Enhancing Reliability and Expanding Services Across Key Routes

3 weeks ago Tue 20th Aug 2024

Network Changes - Sep 24

Konectbus plays a critical role in connecting communities, supporting economic activities, and providing accessibility to essential services in Norfolk. As travel patterns evolve and passenger needs shift, it's imperative for transport providers to adapt their services to ensure they continue to meet these demands efficiently and effectively. In response to ongoing feedback from passengers, thorough route analysis, and observed changes in travel behavior, a series of adjustments to bus routes and timetables will be implemented starting on the 1st September 2024.

The following summarizes the key changes across various routes, highlighting the introduction of new services, route extensions, and schedule modifications.

Summary of Route Changes

  • Routes 1 & 1A: Minor timing adjustments will be implemented to enhance service reliability. Route 1A will now cover areas previously served by Route 2, providing connections to Diss from Tivetshall St Mary & St Margaret, Monday to Saturday. Click here to download the timetable.

  • Routes 3 & 6, 6A: The 07:35 (Route 6) Watton to Norwich service will depart 10 minutes earlier to provide an earlier arrival into Norwich. Route 3C will have revised timings for journeys via Carbrooke village providing journeys to Norwich. Current journeys to Watton on the 3C will now be served by a new route (15). The 14:40 service on Route 6A from Norwich will now depart at 14:30.

    Following a recent passenger survey, Konectbus will be introducing later evening services on route 3 on Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays. There will be a later journey from Watton to Norwich at 21:20, and a later journey from Norwich to Watton leaving Norwich Rail Station at 22:30, and Norwich Bus Station at 22:40. These changes are being funded by the UK Government as part of the Bus Service Improvement Plan.

    There are 2 timetables for these routes. For journeys between Norwich Bus Station and Longwater Retail park, as well as journeys between Norwich Bus Station and Wymondham - Click here to download the timetable. For journeys between Watton and Norwich - Click here to download the timetable.

  • BSIP Route 3

  • Routes 4 & 4A: The 14:58 Dereham to Mattishall service will be withdrawn. Changes to the school service from Neatherd High School will include a new depature at 15:30, and a new 16:45 service from Easton College to Norwich Bus Station will be introduced. Evening and Sunday services will now include UEA, providing access to Longwater Retail Park. Click here to download the timetable.

  • Route 5: Additional early evening services have been added, catering to passenger requests, including new departures from Rackheath, Sprowston, and Norwich. Click here to download the timetable.

  • Route 5B: The 07:05 service from Horning to Norwich will now leave at 07:25, and extend to Easton College. There will also be a new journey from Easton College to Dussindale Drive at 16:45. The timetable for evening journeys from Stalham to Norwich has been revised. Click here to download the timetable.

  • Route 6B: A new journey from Thorpe Rd Rail Station to St Stephens Street has been added on weekdays at 18:00. Click here to download the timetable.

  • Route 8: Minor timing adjustments will be made for reliability, including a retimed 22:10 service from Norwich Rail Station to Toftwood. Click here to download the timetable.

  • Routes 11 & 11A: Wayland Academy school journeys will now serve Saham Hills, with revised afternoon schedules for reliability. A new early Saturday service between Watton and Swaffham has been introduced. Click here to download the timetable.

  • Route 11B: The early evening timetable has been revised. Click here to download the timetable.

  • Route 11C: Saturday services have been extended to run hourly from Heartsease estate from 09:10 until 17:10, and from St Stephens Street from 09:45 until 17:45. Click here to download the timetable.

  • Route 15: A new route will now serve Carbrooke village, Ovington, and Saham Toney; with journeys to Watton three times daily, Monday to Saturday. Click here to download the timetable.

  • Routes 21/22/23: The 09:10 service from Colkirk to Dereham will now start at Fakenham. Additionally, a new early journey from Dereham to Fakenham has been added on weekdays (school holidays only) and Saturdays. These changes are being funded by the UK Government as part of the Bus Service Improvement Plan. Click here to download the timetable.
    BSIP Routes 21/22/23

  • Route 30A: The route will extend to serve Thorpe Marriott. Click here to download the timetable.

  • Route 32: The timetable will be revised to reflect traffic conditions, with an earlier arrival at Litcham High School. Click here to download the timetable.

  • Route 35: In response to requests from Norwich City football fans, the Saturday timetable will see a revised 17:25 departure from Thorpe Road Rail Station towards Hellesdon. Click here to download the timetable.

  • Route 81: Additional afternoon services will be provided on weekdays at 13:40 between Watton and Thetford, and 14:20 in the opposite direction. A connection onto Coach Services on route 86 to and from Bury St Edmunds will be provided. Click here to download the timetable.

  • Route 82: A general timetable revision will see most journeys extending beyond Watton to serve Carbrooke and Ovington (as route 15). Little Ellingham will also be served as part of this route. Click here to download the timetable.

  • Route 82A: A new Attleborough town loop will be introduced, serving Besthorpe Mill Lane and Silver Street. Click here to download the timetable.

  • Route X3: The 13:35 service from Watton to Norwich will be withdrawn and partially replaced by Route 81's 13:40 service to Thetford. 

  • Route 3A: This route will be discontinued due to low passenger numbers.

Looking for school service changes? Click here to download the new timetables.

These changes are part of a broader initiative at Konectbus to improve the reliability and convenience of public transportation. By addressing specific requests from passengers, adjusting schedules to reflect actual traffic conditions, and introducing new services where there is unmet demand, the updated routes aim to enhance overall service delivery. The modifications also include withdrawing underutilized services and reallocating resources to areas with higher demand, ensuring that the public transport network remains both efficient and sustainable.

The upcoming changes encompass a wide array of routes, affecting daily commuters, students, and weekend travelers alike. They include earlier and later services, new connections to key destinations such as colleges and retail parks, and additional journeys designed to provide better access to education, work, and leisure activities. For instance, several routes will now include more frequent stops at educational institutions like Easton College and the UEA, while others will offer extended evening services catering to social and leisure needs.

The alterations also take into consideration the feedback received from passengers regarding specific challenges, such as timing issues and the need for better connections during off-peak hours. By fine-tuning departure times and extending routes to cover underserved areas, the changes aim to create a more resilient and responsive transport system. This comprehensive review and update of Konectbus services not only seek to address immediate concerns but also to future-proof the network against anticipated growth in demand.