The improvements to public transport that need to be implemented before a potential £5 congestion charge could be introduced have been set out.

The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) revealed proposals last week to widely improve the bus network in Cambridge and the surrounding areas.

The plans included more frequent and cheaper services and the aim to make the buses zero-emission.

To fund the changes, the Partnership proposed to introduce a £5 weekday congestion charge for people driving into and around Cambridge.

The GCP said the proposed ‘Sustainable Travel Zone’ would also help reduce congestion and pollution in the city.

Since the announcement, some people have raised concerns about the road user charge and someone has launched a petition opposing the charge which has amassed more than 11,000 signatures.

However, the GCP has committed to delivering improvements to public transport before implementing any potential charge.

In a report due to be presented to the Partnership’s Joint Assembly later this week (September 8), it sets out a timeline of improvements the authority plans to make before introducing a congestion charge.

The report said: “In keeping with the GCP’s commitment that public transport must be improved before a charge is introduced, it is proposed that investment in services and fare reductions would begin in advance of any charge starting.

“Bus services changes will require investment in additional fleet, depots, drivers and infrastructure.

“Some of the bus network improvements also require additional network capacity in order to offer fast and reliable services.

“A phased approach is therefore proposed from 2024.”

The improvements planned from mid-2023 are:

  1. Ensure that existing urban and interurban routes serving Addenbrooke’s Hospital provide access to all clinical shifts.
  2. Increase the geographical coverage of services to major employment and education sites.
  3. Improve access to areas of Cambridge with lower levels of car ownership and higher levels of deprivation.
  4. Address existing deficits in access to the bus network from small towns and large villages, for example Willingham, Cottenham, Chatteris.
  5. Improve interchange to and from rail services, including at Cambridge North station.
  6. New services to the new South West Travel Hub, followed by other services using new infrastructure as these are delivered.
  7. Rural Demand Responsive Transport as a more efficient way to better serve more thinly-populated communities.
  8. Frequency enhancements on existing routes.
  9. Increase service durations (early mornings, late evenings, Sundays).
  10. From 2024 the proposed flat fares of £1 in the city and £2 in the wider area are planned to be introduced.

Between 2025 and 2027 the GCP plans to “continue to ramp up” services with the full network in place and operational from 2028.

A further consultation on the Partnership’s wider proposals is planned to take place. Any congestion charge would also need to be approved by Cambridgeshire County Council before coming into force, as it is the highways authority for the area.