A NEW bus service will offer an improved commuter service, it was claimed today.

Arriva Scotland West will begin its new bus services serving Coatbridge/Carnbroe to Glasgow City Centre and Airdrie/Chapelhall to Glasgow City Centre, from Monday August 3.

Arriva Scotland West, the biggest bus operator in the Renfrewshire area, which operates more than 16 million passenger journeys a year, introduced the X70 service earlier this summer, which operates from Airdrie and serves Coatbridge, Glasgow Fort, Glasgow City Centre and Braehead.

The new services, X71 and X72, between Coatbridge/Carnbroe and Airdrie/Chapelhall, are an expansion of its services in North Lanarkshire.

The aim is to reduce rush-hour traffic on the M8 and provide a pleasant ride for commuters.

The new X71 and X72 services will leave Coatbridge and Airdrie, Monday to Friday at 7.30am and return from George Square, Glasgow, at approximately 5.15pm.

Roanna Laverty, Marketing & Information Officer for Arriva Scotland West, said: "We are still a relatively new name in the North Lanarkshire area and are launching our new services as quickly as possible. We hope commuters and residents will make the most of them and look forward to welcoming them aboard."

Timetables and further information are available at www.arrivabus.co.uk