Visitors heading to Suffolk’s coast this summer will benefit from improved integrated public transport links, connecting rail passengers arriving at Lowestoft Station with some of the area’s most popular attractions, including Pleasurewood Hills, Kessingland beach and Africa Alive!.

From Tuesday 26 May, enhanced bus connections will make it easier than ever for visitors travelling on the East Suffolk and Wherry Lines (Ipswich to Lowestoft and Norwich to Lowestoft) to continue their journeys by bus directly from Lowestoft Station.

Services to Pleasurewood Hills on the X1 route and to Africa Alive! and Kessingland on route 99 will additionally call at Lowestoft Station, creating simple onward connections for rail passengers. Buses will operate every 30 minutes to and from the station throughout the day.

The improvements form part of a wider collaborative effort between rail, bus and local authority partners to promote sustainable, convenient and affordable travel across the region. Following improvements to traffic flows around Lowestoft after the opening of the Gull Wing Bridge, the Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnership (CRP), together with rail operator Greater Anglia, held discussions with First Bus Eastern Counties and Suffolk County Council to look at routing more services via the bus interchange at the railway station.

The initiative also highlights Plus Bus, the integrated rail-and-bus ticket, which includes travel to these destinations within the fare zone. Railcard holders can benefit from additional discounts on already low-cost Plus Bus tickets, making public transport an even more attractive option for families and day-trippers.

Martin Halliday, officer for the Wherry Lines CRP, said: “Improved connectivity remains a key priority for the Wherry Lines CRP. We began discussions with First Bus more than a year ago about how we could better promote integrated services in and around Lowestoft.

“We are delighted to see these enhanced station bus links introduced in time for the summer season. In the coming months, further passenger information will be added within the rail and bus interchange at Lowestoft Station.”

Thalia Woodgate, officer for the East Suffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership, said: “We are delighted to support this initiative, which showcases how integrated rail and bus travel can help people enjoy the very best of Suffolk without needing to rely on the car.

“The East Suffolk Line provides a fantastic gateway to the coast, and these improved onward connections from Lowestoft station will make it easier for residents and visitors alike to access attractions, seaside destinations and local communities across the area.”

Scott Dolling, partnerships manager at Greater Anglia, commented: “Better rail and bus connections make it easier for people to visit some of Suffolk’s best-loved attractions without relying on the car.

“The East Suffolk and Wherry Lines are a scenic and sustainable way to reach the coast, and this is a strong example of practical partnership working making public transport simpler, more useful and better connected across the region.”

Keep up to date with future news, projects and events from the Wherry Lines CRP here and the East Suffolk Lines CRP here.

Learn more about Greater Anglia’s work in the community here.