Shuttle bus linking Chatteris to Manea railway station axed by town council

A bus service aimed at linking town residents to a village railway station is to be axed.

The decision was taken by Chatteris Town Council at its meeting on Tuesday after members heard not one person had used the shuttle service from the town to Manea railway station operated by FACT.

It was launched in the summer with high hopes that people would use the service so they could take advantage of the railway station.

Having heard it had remained unused, despite the nominal fare of £1, councillors decided it had to go.

Cllr Pete Murphy said: “I said right from the start no one from Chatteris would use it and sadly I was right.”

However, it was an entirely different story for two other services that have been running in the town.

The Chatteris Flyer, which is a hop-on hop-off service has proved highly popular regularly attracting up to 25 passengers on a Friday.

The Chatteris to Cambridge service, which runs on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, was also proving popular with at least nine or ten people using it.

As a result of its popularity councillors agreed it should run every Saturday throughout December. Adults need to book in advance by calling 01354 661234 – it's £2 return with children under 16 free – but they must be accompanied by an adult.