McGill's could announce huge Forth Valley bus depot closure
Staff at a bus depot are concerned over their jobs as bosses consider a potential closure.
McGill's Midland Bluebird is consulting on the potential closure of its Bannockburn depot, with the company proposing to combine its Forth Valley operations at its Larbert base.
The operator said that running both sites, only miles apart, was creating challenges in managing the efficiency of its service.
A spokesperson for McGill’s said: "Bannockburn has served local communities and supported public transport across the region for many years, however, with Larbert and Bannockburn located only six miles apart, continuing to operate both sites poses challenges in managing our service delivery both effectively and sustainably."
The company says the proposed move could allow for a more coordinated company approach, with benefits including fleet improvements, green energy efforts, and the development of Bus Rapid Transit corridors across Forth Valley.
A statement added: "Bringing operations together has the potential to allow us to take a more coordinated regional approach, strengthening the resilience and reliability of services while creating a firmer platform for future investment,"
It is not yet known whether any job losses will result from the closure. McGill's said it would continue to engage closely with employees and their trade unions throughout the process.
Passengers, however, have been reassured by the company that were will be no dip in service, McGill’s said: "Services will continue to operate as normal as we undertake the consultation and passengers should not experience any disruption, and there will be no change to any bus routes.
“Our priority now is to seek the views of our colleagues and answer any questions they may have. We will continue to engage closely with employees and their trade unions as the process moves forward."