.
Stagecoach have announced that from January Citi8 buses will terminate at the ‘John Lewis stop’ (Emmanuel Street) and will not go on to the Railway Station or Addenbrookes. Return journeys will start from the Drummer Street Bus Station.
This is of major concern to The Parish Council due to its effect on the elderly, the less mobile, and patients alongside commuters and pupils travelling into the numerous schools in Cambridge. The Parish Council alongside Cottenham Parish Council and one of our County Councillors went to lobby Stagecoach on their decision.
Buses are deregulated so the County Council has no powers to intervene. It is purely a commercial decision by Stagecoach who cited congestion between the City Centre and the Station as eroding their ability to run a reliable, punctual service.
To access the Railway Station or Addenbrookes you will either need to use Busway Service ‘A’, or change in the Centre. Many other services will take you there including the Citi7 which used to link up – but we were given the tip of using the 13 towards Haverhill for emptier buses 😉 (but please check it suits your journey). Unless you only have a ‘Single’ it will be covered by your ticket.
Are you saying that a single will no longer get you to the railway station?
That’s how it was presented by Stagecoach, unless you use a Busway A service.
It would be worth confirming with them, and complaining to them if that affects you.
Oh dear. The bus service is already less good than it should be, what with the reduced frequency introduced in the last couple of years, and the fact that journeys take so long due to the sheer volume of traffic in town. At a time when council leaders are wringing their hands with worry about how to reduce congestion on the roads, Stagecoach simply should not be permitted to make public transport even worse than it already is – it should be upping the frequency of buses and destinations served, not reducing them or cutting them completely.
And as for using the Busway to get to the station…has anyone ever tried to use the Busway to get to the station at peak time? The last time I did I had to wait 50 minutes for a bus with enough space to let me on. Missed my train, obviously.
Do you know who we need to write to to complain? Is it Andy Campbell?
It’s Stagecoach East, but ultimately yes, it’s Andy Campbell.
I don’t have any contact details to hand, though I know others have complained.
It is a total disgrace that Stagecoach can do this and all of our councils are powerless. What do we pay our Council tax for?
I agree with all previous comments. This is an important route for many Histon and Cottenham residents. The guided bus or changing busses in town is not a suitable alternative for the reasons given by other commenters.
Why can this route not be subsidised like other routes?