Bus services facing axe
TWO local bus services could be axed as part of a council shake-up of subsidised bus routes.
According to figures from Cambridgeshire County Council, the number 10 route from Cambridge to Newmarket via Burwell has an average of just five passengers per journey who cost the council tax payer 8.74 each per journey while the 46 and 47 service between Ashley, Dullingham and Newmarket has just three passengers and is the most expensive to the public purse, costing 23.97 per passenger.
Councillor Matt Bradney, cabinet member for growth and infrastructure, said: "According to figures from the Government, bus passenger numbers in Cambridgeshire have increased by a staggering 10.3 per cent compared with a national average of merely three per cent.
"While we would not want to do anything to damage this, we simply cannot sustain bus services which unfortunately only a handful of people use.
"I understand those who will be personally affected will be angry but we are making these tough and difficult decisions to support essential services and for no other reasons."
According to a council spokesman 2.77 million is being spent on 70 subsidised bus services and councillors have decided that a saving of 300,000 from the authority's budget would better reflect the Council's spending priorities.
A six-week consultation runs until September 26. A final decision will be made in January next year.
People can make their views and opinions known on the County Council's proposals by contacting Passenger Transport:email passenger.transport@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or by telephone 01223 714005 or fax 01223 717789.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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