Written 20/11/09

The County Council has announced that the Guided Bus system will not be open and running on November 29th. The reasons given relate to sorting final issues ("snagging"). No new date has been announced - and at the meeting attended last night by Councillors the County's lead officer, Bob Menzies was not prepared to comment on a start date. Understandably, having failed to meet committed dates, he wants to be very sure that the next date given will be kept.

At the same time Stagecoach have dropped plans to make changes to the Citi 7 route (and other Citi routes). Stagecoach comment: "plans to change some routes at the end of November have been shelved until the new buses arrive in the new year".

What next?

Guided Bus - we know that the system won't open until at least the New Year. We've been told that the Traffic Commissioner may allow startup with less than 8 weeks notice, so once "snagging" is complete, we'll get short notice of the start date.

Citi 7 - Stagecoach say: "A series of meetings with Councillors will outline the company's plans ahead of a network relaunch in the spring." Andy Campbell, Stagecoach MD, is very aware of some of the issues and problems facing Histon & Impington residents.

Now that we've got more time, we need to make sure we have all of the problems and issues that arise from their possible change of route well documented to present. We know that students at camtrust will lose out unless buses run into the peak times, and whilst patients can get to and from Firs House, Addenbrooke's is a different matter.

So, if you've not yet written, please let the Parish Office have your comments on Citi 7 changes as soon as possible.

On 23/11/09 at 8:26pm Derek Pipe wrote: Many people are now commenting on the guided bus debacle and the postponement of the revised Citi 7 timetable. As a result I am confused! What's the problem with getting to and from Addenbrooke's? Your Website news item dated 20/11/09 seems to intimate possible problems with accessing Addenbrooke's? The now postponed revised Citi 7 timetable that was published that I saw seemed to show Addenbrooke's being serviced throughout the day. It is the concessionary bus passes that have a morning restriction until 9.30 - Have I missed something?

On 23/11/09 at 8:47pm Denis Payne wrote: The point about Addenbrooke's is that it would be impossible to get back from an afternoon appointment - and since some clinics only operate in the afternoon that's a problem!

On 26/11/09 at 7:18pm Derek Pipe wrote: Denis, I've just re-checked the revised Citi 7 timetable that was supposed to have come into force on 29th November. The return timetable clearly shows buses stopping at Bay A at Addenbrooke's bus station throughout the afternoon and into the evening - so what is the issue?

On 29/11/09 at 10:05am Denis Payne wrote: My apologies - still haven't got it quite right. Point is that, for residents served by current stops in Cambridge Road and Station Road, the proposed changes would make it difficult/impossible to get back after afternoon appointments at Addenbrookes.

On 30/11/09 at 7:49pm Derek Pipe wrote: Denis, Many thanks - it just goes to show how the English language can be misinterpreted! You have been referring to Citi 7 buses (from Addenbrooke's) not going round the "village loop" in the afternoon peak period. Whereas I took the reference to "not getting back from Addenbrooke's" as meaning that Citi 7 buses would not stop at Addenbrooke's. In fact we were both correct!

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