Norfolk's bus service improvements deliver record growth and faster journeys
Norfolk County Council's ambitious Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) has transformed public transport across the county, driving a 26% increase in passenger numbers since 2022 and making Norfolk a leading national example for sustainable travel.
A paper discussed at the council's Infrastructure and Development Committee on 22 January highlights what has been delivered thanks to the £65.45 million secured for Norfolk from the Department for Transport. That includes;
- New and enhanced bus services on more than 44 routes across Norfolk, including more evening and Sunday services
- Better infrastructure: six new bus lanes and eight junction improvements making bus travel faster and more reliable:
- Junction changes at Angel Road in Norwich making journeys into Norwich almost 20% quicker
- New bus lanes on Queen's Road and Thorpe Road in Norwich both making buses on those routes up to 9% quicker
- A redesigned one-way system in Great Yarmouth cutting 5 minutes from peak journeys
- 45 traffic light priority sites giving buses green lights for quicker, more reliable trips
- Affordable fares: capped single fares in key towns and multi-operator ticketing
- Greener fleet: 75 zero-emission buses in Norwich and 24 more electric buses coming in 2026
- Improved passenger experience: real-time information, safer waiting areas, next-stop announcements and real-time information on more buses.
Not only are we seeing record-setting and increasing numbers of passengers but customer satisfaction has also risen to 87%, bucking national trends and reinforcing Norfolk's approach to improvements in bus travel across the county.
Councillor Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport said, "This investment marks a landmark moment for public transport in Norfolk. Our partnership with bus operators is delivering cleaner, faster, and more reliable travel for everyone and with new funding secured for bus travel right up to 2030 we can now continue with the excellent work, expand services, improve accessibility and make bus travel a real choice for even more people across Norfolk."
