Public to have say on Cambridgeshire and Peterborough radical bus reform

Published: 05 November 2019

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority is to launch a public survey on bus services as part of an ongoing radical reform of its bus network.

Kicking off on November 4th, there will be a six-week survey to canvas public views on Cambridgeshire and Peterborough bus services and how they can be improved.

The public will have the opportunity to feedback on the current bus network, what they think is working and what could be improved through a series of focus groups and survey that can be completed online or by phone.

Respondents will be asked to comment on current levels of satisfaction with bus services and their support for a range of suggested improvements including more frequent services, an expansion of the bus network and new routes. Other ideas for improving services include greater use of technology such as driverless shuttles and more use of alternative fuels such as electric buses.

The results of the survey with the public will be used as an evidence base for what needs to change, which will be taken forward by the Authority and developed into a plan for how to improve the bus network.

Mayor James Palmer said:

“Buses form a fundamental component of the public transport offering across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, however, the bus network that we currently have is simply not good enough.

“Services are frequently in decline, particularly in rural or less prosperous areas, key employment areas are not linked, and bus routes are not properly integrated with other points of transport such as rail stations. This has major social impacts and harms our prosperity as it limits opportunities for those unable to travel by car.

“We will keep an open mind as to how the bus network could be improved, including exploring new ways of delivering bus services, such as franchising and enhanced partnerships.

“Transport is something that affects everyone, so the input of the public is vitally important, and I strongly encourage people to come forward with their views on how bus services can be levelled up.”

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority recently published a draft Local Transport Plan, which set out a vision to create a world-class transport network for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to support sustainable growth and opportunity for all.

The plan for delivering improvements to the bus network will build on the recommendations and proposals of both the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough draft Local Transport Plan and the Strategic Bus Review published earlier this year.

Notes

The survey launches on Monday 4th November and will be open for entries for 6 weeks, until Sunday 15th December 2019
The survey can be accessed via this link – www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/FutureBus/
We are looking for responses from people who use the bus and those that do not.
Surveys can also be completed over the phone by contacting ITP on 07377 001 512. (9am – 5pm Monday to Friday).
The survey is being carried out by ITP on behalf of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
A summary of the survey results will be shared on the CPCA website in early 2020.
Everyone who completes the survey will have the choice to enter a prize draw to win £100 of high street shopping vouchers.
Respondents can indicate a willingness to be considered to attend a follow-up group discussion session. Any personal information collected through the survey will only be used to facilitate the selection of discussion group participants (name, email / telephone number) will be securely stored in accordance with GDPR and will not be shared with any third parties outside of our project delivery team, which consists of ITP and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority