A community transport charity – headed by a Conservative councillor – has attacked Labour Mayor Dr Nik Johnson after Stagecoach East Midlands won a tender to provide a weekday subsidised bus service in Wisbech.
Cllr Gary Christy is chairman of FACT (Fenland Association for Community Transport) and in an open letter to Mayor Johnson – published on the NE Cambs Conservative Association Facebook page – claims to have been “unfairly disadvantaged” in the tender process to continue the 68 service.
His claims have been strenuously denied by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority who are providing a subsidy to enable the service to continue.
“The Combined Authority can confirm that correspondence has been received from FACT regarding the procurement and performance of one of the bus routes within the Combined Authority area,” a spokesperson told CambsNews.
“The correspondence was considered in full, and a comprehensive response provided to address all of the issues that were raised.
“We are unable to comment further at the present time due to legal reasons.”
Cllr Christy is both chairman and a trustee of FACT – two of the other three trustees are also Conservative councillors, Cllr Chris Boden, and Cllr Chris Seaton.
Privately Mayor Johnson is seething that FACT has tried to turn a subsidised bus route into a political football since his priority has been to ensure 100 per cent legitimacy and transparency in all procurement decision making.
FACT has operated the 68 service for a number of years and a series of ad hoc interventions and subsidies has kept it going.
The cross town service was for a long time supported by section 106 (community benefit) funding from the Tesco site on Cromwell Road.
Funding was initially provided in 2015 to deliver transport to the site and support a service for up to three years but has managed to continue since then.
Ironically, the service was originally run by Stagecoach, but they withdrew in 2016.
And now they are back – despite the fierce attack from Cllr Christy.
His letter claims that in exchanges with officers of the Combined Authority “FACT have not had a robust or understanding response.
“FACT are of the opinion that we have been unfairly disadvantaged in the CPCA Tender process for this services due to inadequate processes and systems.”
He goes onto to explain the tendering process, as FACT understood it, and disputes that his organisation had not submitted all the correct documents.
“FACT are not seeking any special treatment in document submission as had been intermated (sic) by officers,” he says. “FACT are simply asking to be fairly and equally treated.
“FACT are of the view that they fully complied with all instructions and had no reason to believe there had been any problems with the tender submission.
“FACT are firmly of the opinion that this treatment is not only disadvantaging FACT but also that it is preventing the CPCA from delivering best value services to the community.”
Cllr Christy says that as FACT is a registered charity “our first obligation is to the community and to seek to use all available routes to ensure fair play for and within the Third Sector.
“FACT are currently seeking advice on further actions in regard to the situation.”
Cllr Christy adds: “The second matter is one that is more concerning to us personally.
“You will be aware as you were involved, FACT, FDC, the CPCA and local Wisbech councillors worked very hard to build up the patronage of the route 68, a service that Stagecoach had run previously before declaring it non-viable commercially.
“The service was resurrected and restored with the use of Section 106 money and also a donation from an anonymous benefactor to continue the service.
“You travelled the route with our driver and met many of the passengers and campaigners.
“Significant resources were put behind the efforts to build this service into the successful community route it became.
“It was also via the CPCA funded GoAscendal innovation hub that the Nemi app was launched to provide a valuable real-time and innovative tracking and booking app for users.”
Cllr Christy adds: “We have been receiving many calls from passengers extremely upset that the service is being degraded and that they can no longer use it.
I resolve to bring radical change to our buses in Cambridgeshire
“This includes reports that the service cannot go into the eye clinic or the retail park, and is missing out certain streets, with the excuse being given that when Stagecoach is using a double decker bus for the service passengers are being left waiting as Stagecoach simply choose to not service the full route.
“This has led to people losing confidence in the reliability of the service.
“In addition, passengers have said that the use of a large bus is not suitable for many of them to access, something FACT is very aware off through the Community Transport services we run.”
He concluded: “This is not only very disappointing to hear but is also extremely disturbing as it seems to disadvantage a large part of the patronage that everyone had worked very hard and diligently to build up.
“The route 68 had grown to be a true community hub and was more than just a simple bus service. I have been told there have been protesters at Horsefair campaigning for the service to be returned to what it was running under FACT.
“I am sure the route 68’s most active campaigner Diane who sadly passed away as you are aware, would be extremely upset to see what had become of her beloved route 68 service!
Cambridgeshire bus revolution is just what the doctor ordered
“I would like to ask for your direct intervention in this matter and to reaffirm your commitment to the community, before this most valued and loved community service is completely run down and lost forever.”
While the Combined Authority says they are limited in terms of comment on his letter for now, they may be able comment further in due course.
