THREE bus services have been saved today two months after a bus operator announced they were being withdrawn.
THREE bus services have been saved today two months after a bus operator announced they were being withdrawn.
Suffolk County Council has saved the 95 service, which runs between Ipswich and Capel St Mary, the 96 service, which runs between Ipswich and Cattawade, and the 97 service, which runs between Ipswich and Shotley.
Operator First said it was withdrawing the trio of services in November.
Councillor Guy McGregor, responsible for roads and transport said: “After hearing about the withdrawals from First on these services, I was very concerned about the impact this would have on local communities and was keen to try and find a solution.
“After looking into how we could help, we have found a number of new operators and I am pleased to say that residents in these areas will still receive a bus service.”
The 95 service will now run on an hourly basis, serving Copdock and Washbrook, with additional peak journeys from Brantham and East Bergholt. It will be operated commercially by Network Colchester.
The 96 service protects the service from Tattingstone and Bentley to and from Ipswich but also offers new journey options to Manningtree and Mistley. This service now offers residents of Brantham services to Manningtree and Mistley and will be operated by Carters Coaches and sponsored by Suffolk County Council.
A 97B service will run from Ipswich to Shotley, operated through the day commercially by Far East Travel and sponsored by the council in the evening.
Services 92, 93 and 94 have also been reviewed. The 92 between Ipswich, Holbrook, Brantham and Cattawade will be operated by Carters Coaches on a commercial basis with some peak journeys sponsored by the council. Additional journeys have also been put in place to cover some of those withdrawn.
The 93 service between Ipswich, Capel St Mary and Colchester will be operated by Network Colchester and sponsored by the council. Changes have been made to the timetable and to pick up arrangements for the 93A service at Scrivener Drive in Ipswich.
The 94 between Hadleigh, Raydon and Ipswich will be operated by Carters Coaches and sponsored by the council. This service will maintain peak hour services to and from Ipswich via Tattingstone and Bentley.
Weblink
www.suffolk.gov.uk/TransportAndStreets/PublicTransport/
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