myTrip operators add former Stagecoach routes

On 20th September, Stagecoach East announced it was withdrawing 18 bus services completely and reducing a further five routes. Cambridge & Peterborough Combined Authority acted quickly to find operators to continue as many of those services as possible, finalising the details for replacement services from 30th October.

Stephensons of Essex has taken on four of the former Stagecoach services serving Ely, March and Newmarket. Vectare has taken two, and A2B Travel has taken one, as have FACT and Centrebus. Whippet has taken on three routes, whilst Dews Coaches has eight. Stagecoach East remains the operator of three of the affected routes following the tendering process led by the Combined Authority.

The majority of the new operators are on technology firm Passenger’s myTrip mobile app, making the transition easier for customers affected by the Stagecoach decision.

Customers who previously used Stagecoach’s mobile ticketing app to buy their tickets are now able to do so for A2B Travel, Dews Coaches, Stephensons, Vectare and Whippet on the myTrip app – as well as track their buses on the routes.

myTrip’s team have been instrumental in updating the services in the app and supporting the operators as they move quickly to pick up the new routes and keep customers moving.

Helen Connolly, Director of Customer Success at Passenger comments “As the services have been awarded by the Combined Authority, we’ve been working quickly to mobilise them with the new operators and get information up to date in the myTrip app. It’s really important, now more than ever, that customers aren’t negatively affected by changes like this. We’re doing everything we can to make sure they have access to high-quality information and can buy a ticket for the bus on myTrip as easily as they used to be able to with Stagecoach”.

A spokesperson at Cambridge & Peterborough Combined Authority comments, “Apps are becoming more and more widely used by bus passengers and the continued innovation in the private sector in this area is very important in getting more people to use public transport. Any technology which makes getting the bus easier and more attractive is very welcome. It is also encouraging to see the myTrip app being responsive to the changes to buses.”

The services operated by A2B Travel, Dews Coaches, Stephensons, Vectare and Whippet, available on the myTrip app:

A2B Travel

• V4 Boxworth to St Ives

Dews Coaches

• 22 St Ives Town Circular
• 29 Hampton to Peterborough City Hospital
• 30 Ramsey to Huntingdon (now 305)
• 35 Chatteris to Huntingdon (now 305)
• 39 Ely to Chatteris (now Zipper 2)
• V1 Ramsey to St Ives
• V2 Chatteris to St Ives
• V3 Somersham to St Ives

Stephensons of Essex

• 8A March to Cottenham
• 9A Ely City Service
• 11 Newmarket to Cambridge
• 12 Newmarket to Ely (now 112)

Vectare

• 23 Queensgate to Lynch Wood
• 24 Queensgate to Lynch Wood (now 23A)

Whippet

• 18 Cambridge to Cambourne St Neots
• 66 St Neots to Huntingdon
• V5 Hinchingbrooke to Godmanchester (now 66)