This DVD programme from the cameras of independent transport videos looks at buses operating in Scotland during the late summer of 2022.  The ‘Electric Special’ title refers to the growing number of ‘electric’ buses that are entering service and are seen on this programme running alongside their diesel cousins.  Areas covered include Kilmarnock, Glasgow, Dundee, Perth and Stirling. 
   
We begin our tour in Kilmarnock.  Here the main operator is Stagecoach West Scotland and our filming locations are at the town’s busy bus station and in Green Street adjacent to the bus station.  Stagecoach are trialling six Volvo 7900EV electric single-deckers, which are recharged through a pantograph situated above the loading bay in the bus station.  These buses are seen in service and at the charging point in this programme.  Also in Kilmarnock Stagecoach are operating fifteen BYD 10.9m / ADL Enviro200EV single-deckers.  These battery-electric buses are in the latest standard local bus livery whereas the Volvos are in a green, yellow and white scheme extolling the virtues of these 100% electric vehicles.  Other Stagecoach vehicles are seen including an ALX400 double-decker sporting the latest livery and coaches in the latest interurban livery.
   
Glasgow is next with a good variety of filming locations, including Buchannan Street Bus Station, Killermont Street, Renfield Street, Hope Street, West George Street, Duke Street in Dennistoun and Parkhead.  Also Gallowgate, Trongate, Glassford Street and North Hanover Street.  Here the main operator is First Glasgow with McGill’s and Stagecoach operating a number of services in the city and beyond and coaches branded in Megabus and Scottish Citylink liveries, as well as independents Stuarts of Carluke and Glasgow Citybus – operated by West Coast Motors.  First Scotland East is also seen with their ‘Midland’ fleet names.  First Glasgow, have just introduced large numbers of both double and single-deck battery-electric buses.  The double-deckers are BYD / ADL EnviroCity400EVs and the single-deckers are BYD / ADL Enviro200EVs and are seen operating on this programme along with a good variety of diesel buses. 
   
Our next stop is Dundee.  Since our last visit to the city for filming the buses, the main bus company Xplore Dundee has been sold from its previous owner, National Express to McGill’s.  Again there has been a big investment in battery-electric buses here with a fleet of twelve BYD / ADL EnviroCity400EV double-deckers entering service.  Recently introduced are twenty-three ADL Enviro400MMC Smart-Hybrid double-deckers, one of which is seen at it’s launch at the Euro Bus Expo 2018 event at the NEC.  Filming locations include Nethergate, Whitehall Street, Crichton Street, Albert Square, Panmure Street, Seagate and along Charleston Drive at Menzieshall, Dundee.  Independent operator Moffat & Williamson are also seen during our visit.  
   
We now move on to Perth.  Here the main operator is Stagecoach East Scotland and they too have introduced a fleet of nine BYD 11.6m / ADL Enviro200EV battery-electric single-deckers which are seen operating in this programme.  Other buses and coaches are also seen operating and are filmed in locations such as South Street, Mill Street, Scotts Street, King Street and Canal Street. 
   
Our final venue is Stirling.  Although as yet there are no ‘electric’ buses operating here, there is still plenty of great interest.  Since our filming in August 2022 the main operator in the town, First Scotland East, has been sold to McGill’s.  However there are some interesting vehicles to see on our visit including Scania N94UD / East Lancs OmniDekkas 36023 (SN05 HWD) and 36028 (SN05 HWT), painted in the heritage liveries of Alexander Midland and Midland Scottish respectively. Independent operators Ferguson of Stirling and Hunters of Alloa are also seen along with Citylink express coaches passing through.