Overcrowding on Stagecoach Midlands' X7 is making journeys uncomfortable and difficult for passengers.

Commuters, students, and people travelling between Leicester, Market Harborough and Northampton deserve a reliable, comfortable bus service.

We are asking Stagecoach Midlands to review the X7 service and increase capacity to meet demand.

On July 17, 2025, I travelled from Leicester to Northampton on the Stagecoach Midlands X7 while heading to work at Summertime Live the following day. I decided to try the bus instead of the train so I could experience the route. At first, it seemed like a good alternative upon boarding at the Haymarket Bus Station — until the bus arrived.

At Leicester Railway Station, a 13-year-old Scania Enviro300 single decker bus quickly became overcrowded. Passengers with luggage were trying to board, with large numbers of people already standing in a very cramped and stuffy vehicle. The lack of seating made the journey uncomfortable. For passengers who cannot stand for long periods including older passengers or those who are neurodivergent and/or have mobility issues, this situation can make journeys extremely difficult.

The bus itself also felt outdated; the seats were uncomfortable, the windows were dirty, and there were no USB charging ports, which are common on today's modern buses.

Interestingly, the return journey from Northampton to Leicester was quieter, but even then it showed how much better the service could be with newer buses, more capacity and legroom.

The X7 is an important transport link between Leicester, Market Harborough, Brixworth and Northampton, yet passengers are often travelling on ageing single-deck buses that are often unable to cope with demand.

There are practical ways to improve the service: using higher-capacity buses on the busiest parts of the route and improving service frequency to help reduce overcrowding while maintaining essential connections for communities along the route.

Better capacity would help make journeys more comfortable, more reliable, and more accessible for everyone who depends on this vital regional bus service.

Please sign this petition to encourage Stagecoach Midlands to review the capacity and reliability of the X7 and deliver improvements for its passengers.