New service is a roaring success

The new operators of a bus service connecting Hamilton to Glasgow have expanded its timetable after being “overwhelmed” by its popularity among local residents and commuters - with more than 40,000 passenger journeys being taken in its first four months of operation.

- JUDITH TONNER

JMB Travel have already added extra journeys for the Glasgow Fast X1 service, now providing half-hourly services to and from Glasgow at the respective morning and afternoon peaks and a later final return of the evening from Glasgow, after passengers responded in numbers when they stepped in to reinstate the link between Hillhouse, Earnock, Hamilton town centre and the city.

The bus firm say the “impressive start” has “exceeded initial expectations” and are now also reducing the price of weekly tickets to assist commuters whose regular train journeys home from Glasgow are impacted by the current closure of the eastbound platform at Hamilton West station until late August while a £2.1 million refurbishment takes place.

JMB Travel managing director Martin Bell said: “We have been overwhelmed by, and are grateful for, the support of the local communities in Hamilton we serve with the X1. We regularly receive great feedback about the small team of regular drivers who operate the service, and how reliable it is.

“We were pleased to be able to introduce more trips last month and delighted to now follow this up with a reduction in the price of a weekly ticket, to help make our customers' daily commute easier and cheaper.”

He added: “We hope that customer numbers will continue to grow which will allow us to invest further in the service in the longer term.”