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 07:40, in addition to existing 07:18 service, and at the end of the school day from 15:25, 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 07:40 and last from Attleborough at 17:20.
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.
Cllr Tom Fitzpatrick, Norfolk County Councillor for Fakenham, said: “Every improvement to bus services in rural areas is very welcome and I would like to see more. The extension into Fakenham of the existing service to North Elmham and surrounding areas will allow more people the opportunity to take advantage of the businesses and facilities in Fakenham, including the excellent Thursday market, as well as pick up connections to other bus services.”
