Two new bus services between Cambourne and Cambridge announced
Two new bus services are to begin running between Cambourne and key locations in Cambridge.
Stagecoach will divert its X5 service from Bedford and St Neots to Cambridge via Cambourne, Cambridge Regional College and Cambridge Science Park.
Diverted services will be renumbered 905 and will run every 30 minutes between Monday and Friday. At weekends, the 905 will also run every half-hour from outside Morrisons in Cambourne to Cambridge Parkside, but will not stop at the college or Science Park.
The changes take effect from Sunday August 30.
Then from Monday August 31, Whippet’s X3 service will provide a new hourly link, seven days a week, to Addenbrooke’s Hospital from Huntingdon, Godmanchester, Papworth and Cambourne. These buses will also stop at Cambridge Railway Station and extra buses are promised at shift change times for the BioMedical Campus.
The changes - part of a wider package of bus route changes coming into force - follow the commitment made by James Palmer, mayor of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, earlier this year to provide more bus service from Cambourne to key locations in the city.
He has voiced his opposition to the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s plans for a new busway linking Cambourne to Cambridge , which would run partly off-road through the West Fields at Coton. Those plans are on hold, while alternatives are explored.
Mr Palmer said: “While other politicians have spent the last year talking about additional transport provision in the Cambourne area that would not be in place for several years, I have seen that we need solutions now; that is why I promised these bus routes in February, and that’s why I’m so pleased to announce the start of service on both routes.
“While the post-Covid world of work will be very different from what came before, people will still need to get to the major employment areas like the Science Park and Addenbrooke’s, and these bus routes provide a great alternative to the car.
“They will also reduce traffic on the congested local roads, and can bring forward the housing developments that the people of South Cambridgeshire have been waiting for.
“Thank you to Stagecoach, Whippet and the local councillors who have helped make this happen; to those who challenged the consensus groupthink and helped me deliver on my promise of a more immediate solution to a well-storied problem.”
The routes prioritise some of the busiest sites in a move designed to ease congestion. Estimates suggest there are 26,500 visits daily to the Biomedical Campus, while the Science Park has 7,500 employees and Cambridge Regional College has 1,600 students.
Michelle Hargreaves, managing director for Stagecoach East, said: “We are delighted to introduce the new 905 service to our bus network in Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire.
“The service will operate along part of the old X5 route, which from Sunday August 30 will be split into two, with the new service providing customers with a direct means of transport between Bedford and Cambridge.
“The 905 service will also mean convenient access to residential areas including Roxton, Eaton Socon, St Neots and Cambourne, as well as other key locations Cambridge Regional College, Cambridge Science Park and the city centre.
“We encourage members of the public to take advantage of the new service and are assured, with all the precautions we have in place, that bus travel is a safe and environmentally-friendly means of transport.”
Tony Williamson, CEO Whippet, said: “Whippet are proud to announce the new route X2 and revised route X3 as part of their strategy to transform the services provided between Huntingdon, Godmanchester, Papworth, Cambourne and Cambridge.
“Working in partnership with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority and Cambridgeshire County Council, Whippet have brought their extensive operating knowledge to create an enhanced level of service beyond the current route X3.
“Starting Monday, buses will run at least every hour seven days a week extending to Cambridge railway station, Long Road, Cambridge Biomedical Campus and Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and extending to serve Hinchingbrooke Hospital or Oxmoor in Huntingdon.
“Route 478 buses will be extended to serve Huntingdon rail station, Hinchingbrooke School and Hinchingbrooke Hospital all day, and some peak buses will also serve Fenstanton, providing new links between Fenstanton and Huntingdon rail station for direct trains to London.
“Buses will now operate between 5am and 9.30pm seven days a week including Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.”
He added: “Enhanced links will also be created in partnership with Northamptonshire County Council to Thrapston and Corby, providing direct links along the A14 corridor. Extra journeys will see a bus every two hours on weekdays developing links in this area.
“We have continued to ensure that in these challenging times our passengers receive the best value travel options to which our new flexible working ticket offers five day tickets valid across our network for 90 days on our app for the same price as a weekly ticket on bus.
“This works out at £5.20 per day for unlimited travel on any of our buses for each day. Our four weekly tickets continue to be available for unlimited travel anywhere on our buses for just over £3 per day for adults and £2.32 per day for children and students.
“These tickets can be bought on bus or on our app.”
Cllr Lina Pacheco, county councillor for Hardwick division said: “It is fantastic that we are investing in an interim solution whilst a more permanent takes place with the CAM metro and East West Rail . This initiative offers the services that residents want and have been asking for - using current infrastructure and zero disruption to natural habitats.”
For more on Stagecoach’s service changes, and to see timetables, visit www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/east/August-30th-service-changes .
Visit https://www.go-whippet.co.uk/ for more on Whippet’s service and to download the new timetable .
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