A statement from Cllr Lucy Nethsingha, Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, following the GCP’s Assembly Papers being published concerning Making Connections:
Cllr Nethsingha said: “Firstly I want to thank everyone who responded to the Making Connections consultation.
“The level of engagement from the public was impressive, and there is a huge amount of important information in the detailed responses people made.
“I want to reassure residents that we will take time to absorb what they have said. We hear their concern and the need for change.
“The responses are complex, but there are two stand out messages. The support for better public transport is clear, as is the support for a franchised bus service, which ensures that public money spent supporting bus services is publicly accountable and under democratic control, and not just going to Stagecoach bosses.
“It is also clear that people are concerned about the introduction of a road user charge.
“We will take note of both of those key messages, and we will work with partners at the Greater Cambridge Partnership and at the Combined Authority to see what can be done to bring forward better public transport while also recognising the concerns that have been expressed. Franchising requires a reliable source of income to pay for the public transport we need, and we will explore all options for funding public transport improvements fairly.”
