Cambridgeshire tax increase could pay for 拢1 fares and new bus routes

Image caption, More buses could run if the council tax precept was increased
  • Author, Emma Howgego
  • Role, 成人论坛 News, Cambridgeshire Political Reporter

A council tax precept could be increased to subsidise bus fares for under-25s and pay for new bus routes.

The proposals would see fares cut in half to 拢1 for a single journey across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

The combined authority said its survey about increasing the precept, which would work out at about 拢24 for Band D properties, was backed by the majority of the 450 respondents.

The plans would be discussed at a council meeting on 31 January.

The mayoral precept was first added to council tax bills in April 2023 at a cost of 拢12 for a band D property. The proposed increase to 拢36 would come into effect from April 2024.

It was initially introduced to help subsidise a number of bus routes across the county that were no longer being run by commercial operator Stagecoach.

The additional money that could be raised in 2024/25 would subsidise a number of new routes and enhance existing services.

Extra evening services

Papers released ahead of a meeting suggested a number of possible other routes could be created.

These included orbital routes in Cambridge and Peterborough which avoided city centres.

In addition, a new "zipper" service between Ely and Mepal would be considered, as would extended evening services in Whittlesey.

The board papers also looked in to the possibility of franchising to improve bus services in the future.