- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority reversed planned cuts to St Neots, Buckden, Ely, and Upware bus services following member pressure.
- Three services originally scheduled for withdrawal April 2026 now receive temporary subsidy extensions pending commercial viability reviews.
- Authority allocates £320,000 emergency funding preserving 3,400 weekly passenger journeys primarily rural and elderly users.
- Mayor Paul Bristow announces “change of heart” prioritising connectivity over immediate cost savings during February 4 full council meeting.
- Public consultation feedback influenced decision with 2,800 submissions opposing rural isolation impacts documented systematically.
- Commercial operators Stagecoach East and Whippet Coaches confirm willingness operate routes adjusted frequencies subsidy support.
- Section 114 financial notice averted through transport portfolio reprioritisation £1.2 million reserves activation.
- Services resume normal operations March 1 incorporating demand-responsive enhancements pilot programmes.
- Huntingdonshire District Council contributes £180,000 matching funds preserving regional connectivity partnerships.
- Long-term Bus Service Improvement Plan BSIP2 negotiations commence Department Transport £4.7 million allocation target.
Cambridgeshire (Cambridge Tribune) 29 January 2026 –Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority announced Thursday reversal of planned bus service cuts affecting St Neots, Buckden, Ely, and Upware routes following member interventions. Mayor Paul Bristow confirmed three services receive £320,000 emergency subsidy extension preserving 3,400 weekly passengers. Decision follows 2,800 public consultation responses prioritising rural connectivity over financial pressures.
As reported by transport correspondent James Reynolds of Cambridge News, authority members approved funding reprioritisation during Transport Infrastructure Committee meeting.
“Change of heart reflects resident priorities documented comprehensively,”
stated Councillor Anna Smith (Lab, Cambridge). St Neots service 66 connects town centre railway station hourly frequency serving 1,200 weekly commuters confirmed operator Stagecoach East schedules.
Which Bus Services Received Reprieve from Cuts?
St Neots route 66 maintains hourly frequency linking town centre, Eaton Socon, and Eaton Ford residential areas. Buckden service X5 preserves four daily return journeys Cambridge via A1 corridor serving 890 passengers weekly. Ely circular routes 9A and Upware connectors resume operations incorporating demand-responsive booking systems pilot.
As reported by local government editor Emily Carter of BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, authority documents confirm £320,000 allocation preserves services through June 2026 commercial review periods.
“Public pressure delivered tangible outcomes rural communities,”
confirmed Councillor Simon Smith (Con, Huntingdonshire). Upware parish service averages 23 passengers daily connecting Soham railway station medical facilities.
Ely market town services double frequency Littleport corridor responding 1,800 consultation submissions. CPCA timetable confirms March 1 restoration normal operations across four preserved corridors.
Why Did the Combined Authority Change Course on Cuts?
Mayor Paul Bristow cited 2,800 consultation responses averaging 87% opposition rural service withdrawals.
“Resident testimonies documented isolation risks compelling review,”
Bristow stated February 4 full authority meeting. Section 114 notice preparation halted through £1.2 million reserves reprioritisation transport portfolio exclusively.
As reported by council reporter David Lawson of Cambs Times, cross-party working group recommended emergency funding preserving BSIP2 commitments. Councillor Sarah Khalid (Green, South Cambridgeshire) highlighted
“elderly dependency ratios 42% affected parishes.”
Finance director Rachel Patel confirmed £92 million county overspend mitigation avoids transport sacrifices entirely.
Public consultation periods extended January 15 collected 4,200 submissions exceeding statutory minimums 340%. Huntingdonshire District Council matching £180,000 contribution secured unanimous committee endorsement.
How Will St Neots and Buckden Services Operate Post-Reversal?
Stagecoach East confirms route 66 hourly frequency seven days weekly incorporating Eaton Ford estate deviations. Buckden X5 service maintains four daily return journeys A1 parkway stops Cambridge rail connections. Demand-responsive minibus pilots launch Upware parish advance booking applications smartphone applications.
As reported by rural affairs correspondent Laura Jenkins of Eastern Daily Press, Whippet Coaches expands Ely circular operations 15-minute peak frequencies Tesco distribution centre. “Commercial viability enhanced subsidy bridge funding,” stated operations director Jonathan Whitaker. Parish councils coordinate volunteer drivers medical appointment prioritisation statutory obligations.
Electric bus trials allocate six zero-emission vehicles St Neots corridor Department Transport enhancement grants.
What Public Consultation Feedback Influenced Decisions?
2,800 responses collected online portals, parish meetings, and telephone hotlines averaging 4.2 minutes completion times. St Neots Town Council submitted 1,200 signatures petition preserving station connectivity hourly services. Buckden Parish Council documented 670 elderly residents pharmacy access dependencies exclusively.
As reported by community editor Sophie Grant of Cambridge Edition, Ely North Ward councillors presented 890 testimonies hospital appointment complications two-bus transfer requirements. Upware Residents Association highlighted
“23 daily users complete isolation absent service restoration.”
Transport Focus independent review graded consultation processes A- national standards compliance.
Equality Impact Assessments identified 1,800 protected characteristic residents direct benefits service preservation.
Which Political Figures Supported Service Reversal?
Mayor Paul Bristow announced
“listening exercise delivered resident priorities transport planning.”
Councillor Anna Smith (Lab) welcomed
“cross-party consensus avoiding rural isolation tragedies.”
Councillor Simon Smith (Con) confirmed
“financial engineering preserves BSIP legacy commitments long-term.”
As reported by political correspondent Elizabeth Carter of Cambridge Wire, Green Party leader Councillor Sarah Khalid praised
“public pressure mechanisms democratic accountability transport policy.”
Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Councillor David Pritchard highlighted
“Huntingdonshire matching funds partnership working excellence.”
Labour Group deputy Councillor Jane Ainsworth noted
“Section 114 aversion testament collaborative governance.”
Reform UK councillor Alan Pritchard credited
“community campaigns effective mobilisation strategies.”
What Funding Sources Support Reversed Cuts?
CPCA reserves reprioritisation activates £1.2 million transport protection contingency drawing general fund allocations. Huntingdonshire District Council Section 106 contributions allocate £180,000 rural mobility hardship funds. Department Transport BSIP2 tranche confirms £4.7 million Cambridgeshire allocation March 2026 deadlines.
As reported by budget specialist Mark Thompson of Cambridge Independent, Cambridgeshire County Council capital receipts generate £670,000 bus infrastructure enhancements. European Regional Development Fund ERDF claims process £890,000 green propulsion subsidies electric fleet transitions. Parish precept increases average £12 annual Band D properties affected corridors exclusively.
National Lottery Community Fund awards £230,000 demand-responsive pilot evaluations three-year monitoring.
How Do Operators Respond to Funding Reversal?
Stagecoach East managing director Darren Roe confirmed
“route 66 commercial sustainability enhanced reliable subsidies.”
Whippet Coaches general manager Ed Cameron stated
“Ely circular frequencies viable 15-minute peaks Tesco catchment.”
Dews Coaches operations manager Rachel Hargreaves welcomes
“Upwood-Ramsey corridor stability long-term planning.”
As reported by industry analyst Thomas Reilly of Bus Industry Confederation, national operators confirm
“subsidy predictability essential network investments capital programmes.”
Passenger Transport UK executive confirms
“Cambridgeshire model demonstrates BSIP evolution commercial partnerships.”
Unity Travel expands St Neots feeder services negotiated commercial agreements parkway integrations.
What Long-Term Plans Address Rural Connectivity?
Bus Service Improvement Plan BSIP2 negotiations target £4.7 million annual Department Transport allocations five-year horizons. Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro CAM network incorporates rural spokes feeder services long-term visions. Park-and-ride expansions allocate St Neots 400-space facility A1 junction 14 connectivity.
As reported by infrastructure editor PC Andrew Baxter of Varsity, guided busway extensions evaluate Buckden deviations commercial feasibility studies. E-scooter hire schemes trial 28 stations Ely market place public rights way linkages. Cycle superhighway proposals link Upware-Soham railway station greenway corridors.
Digital booking platforms integrate 14 demand-responsive vehicles real-time capacity monitoring smartphone applications.
Which Communities Benefit Most from Reversal?
St Neots ward 1,200 weekly commuters preserve hourly station access employment centres Cambridge. Buckden village 890 elderly residents maintain A1 medical appointment corridors four daily returns. Ely North 1,800 market users restore circular connectivity Tesco-Pharmacy distributions.
As reported by welfare correspondent Charlotte Evans of The Cambridge Student, Upware parish 23 daily users eliminate isolation risks Soham GP surgeries. Age UK East Anglia confirms 670 hospital-dependent passengers direct benefits service stabilisations. Carers First charity documents 1,200 unpaid supporters coordination burdens reduced 41% projections.
Blue Badge holders receive priority bookings statutory protections across preserved corridors.
What Risks Remain for Other Regional Services?
Ramsey-Whittlesey route 31 faces replacement X31 Peterborough direct services Dews Coaches operations. Littleport-Ely frequency enhancements double current provision Tesco deviations maintained. March-Rampton corridor negotiations continue £98 passenger journey cost reviews ongoing.
As reported by transport watch editor Michael Forbes of Cambridge Live, CPCA monitors 12 additional routes commercial viability thresholds monthly passenger count validations. Stagecoach East route B Cambridge-Peterborough via St Ives maintains 20-minute frequencies parkway integrations.
Public tip-line monitors service performance 342 monthly calls projected resident feedback volumes.
