The service runs every 15 minutes at peak times during week days and avoids traffic congestion by using the Guided Busway, taking just five minutes to complete the 2-mile journey. Users have found it a highly attractive alternative. Early adopters included train commuters who used to drive into Cambridge from the south and park at the railway station at a cost of up to £9.20 a day. When compared with a daily return bus ticket price of only £3.20 (plus £1 parking charge) the savings are clear. Other customers include those who work in Cambridge within a walkable distance from the station, or those who catch a further onwards bus service.
The Route R service had its genesis in the Quality of Life survey of 35,000 Cambridge employees carried out by Cambridge Ahead. This revealed that road congestion is felt to be the biggest single issue facing Cambridge, and that the public bus service is the least used of the four modes of transport. A proposal for a new service was made, and following excellent collaborative working between Stagecoach, the County Council, and Cambridge Ahead, it was launched in April 2015. Since then, Stagecoach has seen passenger numbers steadily climbing.
Andy Campbell, MD of Stagecoach East, said: “In the second week of April this year, we carried over 1,600 passengers on the service – well over our target – and it’s a great success story for Cambridge commuters. Anyone who’s tried to drive into Cambridge or reach the station area in rush hour along Hills Road will know that it is a route to avoid and we’re delighted to provide a faster and less stressful alternative. We hope users are enjoying substantial time and cost savings, and greater reliability in their daily commute.”
Alex Plant, Chair of the Cambridge Ahead Transport Group, added: “This initiative demonstrates our commitment to finding practical solutions to transport issues in the city. In this case it was a great idea coming out of discussions in our Transport Group, which was then picked up and turned into reality by Stagecoach and the County Council. We very much hope the service goes from strength to strength and continues to help ease some of the congestion difficulties in the area.”
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