We are concerned by Stagecoach’s announcement to cut the number 11 and other bus services across Cambridgeshire as it will strongly impact our learners who use the buses.
Red2Green is a charity based in Swaffham Bulbeck and Bottisham providing pathways towards independence, employment, and education for people aged 16+ with learning disabilities and autism.
We operate 50 weeks a year, 5 days a week.
Losing the bus route would mean losing independence and access to our services for at least 6 of our learners as well as members of staff who commute using public transport.
Our learners are very anxious with the news, and we are doing everything we can to reassure them.
Without access to buses in the rural community, learners must rely on other forms of transport which are usually more costly and worse for the environment.
For some, they will not have an alternative form of transport at all.
CEO, Liz Taylor said: “There is much anxiety amongst our learners about these bus cuts, they can already be isolated, and this will isolate them further’.
“Buses will push unprecedented demand onto taxi services which are already struggling to cope with demand.
“Furthermore, it will also affect our work as next term’s project for one of our groups is learning how to use public transport, but they will not have accessible transport in the local area.
“Losing the number 11 means we must drive our learners to the nearest bus route in order to teach them the confidence and independence we all deserve to have to navigate life.”
About Red2Green
For more than 20 years Red2Green has been supporting people aged from 16 and beyond, who live in Cambridgeshire and nearby, who live with a range of disabilities including learning disabilities and autism.
They help their clients achieve their goals in life through developing work, social and life skills, gain friendships and have fun together.
For more information e-mail our Fundraising and Marketing Officer, Robyn: robyn.jarvis@red2green.org
Or see www.red2green.org
EDITOR’S NOTE: The author of this article is Robyn Jarvis, fundraising and marketing officer for Red2Green.
