Working together to save rural bus services
Some bus routes which were ear marked for substantial changes or to be withdrawn have been saved or partially saved following consultation between the County Council, bus users and bus operators.
The new revised services which will come into operation in January, will mean that passengers will still be able to travel home late into the evenings from Cambridge to Newmarket, go to work throughout the week from Fen Ditton and be able to travel to Ely on market days.
The consultation brought in over 200 responses from the public and three petitions which formed the basis of discussions with the bus operators as the Council worked to save as many routes as possible.
In particular, Stagecoach have decided to run some journeys on service 10 on a non subsidised basis. The 18:30 and 19:00 journeys from Cambridge were identified through the consultation as being key journeys and Stagecoach have responded positively by agreeing to continue running these journeys. They will also continue to run the Sunday services and have revised their evening network to accommodate the journeys threatened with withdrawal.
Councillor Matt Bradney, Cabinet Member for Growth and Infrastructure, said: "When we started this process I did not think we could save the number of routes we have. This has been a very difficult task to try and provide as many routes as possible while also making the financial savings which we have needed to make. This process has been helped enormously by the feedback we have received from the public and the co-operation we have had from the bus companies. I would like to personally thank them for this.
"We have managed to ensure that no village has been left without a service and the vast majority of routes which people were concerned about have been saved in one form or another. For example, the evening routes on the 10/10A service have been saved as has the 115-117 service. This forms part of our commitment to support local communities and help them access the services beyond their towns and villages.
"The key now is for the public to support the services which have had a history of low passenger numbers. Travelling by bus is far greener and cost efficient than it has ever been and we should all give it a try to see how it has been improved. I am sure we will have difficult choices in the years ahead but I assure residents that we will think very carefully about future cuts, especially to those services which are shown to be the most popular or most important to the welfare of the local community."
The results of these discussions mean:
10/10A Cambridge - Burwell - Newmarket
Route Saved The 18:30 and 19:00 journeys from Cambridge will be retained as will Sunday journeys, although the latter will be subject to review in July 2009. In the evenings Stagecoach have combined journeys between Cambridge and Newmarket so instead of four journeys (two direct and two via the villages) there will now only be the two journeys via the villages.
196 Waterbeach Fen Ditton Cambridge
Monday-Friday Services retained Saturday journeys will be withdrawn
X14 Huntingdon Cambridge Science Park
Withdrawn There are alternative services available
436 Somersham Huntingdon
Partially Saved Stagecoach will retain the journey in from Somersham, Colne, Earith, Bluntisham and Needingworth to St Ives. A connection is then possible to Huntingdon.
2 Cambridge - Hardwick - Caldecote
Off-peak journeys withdrawn Peak time journeys continue to be operated on a commercial basis.
115 - 117 Gold Hill Corner/ Wardy Hill/ Upware - Ely
Route Saved There will be no changes to services as this would have left villages without any bus services
WHF Wisbech Holbeach Drove
17:20 from Wisbech Withdrawn Other journeys will continue to be operated on a commercial basis
213 Ely - Bury St Edmunds
Withdrawn There are services available to alternative destinations
46 and 47 Ashley - Dullingham - Newmarket
Partially Saved This will be reduced to one peak time bus and an off-peak shopping journey on a Tuesday after suggestions proposed through the consultation.