In my first year of university, I was naïve to believe that the UniLink buses arrived every eight minutes.
I came to Stirling from a village where the only public transport connection to the nearest city was a 90 minute bus ride that came every hour. But moving to such a well-connected area opened so many doors for me. I discovered new points of interest, cafés, shops and more. I practically worshiped the UniLink for granting me this gift.
However, my friends would complain about it being late, not stopping for them or cancelling at the last minute. I was surprised to hear this. Until after the summer.
The ever-unreliable 54
I moved to Bridge of Allan for my second year, and I love it. I enjoy Stirling’s streets for their unique shops, but Bridge of Allan’s are even more niche and eclectic.
However, the mental gymnastics I perform everyday to get the 54 bus into campus or town is enough to make me want to move out. I walk and cycle to campus, but in the morning and afternoon. When I travel to campus almost every weeknight for society meetings, I want to get there quickly. And in some cases without wet shoes.
Yes, I should have researched the bus times more thoroughly before applying for my accommodation. Regardless, poor services should not dictate where people can and can not live. And one should not need to scour bus timetables to determine their compatibility with their new home.
McGill’s often cancel buses, even within minutes of their departure time. I could never see late-night socials through because of the bus timetable and its unreliability. If the bus before was ten minutes late, the next bus might not arrive at all. While I’m not a big drinker, or a pub crawl enjoyer, I felt disheartened every time I rushed to the bus station for the last 54. All while my friends were socialising and making memories that I would hear them talk about the next day.
I understand that there is a shortage of bus drivers. But it is the company’s responsibility to ensure that their services are staffed properly. Last-minute calculations just show a lack of planning ahead of time. The last bus on Sunday at 21:00 is often cancelled, which makes travelling back to Bridge of Allan or Cornton more difficult. Either get the train and walk back in the dark, or get the UniLink and walk back from the campus. In the dark.
Midland Bluebird’s buses have disappointed the public for years. In 2013, the firm was fined £15,000 for its poor services in Falkirk.
Last year, MSP Evelyn Tweed conducted an online survey to understand the public dissatisfaction with the buses. Bus routes, fares and accessibility were common themes in passenger complaints.
Midland Bluebird’s bus drivers
The drivers themselves are also a cause for complaint. A few years ago when my friend was a first year, a bus slowed down to pick him up, but drove away when he stepped closer. The bus was not even at half capacity.
Drivers are also particularly unfriendly to international students. The drivers rush students, speak condescendingly and sometimes use racial slurs. My friend remembers a group of McGill’s drivers leaving the depot on a bus from Falkirk. When a woman got off the bus, they yelled and called her a b*tch. They also used racial slurs when talking about ordering Chinese food, and distracting the driver.
The university is also to blame. Because of a lack of teaching, some students don’t know about the bus app, concession card or what to ask for when getting on a bus. International students are left in the dark.
Especially when many postgraduate students from abroad live in Bridge of Allan and rely on the 54 to reach the campus. This demographic is also less likely to own a car.
A personal experience
I once got on a bus and put my concession card on the scanner. I thought the scanner accepted it so I pulled it back. Only for the driver to say: “I don’t know if you understand English or not, put it back on.” I was so appalled I didn’t say anything. I’m from Scotland and speak English as a first language. Even so, I can’t imagine how hurt I would have felt if I did not.
Further disappointment
73% of McGill’s Trustpilot reviews are 1-star. And they cite the same reasons as mentioned before.
UniLinks are also inconsistent with the timetable, which leads to students being 20-50 minutes late for their lectures. The fleet of UL buses are also badly organised, buses fill up quickly and pass dozens of people without stopping. Buses sometimes leave 10 minutes early so people have to wait an hour for the next one.
The mobile app is not always helpful either. Bus markers often disappear from the screen, which causes more confusion.
And when the University of Stirling’s Student Union confronted McGill’s last year, they agreed to send a representative to a forum to discuss improvements to the service. Alas, like their buses, the representative failed to make an appearance.
Final notes
In rural communities like Stirlingshire, pensioners and students rely on buses to travel to work, school and within their community. It is a company’s duty to provide a service that is worth using. And one that people view favourably.
Public transport can do so much for people, the companies just need to pull their weight.
Featured Image Credit: Rebecca Crockett
Disclaimer: McGill’s were not approached for comment for this article.
Third year journalism student. 2025/2026 Lifestyle and Comment Editor at Brig. Published in The Yucatán Times, Mi Campeche and The Mourning Paper. Host of From the 40s with Air3Radio.
