JMB Travel Ltd has launched a brand-new double deck bus on the vital Glasgow Fast X1 service which links communities in Hamilton with the Glasgow Royal Infirmary and the City Centre’s Buchanan Bus Station.
The bus is fitted with all the latest technology including USB-C at-seat charging points and 98 coach-style seats which will boost capacity and improve the journey for passengers.
Speaking at the launch, Bus Users UK Director for Scotland, Greig Mackay said: “The introduction of this new double deck bus is extremely welcome. For passengers, this represents more than just a new vehicle – it’s a clear investment in comfort, capacity, and the overall journey experience.
“Reliable, high-quality bus services are essential to communities, and enhancements like this help make public transport a more attractive and an accessible choice for everyone. We look forward to seeing passengers benefit from the increased space, improved accessibility, and the continued commitment to better bus travel in Lanarkshire.”
News release in full
JMB Travel Ltd, a well-established Lanarkshire independent bus company, has today launched its first ever brand-new double deck bus which will soon enter service on the Glasgow Fast X1 route running between Hilhouse – High Earnock – Fairhill – Hamilton Town Centre and Glasgow City Centre.
The new bus is the latest in a series of investments for the Glasgow Fast service since the route was launched just over one year ago. With this latest edition to the fleet, all the buses operating on the X1 will be less than two-years old. The bus is fitted with all the latest technology to ensure a comfortable journey for customers, including USB-C at-seat charging points, and 98 coach-style seats which will also provide more capacity on the service.
For the past 4-years, JMB Travel has worked in partnership with Volvo UK Bus and MCV to upgrade the companies’ fleet of buses. With this latest edition, a total of 20 brand new vehicles have now been purchased for use in Lanarkshire on the companies’ network of services, giving it one of the youngest bus fleets in Scotland.
The Glasgow Fast X1 service operates up to every 30-minutes on Mondays to Saturdays, and hourly on Sundays, linking many areas of Hamilton direct to Glasgow Royal Infirmary and the City Centre’s Buchanan Bus Station. Under 22s and over 60s concession pass holders can use the service free of charge, while the Company has a range of excellent value tickets for regular commuters. For example, the popular app-based bundle of 10-day tickets for £60 can be used at any point over a 2-year period, making them flexible for customers who do not travel to and from the City Centre 5-days per week.
Martin Bell, of JMB Travel:
“We are delighted to take delivery of our first ever brand-new double deck bus and can’t wait to see it hit the streets in the coming days. We have worked hard to raise the bar when it comes to the quality of bus services, and we are confident that our customers will love travelling in style on this new bus to and from Glasgow. We have built a reputation for delivering high quality bus services to communities across Lanarkshire and are proud of everything we have achieved so far. We are confident this latest investment, in conjunction with the dedication of our small team of regular X1 drivers, will help to help to drive further customer growth on the service. We would like to thank all our customers for their loyalty and support since we launched the service last year, and look forward to welcoming more new customers onboard in the coming weeks and months.
Imogen Walker, MP for Hamilton and Clyde Valley:
“Thank you to Martin Bell and the team at JMB Travel for the warm welcome today, it’s great to see a Lanarkshire company investing in Hamilton and I know they share my ambition for the town. While too many communities across Scotland have seen bus services decline, it’s great to see JMB stepping up and investing in the services people in Hamilton and Clyde Valley rely on every day. The launch of this brilliant new bus will make a big difference to passengers on the X1 connecting Hamilton with Glasgow. Congratulations to JMB Travel on the launch, this is great news for Hamilton and I wish them all the very best with the new service.”
Greig MacKay, Director for Scotland at Bus Users UK:
“Bus Users UK welcomes the introduction of this new double deck bus on the Fast X1 service by JMB Travel Ltd. For passengers, this represents more than just a new vehicle — it’s a clear investment in comfort, capacity, and the overall journey experience. Reliable, high-quality bus services are essential to communities, and enhancements like this help make public transport a more attractive and an accessible choice for everyone. We look forward to seeing passengers benefit from the increased space, improved accessibility, and the continued commitment to better bus travel in Lanarkshire”
Gavin Keatt, Scottish Labour Councillor for Hamilton South:
“I was delighted to attend the launch of JMB Travel Ltd’s first brand-new double deck bus, which is a significant milestone for this well-established local company. This investment is particularly important for local residents, as it will provide greater capacity, improved comfort and more reliable journeys for those travelling between our communities and Glasgow. Strong, dependable public transport is vital for accessing work, education and services, so it’s fantastic to see a Lanarkshire business continuing to invest in and strengthen these essential links for people across Hamilton and the surrounding areas.”