Mid Suffolk Taxi Bus and Rural Connect bus service launch in Mid Suffolk towns and villages, including Stowmarket, Debenham and Eye, to improve transport connections in the area

Two new community transport services aimed at improving connections in Mid Suffolk have launched.

Residents living in Stowmarket and nearby villages can now book a Mid Suffolk Taxi Bus, operated by Swift Taxi Cabs, to travel to and from the town.

The service, which launched on Friday, received funding from Mid Suffolk District’s Rural Transport Grants Scheme, which allocated £820,000 for rural transport in the 2022/23 budget.

The service will also connect with communities in Debenham and Eye.

Cllr Teresa Davis, cabinet member for thriving towns and rural communities at the council, said: “The aim is to ensure our rural communities are better connected with key services and locations.

“The transport services are there to be used by all ages.

“Whether you’re commuting to college, work or meeting a friend for a drink or dinner, please do take a look at the routes and work out where you may be able to swap out a car journey or more.”

The routes currently available provide transport from Stowmarket Circular via Thurston and Stowmarket Circular via Bacton.

These routes have been chosen as the areas have been identified as having the greatest immediate need, including the lack of current provision.

A further five routes will be added over the coming year, connecting Stowmarket to Debenham, Eye and Wattisham, with more routes planned at a later stage.

Details will be updated as new routes are added on the Mid Suffolk Taxi Bus website. Click here for the current timetable.

Duane Hogger, company director at Swift Taxi Cabs, said he was excited to deliver a fresh new concept to the transport service sector.

He said: “Delivering community transport services will always present challenges, but we’re ready, ambitious and up to the challenge to ensure residents can connect with the people and places that matter to them.

“Simply put we are more than just a transport operator; we are a community on wheels, connecting people from all walks of life.”

From tomorrow, the Rural Connect community bus service operated by Communities Together East Anglia will provide transport services across north Mid Suffolk.

This will operate as ‘demand responsive’ with a pre-bookable door-to-door service. Scheduled routes may be developed at a later stage if there is demand.

It will connect Eye to Diss, Debenham and Stowmarket using a fully electric vehicle.

The service is also part of the £820,000 grant.

Jo Reeder, chief executive officer at Communities Together East Anglia, said: “Thanks to funding from Mid Suffolk District Council, we can now bring a new community transport provision to the north of Mid Suffolk.

“Having easy and accessible transport options – no matter your age – is vital for our social connections.

“This is a service designed for all ages – whether you’re commuting to work, going to school or popping into town – we’re ready to take you, so you can reduce your solo car trips – even if a few times a month.”

Both operators will have fallibility for cross-over where needed.