Route X30 is both busier and longer than the X10. Until the recent introduction of the new
Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC bodied
Scania N250UD double deck buses in February 2020, journeys were frequently overcrowded with passengers having to stand for part or the whole of their journey. To help with the overcrowding, First introduced two
Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied
Volvo B9TL buses in 2018, which were used on certain journeys, notably the 06:00 and 06:50 departures from Southend and the 16:45 and 17:47 departures from Chelmsford which suffered from some of the worst overcrowding. They were used alongside the
Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC buses delivered in 2016 in X30 "From Pier to Air" branding. The new buses introduced in February 2020 feature leather seats, free WiFi, USB and wireless charging, table and solo seating, luggage racks, and next stop audio visual announcements. They are the only buses other than the Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMCs used on the
Chelmsford Park and Ride to feature next stop audio visual announcements in Essex. The luggage rack is monitored by CCTV which is shown on display on the top deck so that the passengers can still see their luggage from the top deck. The X30 has existed as other routes in the past. During the
COVID-19 pandemic the X30 was diverted along Broomfield Road during the day time to serve Broomfield Hospital. This route change is still in operation. From 10 October 2022, the frequency of the section between Southend and
Rayleigh was increased from hourly to half-hourly. From June 2024 the half-hourly service was extended across the entire route. ==References==