New bus service to launch in Ely
A new bus service is set to launch in Ely this week helping residents to visit family, shop in the city centre or catch up with friends for lunch.
The service provided by Norfolk Green comprises of two orbital routes linking the housing estates on the outskirts of Ely with the City Centre and the new Sainsbury store on Lisle Lane.
One loop is via Cam Drive while the other loop is via Beresford Road providing an hourly service to those residents and giving a half hourly service to the City Centre and Lisle Lane.
Fares will be £1.50 for a single ticket, £2 for an all day ticket and £8 for a weekly ticket – there will also be reductions for under 16s, 16 to 19 year olds and family groups while concessionary bus passes can also be used on the service.
The service is funded through developer contributions from Sainsbury and procured jointly by East Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridgeshire County Council. The contract is for three years, with an option to extend for a further two years, so that the performance of the service can be closely monitored.
Councillor Peter Moakes, Chairman of Development and Transport sub committee at East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “It is fantastic to launch a new bus service which will meet the needs of our residents. Following feedback from local people and groups, the route has been devised so it reaches as many people as possible to help them get into the city centre, to the riverside and Lisle Lane. We hope this service will be valued and well used by residents over the years to come.”
Cambridgeshire County Councillor Steve Criswell, Cabinet Member for Community Infrastructure, said: “We always welcome a new bus route to help people of all ages get out and about. The new service shows how developer’s contributions can make a real difference to communities and I’m sure this will be of great benefit to Ely residents.”
The vehicles will be modern single deck buses with the latest accessibility and low platform specifications.
Money from the Sainsbury development will also be used to develop a package of schemes to ensure that all forms of transport benefit from the new store. The District Council would like to hear ideas and suggestions about how traffic flow and management could be improved in Ely and also to hear about any concerns or difficulties you are experiencing. The fund is not just for motor traffic improvements but also for pedestrian access and cycle facilities.
The authority is working with Cambridgeshire County Council and City of Ely Council on this project and hopes to start building up a picture of traffic issues over the next three months.
To provide feedback go to www.eastcambs.gov.uk or fill in a comments form available in the reception at the District Council.
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