North Walsham set for new and enhanced bus services in 2023
More frequent buses Monday to Saturday, and a brand-new Sunday service, will start operating between Norwich and North Walsham on Monday 2 January 2023 thanks to funding secured from the Department for Transport to improve bus services across Norfolk.
The X55 service, operated by Sanders, will now run every 30 minutes (instead of hourly) for much of the day Monday to Saturday, and there will be an hourly service on a Sunday (previously no service), which will serve Coltishall and Horstead.
The route takes less than 50 minutes to get to Norwich and costs just £2 for a single with the launch of the recent fare cap promotion funded by HM Government as part of their Help for Households campaign.
In addition, there is a brand-new Sunday and Bank Holiday Service in operation. The 210 service will run every two hours from North Walsham to Norwich via Badersfield, Buxton, Frettenham and Spixworth - villages that previously had no service.
Charles Sanders, Managing Director of Sanders Coaches said: "We are delighted to be involved in delivering one of the first bus service improvements in Norfolk with the changes to the X55. Four brand new ultra-low carbon buses will be used for the route. With concessionary passengers now returning to bus services in their droves it could not be a better time to bring you higher frequencies and quicker journey times on the North Walsham to Norwich corridor. Don't forget to use your rural services 18 - 34 - X6 - 6A - CH2 into North Walsham's new travel hub to join the X55 service to Norwich. We look forward to welcoming you aboard."
These are two 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.
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.
Cllr Martin Wilby, Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Transport, said: "Securing this money is a major boost for travel across Norfolk and it's great to see our plans for improved bus services coming to life so quickly thanks to this funding. More services and increased frequencies are key to enabling people to travel around the county by public transport and this enhancement is a real boost to those living in some of our more rural locations."
Lucy Shires, County Councillor for North Walsham East said: "This is fantastic news for North Walsham and the surrounding areas following the construction of a brand new Travel Hub in the town earlier this year. This improved service will support both the needs of our students and our commuters, as well as our wider community. At a time where North Walsham is seeing a large amount of investment, these enhancements to public transport are greatly welcomed."
Bus 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 Sanders with increasing this vital service into Norwich great for residents, who will now benefit from new routes and more frequent services to make the most of the fantastic work, business and leisure opportunities Norfolk has to offer."
More new and enhanced routes will be launched across Norfolk throughout 2023.