A NEW bus service has been launched linking Great Yarmouth with Lowestoft, Southwold and Halesworth.Bosses at operator Anglian Bus and Coaches say the service, which started last week, is already proving a success.

A NEW bus service has been launched linking Great Yarmouth with Lowestoft, Southwold and Halesworth.

Bosses at operator Anglian Bus and Coaches say the service, which started last week, is already proving a success.

And it is hoped the route between the three seaside towns will become even busier with the onset of the summer holiday season.

The hourly 608 service to Yarmouth is an extension to the 601 route between Halesworth and Lowestoft, which has been running for the last year.

Beccles based Anglian has rapidly expanded its network in the space of the last few years, launching a direct service between Yarmouth and Norwich in 2007.

The 608 will increase competition with rival First Bus, which runs the X1 Excel between Norwich, Yarmouth and Lowestoft.

Anglian director Andrew Pursey said: “It was a natural progression to extend the service to Yarmouth and it has proved very popular with passengers.

“There was a perceived demand from people wanting to travel from Southwold and Kessingland to Yarmouth.

“Many passengers also expressed a wish to be able to catch a bus directly to the James Paget University Hospital and Great Yarmouth College.

“We have worked closely with local parish councils which have been very supportive of the new service.

“The feedback has been very positive and with the holiday season ahead I am confident the service will succeed.”

Mr Pursey told the Mercury that most of the passenger traffic had been into Yarmouth, but was hopeful an increasing number of the town's residents would use the service to travel to Lowestoft and Southwold.

East Norfolk Transport Users Association member Steve Hewitt said: “Anglian need to be applauded for launching what is purely a commercial venture.

“It gives passengers in Yarmouth an opportunity to travel directly to Southwold and Halesworth rather than having to change buses in Lowestoft.

“I used the service last week and at �3 return from Yarmouth to Lowestoft it offers very good value for money in these cash strapped times.”

Call Anglian Bus on 01502 711109 or visit www.anglianbuses.co.uk.