X19 investment in new vehicles

Stagecoach have launched 18 new vehicles on their extended X19 route. T he new buses mark an investment of around £2.8M for public transport in Glasgow.

The E300 vehicles were part funded by a Scottish Government grant through SPT, which supplied £1.15m. They were manufactured by Alexander Dennis in Falkirk and have the latest Euro 6 engines, comfortable e-leather seating, free Wifi and USB charging points.
The vehicles are branded Fastlink and will use the Fastlink busway route which will officially open this summer. The X19 service previously served Easterhouse, the Fort Shopping Centre and Glasgow City Centre and will now extend to the new Queen Elizabeth University Hospital replacing the current Stagecoach X1 service.
Staff, patients  and visitors will be able to take full advantage of this improved service which operates seven days a week up to every 10 minutes during peak times.

 Our range of value tickets will be available to buy on bus. These include single and return tickets as well as dayrider tickets offering unlimited day travel for adults, students and groups.  Regular travellers can purchase our popular weekly and 4 weekly megarider tickets starting from as little as £12 for 7 days unlimited travel.  Our megarider tickets are available on smart which allows our passengers to store their travel electronically on a smartcard instead of using paper tickets.  It also offers customers the chance to pay for their travel through hassle-free automatic payments which can offer great annual savings.

Tom Bridge, Managing Director, Stagecoach West Scotland, said: “The launch of any new vehicles is an exciting time for us and we’re delighted to offer our customers an enhanced experience with comfortable new buses, improved seating and a connected journey with our free wifi and USB points.

SPT Director of Bus Operations Ronnie Park said: "I'm delighted that SPT has been able to work with Stagecoach to see their Fastlink service extended to the Royal Infirmary and Easterhouse on high specification vehicles which I'm sure will be enjoyed by visitors, patients and staff."

We're pleased to offer people in Easterhouse a direct link to the new Queen Elizabeth University Hospital which we hope will benefit staff, patients and visitors and convince people that travelling by bus is a great way to get around the city.”

Katharine Brough, travel plan manager, NHSGGC, said: "The direct travel link to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital by Stagecoach’s new X19 Fastlink service is excellent news for patients, staff and visitors. 

“Approximately 90 buses an hour now service the hospital stopping at Arrival Square directly outside the front doors which is a welcome development.”