 358 | A & S | Stranraer - Girvan - Ayr - Glasgow | |
| 359 | Newton Stewart - Girvan - Ayr - Glasgow | ||
| 365 | S | Stranraer Town Service | |
| 367 | S | Stranraer - Portpatrick | |
| 380 | D | Moffat - Lockerbie | |
| 408 | S | Stranraer - Leswalt - Kirkholm | |
| 444 | K & A | Kilmarnock - Ayr via Ayr College | |
| 585 | A & T | Greenock - Irvine - Ayr | |
| A2 | A | Boswell Park - Ayr Town - Prestwick - Marchburn - Asda - Boswell Park | |
| A3 | A | Kincaidston - Burns Statue Square - Tesco - Whitletts - Dalmilling | |
| A4 | A | Hayhill - Burns Statue Square - Boswell Park - Hillfoot | |
| A5 | A | Dalmilling - Tesco - Burns Statue Square - Castlehill Mount | |
| A6 | A | Boswell Park - Ayr Town Centre - Asda - Marchburn - Prestwick | |
| A9 | A | Masonhill - Ayr Town Centre - Doonfoot - Burton Crossburn | |
| D1 | D | Dumfries Town Centre - Locharbriggs | |
| D2 | D | Dumfries Town Centre - Heathhall | |
| D3 | D | Dumfries Town Centre - Georgetown | |
| D4 | D | Dumfries Town Centre - Lochvale | |
| D5 | D | Dumfries Town Centre - Hospital - Crichton | |
| D6 D6A |
D | Dumfries Town Centre - Kingholm Quay & Caerlaverock | |
| D7 | D | Dumfries Town Centre - Troqueer | |
| D8 | D | Dumfries Town Centre - Cargenbridge | |
| D9 | D | Dumfries Town Centre - Summerhill & Laurieknowe | |
| D10 | D | Dumfries Town Centre - Heston Ave | |
| D11 | D | Dumfries Town Centre - Kenilworth Road | |
| D12 | D | Dumfries Town Centre - Lincluden | |
| D202 | D | Dumfries - Moniaive - Thornhill | |
| D236 | D | Dumfries - Thornhill - Kirkconnel | |
| D358 | A/S | Portpatrick - Stranraer - Girvan - Ayr | |
| D371 | D | Dalbeattie - Southerness | |
| D372 D372A |
D | Dumfries - Southerness & Dalbeattie Town Service | |
| D380 | D | Moffat - Lockerbie | |
| D381 | Dumfries - Lockerbie | ||
| D500 | D/S | Stranraer - Dumfries | |
| D501 | D | Dumfries - Gatehouse of Fleet | |
| D502 | D | Dumfries - Kirkcudbright | |
| D503 | D | Dumfries - Kirkcudbright | |
| D879 | D | Dumfries - Annan | |
| X11 | T | Ardrossan Ardrossan Ardrossan is a town on the North Ayrshire coast in south-western Scotland. The name "Ardrossan" describes its physical position — 'ard' from the Gaelic àird meaning headland, 'ros' a promontory and the diminutive suffix '-an' - headland of the little promontory... - Irvine Irvine -Places:Canada*Irvine, Alberta*Irvine Inlet, NunavutUnited Kingdom*Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland*Irvine Valley, Ayrshire, Scotland, an alternative name for Loudoun*River Irvine, ScotlandUnited States*Irvine, California**Irvine... |
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| X16 | A | Ayr Ayr Ayr is a town and port situated on the Firth of Clyde in south-west Scotland. With a population of around 46,000, Ayr is the largest settlement in Ayrshire, of which it is the county town, and has held royal burgh status since 1205... - Kilmarnock Kilmarnock Kilmarnock is a large burgh in East Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of 44,734. It is the second largest town in Ayrshire. The River Irvine runs through its eastern section, and the Kilmarnock Water passes through it, giving rise to the name 'Bank Street'... - East Kilbride East Kilbride East Kilbride is a large suburban town in the South Lanarkshire council area, in the West Central Lowlands of Scotland. Designated as Scotland's first new town in 1947, it forms part of the Greater Glasgow conurbation... - Hamilton Hamilton, South Lanarkshire Hamilton is a town in South Lanarkshire, in the west-central Lowlands of Scotland. It serves as the main administrative centre of the South Lanarkshire council area. It is the fifth-biggest town in Scotland after Paisley, East Kilbride, Livingston and Cumbernauld... |
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| X19 | BN | Glasgow Glasgow Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands... City Centre - Royal Infirmary Glasgow Royal Infirmary The Glasgow Royal Infirmary is a large teaching hospital, operated by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde,. With a capacity of around 1000 beds, the hospital campus covers an area of around 20 acres, situated on the north-eastern edge of the city centre of Glasgow, Scotland.-History:Designed by Robert... - The Fort |
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| X25 | BN | Glasgow Glasgow Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands... - Cumbernauld Cumbernauld Cumbernauld is a Scottish new town in North Lanarkshire. It was created in 1956 as a population overspill for Glasgow City. It is the eighth most populous settlement in Scotland and the largest in North Lanarkshire... - Glasgow Glasgow Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands... - Glasgow University |
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| X34 | T | Irvine Station - Irvine Irvine, North Ayrshire Irvine is a new town on the coast of the Firth of Clyde in North Ayrshire, Scotland. According to 2007 population estimates, the town is home to 39,527 inhabitants, making it the biggest settlement in North Ayrshire.... Cross - Kilwinning Kilwinning Kilwinning is a historic town in North Ayrshire, Scotland. It is known as The Crossroads of Ayrshire. The 2001 Census recorded it as having a population of 15,908.-History:... - Dalry Dalry Dalry is the name of several places in Scotland:* Dalry, North Ayrshire* Dalry, Edinburgh* St. John's Town of Dalry You may also be looking for Dalrigh or the Battle of Dalrigh... - Kilbirnie Kilbirnie Kilbirnie is a small town of 7280 inhabitants situated in North Ayrshire on the west coast of Scotland... - Beith Beith Beith is a small town situated in the Garnock Valley in North Ayrshire, Scotland approximately 20-miles south-west of Glasgow. The town is situated on the crest of a hill and was known originally as the "Hill o' Beith" after its Court Hill.-History:-Name:Beith's name is thought to emanate from... - Glasgow Glasgow Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands... |
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| X35 | T | Ardrossan Ardrossan Ardrossan is a town on the North Ayrshire coast in south-western Scotland. The name "Ardrossan" describes its physical position — 'ard' from the Gaelic àird meaning headland, 'ros' a promontory and the diminutive suffix '-an' - headland of the little promontory... - Stevenston Stevenston Stevenston is a town in North Ayrshire, Scotland. It is one of the 'Three Towns' along with Ardrossan and Saltcoats.-History:The town is named after Stephan Loccard or Lockhart, whose father obtained a grant of land from Richard de Morville, Lord Cunninghame and Constable of Scotland, around 1170.... - Kilwinning Kilwinning Kilwinning is a historic town in North Ayrshire, Scotland. It is known as The Crossroads of Ayrshire. The 2001 Census recorded it as having a population of 15,908.-History:... - Dalry Dalry Dalry is the name of several places in Scotland:* Dalry, North Ayrshire* Dalry, Edinburgh* St. John's Town of Dalry You may also be looking for Dalrigh or the Battle of Dalrigh... - Beith Beith Beith is a small town situated in the Garnock Valley in North Ayrshire, Scotland approximately 20-miles south-west of Glasgow. The town is situated on the crest of a hill and was known originally as the "Hill o' Beith" after its Court Hill.-History:-Name:Beith's name is thought to emanate from... - Glasgow Glasgow Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands... |
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| X36 | T | Ardrossan - Stevenston - Kilwinning - Dalry - Kilbirnie - Beith - Howwood - Glasgow | |
| X37 | T | Ardrossan - Seamill - West Kilbride - Dalry - Kilbirnie - Lochwinnoch - Howwood - Glasgow | |
| X44 | T | Irvine - Girdle Toll - Barrhead - Glasgow | |
| X50 | C | Crosshouse Hospital Crosshouse Hospital Crosshouse Hospital is a large district general hospital just outside Kilmarnock, built to replace the old Kilmarnock Infirmary. It covers the whole of North Ayrshire & East Ayrshire areas, including the Isle of Arran. It is located 1 mile outside the town in the village of Crosshouse... - Kilmarnock - Mauchline - Cumnock |
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| X74 | D | Glasgow - Dumfries | |
| X75 | S | Stranraer - Newton Stewart - Dumfries | |
| X76 | C & K | Cumnock - Kilmarnock - Glasgow | |
| X76 | K | Irvine - Dreghorn - Kilmarnock - Glasgow | |
| X76C | K | Kilmarnock - Glasgow | |
| X77 | A | Ayr - Glasgow | |
Arran Services
Stagecoach West Scotland services run throughout the Arran area| Number | Depot | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 321 | N | Brodick - Corriegills | |
| 322 | N | Brodick - String Road - Blackwaterfoot Blackwaterfoot Blackwaterfoot is a village on the Isle of Arran in the Firth of Clyde, Scotland. It is located in the Shiskine valley in the south-west of the island. It is one of the smaller villages of Arran and home to one of Europe's two 12 hole golf courses. A short walk from Blackwaterfoot is Drumadoon... |
Forms part of either North or South Island routes |
| 323 | N | Brodick - Whiting Bay Whiting Bay Whiting Bay is a village located on the Isle of Arran in the Firth of Clyde, Scotland. The name Whiting Bay is thought to originate from "Viking" Bay. It is approximately 3 miles south of the village of Lamlash. Whiting Bay is the third largest village on the island and was once the site of... - Blackwaterfoot Blackwaterfoot Blackwaterfoot is a village on the Isle of Arran in the Firth of Clyde, Scotland. It is located in the Shiskine valley in the south-west of the island. It is one of the smaller villages of Arran and home to one of Europe's two 12 hole golf courses. A short walk from Blackwaterfoot is Drumadoon... |
Forms part of South Island & Island Circle routes |
| 324 | N | Brodick - Lochranza Lochranza Lochranza is a village located on the Isle of Arran in the Firth of Clyde, Scotland. The population, somewhat in decline, is around 200 people.... - Blackwaterfoot Blackwaterfoot Blackwaterfoot is a village on the Isle of Arran in the Firth of Clyde, Scotland. It is located in the Shiskine valley in the south-west of the island. It is one of the smaller villages of Arran and home to one of Europe's two 12 hole golf courses. A short walk from Blackwaterfoot is Drumadoon... |
Forms part of North Island & Island Circle routes |