Stagecoach East Expands Bus Services for New School Year

The Cambridgeshire Guided Busway is set to enhance its services with additional buses and ticket sellers ahead of the new academic year. This initiative, announced by Stagecoach East, aims to manage an expected surge in passenger numbers as students return to school and college in early September.

Beginning on September 1 and continuing through September 5, the company will introduce extra buses on its routes to increase capacity significantly. This seasonal adjustment aligns with the annual rise in ridership as families prepare for the new school term. In addition to the expanded bus fleet, Stagecoach will deploy ticket sellers at key locations, including St Ives and Longstanton Park & Ride, during peak morning hours to streamline boarding processes.

Darren Roe, Managing Director of Stagecoach East, emphasized the importance of the Busway as a critical transport artery into Cambridge. He stated, “The Busway is a hugely important artery into the city, and so we are proud to be an essential part of getting so many people to school, college, and work.” Roe highlighted that these investments aim to reduce travel times while ensuring that services remain viable.

Despite the improvements, Roe cautioned commuters to expect peak periods to remain busy, particularly between 7:30 AM and 9:00 AM. He advised passengers to allow extra time for their journeys during these hours, noting that the Busway tends to be quieter outside of peak times.

To facilitate smoother travel, Roe recommended downloading the Stagecoach App, which offers features such as live bus tracking, journey planning, and mobile ticket purchasing. He noted, “Buying your tickets before you travel is an excellent way that all customers can play a part in helping to reduce boarding times.”

The Cambridgeshire Guided Busway is recognized as the longest guided busway in the world, connecting key locations including Cambridge, Huntingdon, and St Ives. As the new school year approaches, these service enhancements are expected to support the growing demand for efficient public transport in the region.