JMB Travel is introducing a new school bus service for pupils in Drumsagard, South Lanarkshire, starting on the first day of the new academic year, August 13. The service will provide a direct link to Cathkin High School, addressing the gap left when the council changed its transport distance threshold from two miles to three last year.
New S21 service details
The S21 trial will operate two double-decker buses on schooldays, departing from the Hamilton Road/Flemington Road area at 8.13am and traveling through Hallside, Cairns, Kirkhill, and Cambuslang before arriving at Cathkin High at 8.35am. Return journeys will leave the school at 4pm on Mondays and Tuesdays, and at 3.10pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, aligning with the school timetable.
Pupils can travel free using their national under-22 pass, or pay child fares of £1.70 single and £3 return. The service was launched this week at Hamilton Road, with JMB officials saying, "We are introducing a new service to provide you with a direct link to and from school – we look forward to welcoming our new customers on board from Thursday, August 13."
Community collaboration
The service is the result of collaboration between families, local politicians, and education officials. Managing director Martin Bell said, "We are excited to launch this new school service after the success of the other services we introduced last year. As a community-focused, family-owned bus company, we were made aware of the difficulties Cathkin High pupils living in Drumsagard had in trying to travel to and from school, by Councillor Walter Brogan and Michael Shanks MP; together we have liaised with South Lanarkshire Council’s education department to bring this new service to life."
Michael Shanks MP and Councillor Walter Brogan were instrumental in pushing for the route, with its registration accepted by the Traffic Commissioner. Mr Shanks said, "I’ve spoken to dozens of residents at street surgeries, drop-ins and over email about just how big a difference free school transport makes to their children’s experience. It’s great to see a commercial bus company step in and act in the interests of the local community; and huge credit has to go to Councillor Walter Brogan for keeping the pressure up on behalf of the students who have been affected."
Councillor Brogan added, "This is fantastic news for communities in and around Cambuslang East. Since the school transport eligibility changes were first communicated two years ago, I’ve worked together with partners on various solutions to support students who attend Cathkin High – it’s great to see this proposal approved. I look forward to seeing how the trial works in practice and will continue to liaise with JMB Travel, education officers and the school to ensure the service is in the best possible place throughout the school year."
