WISBECH: Plans to cut Stagecoach service to Peterborough met with dismay
PLANS to slash a bus service between Wisbech and Peterborough have been met with dismay. Early next month Stagecoach is planning to cut two of the regular weekday journeys made by the number 36 service, including the 5.35pm bus from Peterborough to Wisbec
PLANS to slash a bus service between Wisbech and Peterborough have been met with dismay.
Early next month Stagecoach is planning to cut two of the regular weekday journeys made by the number 36 service, including the 5.35pm bus from Peterborough to Wisbech.
"That means it will not be possible to use this service and work full time in Peterborough," said bus user Martin Lightfoot from Wisbech.
"It beggars belief that in an age when we are constantly being encouraged to use public transport, give up our cars for environmental and economic reasons, we have a company that seems intent on driving us off its services, either back into our cars, or on to its competitor's services."
Martin, who works part time in Peterborough, says the Stagecoach 36 service is substantially cheaper than its main rival service, and changes in the timetable will increase his travel costs by 50 per cent.
He says the 36 service stops in more villages than the rival service, but admits it has been underused since its introduction last August. Under the new timetable, the last number 36 bus of the day from Peterborough to Wisbech will leave at 3.45pm.
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"Apart from a handful of school children who use the service, it is hard to see who it is aimed at," said Martin. "It is now useless for workers or shoppers."
Terry Fitzjohn, operations manager for Stagecoach at Peterborough, says the new timetable will offer more facilities to residents of Gorefield, Parson Drove and Murrow.
He also recommends the route run by competitor First Eastern.
"The speed and frequency of the First X1 route offers commuters and shoppers from Wisbech an excellent facility," said Mr Fitzjohn. "I believe that our route complements this, serving the wide area with its more sparse population.
