Bus service connecting town to city to stop

A bus service that connects rural villages to a city is expected to stop in August due to "extremely low passenger numbers", said its provider.

The 31 route, which is operated by Stagecoach, links the town of Ramsey, Cambridgeshire, with Whittlesey and Peterborough as well as several small rural villages on the way.

Service users said they have no affordable alternatives and the cut will affect people living in the community.

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, which is responsible for bus services in the county, said: "It's another reminder of the challenges of our deregulated bus system, where operators can withdraw services at short notice."

The full service will stop on 31 August, but the 31 will continue to serve Whittlesey and Peterborough, Stagecoach said.

Patricia Chalkley, 76, who lives in the village of Bury, said she does not have a car and relied on public transport with the Stagecoach 31 route being her preferred choice.

"I think it is disgusting because there is nothing else here, how the hell are people living in Ramsey going to get out of Ramsey," she said.

"All the surrounding villages will be stuck, no-one can get anywhere. How are we supposed to get to Peterborough City Hospital, a taxi would cost £30-£40. I can't afford that," she added.

Jodie Montgomery, 40, works at the Ramsey Neighbourhood Trust and said the service 31 was vital for what the charity does in the community.

"In the school holidays we take our teenage group into Peterborough to do some shopping and visit the lido for a dip in the pool," she said.

Ms Montgomery said the charity could hire a coach for the trip for about £300, but to keep costs down it used the route 31 bus, so without it they would have "rethink their plans", she said.

"A petition has been launched by Ramsey's mayor, Val Fendley, to save the service which has so far gained over 750 signatures," she added.

Ashley Whelton, 34, said without the route 31 the only way to travel to Peterborough would be a bus from Ramsey to Huntingdon, then a train from there to the city, which she said would be "ridiculous" and take "hours".

"My daughter is due to be starting college in Peterborough in September, the route 31 bus was the one that would get her from Ramsey to college.

"I don't drive, so she might have to change her educational plans," she said.

Ms Whelton said the announcement of the closure of the 31 service had caused her anxiety and she was hoping the route could be saved.

A spokesperson for Stagecoach said: "It is understood that the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority are tendering a replacement that will link to our Whittlesey service and allow through journeys."

A spokesperson for the Combined Authority said: "We're aware that Stagecoach will withdraw the Ramsey to Whittlesey section of route 31 from 31 August.

"To help, we've secured two 'shopper-style' Ramsey to Peterborough trips in the new route 32 timetable. These are out to procure now, and we hope to confirm them shortly.

"We remain open to any proposals from bus operators for restoring the service in full or part.

"It's another reminder of the challenges of our deregulated bus system, where operators can withdraw services at short notice.

"Franchising is an opportunity to review the entire bus route network. This will be part of an independent review of how to put in place bus franchising for the region."

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