Enhanced bus services to run in the heart of Norfolk

Residents living in central Norfolk are the latest to benefit from enhanced bus services thanks to money received from the Department for Transport (DfT) to improve bus services across the County.

From Monday 4 September the new 82 service, will run between Watton High Street and Attleborough Town Centre and High School operated by KonectBus, will be adding additional trips to its weekday and Saturday timetables, serving stops in Griston, Caston, Rockland and Great Ellingham along the route.

These additional services will run on weekdays from 7:40am, in addition to existing 7:18am service, and at the end of the school day from 3:25pm, to reflect current school movement between Great Ellingham and Attleborough Academy.

The new Saturday timetable will mirror that of the weekday timetable with the first journey from Watton at 0740 and last from Attleborough at 1720

Cllr Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, said: "We know that bus services are key to getting to school on time for many pupils, and that getting on school on time is vital for learning and gaining the best possible education. These new services will help pupils in the Watton and Great Ellingham areas get to school punctually and allow families to choose to leave the car at home."

In addition, the 21/22/23 service operated by KonectBus between Dereham and North Elmham will be extended to serve Brisley, Colkirk, Guist, Great Ryburgh and then Fakenham with connections available at Fakenham for onward journeys to North Norfolk coast.

The overall timetable will be increased in frequency to hourly all day with a new later bus from Dereham leaving at 18:10.

KonectBus said: We have been working with Norfolk County Council in their bid for BSIP funding and these further improvements are a result of the work carried out between us with the aim to improve and in some cases introduce better bus services across central Norfolk. Some of the enhancements have come from suggestions received from passengers and local parishes and we are pleased to be able to offer these important improvements.

This is one of a number of service enhancements which are being funded by the £49.55 million funding which Norfolk County Council was successful in securing from the Department for Transport (DfT) to use on improving bus services across the County over the next three years.

Roads Minister Richard Holden said: "People up and down the country deserve a clean, reliable, and affordable public transport system. That is why we have provided Norfolk County Council with almost £50 million to boost its bus services.

"Supporting the Council with this new service is fantastic for local residents, who will now be able to get to work, attend medical appointments and visit loved ones for less and more easily."

Approximately £12 million of the funding has been allocated to provide new or expanded bus routes and increase service frequencies on key routes, including more evening and weekend services.

The new timetables for both the 82 service and the 21/22/23 service can be found on the Konectbus website

Norfolk Bus Service Improvement Plan

Norfolk received the sixth highest allocation in the country and the funding consists of £30.9m of capital funding and £18.6m of revenue funding.

The plans outline 17 new measures across the county which give buses priority on the roads. These include new bus lanes in Norwich, King's Lynn and Great Yarmouth and redesigned junctions across the county.

New or improved travel hubs are proposed for Sheringham, Cromer, Diss and Hunstanton which will provide better waiting areas with real-time information to help to give passengers a better experience as well as being integrated with walking and cycling facilities.

There will also be a county-wide review of bus stops with upgrades to improve access for people with disabilities, to provide more real-time information and a programme of works to reduce delays to buses.

Improved services already announced:

Lynx 35 and 36 service
Sanders - X55 and 210 service Sanders - X55 and 210 service 
Konectbus - 5b and 11a service
Konectbus - 512 service 
Konectbus - Fab4 service 
Sanders - X40 service 
Konectbus - 35 Canary Konect service 
Lynx 35/38/48/49 services 
Go To Town - 3H Town Link, King's Lynn 

Norfolk County Council Net Zero

Encouraging more people to use the bus travel and other sustainable options is key to our ambitious aims of achieving net-zero in Norfolk by 2030.

Norfolk County Council has committed to achieve 'net zero' carbon emissions on its estates by 2030, but within its wider area, to work with partners towards 'carbon neutrality'. This also supports the government's ambition for a net zero country by 2050.

We will achieve this by implementing carbon conscious ways of working across our buildings and supply chain; putting in place the right infrastructure across the county to support the move towards net-zero; and by working together with partners to lead and inspire our colleagues, citizens, communities, and businesses to take action and play their part in protecting Norfolk for future generations.