JMB Travel

[mb88]

It was only a matter of time. The number of cancellations on a daily basis which has been going on for months now has shown that JMB are more willing to commit their limited resources to the 41 than the 56. The apparent award to JMB of a number of upcoming SPT tenders surrendered by First has probably forced their arm.

 

[DC21]

JMB were losing a battle running the 56. Them picking up the SPT work will be more in their favour income wise than running more or less empty buses into Shotts. I'd stab a guess that First will cut the 266 Shotts to half hourly after March or at a push hourly.

 

[SarahDFIG]

Surprised they haven't published anything on their website yet regarding the 56 being cancelled. Guess this will allow them to get a few of the Darts off fleet that were used on the 56.

 

[Observer]

Surprised they haven't published anything on their website yet regarding the 56 being cancelled. Guess this will allow them to get a few of the Darts off fleet that were used on the 56.

Cancellation doesn't apply until March.

 

[PaulMc7]

I never understood the logic of following the 266 all the way to Shotts, given that it's horrendous bus territory and probably always will be. I get following First through to Wishaw and that's why the 41 is better because it actually gives a unique link. I find it very risky when small operators follow the biggest operator in an area. It never seems to end that well from what I've seen.

 

[jazza374]

I never understood the logic of following the 266 all the way to Shotts, given that it's horrendous bus territory and probably always will be. I get following First through to Wishaw and that's why the 41 is better because it actually gives a unique link. I find it very risky when small operators follow the biggest operator in an area. It never seems to end that well from what I've seen.

As someone who lives very close to Shotts I would love to hear your reasons why it is “horrendous bus territory”

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

As someone who lives very close to Shotts I would love to hear your reasons why it is “horrendous bus territory”

Because many people on here can’t fathom that some buses don’t pick up many people, aren’t mega money makers and that's still fine so long as it’s not running a major loss.

The reality is that with the 56 being removed and First buses 266 will take all those travelling, it will help the 266 be more sustainable as opposed to the many older passengers in Shotts wanting to use the 56 just because they like the service number.

 

[jazza374]

Because many people on here can’t fathom that some buses don’t pic up many people and that’s not ok.

The reality is that with the 56 for all intent purposes being removed First buses 266 will take all those traveling, it will help the 266 be more sustainable.

Totally get that. However my point addressed to the previous poster was why is Shotts area more “horrendous” than any other area where there is competition.

 

[Bus Lightyear]

For the best part of 30 years there's been 2 operators on the Wishaw to Shotts corridor which suggests there was reasonable income to be made. The only gap in the timeline was around 2009/10 when McKindless ceased trading at short notice but I can't remember how long it took for the company trading as JMB to come on the scene.

Going further back, up until the late 80s there was also the Eastern SMT 27 which ran from Hamilton to Edinburgh via Motherwell, Wishaw, Shotts and much of West Lothian.

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

For the best part of 30 years there's been 2 operators on the Wishaw to Shotts corridor which suggests there was reasonable income to be made. The only gap in the timeline was around 2009/10 when McKindless ceased trading at short notice but I can't remember how long it took for the company trading as JMB to come on the scene.

Going further back, up until the late 80s there was also the Eastern SMT 27 which ran from Hamilton to Edinburgh via Motherwell, Wishaw, Shotts and much of West Lothian.

We need regulation again, ie, no competition of bus services.

There would be more drivers to go about on routes elsewhere as opposed to accepting that directors and management can go where they want to make money.

 

[SarahDFIG]

For the best part of 30 years there's been 2 operators on the Wishaw to Shotts corridor which suggests there was reasonable income to be made. The only gap in the timeline was around 2009/10 when McKindless ceased trading at short notice but I can't remember how long it took for the company trading as JMB to come on the scene.

Going further back, up until the late 80s there was also the Eastern SMT 27 which ran from Hamilton to Edinburgh via Motherwell, Wishaw, Shotts and much of West Lothian.

If memory serves me right, I believe a company called P&C buses took over before JMB arrived on the scene (Think JMB started around 2013)

 

[computerSaysNo]

Going further back, up until the late 80s there was also the Eastern SMT 27 which ran from Hamilton to Edinburgh via Motherwell, Wishaw, Shotts and much of West Lothian.

This sounds interesting, I'd not heard of this before. Was it fairly quick through West Lothian?

 

[PaulMc7]

As someone who lives very close to Shotts I would love to hear your reasons why it is “horrendous bus territory”

I used to be friends with someone who lived there and they told me that they had very rarely seen a bus from either company that had more than single figures in terms of passengers and that's been the same for me anytime I've been there.

 

[Bus Lightyear]

This sounds interesting, I'd not heard of this before. Was it fairly quick through West Lothian?

From memory it went through Blackburn, Livingston, Eastcalder, Saughton and Gorgie.

 

[jazza374]

I used to be friends with someone who lived there and they told me that they had very rarely seen a bus from either company that had more than single figures in terms of passengers and that's been the same for me anytime I've been there.

Still doesn’t really make it horrendous though compared to anywhere else. Buses can be quiet everywhere Anyway thanks for explaining your reasoning.

From memory it went through Blackburn, Livingston, Eastcalder, Saughton and Gorgie.

Correct, and there was it’s sister service the 35, which went through Livingston, Whitburn, Harthill, Salsburgh, then followed the Central 44 route from Holytown to Mount Vernon where it went to town via Edinburgh Road rather than Tollcross.
27 was cut back to Hamilton for a while then withdrawn altogether.
There also used to be an Eastern 36 which was just Glasgow to Whitburn via Bellshill.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

Still doesn’t really make it horrendous though compared to anywhere else. Buses can be quiet everywhere Anyway thanks for explaining your reasoning.

Correct, and there was it’s sister service the 35, which went through Livingston, Whitburn, Harthill, Salsburgh, then followed the Central 44 route from Holytown to Mount Vernon where it went to town via Edinburgh Road rather than Tollcross.
27 was cut back to Hamilton for a while then withdrawn altogether.
There also used to be an Eastern 36 which was just Glasgow to Whitburn via Bellshill.

I assume that's where the SPT services get the 235/36 numbers from that run from Harthill to Bellshill with the 235 through Chapelhall and the 236 going straight through at Newhouse.

 

[jazza374]

I assume that's where the SPT services get the 235/36 numbers from that run from Harthill to Bellshill with the 235 through Chapelhall and the 236 going straight through at Newhouse.

Yes, and the Eastern Scottish 36 also went straight up the church brae at Holytown to Newhouse, bypassing Chapelhall.

 

[SarahDFIG]

56 timetable seems to have vanished from the website.

 

[DC21]

56 timetable seems to have vanished from the website.

My guess would be the drivers that were left on the reduced 56 timetable will be driving the new SPT routes.

 

[lastbus]

My guess would be the drivers that were left on the reduced 56 timetable will be driving the new SPT routes.

The 56 is finished. Saturday was the last day despite what the cancellation says.

 

[Observer]

My guess would be the drivers that were left on the reduced 56 timetable will be driving the new SPT routes.

If this is indeed the case, I take it SPT will be turning a blind eye to this as they couldn't get anyone else to take the tendered routes on short notice for the most part?

 

[GusB]

Thread reopened for @SarahDFIG to provide an update.

 

[SarahDFIG]

JMB seem to have taken delivery of at least 2 brand new MCV Evora Volvo B8RLEs. I wasn't sure if they were just parked there for a dealer as I noticed them parked near the entrance to the depot a few weeks ago but David Oakley has got a few snaps on Flickr confirming they actually are JMB's.

I thought I saw more than 2 but it was dark so perhaps not. Anyone know what these have been bought for?

Also noticed the 66 plate E200s are now with Bay Travel.

 

[Dfatcontroller]

JMB seem to have taken delivery of at least 2 brand new MCV Evora Volvo B8RLEs. I wasn't sure if they were just parked there for a dealer as I noticed them parked near the entrance to the depot a few weeks ago but David Oakley has got a few snaps on Flickr confirming they actually are JMB's.

I thought I saw more than 2 but it was dark so perhaps not. Anyone know what these have been bought for?

Also noticed the 66 plate E200s are now with Bay Travel.

Apparently they are additional for the 41. Parked in front of SJ73HVF on Wednesday was YY15NHU which has been repainted white and SN16OSB was elsewhere in the depot also white.
SJ73HVG was in the paintshop fully liveried for JMB. I have a photo of it but as the guy who let me in to the paintshop said "I shouldn't really let you in here" I have refrained from posting it out of respect for the guy and my ongoing relationship with the depot staff/management.

 

[SarahDFIG]

Apparently they are additional for the 41. Parked in front of SJ73HVF on Wednesday was YY15NHU which has been repainted white and SN16OSB was elsewhere in the depot also white.
SJ73HVG was in the paintshop fully liveried for JMB. I have a photo of it but as the guy who let me in to the paintshop said "I shouldn't really let you in here" I have refrained from posting it out of respect for the guy and my ongoing relationship with the depot staff/management.

Thanks for confirming, I did have a feeling they may have been for the 41. Yeah totally understand regarding not posting the vehicle in the paintshop. Its hard to tell by your pictures but are these vehicles just standard spec as the interior poles look different from the current vehicles in the fleet.

Regards

 

[Dfatcontroller]

Thanks for confirming, I did have a feeling they may have been for the 41. Yeah totally understand regarding not posting the vehicle in the paintshop. Its hard to tell by your pictures but are these vehicles just standard spec as the interior poles look different from the current vehicles in the fleet.

Regards

I would imagine these were stock built ones.

 

[Supercus]

I would imagine these were stock built ones.

They could also be for the new service 42/42a from Coatbridge to Wishaw General via Holytown and New Stevenston commencing from 4 March which I believe is to replace the present tendered 42 service from Monklands Hospital to Calderbank and extending it from Coatbridge to Wishaw General Hospital and will be partially tendered

I do not know the deviation in route between the 42 and 42a

 

[DC21]

Any indication of the 42/42A routes and times yet?

 

[Supercus]

Any indication of the 42/42A routes and times yet?

No there isn’t at present but probably similar to the present tendered 211 evening and Sunday service between Airdrie and Motherwell but extending to Wishaw General Hospital between Coatbridge and Airdrie it is probably replacing the cancelled Ace Mini Coaches 47 service

 

[DC21]

Timetable and route information for 42/42A are available on traveline Scotland.

Traveline Scotland |

Timetables and journey planner for all bus, rail, coach, air and ferry services in Scotland. Also open 24 hours by phone on 0871 200 22 33.

www.travelinescotland.com