Passengers delighted to have bus service back

12 hours ago

John Devinein Wisbech

The new minibus service will link Wisbech town centre to an out-of-town retail park

John Devine/BBC A large group of happy looking people stand beside a white mini bus. There are purple and white balloons making two columns either side of the group with a star-shaped balloon at the top of each column reading "SERVICE ROUTE 66". A retail park is behind them with shops seen. — The new minibus service will link Wisbech town centre to an out-of-town retail park

A passenger using a reinstated Cambridgeshire bus service says she now has her "freedom back".

The 68 route in Wisbech had previously been run by a private operator without a stop at an out-of-town retail park.

The Fenland Association for Community Transport (Fact) has taken over the contract and will run it as a "not-for-profit" service.

The Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) awarded the new contract, and Mayor Paul Bristow said the service was a valued community route.

Michelle Rham says it feels like "old times" to be back on board and she even made cakes to pass around to passengers to mark the re-launch

John Devine/BBC Michelle Rham has short brown hair and gold framed thin glasses on, she is smiling and wearing a pink floral top with a gold necklace around her neck, behind her is the mini bus, white in colour. — Michelle Rham says it feels like "old times" to be back on board and she even made cakes to pass around to passengers to mark the re-launch

Michelle Rham campaigned to bring the 68 service back and says she now does not have to rely on her husband so much to get around.

"It enables me to do my shopping independently. I don't drive as I have epilepsy and other health issues. It really gives me my freedom back," she said.

Rham said options were limited before the return of the 68 route, which links the town centre Horse Fair bus station to the North Cambridgeshire Hospital and the retail park on Cromwell Road, which has a large supermarket.

"I have a disabled person's bus pass, so it is free for me. We all had big grins on our faces when we boarded," she added.

Minibus driver Joe Duffy said he loved being back behind the wheel on the 68 route

John Devine/BBC Joe Duffy has short brown hair and is sitting in the driving seat of a mini bus, he has a white short sleeve shirt on, and cars can be seen in the background. — Minibus driver Joe Duffy said he loved being back behind the wheel on the 68 route

Joe Duffy is a bus driver for Fact and says he is pleased to welcome back some familiar faces on the bus.

"The people who need this have been lost without transport, and it is so great to have it back," he said.

Duffy said the 68 service would operate five times a day, Monday to Friday.

"The bus does take a lot of people with concessions, but we are available for everyone," he added.

The new bus can carry 16 people and is fully accessible for people with mobility issues.

Janet Wallis says she is "delighted" to have the bus service back

John Devine/BBC Janet Wallis has short grey hair and dark framed glasses on she is wearing a colourful raincoat with a hood that is down, behind her is a white mini bus. — Janet Wallis says she is "delighted" to have the bus service back

Janet Wallis says she is "over the moon" to have the 68 back.

"I couldn't wait for it to return. It's going to give me my life back. The atmosphere was great on our first trip. Everyone was so happy," she said.

Wallis said it was a "real blow" to lose the service two years ago, but now everyone was pleased to have it back.

"The bus driver is so helpful and friendly. He helps us put our shopping trolleys on and off. He makes sure we're safe," she added.

Nicola Christy is a co-ordinator for Fact and says Wisbech really needed a reliable transport service

Nicola Christy, a co-ordinator at Fact, says she is very excited to be able to bring the service back.

"We took on the contract to run the bus on a not-for-profit service by the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority," she said.

Christy said the new service was affordable, costing £2 for adults and £1 for those under-25s who have Tiger passes.

"All our minibuses are leased and include a wheelchair lift at the back to make access easy for everyone," she added.

A CPCA spokesperson said: "Following a recent competitive re-tendering exercise by the combined authority, Fact Community Transport has been awarded the contract to provide this town bus service.

It added that the contract cost is £88,880 a year - awarded for two years with the option to extend for a further year.

Bristow added: "We are always listening to passengers to improve services and get better value for money.

"The 68 service is a valued community route in Wisbech and I'm pleased it has been improved and secured for another two years, with an option for longer."

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