Today on #AYearOfBuses, we’re heading back to Thurrock for a nosey at one of Ensignbus’ flagship routes.
Running north-south across the River Thames, the X80 is unusual in that it connects two huge shopping centres – Lakeside and Bluewater – and for the fact that its route sees it using the Dartford Crossing and QE II bridge – perhaps one of the most congested river crossings in the world.
On the southern side of the Thames, the X80 makes a stop at Greenhithe station, for connections to Ebbslfeet International and onward travel to Europe with Eurostar.
With a bus every hour, the journey is timetabled for a mere 25 mins, but we’d be surprised if it ever made the crossing in that short space of time. But that doesn’t stop it being a popular route – Ensign’s smart fleet of double deck buses are the main allocation here.
Image credit: parkandride2007 on Flickr
