Local bus operator, A2B buses, will run a second Number 9 service from Ely, Littleport and Cambridge after Stagecoach cut the original route.

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority awarded a contract to A2B after Stagecoach "drastically" reduced the bus timetable in the area.

Now, A2B will provide a service in the area where gaps have been left.

The service runs through several routes, which are down below:

Littleport - Ely - Cambridge

06.35 Stagecoach commercial route 

09.30 A2B subsidised by CPCA route 

11.00 Stagecoach commercial route 

12.30 A2B subsidised by CPCA route 

14.47 Stagecoach commercial route 

16.20 A2B subsidised by CPCA route 

Cambridge - Ely - Littleport

07.50 A2B subsidised by CPCA route 

09.20 Stagecoach commercial route 

10.50 A2B subsidised by CPCA route 

13.10 Stagecoach commercial route 

14.40 A2B subsidised by CPCA route 

17.35 Stagecoach commercial route 

Recommended Reading: Stagecoach Littleport to Cambridge Number 9 bus service cuts

Stagecoach tickets will be accepted on the A2B service, and single journeys will be capped at £2.

Stagecoach announced its decision to cut the Number 9 as part of a package of changes coming into effect on April 14.

Judith Barker, executive director of place and connectivity at the Combined Authority, said: “We have acted quickly to subsidise a new service which will go some way to plug the gaps left by Stagecoach. 

“We recognise how important buses are to our residents, helping them to stay connected, get to work, school or college, meet friends and get to health appointments.

"They are the lifeblood of our communities."

Anna Bailey, Leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council, has said that "The Number 9 route is a worthy candidate for investment."

She added: "I have asked Officers to convene a residents’ meeting as soon as possible, so that timetabling can be discussed. 

"I have met with Stagecoach and they have confirmed they are ready and willing to discuss changes to the timetable to support what local residents need, including the possibility of going back to their original 6.00am start time in the morning. 

"The CPCA provision needs to support more peak time journeys before 9.00am, and it needs to provide the second crucial CPCA commissioned bus.

"Users of the Number 9 cannot wait for a decision on a second CPCA bus until the autumn to see what headroom may be available in the precept funding – they will be making their transport decisions right now. 

"Unfortunately, there is a large gap between the 6.30am Stagecoach service and the 9.30am CPCA (A2B) service which is no use for people coming to work from Littleport to Ely for an 8.30am/9.00am start time for example. 

"All this does is undermine the route as whole, resulting in lost passengers and pushing the cost per passenger journey upwards."