Billionaire owners of Xplore Dundee acquire rival bus company

By Gavin Harper

September 28 2022, 11:16am

Xplore Dundee owners James and Sandy Easdale.

The billionaire brothers who own Xplore Dundee have acquired a rival bus firm.

McGill’s Group has bought First Scotland East, taking over four depots and more than 500 staff.

McGill’s, the UK’s largest independent bus operator, have also unveiled two new retro bus liveries – with each design reflecting iconic local buses of the past.

Billionaire brothers take on 500 more staff

McGill’s Group has taken control of bus depots in Larbert, Bannockburn, Balfron and Livingston.

It has also taken on all of the fleet formerly owned by First Scotland East.

With the acquisition, the company now has more than 2,000 employees.

McGill’s Group chairman James Easdale said: “We are delighted to welcome our new colleagues to the group.

Sandy and James Easdale, owners of McGill’s Buses and Xplore Dundee.

“As witnessed following our recent deal for Xplore Dundee and in our partnership with FlixBus, we are determined to invest operationally to ensure our customers receive a service they value and can enjoy using.

“We believe in empowering local teams to deliver for their local communities rather than a centralised, top-down approach.

“We want passengers to have an affinity with their local buses. One step in that process is the introduction of iconic liveries for the fleet.”

Earlier this year, James and Sandy Easdale were named on The Sunday Times Scottish Rich List.

Their wealth is reported to be around £1.3 billion.

Investments planned in bus fleet

McGill’s was founded in 2001 and is owned by Sandy and James Easdale, who have been Rangers FC shareholders since 2013.

The company said it would now work to rejuvenate the newly-acquired business.

In an interview with The Courier, the brothers said they had invested more than £10 million into Xplore Dundee since taking it over in 2020.

Sandy Easdale added: “The opportunity to bring First Scotland East businesses into McGill’s was always an attractive proposition to us.

Services in Stirling and Falkirk area will be branded as McGill’s Midland Bluebird whilst services in West Lothian will be branded as McGill’s Eastern Scottish.

“It now gives us a presence across the central belt.

“Whilst others may be shying away from expansion given the unsettled economic picture, we are continually seeking new opportunities to invest in transport, construction and property.”