Hamilton's X1 to Glasgow express bus service has been saved

First Glasgow have announced it will be retaining the X1 Hamilton to Glasgow express service following an extensive stakeholder engagement and review period.

The largest bus operator in Lanarkshire invested heavily in new branding alongside a package of new incentives for passengers using the Hamilton to Glasgow X1 service following a recent network review, and in reaction to a passionate plea from passengers and local stakeholders to save the service.

Over the past few months, First Glasgow has been closely monitoring the performance of service X1 after a number of measures were introduced to make the service viable to operate.

These include, route branded buses, web/social media marketing, off-peak discounted fare and Kids-Go-Free Saturday promotions.

First Glasgow say they have now been able to evaluate the effect of this activity on the service and they have seen a modest enough uplift in passenger numbers that will secure the immediate future of the service.

They would also like to thank the communities in Hamilton that have continued to support service X1 during its period of uncertainty, as well as welcome new customers that have decided to give the bus a try.

First Glasgow say they will continue with promotional activity and will continue as they seek to further build passenger usage on the service, and would therefore ask everyone to continue to get behind the service.

Graeme Macfarlan, Commercial Director for First Glasgow said: “The Service X1 is a route that has been in decline for a number of years in terms of passenger numbers, despite a number of efforts to make the route attractive to service users.

“We have worked hard to invest further in the service to give it stability and the best possible chance for people to view the service as a viable alternative to using the car or the train and we will continue to work with local stakeholders to encourage their constituents to support this service. The removal of any service is always the absolute last resort in this scenario and something we do not take lightly.

“The hope now with the service is that we may now in time see a boost to passenger numbers given the level of public and political support for the service. But we must reiterate the support needed from the public if this service is to thrive and avoid any future reviews.”