Length 107 miles (172 km) {{{system_nav}}} {{{next_line}}} → End Peterborough | ← {{{previous_line}}} {{{system_nav}}} Start Lowestoft Operator First Norfolk & Suffolk | |
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Vehicle Alexander Dennis Enviro 400
Volvo B9TL Via Great Yarmouth, Norwich, Dereham, Swaffham, King's Lynn, Wisbech | ||
First Norfolk & Suffolk route X1 is an express bus route run by First Norfolk & Suffolk. It runs from Lowestoft bus station in Suffolk to Peterborough railway station in Cambridgeshire.
Contents
In the year up to April 2009, the route saw a 15% increase in passenger numbers compared to the previous year.
Route and Frequency
The whole route is about 107 miles in length, mostly following the A47 road and only stopping at major interchange points in urban areas. In total, from Lowestoft to Peterborough the journey time is around 4 hours and 45 minutes.
Since July 2014, the route has been made up of two sections. Whereas before, buses would run the entirety of the route, services now operate between Peterborough & Norwich and Norwich & Lowestoft separately, with all services in both directions terminating at Norwich Bus Station. Passengers travelling further have to change. At that time, the 'splitting' of the route was temporary, and was introduced in order to ease delays while major long term roadworks are carried out on the A47 at Postwick, east of Norwich.
There is a different frequency on each section of the route. While there is in general a 20-minute frequency Monday to Saturday on the Norwich to Lowestoft section of the route, there is generally a half hour frequency, Monday to Saturday, on the Norwich to Peterborough section.
Vehicles
The route is now mostly operated by long-distance double-decker Alexander Dennis Enviro400 buses, which were introduced in October 2013 featuring Air Conditioning, Free WIFI & Leather seats.
The older Wright Eclipse Gemini 'Gemini' vehicles which previously dominated the route still often work the route between Norwich and Lowestoft.
Media
First manage an official Twitter page for the X1 route, @First_X1, which is used to provide passengers with the latest information, news and service updates.
An unofficial blog, The X1 Blog, regularly reports on the latest workings of the service.
Fatal Accident
In May 2009, an X1 vehicle travelling towards Peterborough was involved in a fatal accident in Thorney. The driver took avoiding action after a car drove into its path, causing the bus to veer off the road.