Postwick park and ride to re open in September on a trial basis

Norfolk County Council will open Postwick park and ride from Monday 4 September. The service will run every 20 minutes starting at Postwick at 07.30am and with the last journey back from the bus station at 18.10pm, Monday to Saturday.

The site has remained closed since the start of the covid-19 pandemic as it was first a testing centre and now passenger numbers across all park and ride sites have not returned to their pre-pandemic level. However, despite passenger numbers remaining low a decision has been made to re-open the site on a trial basis to see what the demand is like for the service. Norfolk County Council has committed to the site being open for a minimum of four months for the trial.

Councillor Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport said; "This really is a case of use it or lose it. We know how important this service is - particularly to those living in villages to the east like Brundall, Blofield and Acle. People have been asking for a return of this service - and that's why we have decided to open it on a trial basis. In these difficult financial times though we have to be honest that budgets are limited and so we need to see passenger numbers increase across all of our sites to help keep Norwich park and ride sustainable and running for the future."

Gavin Smith, Konectbus' Managing Director said: "The park and ride is a great way to get into Norwich with easy to access sites situated on the outskirts of the city - Harford, Sprowston, Norwich Airport and Thickthorn. We're thrilled to be providing the Postwick 503 service to residents again and we really hope that people make the most of the fantastic service. Using the park and ride means not having to worry about traffic or lengthy car park queues, it's quick, easy, and stress-free travel direct into the city centre and we hope to encourage more people to travel into the city by bus."

A review of ticket prices is currently taking place with plans to use some of the money secured from the Department for Transport for the Norfolk Bus Service Improvement plan to reduce fares. More detail on this will be published soon.