Graham's Bus Service
Graham’s of Paisley was a highly regarded independent local bus company in Scotland. It ceased operations in 1990 and is sorely missed. They went that little bit extra for their passengers.
In the 1980s I used to travel every day from Linwood to Glasgow on a Graham’s bus. They were so reliable. At the Govan bus station I could catch a bus to Linwood every half hour. If I was in the city centre, I could catch the Linwood Clipper from the old Anderston Cross bus station, straight on to the M8 and arrive in linwood just over 25 minutes later, traffic permitting.
What was unique about Graham’s buses was that they were flexible. I remember going home late at night from Govan and when the bus was in Paisley, it turned off down a quiet road to factory where the workers had just finished their shift. This was not the normal timetable, but Graham’s had instructed their drivers to turn down that road at that particular time of night.
On another occasion there were strong storms in Glasgow and the M8 motorway had to be closed. I was with a load of passengers waiting to get home. The Linwood Clipper alternated between Graham’s and Western SMT. As it was Western’s turn to pick up the passengers, their inspector announced that since the motorway was closed, there would be no service. Then a Graham’s inspector came running over and said that his bus is on the way and that the driver would avoid the motorway and go via Penilee and Paisley non-stop. It would take a bit longer, he said, but at least we’d get home safely.
I’ve never come across another bus service like it.
History of Graham’s Bus Service
Locally, we knew it as Graham’s of Paisley
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1920s: Founded as J & W Graham, operating red single-decker buses on the Johnstone–Glasgow route from Linwood Toll as part of the South Western Bus Owners’ Association.
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1932: Sold its original fleet to Western SMT due to intense competition from Glasgow trams and buses; pivoted to a shorter Linwood–Hawkhead service using single-deckers.
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1940: Began operating ex-Glasgow Leyland Titan TD1 double-deckers (7 in total) to meet rising passenger demand.
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1953: Incorporated as Graham’s Bus Service Ltd.; adopted distinctive orange-and-cream livery inspired by Young of Paisley.
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1944–1963: Standardised on Guy Arab double-deck buses, reputed for their reliability.
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1963–1970s: With the opening of the Rootes/Linwood car plant, expanded services; extended routes to Penilee, Govan (connecting via subway), and Bridge of Weir (acquired in 1973).
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Late 1960s–1970s: Modernised fleet with Daimler Fleetlines and Leyland Atlanteans; trialled single-decker Ford R1114 demonstrator in 1972 before adding Leyland Leopards.
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1977: Partnered with Greater Glasgow PTE and Western SMT to launch the Linwood Clipper express via M8 motorway between Linwood and Glasgow.
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1980s: Maintained around 30 vehicles by the 1980s, including a mix of double and single decker buses.
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1983: Briefly operated replacement Link Line buses after closure of Kilmacolm railway line, before later withdrawal.
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1986: Deregulation era – Faced increasing competition due to deregulation, putting pressure on smaller independents.
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March 1990: Business was listed for sale (with 30 buses and 69 jobs at stake) but failed to find a buyer.
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29 April 1990: Ceased operations after about 60 years; Western Scottish and Strathclyde Buses absorbed most routes.
Graham's Bus Services 85 at Hawkhead Station – 1970 by Alan Murray-Rust, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Graham's Bus Service garage, Hawkhead, Paisley – 1970 by Alan Murray-Rust, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Graham's bus passing Hawkhead Cemetery, Paisley – 1970 by Alan Murray-Rust, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Graham's bus on Seedhill Road, Paisley – 1970 by Alan Murray-Rust, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
