New Peterborough 'orbital' bus route starts today

A new 'orbital' Peterborough bus route has been launched today.
The new service launched todayThe new service launched today
The new service launched today

The 12-month trial will provide a new bus service travelling around the edge of the city. Orbital Bus Service 29 is the latest of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority’s commitments to provide alternative ways to travel across the city without using the car.

The new Monday to Saturday service between Serpentine Green and Peterborough City Hospital, with planned stops in the Hamptons and the Ortons, offers six round trips each day between 9am and 3pm at hourly intervals.

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The route is operated by Stagecoach. Normal fares apply, including the acceptance of all bus passes plus 15% on-bus NHS discount for NHS staff at the North West Anglia Foundation Trust, including Peterborough City Hospital, who present a valid ID.

Bus services already run from the Hamptons and the Ortons to the City Centre and there is also a frequent bus timetable from the city centre to the hospital. However, the focus of the trial service is measuring whether there is an economic demand for the orbital bus route. Designed to travel around the edge of the city, the results would be to help cut unnecessary traffic into and out of the centre.

Mayor James Palmer said: “Whilst the spread of Covid has had a big impact on the number of people using buses and other means of public transport over the last year, we recognise the importance of having a viable and useable transport alternative to the car for people to use as the current pandemic restations are lifted.

“As we take on the overall administration of bus services across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, I am determined for us to drive bus recovery through genuine engagement and understanding of the communities who are served by these vital transport routes.

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“I hope this long-awaited Orbital bus service will not only provide a quicker, more direct route for people living on the periphery of Peterborough, but it will help cut unnecessary traffic into and out of the city centre.”

Councillor John Holdich, Leader of Peterborough City Council said: “We want people to make their way around the city as easy as possible and this new bus service, provided by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, will give people a direct bus route to the hospital and Serpentine Green shopping centre. I’m sure it will be welcomed by residents of the Hamptons and the Ortons.”

Darren Roe, Managing Director of Stagecoach East, said: “We are delighted to start trialling our new Orbital bus service 29, which will provide a regular round trip route linking Serpentine Green, Hampton and Orton to the City Hospital. “Following the announcement of the government’s roadmap, we are looking forward to safely welcoming back our passengers and helping them to re-connect following the lockdown.

“The new 29 service will provide people living on the outskirts of the city with direct access to the City Hospital. By travelling around the edge of the city, the new route will also create a more efficient, circular route for hospital staff and visitors by cutting out any post-lockdown commuter traffic within the centre.

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“We are also offering a 15% NHS discount on this route for staff at the NW Anglia Foundation Trust, including Peterborough City Hospital, who can present valid ID. For more information, please visit: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/east/peterborough-29