Nighttime Bus Service to Continue after Trial

For the past two years, the local Lib Dems have been pleased to support the effort to bring about a new nighttime service between UEA and Norwich City Centre. In November 2023, we brought a motion to the City Council calling for such a service, which passed unanimously. Between September 2024 and August 2025, a trial period was set up, using grant money from central government, alongside a contribution from UEA and the UEA student union.

Over the past 12 months, we have been using some of our designated opposition questions at county hall to monitor the uptake and progress of the night bus. At all stages the passenger numbers looked healthy, and reception, particularly from UEA students, was excellent. We are therefore very pleased that First Bus has agreed to take on the service on a commercial basis from September. 

This is fantastic news for everyone in Earlham. This service connects thousands of students and residents to our local businesses, allowing people to more easily and cheaply access the nightlife industry in the city centre, or in the case of key workers with atypical hours, get home safely. It also allows those returning from a night out to keep safe by avoiding walking along residential streets which can be poorly lit, and local residents may face less disturbance from antisocial behaviour and excessive noise on their streets.