Bus Service Improvement Plan brings the ‘Pink Line’ to Hethersett and Wymondham

12 May 2023

Residents of Hethersett and Wymondham are set to benefit from more frequent buses, and brand new transport links thanks to the Norfolk Bus Service Improvement Plan.

Funded by money secured from the Department for Transport, from Sunday 14th May the Pink Line service operated by First Eastern Counties will extend beyond the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital to Hethersett up to every 30 minutes, seven days a week.

As well as offering this new direct link, buses will also serve the new housing development along Coachmaker Way and Harness Maker Way and a new bus stop at the West Croft/Park Drive area junction in response to requests from residents, connecting these areas with the city centre for the first time.

In addition to the frequent daytime service, some additional journeys extending beyond Hethersett to Wymondham town centre will operate at peak times, designed to coincide with the most common shift start and end times at the hospital, whilst an evening service between these same destinations will also be provided.

Cllr Graham Plant, Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Transport, said, "Being able to deliver bus services to those who wanted them is exactly what the money secured from the DfT is for so we're thrilled to be able to deliver this vital service to Hethersett and Wymondham. Having more frequent buses across the county means more people can make the choice to leave the car at home more often - which is key to us achieving our net-zero ambitions."

A single trip on the services will cost just £2 until the end of June as First Eastern Counties are one of the local operators taking part in the fare cap promotion funded by HM Government as part of their Help for Households campaign .

Piers Marlow, Managing Director for First East of England said, "We're delighted to have been able to work with Norfolk County Council to introduce such a high-profile and important new link onto our popular network of bus services across Norwich. Being able to provide frequent, innovative connections is vital to the success of local networks and is an important way in encouraging local communities to choose the bus to meet their transport needs."

This is just 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.

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.
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 First to extend the 'Pink Line' service is great for residents in Hethersett and Wymondham, who will now benefit and be able to make the most of the fantastic work, business and leisure opportunities Norfolk has to offer."

The new timetable can be found on www.firstbus.co.uk.

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