Contentious Caledonian Considerations - 3

More D & G : Dumbarton Grumbles

fbb can be exasperated by the poor quality of reporting on matters omnibological. In their desperation to get a "story", local hacks are quick to blame bus companies for almost any lapse of public transport policy, always forgetting that the bus companies are businesses that exist to make a profit for their owners and/or shareholders.

This rather lengthy article takes the same line, but with a vigorous nod to the sponsors of the bus service in question.

The 340 is a tendered service ...

... administered by Strathclyde PTE, although, as we shall see, some of the money comes from other generous donors.

But first, we look at McColls, not to be confused with McColls ...

... the Scottish equivalent of the beleaguered W H Smith. And, yes, fbb knows about McColls in England but the business activity south of Hadrian's Wall is ordered differently.

Our McColls is a bus company with a business centred on Dumbarton and the Leven Valley, the built up area to the south of Loch Lomond.

McColls can trace its history back to the 1960s, although much has changed over the intervening years.

McColl’s is a family business founded on 19th May 1966 as Duncan Stewart Coaches in Dalmuir, Clydebank. However, after 7 years, the company became a part of the McColl’s family.  

The main depot was shortly relocated to Ballagan just outside of Balloch. A second depot was opened in Dalquhurn Industrial Estate, Renton before both were merged to a larger depot in Vale of Leven Industrial Estate which remains our current home. 

We have had some various re-branding over the years including our fleet colours/design, company name and family management team. 

The core and fundamental success of our business has always remained customer focused delivering safe, reliable and high quality services. 

The company runs an up-to-date fleet that always appears well-kept. 

It also has a very good on-line presence ...

... with full timetables amongst good all-round information.

Most of its services are operated under contract to the PTE as far as fbb can tell.

For example, a while back we met the 207 ...

... which runs to Lomond Shores, that highly commercialised "resort and shopping centre" that is the ugly gateway to the beautiful Loch Lomond. The 207 is numbered in the same series as routes formerly of the raditional historic operator, Central SMT and now by First Glasgow.

It looks like an interesting ride ...

... every hour and enjoyable by double decker!

Also of note is that McColls will be the operator of the Trossachs Explorer ...

... featured in last Monday's posting. 

McColls also operates the 309 ...

... which provides positioning journeys and connections for the Explorer.

Also, as well as telling us that the company will run the Explorer ...

The web site also tells us, without comment, that the 340 is withdrawn.

So where goes the 340?

To answer that, you will need to tune in to tomorrow's blog.

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Puzzle Picture

Sometimes a snippet of information comes as a shock to fbb. It is not just something the old bloke has forgotten, there's  plenty in that category; but it is somethings that he has never known.

So where, pray, is Walham Green.

It is NOT a mesprunt for Welham Green seen below on opening day.

And below is what Walham Green looked like in 1956.

It does fbb good to grapple with his own lack of knowledge; it will often take him to a surprising railway district, different from the broad way he usually follows in his full ham-fisted ignorance.

Answer tomorrow.

 Next Dumbarton Grumbles blog : Thur 3 July