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Superoute 66 Ipswich

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AaronR

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I was over the Martlesham and Kesgrave parts of Ipswich a few times recently and I was shocked about how poor the Superoute service is kept now. Back
When it was launched, it was frequent with branded buses, lots of publicity, smart bus shelters and stops with real time etc but now it's just a shadow of its former self, with the brand no longer used, a lot of the bus stops in poor condition and the buses themselves just standard fleet. Why has it been left to get that way? Given the fact the service links large new housing areas with shopping, the town centre and rail station and the BT headquarters I am surprised. Any thoughts?
 
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smtglasgow

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Funnily enough I bought an old Suffolk Council timetable on ebay recently (from 2001) and while the 66 isn’t much different from today (15 mins instead of today’s 20 min frequency), what really stands out is an hourly overnight service. I’d love to know how long that lasted! In 2001 the 66 was still marketed as Superbus and there is a note in the timetable about other Superbus corridors being developed by the Council. Don’t think that happened, but was the Stowmarket route not another early low-floor route in the area?

I’ve got friends in Woodbridge so I’m in the area fairly often. You might think things look a bit rough compared to the early days of Superbus, but First have actually upped their game in the area in the last few years. Five years ago the fleet was beyond shabby and while I can’t see Ipswich getting anything new, the present fleet is much better presented, OK age-wise and services appear to be promoted. But what is most striking looking back to 2001 is how much First have contracted in the last 16 years and how Council cuts have decimated evening services.
 
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AaronR

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Yes that's right there was another, Superoute 88 (not superbus!) which ran to Stowmarket but it used a bus only section of road and bus lanes along Norwich Rd. Ipswich buses had a route branded as Superoute 88 too, the 87 to Claydon. I done the same, purchased some old timetables off eBay and couldn't believe the reduction in services, especially evenings and Sunday's. Sad really
 
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Andyh82

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Superbus is what Yorkshire Rider and later First Leeds called their guided busway services on Scott Hall Road, which started around 1995ish.
 
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