An express bus service which links Hamilton to Glasgow city centre has been launched today, January 13.
JMB Travel has launched its Glasgow Fast X1 service, with buses running up to every hour between Mondays and Saturdays.
The service will link Hillhouse, High Earnock, Fairhill and Low Waters to Glasgow Cathedral Street and Buchanan Bus Station. The buses will run along the M74 and M8, and also provide easy access to Glasgow Royal Infirmary and Buchanan Galleries.
JMB Travel says they’ve invested in two “state-of-the-art” single decker buses to run the route.
Martin Bell, JMB Travel managing director, said: “We have served Hamilton with our popular Service 41 for many years, and after hearing of the campaign by residents to have a fast bus link reinstated to Glasgow, we reviewed existing transport options and concluded that there was an opportunity to develop just such a link.
“Our new X1 will connect the major residential areas of Hamilton to the town centre before running along the M74 and M8, providing easy access to Glasgow Royal Infirmary, the university quarter and Buchanan Galleries.
“We have invested in two new state-of-the-art single deck buses for the service, which will provide customers with a quiet and comfortable journey, driven by our small team of dedicated drivers.
“We are excited to get on the road from the 13th of January and look forward to welcoming our new customers onboard.”
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Christina McKelvie SNP MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, said: “JMB Travel has seen the demand for the service that the community have been making clear exists over the past years in their ongoing campaign.
“Their commitment to using a small pool of regular drivers on the service and the fact the service will serve Hillhouse, High Earnock, Fairhill and Low Waters, as well as Hamilton Town Centre will be great news for many.”
Monica Lennon, Scottish Labour and Co-operative MSP for Central Scotland said: “This is brilliant news for residents in Hamilton. I want to pay tribute to our local communities who fought hard to keep the X1 and all those who didn’t give up.
“I wish JMB Travel every success with this new service and encourage residents to make good use of the new X1.
“As a local resident, I can’t wait to start using the X1 in the New Year to get around the local area and travel to and from Glasgow.”
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