If you are visiting the Mildenhall/ Thetford area in England, you will not need a rental car to get around. The daily 200/2001 bus service between the two towns is adequate to get you to where you need to go. The following information has been current since 4 June 2007 and the 200/ 2001 bus service runs from Monday to Saturday.
Bus Route
The 200/ 2001 bus service does not just start off in Mildenhall and end in Thetford. It also serves the rural towns and villages of Santon Downham, Brandon, Lakenheath, RAF Lakenheath, Eriswell, Holywell Row, Beck Row, RAF Mildenhall and West Row.
Major Pick up Points
If you will be starting your journey from Mildenhall heading towards Thetford or one of the outlying towns or villages, the first bus will leave at 6:45am from the King Street bus station in the town centre. The first bus from Thetford leaves the bus station at 5:30am. Depending on your time of travel, you will either be picked up by a Mulleys, Burtons, or Neals bus.
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased on the day of travel directly from the bus driver. Try to make sure that you have plenty of change to give to the bus driver, as notes cannot always be changed, especially very early in the morning. Make sure you know exactly where you want to be dropped off. For example, if you say “Lakenheath”, stipulate whether you mean Lakenheath village or the local USAF base, RAF Lakenheath. Also, ask for either a return ticket (round trip) or a single ticket (one way). If you buy a single ticket, but you later find out that a return was what you really needed, the cost of two single tickets will usually exceed the cost of one return.
When you take the bus for your return journey, you will need to present your ticket to the bus driver, who will then punch a hole through the ticket and return it to you.
Concessions
Children under the age of 16 are able to travel on a children’s ticket, rather than paying the full price adult fare. If you look older than 16, make sure you have a form of identity on you to prove your age, otherwise you may be charged for an adult fare. Full-time students are also entitled to a concession.
Senior citizens who are UK residents are entitled to a free bus pass. They simply show it to the bus driver each time they want to ride on the bus and they are admitted for free.
Bus Etiquette
Riding on the 200/ 2001 bus can save a lot of time and effort required when you are travelling, especially if you are not familiar with the area. But you must be careful to adhere to bus rules. Passengers must not distract drivers while the bus is in motion. The driver’s attention will need to be on the road ahead at all times. They are not being standoffish if they do not engage in conversation with passengers.
