Demand responsive bus service for West Hunts
Although, arguably, West Huntingdonshire is a little outside the Cambridge Area Bus Users area of interest, we are featuring this service as there appears to be considerable support for demand responsive bus services (DRT) at central government (DfT) level. The opportunity to increase bus ridership through DRT has been discussed for some time in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority – with Cambridge Area Bus Users stating our view that DRT should supplement, rather than replace existing supported fixed-route services. We are pleased to note that this is the view of the Combined Authority.
The Ting branded fleet of four Optare solo, single deck vehicles, two of which appeared at the event launch, will provide an overlay service, and operate in addition to the existing bus services currently running across the area. It isn’t a replacement of [existing] services.
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority
The Ting service is run by four Optare Solo, single-deck, wheelchair-accessible buses powered by Euro VI engines, which have lower PM10, PM2.5 and NOx emissions than a single diesel taxi. They are a cleaner and more environmentally friendly way of journeying throughout West Huntingdonshire.
Depending upon the success of the West Hunts six-month Ting DRT trial – initiated by the Combined Authority and operated by Stagecoach East – we may well see an expansion of DRT services into those parts of the Combined Authority which are hard to reach with conventional bus services. One thinks of many areas of rural East Cambridgeshire and of Fenland.
The outcome of this trial will be used to help decide whether demand responsive bus services can become a valuable addition to our public transport service across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough in the future.
Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
The Ting service goes live on 25th October 2021.
To read the full Ting press release on the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority website, click here.
Stagecoach East are excited to be partnering with the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority to launch our brand new on-demand, responsive bus service – ‘Ting’. Ting will transform how customers use our services and will help to break down the barriers to bus travel, that some people experience, by allowing customers to facilitate on-demand, tailor-made bus trips that are not restricted by timetables.
Darren Roe, Managing Director of Stagecoach East
Ting is a great new way to get about by bus in West Huntingdonshire, without having to rely on a car. Simply download the Ting app, book your trip and your bus will pick you up at your chosen time. Plus, you can travel anywhere within the service zone for just £2 each way!
Stagecoach East
The Ting service will be available 7am-7pm on Mondays-Fridays and 8am-4pm on Saturdays. Ting will not operate on Sundays or Bank Holidays. Any one-way ride within the service zone costs £2 for all adults and children. Concessionary Bus Pass holders can travel for free on the service, subject to ENCTS terms and conditions.
To discover the full details of Ting services, fares, add-on fares for linked services, the Ting app and more, on the Stagecoach East website, click here.
Feedback
Cambridge Area Bus Users would welcome your views on, and your experiences of, this new service. This post is open for comments. You can also tweet your views to us @cbgbususers, to Stagecoach East @Stagecoach_East, and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority @CambsPboroCA.
Cambridge Area Bus Users 