Earlier this year, Norfolk County Council awarded the multi-million Park and Ride contract to Konectbus. The operator, who is based in Dereham, already ran three routes for Norwich’s park and ride, but as of yesterday Konectbus now runs all of them.
18 new buses were specifically purchased to run on the city centre services, at a cost of £3.3 million. Konectbus have said that by linking up the cross city routes this will give passengers a better service and a new link to Norwich railway station. They have also introduced a new timetable and fare structures
However, in a change to the previous park and ride contract, the Costessey Park and Ride will now only call at the University of East Anglia and the Norwich University Hospital.
Konectbus celebrated the start of their updated services with a launch party at The Forum at the weekend, where two of their new fleet of buses were on show.
Tracy Jessop, County Council Assistant Director for Highways and Transport, said:
“Konectbus has outstanding levels of satisfaction from users of their current services at over 98pc, so I am confident the services are moving into very good hands.”
“Their bid was bold and ambitious and will bring in a number of changes in response to passenger needs. It is great news that this is now a fully commercial service that will be able to move and flex to meet the needs of our growing city.”
