Stagecoach West Scotland

[AndrewTaylor95]

Is Stagecoach locked in to running the X19 as a result of anything from the SPT/FastLink days? I thought there was a grant involved from SPT for the X19 to be extended via the FastLink to QEUH but that feels like 10+ years ago?

Just trying to figure out why Stagecoach still want to be seen to be running the X19 at all - albeit via a subcontract - and can only think it is because of some commitment they can't get out of without some penalty.

Or is it just killing time until McGills switch to running via the FastLink roads to avoid SPT having to explain why all that money was spent yet there is no buses using it.

The 23 won't really touch the X19 a lot of people use it from end to end for work and other things

 

[Metal Mickey]

I doubt the X19 will last to be honest. Could First take on what’s left as basically a sped up 19/41? Keeping its X19 number.

Hardly anyone uses the First 19 and 41 as an alternative to the Stagecoach X19.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Jul 2026 ==

Is Stagecoach locked in to running the X19 as a result of anything from the SPT/FastLink days? I thought there was a grant involved from SPT for the X19 to be extended via the FastLink to QEUH but that feels like 10+ years ago?

If there’s a tendering agreement with a local transport authority and the operator wants to pull the plug early they may encounter financial penalties as a consequence.

But no operator is locked into operating a service under the normal process for more than 90 days following its commencement.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Jul 2026 ==

The 23 won't really touch the X19 a lot of people use it from end to end for work and other things

I think what Clydeflyer is saying with McGill’s rerouting the 23 via Squinty Bridge & Broomielaw, it may give Stagecoach justification to withdraw the City Centre to QEUH section effectively reverting to Easterhouse to City Centre only like it did 10+ years ago.

 

[Glasgowbusguy]

Hardly anyone uses the First 19 and 41 as an alternative to the Stagecoach X19.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Jul 2026 ==


If there’s a tendering agreement with a local transport authority and the operator wants to pull the plug early they may encounter financial penalties as a consequence.

But no operator is locked into operating a service under the normal process for more than 90 days following its commencement.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Jul 2026 ==


I think what Clydeflyer is saying with McGill’s rerouting the 23 via Squinty Bridge & Broomielaw, it may give Stagecoach justification to withdraw the City Centre to QEUH section effectively reverting to Easterhouse to City Centre only like it did 10+ years ago.

Yes but as has been explained most of the QEUH passengers on the x19 start there journey in the east end.

 

[NorthClyde320]

Is Stagecoach locked in to running the X19 as a result of anything from the SPT/FastLink days? I thought there was a grant involved from SPT for the X19 to be extended via the FastLink to QEUH but that feels like 10+ years ago?

Just trying to figure out why Stagecoach still want to be seen to be running the X19 at all - albeit via a subcontract - and can only think it is because of some commitment they can't get out of without some penalty.

Or is it just killing time until McGills switch to running via the FastLink roads to avoid SPT having to explain why all that money was spent yet there is no buses using it.

I'm sure when the Fastlink first opened around the time the QEUH opened there was a stipulation that any route operating on it had to operate at least every 10 mins during the day and every 20 mins eves Mon to Sat (always thought the evening 20 min freq is overkill) Sunday freq stipulation I'm unsure of. At that time the Stagecoach X1 started and a week later the McGill's F1 started so the Fastlink was very well served, the X1 was replaced about 4 or 5 months later by the X19 (sure it served Buchanan Bus Station for a few months before being taken out due to reliability issues) and the McGill's F1 was withdrawn after 6 months. The only minor change being the 10 min frequency reduced to 12 mins but still the evening frequency remains every 20 mins I'm sure because of the frequency stipulation for the Fastlink and the hospital.

 

[Clydeflyer]

Thanks NorthClyde320 and Metal Mickey. That's exactly what I was wondering... some stipulation from NHS/SPT had Stagecoach obligated to run the X19, hence the arrangement with WCM to avoid failing to do so. If McGills fulfil that obligation with the 23 then Stagecoach will be free to just pull the plug on the X19 and then maybe WCM start their own X19 just Glasgow - Easterhouse, or it just ceases. There certainly doesn't seem to be anything permanent about this arrangement with WCM from the outside. And it doesn;t seem the Stagecoach way... if they wanted to ditch the route they would ditch it without a thought, but somehow they've had to hang on here.

 

[NorthClyde320]

Does anyone know what the plans are for the remaining spare Panorama's? Can the X77 accommodate them or is the X74 more likely for them?

 

[CMBS]

Noticed a suspicious number of deckers operating both the X76 and X77 at the moment, being multiple on one route at the one time. Are some of the coaches unavailable at the moment? Or is it Stagecoach being Stagecoach.

 

[Dfatcontroller]

Noticed a suspicious number of deckers operating both the X76 and X77 at the moment, being multiple on one route at the one time. Are some of the coaches unavailable at the moment? Or is it Stagecoach being Stagecoach.

On Wednesday there were two EV400s on the X76 whilst an e400MMC 10931 was on the X77.

 

[overthewater]

I bet its because the aircon knacked on the coaches and they had to swap them over.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

Noticed a suspicious number of deckers operating both the X76 and X77 at the moment, being multiple on one route at the one time. Are some of the coaches unavailable at the moment? Or is it Stagecoach being Stagecoach.

Services probably running late as well due not being able to go any faster than 50mph, Always end up behind with a decker, that extra 12mph always helps with timekeeping

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

Stagecoach finally going with Ticketer TK300 machines UK wide I'm hearing with a 12 month national roll out starting in September, it’s somewhat normal for the X19 punters due to them having West Coast Motors ticketers fitted

 

[Scotrail88]

Is there any news on when Ardrossan will get the next batch of EVs to become fully EV as part of ScotZeb3

 

[aswilliamsuk]

Is there any news on when Ardrossan will get the next batch of EVs to become fully EV as part of ScotZeb3

I suspect with McGills taking legal action, the whole thing will be on hold until that's resolved...

 

[alan25]

I suspect with McGills taking legal action, the whole thing will be on hold until that's resolved...

Seems a bit stupid to hold the funding because one company is throwing a hissy-fit….

 

[Stan Drews]

Seems a bit stupid to hold the funding because one company is throwing a hissy-fit….

Public funding and the legal system is a little more complex than that.

 

[ClydeCoaster]

I noticed some transfers going on, a couple of Panther LEs and an Oxford Tube Panorama in Kilmarnock bus station for a start. I'm told they're "extras for the £2 fare cap". As in dupes? There's no timetable changes?

 

[Dfatcontroller]

I noticed some transfers going on, a couple of Panther LEs and an Oxford Tube Panorama in Kilmarnock bus station for a start. I'm told they're "extras for the £2 fare cap". As in dupes? There's no timetable changes?

You can duplicate a scheduled run without needing to change the timetable.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

I noticed some transfers going on, a couple of Panther LEs and an Oxford Tube Panorama in Kilmarnock bus station for a start. I'm told they're "extras for the £2 fare cap". As in dupes? There's no timetable changes?

Not really seen buses being any busier than usual, Day and weekly tickets still offer better value if you use them more than a few times a week

 

[ClydeCoaster]

Not really seen buses being any busier than usual, Day and weekly tickets still offer better value if you use them more than a few times a week

Yeah, I did think it was an odd reason (if indeed it was true). I know the trains are off between Kilmarnock and Glasgow just now but I've not seen any dupes running on the X76 or noticing any real change. Thus far, anyway.

2 Panther LEs at Kilmarnock and 2 at Ayr don't make much sense to me.

 

[overthewater]

It makes sense to Stagecoach as that extra 110 seats on X76 every hour and 110 extra seats ever 2 hours on X77.

 

[AilsaBus]

It makes sense to Stagecoach as that extra 110 seats on X76 every hour and 110 extra seats ever 2 hours on X77.

It makes no sense if people are clearly saying on here that services haven't been any busier.

 

[Cesarcollie]

It makes no sense if people are clearly saying on here that services haven't been any busier.

It’s just possible that Stagecoach have more accurate data on their own passenger numbers than those of us on a bus spotters’ website……

 

[Fifescottish]

Are they transferred permanently to West Scotland or heading back to East Scotland as I believe they were headed to Dunfermline?

 

[Stan Drews]

Are they transferred permanently to West Scotland or heading back to East Scotland as I believe they were headed to Dunfermline?

Isn’t it all technically South Scotland now, so would just be internal depot transfers?

 

[Scotrail88]

if buses were full and leaving people, I’m sure the same people will be saying they should have seen this.

At least they have made provisions and with trains off then it isn’t a bad idea.

Sounds like not needed but small provision in grand scheme

 

[Dfatcontroller]

Yeah, I did think it was an odd reason (if indeed it was true). I know the trains are off between Kilmarnock and Glasgow just now but I've not seen any dupes running on the X76 or noticing any real change. Thus far, anyway.

2 Panther LEs at Kilmarnock and 2 at Ayr don't make much sense to me.

It's better to have transferred the extra coaches to Kilmarnock and Ayr IN CASE they are required, rather than leave people behind and be told they should have planned. Usually by the same people who complain it doesn't make sense.

 

[Spsf3232]

It's only Thursday. We haven't reached the weekend when passenger numbers will spike with day trippers.

We currently are in the lull period where everyone is still working

 

[ClydeCoaster]

It's better to have transferred the extra coaches to Kilmarnock and Ayr IN CASE they are required, rather than leave people behind and be told they should have planned. Usually by the same people who complain it doesn't make sense.

Thanks for the patronisation and the inference. Perhaps I should have clarified the bit that didn't make sense is the type of coach transferred and how 2 to each depot rather than concentrate all four. But you do you.