Bus service improvement plan brings flat fares to Lynn
Residents in Lynn are set to benefit from cheaper bus travel within the ‘Town Zone’ thanks to the £50 million Norfolk County Council secured from the Department for Transport (DfT) for its Bus Service Improvement Plan across the County.
The new flat fare which starts on Monday 21 August will mean any single journey that starts and finishes within the King’s Lynn town zone will cost just £1.50.
All five bus operators who serve the town have signed up to the scheme – Lynx Bus, WNCT Ltd, Stagecoach, First Bus and Coach Services Ltd.
The area covers key locations such as the Gaywood estate, Q.E Hospital, Hardwick Retail Park, North and South Wootton.
Roads Minister Richard Holden said:
“This new scheme will help unlock opportunities for passengers in King’s Lynn, by giving them access to cheaper fares and easier journeys, supporting them with the cost of living. We want everyone up and down the country to have a modern, reliable, and affordable public transport system. That is why we have supported Norfolk County Council with more than £49.5 million to boost its bus services.”
As part of improvement already implemented to benefit North West Norfolk, there are more frequent services running:
- Service 35 will now serve Castle Rising Village seven days a week, providing buses towards King’s Lynn or Hunstanton up to every hour
- Service 39 between King’s Lynn and West Winch will now operate every two hours on Sundays and bank holidays
- Service 48 between King’s Lynn and Grimston will now operate every two hours on Sundays and bank holidays
- Service 49 / 49A which runs from King's Lynn to Fakenham will see six additional journeys (three each direction) Mondays to Fridays with two extra journeys on Saturdays too. This creates an hourly service through parts of the day
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.
The plans outline 17 new measures across the county which give buses priority on the roads. These include new bus lanes in King’s Lynn and redesigned junctions across the county.
New or improved travel hubs are proposed Hunstanton which will provide better waiting areas with real-time information to help to give passengers a better experience as well as being integrated with walking and cycling facilities.
There will also be a county-wide review of bus stops with upgrades to improve access for people with disabilities, to provide more real-time information and a programme of works to reduce delays to buses.
