Labour city and county councillors have joined together to condemn cuts to local bus services, announced today by Stagecoach East Managing Director, Darren Roe. They are arguing that the imminent loss of services will deprive residents in villages and towns across the region of important lifelines, and risk increasing road traffic.

Cllr. Anna Smith, Leader of Cambridge City Council added her support to comments made by Mayor Nik Johnson in a Combined Authority statement condemning the move and pointing out that Stagecoach have received government funding to improve, not cut services.

“Like Mayor Nik Johnson I’m appalled that Stagecoach are accepting government money to protect bus services at the same time as they are cutting those services. The case for bus franchising is becoming more compelling by the day. Our residents and workers deserve so much better.”

Cllr. Dave Baigent, Labour’s city representative on the Greater Cambridge Partnership has also opposed the cuts to services that are some residents’ only means of transport.

“These proposals are disastrous for residents, particularly those who are vulnerable, as well as those without cars and those who soon will be unable to afford cars. 

 

“It needs a clear response from all politicians, and I am calling on all councillors to get behind the Mayor in challenging Stagecoach, to do the work that is needed to bring forward franchising – and to do whatever they can to improve the situation for residents.”

Cllr. Katie Thornburrow, the Executive Councillor for Planning and Infrastructure on Cambridge City Council echoed these comments.

“We are very concerned at the impact these cuts will have on our communities, and in all our conversations with Stagecoach we have consistently made clear our concerns over the lack of a reliable service and communications with affected residents. We will continue to push for franchising to get residents the high quality, reliable bus service that they need.”

Cllr. Elisa Meschini, Deputy Leader of the County Council, pledged to work with city colleagues to fight back against the cuts and to protect vital services.

“It is time for us in Cambridgeshire to have a serious, grown up conversation about what options might be on the table to ensure these vital services are safeguarded and expanded. 

 

Doing nothing is not an option. I want to work with Mayor Nik Johnson to reverse the decline in public transport and make his vision of a bus network fully under local authority control a reality.”

Amended on 21 sept to clarify Cllr Thornburrow’s remarks.