X1 Glasgow–Hamilton
X1 was a bus route between Hamilton and Glasgow. It was operated by First Glasgow.
History
[edit]In September 2019, First announced plans to withdraw the route on 27 October.[1][2] The company claimed passenger numbers had been falling for several years and blamed this on factors including increased journey times as a result of congestion on the M74 motorway which made the bus less attractive when compared to competing rail services. The decision led to criticism from local MPs and MSPs.[3]
In October 2019, First announced that the service would continue for "three to four months".[1][4] In January 2020, the company stated that passenger numbers were "lower than ever".[5] In February 2020, First announced that it would continue running the service as it had seen a rise in usage following the introduction of marketing and branded buses.[6][7]
The route was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic and in July 2020 First announced that it would be withdrawn. The company stated that since its reintroduction the route had not carried enough passengers to be viable, despite an advertising campaign publicising its launch.[8]
Prior to the 2022 Scottish local elections, various candidates have called for the service to be reinstated.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Campaigners save First Glasgow Hamilton express bus route from axe". www.scotsman.com. Archived from the original on 2020-02-29. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
- ^ "Outrage as 'vital' First Glasgow service axed". Glasgow Times. Archived from the original on 2022-04-27. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
- ^ McStay, Kirsten (2019-09-26). "Petition launched to save X1 bus service from Hamilton to Glasgow". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 2021-04-20. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
- ^ "First reverses decision to axe route but warns use it or lose it". Glasgow Times. Archived from the original on 2022-04-27. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
- ^ McStay, Kirsten (2020-01-30). "X1 Hamilton route facing axe again as First Bus say numbers are lower than ever". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 2021-05-08. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
- ^ Bartynek, Shirley (2020-02-19). "Hamilton's X1 to Glasgow express bus service has been saved". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 2021-04-14. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
- ^ "Bus route safe for now following campaign". Glasgow Times. Archived from the original on 2020-02-20. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
- ^ Bartynek, Shirley (2020-07-06). "Anger as First Glasgow scrap X1 Hamilton to Glasgow express route". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 2020-08-15. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
- ^ Bryan, Matt (2022-04-27). "New calls to reinstate 'vital' Lanarkshire bus service scrapped during pandemic". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 2022-04-27. Retrieved 2022-04-27.