JMB Travel

[overthewater]

How is the New X5 service going? has it managed to pick up a few from the X11 in Motherwell?

 

[SarahDFIG]

How is the New X5 service going? has it managed to pick up a few from the X11 in Motherwell?

Was wondering this myself also. Missed them everytime I have been passing motherwell to see what passenger numbers look like.

 

[overthewater]

Does anyone think JMB will do anything to combat first? I have a feeling JMB wont do much, they just need to give First enough rope....

If I was JMB I would stick to what they are doing and create better and new routes within Lanarkshire.

The two route I would love to see with the area are

* 44: same as 42 but via Chaplehall
* 725: Express: East Kilbride - expressway - Blantyre - Express - Bellshill - Coatbridge - Monklands hospital.

 

[NorthClyde320]

My guess would be a return to Shotts or a new Newmains to Glasgow express competing with First's X11.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

I notice they've got an unregistered brand new Evora in their depot, Saw it being delivered a few weeks ago it was coming off the M8 at Newhouse, wonder if they're buying anymore

 

[SarahDFIG]

Personally don't think JMB need to react. We all know what First tactics are and if the public have any common sense they will support the local independent company over First who only care about profit. I do think though they should consider bringing the 56 back as their does seem to be a demand for it judging by a few JMB facebook posts. JMB have plenty of routes now that a day/weekly ticket for example does offer good value than it did say a year or 2 ago so this plays in their favour more these days.

Do believe they have or are trying to acquire new/newer vehicles for the 5 also.

 

[Dfatcontroller]

I notice they've got an unregistered brand new Evora in their depot, Saw it being delivered a few weeks ago it was coming off the M8 at Newhouse, wonder if they're buying anymore

Roger French's blog when trying the X5 mentions four new EvoRas due. Whether that includes the longer pair on the X1, leaving two to come, or four on top of the new pair is unknown.

 

[Jordan1296]

I saw SJ24HWX, which joined the fleet earlier this month, in Motherwell earlier.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

I saw SJ24HWX, which joined the fleet earlier this month, in Motherwell earlier.

It belongs to Ferrymill Motors

 

[SarahDFIG]

I saw SJ24HWX, which joined the fleet earlier this month, in Motherwell earlier.

Its on loan for a replacement for a 22 plate, so I was told today.

Roger French's blog when trying the X5 mentions four new EvoRas due. Whether that includes the longer pair on the X1, leaving two to come, or four on top of the new pair is unknown.

Spoke to a driver today about First expanding and new vehicles and they said they heard more Evora's are coming and said atleast one has already arrived. They think the 41 is getting the frequency increased but couldn't confirm 100% but thinks this is what the new Evora's could be for.

Asked them if they think JMB will return to Shotts but they haven't heard anything regarding that apart from passengers asking the same question.

 

[JD2168]

It belongs to Ferrymill Motors

Recently returned to Ferrymill Motors after a long term loan at Stagecoach Yorkshire Holbrook depot, was a regular on the 6

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

2 new Evoras on the X5 from tomorrow, so that'll be what the New Evoras sat unregistered in the depot for, waited till they could be registered as 26 plates, probably rubbing it into First

 

[Dfatcontroller]

2 new Evoras on the X5 from tomorrow, so that'll be what the New Evoras sat unregistered in the depot for, waited till they could be registered as 26 plates, probably rubbing it into First

There's 4 new ones. BU26WVA/WVB sat in the yard just now ready for tomorrow.

BU26WVC has received generic livery and is being branded today.

BU26WVD has finished being painted today.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

There's 4 new ones. BU26WVA/WVB sat in the yard just now ready for tomorrow.

BU26WVC has received generic livery and is being branded today.

BU26WVD has finished being painted today.

Turning into a decent wee fleet of Mostly Volvos, I believe SN08 BXV & SN08 BXW have been purchased off Lothian as well

 

[Dfatcontroller]

Turning into a decent wee fleet of Mostly Volvos, I believe SN08 BXV & SN08 BXW have been purchased off Lothian as well

They are also in the yard.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

They are also in the yard.

Plenty of life left in the B9TLs yet, especially from Lothian, would never think they are 18 years old with them being looked after the way they have, They tick all the boxes in terms of Schools, PSVAR and Euro 6 etc.

 

[route101]

Usually a B9TL on the X1.

 

[overthewater]

The bus war has made the papers: JMB are not happy, I have to fully agree with everything they said. First could have done this years, and the fact the 211 going via Calderbank instead of the much (six time) bigger Chaplehall proves there doing it out of spite

Bus firm fears transport giant wants to 'run it off the road' with new routes

A bus operator said it is in a David and Goliath battle with a major transport operator muscling in on its routes.

www.glasgowtimes.co.uk

JMB Travel has accused First Bus of “predatory” tactics after the country’s biggest bus firm launched new routes in direct competition with theirs. The company said it was “damaging and unnecessary competition” and accused First of reducing service elsewhere on the Lanarkshire network having a negative impact on communities reliant on buses for public transport. JMB has a fleet of 50 buses, serving Lanarkshire on several bus routes and school contracts, as well as two Glasgow express services from Lanarkshire to the city.

The firm said First Bus has introduced several new routes and timetables across the area as part of what it describes as major improvements to its Lanarkshire network.

It said several of the new services being introduced “closely mirror existing JMB Travel routes”, adding: “It is questionable as to whether many of these changes will deliver benefits to the communities of Lanarkshire”.

Martin Bell of JMB Travel said the First Bus change targets over 80% of his company’s commercial routes. He said: “We have worked hard to build a reputation for delivering high quality bus services across Lanarkshire and are proud of everything we have achieved so far. “These predatory and anti-competitive changes by First Bus appear to be designed to run JMB Travel off the road on our long-standing routes, which we have spent many years investing in, to make them successful.

“We now face a David and Goliath situation – a small independent family-run business, up against a large multi national conglomerate. We cannot understand why First Bus have decided to take this unnecessary action when there are other communities across Glasgow and Lanarkshire which could have benefitted from this investment.”

 

[Jordan1296]

The bus war has made the papers: JMB are not happy, I have to fully agree with everything they said. First could have done this years, and the fact the 211 going via Calderbank instead of the much (six time) bigger Chaplehall proves there doing it out of spite

Bus firm fears transport giant wants to 'run it off the road' with new routes

A bus operator said it is in a David and Goliath battle with a major transport operator muscling in on its routes.

www.glasgowtimes.co.uk

Hard to see why fare paying passengers would benefit, as First are so much more expensive for the same journey.

 

[EMU303]

Perhaps First have an eye on possible future franchising and want to eliminate the possibility of JMB getting a portion of contracts. The fewer the competitors the higher margin First can bid

 

[smtglasgow]

I reckon First will either completely pull or at least scale back the 243 by the end of the year. 8 buses an hour to Lanark is madness. JMB will probably take a hit, but I’d imagine a lot of passengers will stay loyal to them. First won’t want to sustain the losses for long.

 

[markymark2000]

The bus war has made the papers: JMB are not happy, I have to fully agree with everything they said. First could have done this years, and the fact the 211 going via Calderbank instead of the much (six time) bigger Chaplehall proves there doing it out of spite

I can't help but feel First are just very unimaginative with this competition. Calderbank can't provide that many passengers for them around there. Saving 5 minutes on the journey time and not going around Calderbank is likely to generate them more passengers as there is a benefit for passengers.


One of the few positives that I can draw from all this though is improved links to Maxim Park. Hopefully encourage more people to travel there by bus and of course there are connections onto Scottish Citylink for those wishing to make those onward links.

 

[mb88]

The bus war has made the papers: JMB are not happy, I have to fully agree with everything they said. First could have done this years, and the fact the 211 going via Calderbank instead of the much (six time) bigger Chaplehall proves there doing it out of spite

Bus firm fears transport giant wants to 'run it off the road' with new routes

A bus operator said it is in a David and Goliath battle with a major transport operator muscling in on its routes.

www.glasgowtimes.co.uk

Well they’re all in favour of a deregulated market but then start greeting when there’s competition. Can’t have it both ways.

 

[CMBS]

Statement from JMB's facebook page

"But the best is yet to come! We're currently working on plans to deliver an even better service for our local communities in the near future! Watch this space..."

Would suggest some form of retaliation is on the table.

 

[overthewater]

Well they’re all in favour of a deregulated market but then start greeting when there’s competition. Can’t have it both ways.

I think its more to do with the fact First has been very very lazy and now just copying JMB, yet they moan if anyone else does it.

Statement from JMB's facebook page

"But the best is yet to come! We're currently working on plans to deliver an even better service for our local communities in the near future! Watch this space..."

Would suggest some form of retaliation is on the table.

If I was JMB I would out move First by putting on School bus from Eddlewood to Gramaer school, as they been alot of complaints about the bus coming off and would give them good publicity. Secondly start a city route around Cambuslang area. Again lot of complaints from the public.

Maybe we might get 44 route going via Calderbank.

 

[Busmaddy]

I think its more to do with the fact First has been very very lazy and now just copying JMB, yet they moan if anyone else does it.



If I was JMB I would out move First by putting on School bus from Eddlewood to Gramaer school, as they been alot of complaints about the bus coming off and would give them good publicity. Secondly start a city route around Cambuslang area. Again lot of complaints from the public.

Maybe we might get 44 route going

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 31 Mar 2026 ==

Well I would be worried if I owned jmb as I’ve heard first are thinking about going to do the X1 again.

 

[Metal Mickey]

Perhaps First have an eye on possible future franchising and want to eliminate the possibility of JMB getting a portion of contracts. The fewer the competitors the higher margin First can bid

In that case, I’m sure the Competition Commission would be interested.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 Apr 2026 ==

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 31 Mar 2026 ==

Well I would be worried if I owned jmb as I’ve heard first are thinking about going to do the X1 again.

First will soon see the error of their ways with the changes they have just introduced and I would expect that the budget won’t be available to start running more competitive routes.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

In that case, I’m sure the Competition Commission would be interested.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 Apr 2026 ==


First will soon see the error of their ways with the changes they have just introduced and I would expect that the budget won’t be available to start running more competitive routes.

41 is definitely not as busy and the 243 had the odd person on it, if it's pissing down and you've got an NEC card you're taking the first one that comes

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Perhaps First have an eye on possible future franchising and want to eliminate the possibility of JMB getting a portion of contracts. The fewer the competitors the higher margin First can bid

I would imagine that First have much more to lose from McGills, Stagecoach, Go Ahead and others.

I can't help but feel First are just very unimaginative with this competition. Calderbank can't provide that many passengers for them around there. Saving 5 minutes on the journey time and not going around Calderbank is likely to generate them more passengers as there is a benefit for passengers.

I think its more to do with the fact First has been very very lazy and now just copying JMB, yet they moan if anyone else does it.

You're missing the point. This is classic spoiler tactics and they are going a) where the passengers are and b) trying to outmuscle and damage JMB by parking tanks on their lawn.

In that case, I’m sure the Competition Commission would be interested.

Aside from the fact that it's the Competition and Markets Authority, they won't be. First are saying, and will say, that this is a bold network revision to create new links and unless they do something ultra predatory e.g. fares reduced below cost, then it is difficult to say for the CMA to say that this isn't just simple competition.

Don't get me wrong - this is an aggressive tactic from First against a firm that has done well to carve out a niche with a highly regarded operation. I think it will fail because I feel we're back to Moir era First where all guns blazing confidence is soon replaced by financial reality.

 

[EMU303]

I would imagine that First have much more to lose from McGills, Stagecoach, Go Ahead and others.

True. But attacking a smaller, but growing operator, is a way to stop future competition. First clearly see a threat.

The irony is First dumped their X1 yet JMB have made it a success and used it to grow their operation and ambition. I hope JMB win this “bus war” against the distinctly unimaginative dull management of First.