Stagecoach West Scotland has announced that, for the third consecutive year, they are partnering with Santa to bring festive cheer to local communities across the West Coast of Scotland.
In a change from the trademark red colour, Santa is going green this year which not only embraces the origins where Santa traditionally wore a green suit but ‘going green’ aligns with Stagecoach’s sustainability values. Santa will be making his rounds in the new Enviro100EV bus, the world’s-first electric midi bus, that was launched in Ayr, Kilmarnock, and Irvine last month.
Santa, along with a team of merry elves, will be travelling across Irvine, Dumfries, Cumbernauld, Kilmarnock, Stranraer, and Ayr to greet children who will be able to hop on board the bus to meet Santa in his specially designed grotto and receive a special gift.
Tickets for Santa’s Grotto will be available free of charge and can be secured here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/stagecoach-west-scotland-37762297593 . A donation of £3 is suggested which will go to the Night Before Christmas Campaign. There will also be drop-off points at Ayr, Kilmarnock, and Arran where members of the public can drop off wrapped Christmas gifts for the Night Before Christmas Campaign. Visit the website here:
In Cumbernauld, there is the opportunity to make a small donation or drop off gifts for the Glasgow Times 'Bank on Us' campaign with the Stagecoach West Scotland Cumbernauld depot serving as a drop off point. This is the 2nd year running the company have supported this campaign.
During these events the Stagecoach West Scotland team will also be looking to speak with people over 60 and those just turning 60, providing them with winter warmer packs and information about applying for their free bus pass which can be used across Scotland.
Fiona Doherty, Stagecoach West Scotland Managing Director said: “We are thrilled to be running our fantastic Santa’s Grotto again this year.
This initiative brings joy to many families across our service areas during the Christmas season, while also supporting the Night Before Christmas Campaign. This year, Santa will be going green on our new Enviro100EV bus, spreading festive cheer with a purpose: making our planet a cleaner, greener place.”
Stagecoach West Scotland has also announced this year’s festive timetables with regular bus services running across West Scotland to get you where you need to be over the festive period.
Christmas Eve: All West Scotland services will follow a normal Tuesday (non-school day) timetable, with early finishes.
· New Year’s Eve: All West Scotland (excluding D&G) services will follow a normal Saturday timetable, with early finishes.
· Between Christmas and New Year: Services will operate a Saturday timetable, excluding Dumfries, which will follow a normal non-school day service. On Boxing Day, D&G bus services will not run, other than services 236/246 and 358/360 going into Ayrshire.
The festive timetables are on the Stagecoach website: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/west-scotland/christmas_2024
