Bumper year for First Bus open-top service along east Norfolk coast

First Bus has enjoyed a bumper year on its open-top services along the east Norfolk coast, with passenger numbers up by almost 10 per cent on last year. 

The summer season, which began at the start of May and ended earlier this month saw more than 200,000 customers take a trip on the route that includes Great Yarmouth’s Golden Mile and seaside attractions. 

Known as the Coastal Clipper Cabriolet service, the fleet of six open-top buses gave tourists and local people unrivalled views of the seafront at Great Yarmouth and the resort’s famous landmarks as well as local beaches and villages out to Caister-on-Sea and Hemsby. 

Andy Wagg, Operations Manager of the First Bus depot in Great Yarmouth, said: “The growth in passengers we have seen this season is more evidence of the effort our team makes every day to deliver reliable journeys. 

“It is clear that customers are loving the service and we will do all we can to build on this next year and attract even more people to enjoy this coastal route.” 

August saw the highest weekly use of the service, with passengers numbers four times those seen in May.  

In Norwich, a sightseeing tour of the city was rebranded to Explore this season, joining open-top services operated by First Bus in Weston-super-Mare, Tenby and Dorset.  

An all-day ticket enabled customers to hop on and off during the tour, which had commentary on board, to take in sights including Norwich Cathedral, the Lanes, Fishergate and the former port area.  

During the main July-August holiday season, passenger use has remained consistent since First Bus took over the service in 2024. 

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