March 17, 2026 – Early progress & next steps

I wanted to share a quick update on the X7 campaign so far. The petition is still in its inaugural stages, currently with 3 supporters since launching last week, but progress is already being made behind the scenes. 

Over the past few days, I started collecting real passenger data from multiple X7 journeys, including a full Leicester to Northampton run. Early findings show that the busiest section of the route is between Leicester and Oadby, with high passenger numbers, while demand reduces beyond Market Harborough.

On one recorded journey, the bus reached 39 passengers with at least one standing, highlighting the need for additional capacity on this section.

This helps support the idea of improving capacity where needed, while still maintaining services for villages along the route.

I have also contacted Leicester City Council, and my enquiry has now been officially logged and forwarded to the relevant department for review.

In addition, my discussions with other passengers and people on social media have highlighted how overcrowding affects accessibility, particularly for those who need to sit but may not feel comfortable asking or even standing.

Going forward, I will continue:

• collecting passenger data across different times of day
• exploring practical service improvements (including route patterns and vehicle types)
• engaging with passengers and local authorities.

This is only the beginning, but the goal is to build a clear, evidence-based case for improving the X7 service.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the petition so far.