PEOPLE using the busy Route 19 bus service, which connects the communities of the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area, will have new vehicles to travel in.

Stagecoach East Scotland have announced the investment of £2.7m in a fleet of new single deck buses for Fife.

The nineteen new buses will be introduced to Route 19 this month.

The buses have been manufactured by Alexander Dennis and feature the latest 'green' Euro 6 engines and free wi-fi access on board.

Route 19, which has been in operation for over 100 years, will continue to serve Ballingry, Lochgelly, Cowdenbeath, Halbeath Park & Ride, Dunfermline and Rosyth, every 10 minutes.

The route originally began as tram service 314 in 1909 from Dunfermline to Cowdenbeath and was operated by the Dunfermline and District Tramway Company. Shortly after being taken over by bus company, W Alexander and Sons in 1937, the route extended to Ballingry.

It remained as route 314 until the late 70's before changing to route 19. Stagecoach have operated route 19, from Dunfermline to Ballingry since the early 90's.

Andrew Jarvis, Managing Director, Stagecoach East Scotland said: "Route 19 is one of our most popular routes in Fife and with this significant investment in the service, we want to ensure we provide comfortable and quality travel options for customers using the route.

"For regular use on our frequent route 19, 19 dayrider and 19 megarider tickets offer great value travel and are valid to buy and use on routes 19, 19A and 19X!"

Full timetable information for route 19 is available to download at stagecoachbus.com.