Norfolk County Council is considering closing the Postwick park and ride site to save £150,000, with County Hall having to subsidise it because of low passenger numbers.
The council-owned, 552-parking place site shut during the Covid pandemic, when it was used as a test centre.
Other city park and ride sites reopened in June 2022, but the county council kept Postwick closed, except for a temporary opening that Christmas.
However, in September last year, under pressure from 11 parish councils, it reopened on a trial basis.
Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport (Image: Norfolk County Council)
Graham Plant, the council's cabinet member for highways, transport and infrastructure urged people to 'use it or lose it'.
The trial was due to end at Easter.
But council bosses have extended that trial until the summer, when County Hall will retender the entire park and ride contract, currently held by Konectbus.
READ MORE: Postwick Park and Ride site ranked worst of Norwich services
A council spokeswoman said: "Unfortunately passenger numbers across all park and ride services do remain low, with Postwick having the lowest use of all the sites.
"In these difficult financial times we need to see passenger numbers increase across all of our sites to help keep Norwich park and ride sustainable and running for the future."
The potential closure of the site formed part of the £42m of cuts and savings Norfolk County Council agreed in February.
Eleanor Laming, Green Broadland district councillor for Brundall, said: "I would urge anyone travelling into Norwich from the east of the city by car to try the service as it is, quick, efficient, clean and competitively priced.
"We need the service in the long term, as considerable housing growth is planned for areas around Norwich, so I hope passenger numbers continue to rise, and any possible ways of raising further income from the service are being considered."
The Postwick services stop at Norwich Rail Station on Thorpe Road and Castle Meadow on all journeys into the city centre, with buses running every 20 minutes from 7.20am.
Tickets cost £3 for an adult for all day travel, concessions are £2 and children under five travel for free.
All additional passengers pay £1 when travelling with another full-paying person when travelling as a group.
'Use it or lose it' trial for park and ride service threatened with axe extended
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16.04.2024
Norfolk County Council is considering closing the Postwick park and ride site to save £150,000, with County Hall having to subsidise it because of low passenger numbers.
The council-owned, 552-parking place site shut during the Covid pandemic, when it was used as a test centre.
Other city park and ride sites reopened in June 2022, but the county council kept Postwick closed, except for a temporary opening that Christmas.
However, in September last year, under pressure from 11 parish councils, it reopened on a trial basis.
Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council cabinet member........
© Norwich Evening News
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