If you’re a commuter to Cambridge, you might want to try to make a few minutes to drop in to the transport consultation event at Ely railway station next Monday morning (Monday 18 March).
Officers from the Greater Cambridge Partnership will be available from 7:30AM to 9:00AM to talk about proposals for future public transport networks and ways to reduce congestion.
If you can’t spare the time on your journey to work, you can give your views online by filling in the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s survey by 31 March, or contact them via email at consultations@greatercambridge.org.uk or via Facebook and Twitter, making sure to use the hashtag #BetterGreaterCambridgeJourneys
More information can be found at www.greatercambridge.org.uk/choicesbetterjourneys
Never mind the journey to Cambridge, what about the lack of public transport from Witchford to the station leading a great many parents/carers to take to the road to get students there each morning/evening. A 6 mile round trip adding emissions to the atmosphere which could so easily be avoided if the Haddenham bus actually made a stop in the village instead of driving down the by-pass.
Absolutely agree we need better public transport between our villages and Ely station, and also to Longstanton to join the guided busway, and to the Leisure Village on the A10. I do hope you’ll be able to pop in to the station next Monday to say so. And fill in the online consultation!
It would be great if the Haddenham bus (the Ely Zipper) stopped in Sutton and Witchford on its way to Ely, but that would reduce usage of the 39 bus from March to Cambridge along that section, with the risk that the 39 service would be cut further or that Stagecoach would threaten to withdraw it altogether unless the council subsidised it. All of this is now the responsibility of Mayor Palmer and his Combined Authority – we need to lobby him to do take effective action to improve local bus services.
I agree with the comment made by Amanda. But a bus all the way to Cambridge would be better. As much I like trains waiting for connections are both stressful and time wasting especially if you have an appointment at Addenbrookes. I know buses take longer to get to Cambridge but once you are on it you can relax and have an idea as to when you will arrive.
Buses into Cambridge are the fourth worst in the country for reliability, along with Oxford. Part of the reason for the current consultation is to start addressing the problems of traffic congestion in Cambridge which slows down many buses. Agree that changing modes of transport is stressful!
I forgot to mention. It is not easy to get a seat on the train at peek times and you have to stand all the way. Not good if you have problems with your legs.
Agree. And there’s much less willingness to give up one’s seat these days!
More rail services too and from London during peak periods would be ideal and reduce overcrowding together with the costly impact of delays, as the interval to the next train would be less. However, the biggest problem is definitely the appallingly inadequate public transport from the surrounding villages to and from the station leading to ridiculous amounts of traffic on roads that just can’t cope. More buses to Ely station would mean more folk would catch the train to Cambs rather than driving too, which might ease congestion on the A142, A10, A14 and perhaps even in Cambridge itself. I think there’s a strong argument for a regular, reliable hopper service even if it’s only during peak periods. It would ease the parking pressure at the station too. The impact on commuters’ quality of life and time for family can’t be underestimated.
Very much agree, Claire. Rural bus services have collapsed in recent years, as financial support from government and councils has plummeted and fares have risen.
Agree with Claire, if the 39 bus connected directly to Ely station rather than sitting at market street for 20 mins before connecting for onward travel to Cambridge then it might just be a feasible alternative to car travel but the time it currently takes is quite ridiculous.