New Buses for the X1

Firstgroup has recently announced that its bus division has ordered 464 new vehicles worth £76m for delivery in the 2013/14 financial year. This order will bring First’s investment in new buses to around £240m in three years.

Part of this order includes 22 new vehicles to replace the current Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B9TLs on the long distance X1 route linking Peterborough, King's Lynn and Norwich with Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft

Gerard's X1 blog speculates that they will be Alexander Dennis Enviro 400s fitted with 6 cylinder Cummins engines with delivery commencing as soon as May this year. Some of the upgraded features could include leather effect seating and wi-fi in response to customer satisfaction surveys. The full specifications can be viewed here

Meanwhile X1 services have resumed their usual route in Gorleston following the early completion of road resurfacing work at the Church Lane, Crab Lane, Magdalen Way and Shrublands Way junction.