Elected Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough James Palmer has encouraged the use of public transport after dominant local operator Stagecoach East engaged with him to showcase the steps it has taken to ensure that its buses remain safe and convenient.
Mr Palmer toured the Cambridge City Region with Stagecoach East Managing Director Michelle Hargreaves to see first-hand the measures that the group has put in place to protect customers and employees.
Mr Palmer has thus encouraged the people of the Cambridge City Region to use public transport where possible, as long as they take precautions to ensure the safety of themselves and others.
Like other operators, Stagecoach has taken advantage of the recent relaxation in social distancing requirements to increase the capacity of its vehicles to 50% of the norm.
“Bus operators such as Stagecoach have been working around the clock to make a number of changes to ensure that passengers can make journeys safely. So please, do make journeys by bus and train where you can,” he told residents.
Mrs Hargreaves adds that while the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic has been “a tough time” for the operator’s customers and staff, hard work has seen it through and allowed safety to be maintained.
“Buses will continue to play a crucial role in the country’s recovery ahead,” she says.
“As well as helping to restart our economy, they are vital in bringing normality back to many areas of our daily lives, keeping people connected and contributing towards a safer, cleaner and healthier nation.”
