Why it matters: The funding represents the largest expansion of bus services in Ipswich since 1998, offering residents more frequent and reliable public transport options while supporting the town's environmental goals.
The big picture: Ipswich Buses successfully bid for the 2025/26 Local Authority Bus Service Improvement Grant, securing a large portion of Suffolk's total allocation through the county's Bus Service Improvement Partnership. The investment enables the council-owned operator to restore services lost during the pandemic and introduce new routes designed to encourage sustainable travel.
The details: The new and improved services launched on Sunday, 31 August 2025, delivering enhanced frequencies across key routes:
Route 4 now runs every 30 minutes during peak times (Monday to Saturday) from Ipswich Central to Broke Hall and Bixley – double the previous frequency.
Route 5 operates every 12 minutes on weekdays from Ipswich Central to Foxhall Road and Ipswich Hospital.
Routes 15 & 15A, combined, now run every 10 minutes (Monday to Saturday), connecting Ipswich Central, the station, Maidenhall, Pinewood and Chantry.
Route 7 frequency has doubled to every 30 minutes all day (Monday to Saturday), serving Ipswich Central, Dale Hale and Henley Gate.
Route 16 now operates every 30 minutes (Monday to Saturday), between Ipswich Central, Halifax and Stoke Park.
Sunday services have been introduced for the first time in years, with Route 1 providing hourly connections between Waitrose, Greenwich and the town centre.
Route 3E offers hourly evening services linking the town centre, University of Suffolk, Nacton Road and Greenwich on Sundays and bank holidays.
Additional support has been provided for inter-town routes, with Route 92 receiving new peak-time morning journeys on the Ipswich to Holbrook, Brantham and Manningtree service.
Route 93, connecting Ipswich to Capel St Mary, East Bergholt and Colchester, has also received service support funding.
What they're saying: Dan Bassett, managing director of Ipswich Buses, said: "We're pleased to have been successful in our funding bid as it provides us with a fantastic opportunity to grow our network and attract new customers, while giving our regular passengers more frequent, reliable journeys."
Councillor Phil Smart, Ipswich Borough Council's portfolio holder for environment and transport, said: "These welcome service improvements are expected to ease congestion, support the environment, and provide a better experience for passengers across and around Ipswich."
What's next: The improvements include punctuality enhancements across the network and a new off-peak service, Route 17, maintaining connections from Ipswich Central to Henley Road, Castle Hill, Stratford Court and ASDA & Anglia Retail Park during weekdays.
The bottom line: With UK Government funding supporting the biggest bus service expansion in a quarter-century, Ipswich residents now have access to more frequent, reliable public transport designed to reduce car dependency and support sustainable travel across the town.
