Patients, visitors, and anyone else needing to get to hospital for any reason in Norwich will be seeing improved bus timetable options very soon.
From Sunday 31st August, additional busses will be operating on the 26/26A routes between Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and Bowthorpe. These new changes will impact services on Sundays and in the evenings.
The 21/21A service connecting Old Catton and the hospital will also see a 25% frequency improvement. There will now be four busses arriving every hour rather than three, from Monday to Saturday, and 21/21A will include earlier journeys on Monday-Friday, and additional evening services Monday-Saturday.
First Bus has been able to make this possible thanks to central government funding as part of the Norfolk Bus Service Improvement Plan.
This is one of a number of service enhancements made possible by funding that comes from comes from both the £15.9 million made available in 2025/6 by the Department for Transport, and the additional £49.5 million received from the DfT in previous years with the intent of improving bus transport across the nation.
Cllr Graham Plant, cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, said: “These new improvements to local bus services are fantastic news. By increasing frequency and extending operating hours, we’re making public transport more accessible and convenient.
“Norfolk residents have already taken over 28 million bus journeys this year—up 9% from the last year—thanks in part to our Bus Service Improvement Plan. I’m particularly happy to see more routes to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital as it means we’re making it easier for more people to get to work, appointments, and to visit loved ones.”
The increase Cllr Plant mentions has come despite recent increases in bus fare pricing. Fares for single journeys had been capped at £2, but rose to £3 in 2025.
Speaking to the BBC, Diane Quadling, 78, from Shipdham, who was travelling to the hospital, was very pleased with how the service has been running. “It takes you right there… it’s definitely easier [than driving].”
The value for money offered by busses has been a real boon to the service, especially when compared to the cost of car parking
Julie Turner, 57, said to the BBC “Where are you going to get parking for that price?”
James McCluskey, Commercial Director at First Bus East of England, commented: “The updates we are making to our network are designed to improve local connectivity within the area, making travel easier for communities across Norwich.
“We’re committed to building a reliable, modern bus network that meets local needs. For many, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital is an essential destination, and the improvements to these services will make the bus a much more accessible and convenient option.”
