Bus routes with passenger costs exceeding £100 cut

Two rural bus services in Cambridgeshire are scheduled for discontinuation after analysis revealed that each passenger journey costs over 100 to operate.

The weekly 15 service running between Haslingfield and Royston had operating expenses of 48,297 in 2024-25, equating to 180 per passenger. Meanwhile, the 8A service, which runs once daily between March and Milton Park and Ride in Cambridge, cost 188,753, with each passenger journey exceeding 100.

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority decided to stop subsidizing both routes, citing the need to make "difficult decisions" based on usage and financial sustainability.

During a recent board meeting, it was reported that extending the 8A route to the park and ride aimed to attract more passengers, but ridership showed only "limited change," according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Officials indicated that the discontinuation of the 15 service would be partially offset by expanding the Tiger On Demand service in South Cambridgeshire. Funding for this expansion will come from developer contributions arranged through South Cambridgeshire District Council.

Local politicians acknowledged the challenge. Anna Bailey, Conservative leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council, described bus services as an "emotive topic" but emphasized limited funds. Lucy Nethsingha, Liberal Democrat leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, called the decision "controversial" but said she would support it. Labour cabinet member Anna Smith from Cambridge City Council stressed the importance of preventing rural residents from becoming isolated.

The two services will not end immediately, as 112 days' notice must be provided to the traffic commissioner.

Other Supported Services

The board confirmed continued support for several other bus routes in Cambridgeshire, including connections to Lincolnshire and Suffolk:

• 8: Cambridge Papworth Everard
• 46A: Newmarket Linton
• 5A: St Ives Bar Hill
• 27: Stamford Peterborough
• 61: Eynesbury Eaton Ford
• 68: Wisbech Town Service
• V4: St Ives Bus Station Boxworth

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Commentary: The Difficult Choices Behind Bus Service Cuts

The decision to discontinue two rural bus services in Cambridgeshire, following an analysis revealing their high operational costs, highlights the ongoing financial constraints faced by local authorities. As both services were found to cost over £100 per passenger journey, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority made the tough call to cease subsidizing them, prioritizing financial sustainability over public transportation coverage.

The 15 service between Haslingfield and Royston, which cost £180 per passenger, and the 8A service, with a cost of £100 per passenger, illustrate the challenges of maintaining rural routes. Despite efforts to attract more riders through route extensions and adjustments, the ridership numbers remained low. This underscores the difficulty in balancing demand with operational costs in less populated areas.

Although the decision has sparked mixed reactions from local politicians, with some emphasizing the emotional and practical consequences for rural communities, others recognize the unavoidable necessity of these cuts due to limited funding. The expansion of the Tiger On Demand service in South Cambridgeshire is an attempt to mitigate the impact, but it may not fully replace the lost services for those relying on them.

In conclusion, while these cuts may offer short-term financial relief, they also reveal a larger issue: the long-term sustainability of rural transportation services. As funding constraints persist, local authorities may need to find alternative solutions that balance both fiscal responsibility and public accessibility. The challenge of serving rural areas with limited ridership and high costs is a broader issue that requires continued innovation and collaboration between local governments, residents, and transport providers.

Sources:

• Bus routes costing more than £100 a passenger axed