New fares make it even cheaper to park and ride

Fares on all Norwich park & ride services will be even cheaper from this September, making it easier and more affordable to travel car-free into the city centre by bus.

The new fares will be introduced, thanks to money that Norfolk County Council has secured from the Department for Transport (DfT) to help improve bus services across the county.

From Monday 4 September, passengers will be able to travel all day on the service for one price. The new fares have been designed to provide more flexible fare options for those choosing to travel independently, as a couple, as a family or with friends.

• Adults £3
• Concessions £2
• 17-19 year olds £2
• Child (5-16) £1.50
• Extra passengers will cost just £1 when travelling with a full paying passenger.
• Under 5s still travel for free

The new fares coincide with the re-opening of Postwick park & ride, which further enhances the service, providing five out of town sites for those wishing to visit Norwich, from all major routes into the city.

Cllr Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, said: "The park & ride is a vital service for Norwich and with the re-opening of Postwick it's important that we get passenger numbers back up across all our sites. These new prices make the park & ride a really affordable option for a trip into the city and is great for people wanting to avoid parking in the city centre. With buses running every 20 minutes throughout the day it's also a great flexible option for those wanting to get to work in a cheaper and greener way."

This is the first fares promotion to be announced as part of the County Council's Bus Service improvement Plan (BSIP).

Approximately £5.3 million of the BSIP funding has been allocated to fares promotions to make bus travel more affordable in Norfolk over the next three years.

Davina Langley, Head of Commercial and Marketing of Go East Anglia said: "We are delighted to work with Norfolk County Council to implement the new fares on park & ride and hope that they will help to encourage even more day-trippers, commuters and students to choose to travel by bus into the city, rather than taking the car."

Richard Holden, roads minister said: "People up and down the country deserve a modern, 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 lowering fares for the Norwich park & ride service is great for local residents, who will now be able to get into Norwich more easily and for less."