Vehicle Upgrades for Stagecoach Express City Connect Network

Stagecoach East Scotland have introduced 6 brand new luxury coaches into the fleet to operate on Express services across the region.

Four of the new vehicles will operate on the newest route in the Express network, the X24, which links Fife and Glasgow Airport.

Route X24 was extended in August last year to operate hourly between St Andrews, Cupar, Glenrothes, Halbeath Park & Ride, Dunfermline, Kincardine, Glasgow city centre, Braehead Shopping Centre and Glasgow Airport.

Last November the company invested £1m into 3 new coaches for the X24 route to meet demand and a further 4 coaches, marking an investment of over £1.32m, will be launched onto the route this week to improve the vehicle standards even further.

The new Plaxton Elite coaches have been branded as 'Express JET Connect' to be easily recognisable on the road and will be in service in time for journeys to Glasgow Airport during the October school holidays.

Paul Thomas, Managing Director, Stagecoach East Scotland said: "The direct link to Glasgow Airport from Fife has been welcomed by our customers and I'm sure the 4 brand new coaches to be used on this route will be warmly welcomed too. This latest investment in these 6 coaches marks our commitment to providing high quality coach travel across the region by providing the latest specification in new vehicles."

Another two of the same brand new coaches, will be added to Express City Connect routes across Fife as general service upgrades and increased capacity on the busiest services.

The new coaches have a range of modern features including reclining leather seats, USB power sockets, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi access, large luggage lockers and a toilet on board.

Stagecoach East Scotland’s Express City Connect network operates high-quality coach services across Fife and into Edinburgh, Perth, Dundee, Aberdeen and Glasgow. Facilities such as leather seats, on board toilets, power sockets, air conditioning and free wi-fi have helped make the services an attractive alternative to the car, achieving increased passenger numbers.

Express JET Connect service forms part of the multi-award winning Express City Connect network, providing a great value travel option to reach Glasgow Airport and period return tickets are valid for up to 28 days so there's no need to worry about airport parking, customers can just jump on the coach to start their trip.

Mr Thomas added: "A period return ticket costs £19, valid for 28 days and kids can travel for just £1 for a period return when bought alongside the adult ticket."

Journeys from Fife to Glasgow Airport run from 0348 every day, until the last journey returns from the airport at 2235.

Timetables for all Express routes are available to download at stagecoachbus.com and customers can also use the online journey planner and live bus times to track their journey.