Concerned west Suffolk residents are 'disgusted' by the decision to axe two bus routes from the end of October.
Stagecoach has announced that as of Sunday, October 30, a total of 18 routes will be withdrawn from service.
This includes the 11/X11 route, Cambridge - Newmarket - Bury St Edmunds and the 12 route, Cambridge - Newmarket - Ely.
Concerned Fordham resident Jemma Fortey will now struggle with getting her 17-year-old daughter to West Suffolk College each day.
Concerned Fordham resident Jemma Fortey will now struggle with getting her 17-year-old daughter to West Suffolk College each day. (Image: Jemma Fortey)
"Like most other parents, I work full-time so I can't give her a lift to school or give her a lift to and from the train station. It's very frustrating," said Jemma.
The petition Jemma started in an attempt to save the bus services has already reached 1,800 signatures - a figure growing steadily as more discover that their regular bus service will be disappearing.
Working mum Beckie Brown shelled out £650 for an annual bus pass for her daughter at the start of the term. (Image: Beckie Brown)
Another working mum, Beckie Brown, shelled out £650 for an annual bus pass at the start of the term.
Beckie said the lack of post-16 provision in Newmarket had driven her child further afield to Bury St Edmunds, so providing adequate transport links was "the least that could be done".
"I'm disgusted," she said. "It will cost over £1,000 a year to send her on the train and I'll be expecting a full refund if she can't take the bus any more."
Alongside issues with education transport, concerns have arisen surrounding those who cannot drive for health reasons.
Kerry Risely O'Reilly has Multiple Sclerosis and said that mobility transport for disabled people is essential. (Image: Kerry Riseley O\'Reilly)
Kerry Risely O'Reilly has Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and said: "I currently drive and am well, but I have MS and don't know when I may have to access buses. Many disabled people don't have mobility transport either."
Michalska Agnieszka added to this by saying she was worried about getting herself and her children to hospital appointments in Cambridge and Bury St Edmunds.
Michalska Agnieszka is worried about getting herself and her children to hospital appointments in Cambridge and Bury St Edmunds. (Image: Michalska Agnieszka)
Managing director of Stagecoach East Darren Roe said: "The 18 affected routes have been losing £12 per passenger per journey on average. Some of them, where numbers have dropped as low as around only 50 customers per week, are costing up to £80 per passenger.
"We cannot continue to operate services which we know are no longer financially viable. That would not be right for taxpayers or our passengers."
Responding to concerns from parents, a spokesman from West Suffolk College said: “It’s disappointing that the decision has been made, especially part way through an academic year, but we will be actively speaking with the bus company and working with them to see if these routes can be continued.
"We would like to reassure students, their parents and guardians that we are here for them and if anyone has been affected by this news – we will work with individuals to seek alternative transport solutions and where possible, guide them towards our bursary scheme that may provide additional financial support."
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