First Eastern Counties announces Service Changes in Suffolk, including new services for Stowupland
First Eastern Counties has announced some changes to its Suffolk services, that will come into effect from 14th April 2024.
First Eastern Counties is pleased to announce the start of two new routes, the 87 and 87A, that will connect Stowupland, to Stowmarket Town Centre, via the Cedars Park estate.
When combined, these two circular services will run up to every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday. This will enable residents, to connect with the Town Centre for shopping, going to the doctors, or connecting with onward services such as our 88 service that runs from Stowmarket Town Centre to Ipswich Town Centre.
As an introductory offer, from Monday 15th April to Saturday 20th April, First Eastern Counties is offering free travel for all passengers using the new 87 and 87A services.
This service is supported by HM Government’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) funding, in partnership with Suffolk County Council.
Other service changes for the region include a revised timetable for the 70, 70A and 71 services, with all journeys to be operated as service 70. This Includes some through journeys between Orford, Sutton Heath and Ipswich.
Due to extremely low passenger numbers, Hasketon, Bredfield, Dallinghoo, Charsfield, Clopton Green, and Burgh will no longer be served, but frequency in other areas is mostly unchanged. This service is operated under contract to Suffolk County Council.
There is a minor change to the first journey into Ipswich on service 116. This service is operated under contract to Suffolk County Council.
There is also a revised timetable for the 73 and 74 service. The one 74 journey on schooldays only has been replaced by changes to school service 975. This service is operated under contract to Suffolk County Council.
The 78 and 79 services are being withdrawn due to extremely low passenger numbers. These services are operated under contract to Suffolk County Council and currently provide one return trip for shopping on Mondays to Fridays.
Current users from affected villages are still able to make use of the Connecting Communities service for Suffolk Coastal. This can be booked by calling 01728 635938 (booking hours Mon-Fri 0845-1600, Travel available Mon-Sat 0700-1900).
For more information on service changes, or to access updated timetables, please visit the Norfolk & Suffolk section of the First Bus website, or download the First Bus app from your app store.