Cambridgeshire parents' frustration over number 18 bus delays

Almost 30 parents attended a meeting with bus company Whippet, district councillors and Mayor, Dr Nik Johnson

A bus company has pledged to make its buses more reliable following complaints from parents about a service taking pupils to school.

Parents held a meeting at Cambridge Belfry Hotel in Cambourne over delays for the number 18 bus.

Concerns were raised for pupils who relied on the bus to take them to Comberton Village College in Cambridge.

Whippet, which runs the service, said it was working hard to improve reliability.

Ed Cameron, Whippet's commercial director, said: "We took on this contract at short notice towards the end of 2022 and have been working hard to improve the overall reliability of the route since then.

"Recent investment in our bus fleet in Cambridgeshire, and a new website and mobile app, are key steps in this improvement plan.

"We continue to work at recruiting and training new drivers."

Ambika Rana-Beadle, 55, whose son attends the secondary school, hosted the meeting on Monday evening.

It was attended by local councillors, Mr Cameron and mayor Nik Johnson, from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.

Ambika Rana-Beadle organised the meeting after she and many other parents' children were left waiting for the number 18 bus

"We want a reliable bus service and want our children to be safe," Ms Rana-Beadle said.

In the meeting, parents expressed their frustration with the service and said they wanted better communication with the bus company.

"Nobody picks up phone and no-one responds," one parent said.

Mr Cameron, who has only been at the company for three months, said he had recruited a member of staff to help provide better communication.

Another parent said their daughter had waited for two buses which did not come and had to order a taxi home.

Whippet and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority are working together to improve the bus service

Mr Cameron mentioned his difficulty in recruiting new drivers and said many of the previous drivers had left for higher paid jobs.

Mr Johnson, who is responsible for transport in Cambridgeshire, said in a statement: "I understand the frustration felt when you are unable to get to where you need to go.

"The combined authority and I have been in regular conversation with Whippet to address these concerns and ensure they tackle the causes.

"I, and the combined authority, will continue to hold Whippet to account, to ensure this is the case."

The number 18 bus route services a number of pupils from Comberton Village College

David Clarke, deputy principal at Comberton Village College, said: "We realise that Whippet has a plan in place for service improvement, working with the combined authority.

"His explanations of the tendering process, vehicle reliability and availability along with driver recruitment and training provided useful context."

Another meeting is due to be held in three months.