The root of the problem? Central government policies on Local government funding.
You can:
- See the meeting papers and the video recording of the meeting here
- Read the eight public questions here (or scroll to item 5 from the above link)
- Read the bus service report here (or scroll to item 13 from the top link)
Because if you don’t ask, you don’t get. Councillors cannot read your mind. (i.e. if you are sounding off about the issues to a friend, why not do similar with your local councillors? At least that way they will have some idea of how serious the issue is that you have).
Councillors, some of you / your contacts may be interested in getting involved in the Cambridge Area Bus Users here. At the last count, councillors from at least three local political parties were members.
“Buses Magazine – don’t forget that!”
I remain surprised at how little presence the specialist transport press has given the prominence of public transport issues in and around Cambridge. Below – Buses Magazine (also on sale at the shop/chain formerly known as WH Smith) and also second hand back copies for sale online.
Above – Buses Magazine where you can compare how your city is doing compared to other places
“What did the bus report say?”
Phil Shepka pretty much covers the essentials for BBC Cambridgeshire here
Above – Phil Shepka for BBC Cambridgeshire, 17 June 2026
Looking at some of the detail, the report does not take a detailed historic look at previous services from generations past
“Analysis found that current bus provision across the CPCA area shows significant variance in service levels, particularly in rural communities and at off-peak times. Data indicates that some areas are at risk of digital and social isolation without intervention to maintain or improve access.
“The adoption of a clear minimum service level would address these gaps and ensure that
essential connections to education, employment, and healthcare are safeguarded for all
residents.”
“To what extent are extensive travel-to-work data sets analysed?”
It doesn’t say. One of the exercises that would be interesting is to find out both methods of transport and travel patterns of different groups of people. I.e. not simply A-to-B-to-A commuters. This is particularly important for leisure facilities and also for those that for example have caring responsibilities whilst working.
Subsidies from institutions
I also looked at the bigger picture:
“The Mayor for Cambridgeshire & Peterborough should start planning now on where to locate new further education colleges
“This deals with reducing the need to travel
…something covered on p73 of the First Conversations on the emerging local plan here.“
But as we found out earlier this week, the CPCA appears reluctant to venture outside of its funded policy silos without a clear direction (and funding) from ministers. Which is why I wrote that the CPCA still feels more like a delivery agency for central government rather than an institution that creates and shapes its policies through interaction with local people and organisations.
What’s also not clear is whether the study accounted for the number of private commuter buses – the funding for which really should go towards public services that can also serve the commuter routes. I asked the CPCA to commission research on this – what happened to it?
“You can view the video clip here – and the following PQ from Rail Future East which covers the March-Wisbech rail link which remains stuck somewhere.“
Above – “Combined Authority to examine growth of private commuter buses in/around Cambridge“ – CTO 23 July 2024
Anyone want to put that question to the CPCA Mayor when he has his Question Time event next week in Cambridge?
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The Cambridge Town Owl 