A new bus route around Ely launched today following a campaign by residents and councillors.
Following the loss of the old number 15 Ely service, a group of councillors along with two Ely residents have been working with the help and support of county council and Stagecoach, to make improvements to the current bus timetables.
A community bus partnership has been formed between Stagecoach and the campaign group to promote the service locally with the aim of building up ridership over time.
The revised number 9 service will run on a circular route around the city, linking residential areas around Beresford Road, Priors Court, Cam Drive and Kings Avenue with the Ely Leisure Village, Princess of Wales Hospital, Sainsbury’s, city centre and Tesco.
The route also provides through journeys to Cambridge for shopping. Initially, the bus will run every two hours during the day, on Mondays to Saturdays, and fares will be £1.80 for a single journey and £3 for an all-day ticket covering the Ely area.
Councillor Lis Every said, “We are delighted that Stagecoach has stepped in to provide this improved service for Ely and our campaign group will be throwing our efforts into promoting the route locally to help it thrive.”
Councillor Anna Bailey said “Part of the discussions we have been having locally around bus services is the need for longevity to help build and sustain ridership over time.
“We want this to feel like a community service and one of the ideas we have is to provide very local versions of the timetables relating to different areas of Ely.”
Councillor Richard Hobbs added “There is a lot of local knowledge available about the transport needs of the area.
“Ely is expanding, and this recent and future growth along with other detailed local information will all be helpful to ensure the success of this new and improved service for residents and tourists alike.”
Andy Campbell, managing director of Stagecoach East, said: “Community bus routes are vital yet, across the country, many services are struggling.
“This community bus partnership is an excellent example of the sort of creative thinking that has the potential to help encourage greater usage. Stagecoach is pleased to be working with the council and community, as part of this forward-thinking solution.”
The county council is also working with Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mayor James Palmer and the combined authority to consider longer term options for bus services in the area pending a more far-reaching bus review.
Full timetable information for the new no 9 service can be found at: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/east/ely-9-new-service.
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