Axing Stagecoach service will be ‘devastating’ says MP Paul Bristow

More changes have been announced by Stagecoach East including their decision to scrap service 36, Peterborough to Eye and onwards to March.

“We consistently monitor our services to ensure we provide sustainable, long-term travel solutions for our customers.,” said a company statement.

“We currently provide an hourly service from Peterborough to Eye, with services 36 and 37, with service 36 continuing from Eye through Thorney to March.

“Customer numbers on service 36 beyond Eye are very low, and so we have therefore made the difficult decision to withdraw service 36, from 30^th July 2023, and redeploy the vehicle resource into service 37.”

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Peterborough MP Paul Bristow believes the changes are “devastating” for those living in Eye or Thorney.

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Stagecoach, however, says: “This was not an easy decision to make, however, it is crucial that we invest in the services most needed and utilised by our customers.

Paul Bristow, MP for Peterborough, believes the changes are “devastating” for those living in Eye or Thorney.
“People rely on the 36 Stagecoach Bus to get to work, go to college, attend GP appointments and much more,” he said. PHOTO: Terry Harris for CambsNews

“Eye will continue to have an hourly link to Peterborough, now provided on service 37, and in addition we can reintroduce an afternoon school journey, on service 37, which will benefit students travelling to schools in Spalding.

“Residents in Thorney can use the Excel A and B services, operated by First Bus, which run every 30 minutes to Peterborough City centre.”

The statement said: “We understand that there is no longer a direct link between Eye and March, but our passenger data shows that there is an average of 1.9 people, per trip, travelling beyond Eye to March and this is not sustainable.

“This is not a decision we have taken lightly, and we sympathise with those passengers who will be impacted by the service withdrawal.”

Stagecoach says the changes are part of a group of service changes, coming into effect on 30th July, “which also sees some routes in the Peterborough network enhanced”.

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Further information can be found here:

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/east/east-bus-network

But Mr Bristow said: “People rely on the 36 Stagecoach Bus to get to work, go to college, attend GP appointments and much more.

“This service has now been cancelled which is devastating for the people of Thorney and Eye.

“The 36 route is important and this decision will impact hard working people.”

Mr Bristow said the Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Dr Nik Johnson has a transport budget and “he should use this and intervene.

“He has proven himself to be virtually pointless in our part of Cambs making no difference for local people. He could prove me wrong and save this bus route.”

Mr Bristow said he is planning a meeting with Stagecoach – and will make the case for Eye and Thorney.

Wisbech councillor Samantha Hoy posted to social media that she was “shocked to hear through the grapevine that Stagecoach have surrendered three more bus routes (maybe they prefer their shiny new electric buses CPCA bought for them in Cambridge), including the Route 66 in Wisbech, the 56 Wisbech Benwick Manea and 50 Wisbech to Long Sutton”.

Cllr Hoy added that she was “disappointed the Combined Authority kept this quiet from local councils and has only given less than a week for other operators to apply

“I and other councillors will be bringing pressure to bear on Dr Nik but not happy about this at all”.