Intervention by the Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough will mean a threatened bus link between Thorney and Eye will be preserved.
Mayor Dr Nik Johnson has put forward a rescue package following Stagecoach plans to axe the 36-bus route.
Mayor @NikJohnsonCA discusses the options officers have been working on for residents of Thorney and Eye following news of the withdrawal of the route 36 bus. pic.twitter.com/iP4ZtO0TkB
— Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (@CambsPboroCA) July 13, 2023
Following the withdrawal of the 36-bus route, Mayor Johnson said the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority is going out to tender for a mini-bus to run between Eye and Thorney.
The mini bus is expected to be a temporary measure as a longer-term solution is found with operators.
Welcome news says Andrew Pakes
Andrew Pakes, Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for Peterborough said: “This is welcome news that the Mayor is stepping in to preserve services between Thorney and Eye following Stagecoach’s appalling decision to pull the rug on the 36 bus.
“The 36 is a lifeline for residents who need to travel to Eye for doctor’s appointments or other services given continuing pressures on the NHS.
“Stagecoach’s decision to axe 36 bus route highlights fact private bus operators set routes and fares with no say from the public.
“We need a new deal for buses. We cannot simply go on with private bus operators dumping services they don’t like and expecting taxpayers to pick up the bill.
“I’d like to congratulate everyone involved in getting us to this stage. This has been a people powered campaign achieved by residents, councillors and campaigners working together.”
Mayor Johnson said: “We are going out to tender for a mini bus to run between Eye and Thorney so that people can continue to access vital services including getting to work, education and healthcare.
“Ever since Stagecoach made the Combined Authority aware on 18th May 2023 that they were making changes to their Peterborough services on 30th July 2023 we have been working to mitigate the impact of these changes on local communities.
Residents must not be isolated
“My focus is on what can be done in both the short term to ensure residents and not left isolated and in the medium to long term on the much wide-ranging bus-reform that we so vitally need right across the region.
“My team, and I, remain in ongoing discussions on these with bus operators and Peterborough City Council and we will leave no stone unturned to find a longer-term solution that will support those affected.
“Every lost service deeply affects people who rely on buses and hobbles their ability to get on with their lives.
“This is why I recently announced my bold vision for Bus Reform which, driven by our Bus Strategy, will create an affordable, reliable, convenient, and sustainable bus network that the people of our region need and deserve.
“I invite all political leaders across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to work with me to make this happen.”
