A new park and ride contract which will bring brand new buses and better passenger facilities for bus travellers visiting Norwich has been signed by Norfolk County Council and Konectbus.
From September 2015, Norfolk-based Konectbus will run all six Park and Ride bus services on behalf of Norfolk County Council, as well as managing the park and ride sites and Norwich bus station. The contract, worth up to £32m,will last for five years, with an option to extend for a further three.
The change will mean a re-launch of Norwich Park & Ride with a new look and a range of improvements, designed toconfirm its placeas a flagship public transport service that underpins Norwich’s vibrant economy.
The County Council has had a long held ambition to offer a Park and Ride service that pays for itself, securing its future at a time when long-term support from a shrinking public purse cannot be guaranteed. By bundling up the bus service with site management and the management of Norwich bus station, the overall costs of running the services will save the council £0.5m each year of the contract.
The Konectbus contract will operate as part of an innovative package of measures designed by the council to save money without compromising public transport services. Highlights of the new contract are:
- 18 new buses on the City centre services and refurbished vehicles on the remainder
- More comfortable cloth seats with headrests
- Free on board WiFi
- Media screens with next stop announcements, promotional messagesabout the city, and aboutpark and ride
- CCTV systems
- Telematics to improve driving style and so passenger comfort
- New cross city links to open up access to more parts of the city without changing bus. Routes are Thickthorn to Airport, Sprowston to Harford
- An improved 10 minutes frequency for Airport-Thickthorn during peak times. Other routes will have improved frequency during the life of the contract
- New Norwich Railway Stationlink from Postwick, providing alternative parking for railway users and people who work near the station. This route will also serve Broadland Business Park and County Hall and connect to the Bus Station. Plusbus train and bus tickets will be accepted
- A dedicated service to University of East Anglia, Norwich and Norfolk University Hospital and Norwich Research Park. Longer hours of operations during term time
- Smart ticketing on all services with a revised fare structure
Tracy Jessop, Assistant Director Highways and Transport, Norfolk County Council, said the new contract secured the future of Norwich Park and Ride whilebringing real benefits for users.
“I am delighted that we have been able to award to contract to Konectbus.As a locally-based companyalready running the bus services to three of our sites, they understand park and ride very well.”
“This contract takes their involvement to another level because they are taking over the operation of the whole service, including bus services, sites and the management of Norwich Bus Station, where they have run the travel desk since 2013.”
“Competition to win the contract was fierce and we have used that to secure a great deal that benefits Norfolk and Norwich. Park and ride supports the city economy, helps cut congestion and gives people an affordable, reliableand high quality alternative to the car – so it helps commuters and visitors to Norwich.”
Gavin Hunter Managing Director of Konectbus and Anglian Bus, said: “As a locally based company we are very pleased to have been selected to run all of the park and ride services in Norwich. We believe that the improved network with more destinations and the new buses we have invested in will offer an affordable and viable alternative to the car.
“As well as taking the hassle of finding a parking space in the city centre away, our services will offer other benefits such as free to use wifi and comfortable seating. People can then choose to spend their time on-board catching up on e-mails and work or can simply relax and enjoy the journey.
“We already have a strong working partnership with NCC and our aim alongside the council is to ensure Norwich remains a vibrant and accessible city for residents and visitors alike.”
