BUS Company Commended For Ferry Route

Tuesday, 21 June 2011 |

GREENOCK bus company McGill’s were ‘Highly Commended’ for their innovative Cowal ferry bus at the Scottish Transport Awards.

McGill’s received the praise in the Partnership of the Year category for their effective working in conjunction with Western Ferries on the Cowal Connector service which operates between Glasgow and Dunoon.

The 907 service has been in operation since August 2008 and is the only scheduled bus service in Scotland to include a ferry crossing.

It operates between Glasgow’s Buchanan Bus Station and Dunoon – boarding Western Ferries at McInroy’s Point in Gourock.

The route has proved popular with daytrippers and Cowal residents alike. Last year there were almost 150,000 passenger trips on the Cowal Connector; a 25 per cent increase on the previous year’s figures.

Of these trips, almost half started or finished in Dunoon, indicating the importance of the 907 service for Cowal residents and visitors alike. The service also gave Cowal residents their first-ever direct public transport link with Braehead.

Bert Hendry, general manager of McGill’s, pictured with operations manager William Baxter, said: “We are delighted to have received the commendation from the judges at this year’s Scottish Transport Awards.

"The popularity of the Cowal Connector has been overwhelming and the positive working relationship we have with Western Ferries has ensured that we have been able to respond positively to increasing passenger numbers and requests.”

The company was also shortlisted in the Public Transport Operator of the Year category which was won by Caledonian MacBrayne.

McGill's Buses

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