Any info about Norse, operator in Norwich?

[jamesontheroad]

Howdy. I'm back in Norwich a bit now and have been using one of the park & ride services operated by Norse.

Norse seems to be a pretty large facilities management company, running everything from school buses to bin collections, basically doing (and no doubt profiting) from almost every aspect of public services that have been privatised.

I'm interested in their bus operations though - it seems to be quite a small depot in Norwich, operating just a few service routes and some school bus contracts. There's a relatively recent fleet list here but I'm interested to know more about when they were established and where their buses / staff came from.

Thanks !

 

[transportphoto]

Their HQ / Main Depot is based on Norwich Airport's industrial estate, here: http://goo.gl/maps/Vol3s . Its not a small depot, it's not a small company.

They are not just bus operators, they also do school catering and other facilites including transport for mobility impaired people. Most of their work is on LA contract.

http://www.ncsgrp.co.uk/index.htm

TP

 

[martinsh]

Norse is Norfolk County Council's services division privatised.

 

[transportphoto]

Norse is Norfolk County Council's services division privatised.

Pretty much.

TP

 

[jamesontheroad]

Ta for the feedback. They certainly have the feeling of a council operated bus service, i.e. friendly staff and no time or money wasted on fancy branding

Think I read Norwich has the largest number of P&R parking spaces of any English city. Quite impressive system, and a pleasure to use.

 

[transportphoto]

Think I read Norwich has the largest number of P&R parking spaces of any English city. Quite impressive system, and a pleasure to use.

It has seen better days... once upon a time, the sites were staffed during operational hours...

 

[jamesontheroad]

It has seen better days... once upon a time, the sites were staffed during operational hours...

Very true. The building at the airport site is a bit of a white elephant, but then again I can't imagine there is much need for a big building - maybe just some toilets, but with buses mostly every 15 minutes the indoor waiting space (and tower!) is a bit excessive.

 

[transportphoto]

Norse run bus services at 3 of the 6 sites, Go-Ahead operator konectbus run buses to the other 3. Norse used to staff all six sites, it is only Airport and Postwick sites with such large buildings, the others have a much smaller building with an office (with basic staff facilities) and public toilets accessible from outside.. No indoor waiting area.

TP