Seven bus operators serving Cambridgeshire have linked up to form a new association aimed at improving the region’s network.
The CP Bus Alliance is formed of A2B, Delaine Buses, Dews Coaches, Stagecoach East, Stephenson’s, Vectare and Whippet, and intends to work with Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Dr Nik Johnson, who is bidding to revamp the county’s bus services.
David Boden, Director of Business Development at Stagecoach East, will be the Alliance’s first Chair.
Mr Boden says: “By working together with the Mayor, we can work through the detail needed to deliver on those priorities and, most importantly, start to deliver results for the people of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. We intend to ensure that Cambridgeshire and Peterborough residents can see something real and tangible in terms of change.
“This partnership, though, does need, on the part of the Mayor, CPCA (Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority) and other local authorities, support in delivering a road network on which we can deliver punctual services. We are ready, willing, and able to be held accountable for the aspect of reliability we can control – providing a bus and a driver when we say we will.
“But, let me be clear: once the bus leaves the depot early in a morning, its performance throughout the rest of the day is overwhelmingly dictated by issues like congestion, parking enforcement and roadworks, none of which are in bus operators’ power to change. We all know that these issues cause daily problems for our customers with delayed and cancelled services, and are also a significant barrier to encouraging more people to travel by bus.
“From our perspective, we will work to clearly understand the wants and needs of our customers, local officials and the Mayor and his team, so we can deliver real tangible results which people can see soon. By working together, in the spirit of co-operation, we can get Cambridgeshire and Peterborough moving.”
It comes ahead of a CPCA Board meeting on 31 January to discuss results of a public consultation partly into bus improvement proposals.
CPCA announced yesterday that 52% of participants in the consultation supported an increase of the Mayoral Precept equivalent to £36 a year on a Band D property which would support bus operations. The mayoral authority plans to invest £3.85m into reduced fares for under-25s and improve routes and services.
