The Night Bus service returns for UEA students
By: Communications
The Night Bus service, an initiative designed to enhance student safety and strengthen community wellbeing, will make a return thanks to a collaborative effort between the University of East Anglia (UEA), the University of East Anglia Students' Union (UEA SU), FirstBus, and Norfolk County Council, demonstrating a shared commitment to the welfare of students and local residents.
The reinstated Night Bus service will operate from 30 September as an extension of the existing 25 bus route, providing late-night transport from midnight until 5am, six days a week, with ticket prices in line with the Single Fare Cap Scheme, up to a maximum of £2.
The route will begin at the University, pass along Unthank Road, travel through the city centre, and conclude at Norwich Train Station. The service is made possible through joint funding from the UEA, UEA SU, and Norfolk County Council, with each organisation contributing approximately £30,000.
Charlotte Melling, Transport and Events Manager at UEA, said:
“It has been a privilege to work on a project that will benefit our community. UEA is committed to enhancing night-time safety both on and off campus. The introduction of a night bus service represents a concrete step towards this goal, and we are confident it will significantly improve the safety of our students and local residents travelling to and from the campus."
The introduction of the Night Bus is expected to bring several key benefits, including enhanced safety for students during nights out, reliable transport for those working late shifts, and a reduction in disturbances in residential areas surrounding the University. The service is also anticipated to improve accessibility for the wider community, offering a dependable option for late-night travel across Norwich.
Olivia Hunt, Activities and Opportunities Officer at UEA SU, highlighted the importance of support for the service, saying:
“I'm excited about the launch of the Night Bus. This new service will greatly enhance nightlife accessibility and improve student safety. We encourage everyone to take full advantage of this initiative to ensure its success and longevity, as it operates on a ‘use it or lose it’ basis."
The reintroduction of the Night Bus service aligns with UEA SU’s mission to provide essential services to the student body, promote safety, foster a strong sense of community, and integrate accessibility into the daily lives of students.
Nathan Wyatt, Welfare, Community and Diversity Officer at UEA SU, said:
"The return of the Night Bus is a huge win for students and the local community. Keeping students safe is a huge priority for us at the SU, and we believe that affordable, accessible late-night transport will be a game changer. It has been an immense privilege to work on this project and I hope students will feel the benefit."
Related Articles
Exhibition of art marking 30 years since the end of apartheid to open at UEA
An exhibition of art marking 30 years since the end of apartheid opens at UEA this September. ‘Norman Kaplan: All Shall be Afforded Dignity’ will see linocuts and cartoons by the South African illustrator and cartoonist displayed at the Enterprise Centre.
Read more
UEA welcomes 5,000 students to campus for week of animal encounters, sport tasters and charitable workshops
Welcome Week 2024 will see more than 5,000 new students arriving onto the University of East Anglia (UEA) campus, with many heading off to live away from home for the first time, while many others return for another year of study.
Read more
Ground-breaking study will use AI to explore links between chronic inflammation, diet and long-term health conditions
A pioneering £4.8m, eight-year programme will harness artificial intelligence (AI) to investigate the link between nutrition, health inequality and the development of multiple long-term conditions.
Read more