GREENOCK-based bus firm McGill’s has invested £4.75 million to swell its fleet serving routes in Glasgow and the west of Scotland.

McGill’s, owned by brothers James and Sandy Easdale, has ordered 26 buses from Falkirk-based manufacturer Alexander Dennis.

The privately-funded purchase means the company has now spent more than £30m in capital investment in the last five years, with £24m of the total going towards the purchase of new vehicles.

McGill’s said the new additions will be deployed on two routes – the X23/23 Erskine to Glasgow and the 26 Glenburn/ Nethercraigs to Paisley. Each will offer passengers free wi-fi and USB charging sockets, with engine technology which meets the Euro 6 ULEV (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle) standard.

McGill’s chief executive Ralph Roberts said: "This is a milestone investment for McGill’s which benefits the environment, our passengers and in turn, serves the wider economy."

He added: “Funding for the new fleet has been found privately with no public subsidies provided.

"Only by running a profitable business can we invest in the very latest vehicles and it is vital that the government now provides the conditions conducive to allow us to invest further.”