Suffolk County Council launches Katch, a new sustainable, electric taxi-bus service in the East of the county.
Katch provides a travel solution for local residents and visitors in Wickham Market and Framlingham, as well as for those who need to meet their rail connections at Wickham Market train station in Campsea Ashe.
With support from East Suffolk Council, Framlingham Town Council, Community Rail Network, East Suffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership, Greater Anglia and CarsSmart, Katch delivers on the commitment Suffolk councils have made to grow the region’s passenger transport in a sustainable way. It also plays a part in cutting carbon to help reach the Government’s ambition of zero emissions by 2050 and Suffolk County Council’s own target of being carbon neutral by 2030.
The Rail Network Development Fund from the Department of Transport provided a grant for the vehicles electric charging points at the train station at Campsea Ashe.
Katch starts on Monday 17 May 2021 and will run as a trial for 12 months.
The service will be available seven days a week from:
6.30am to 10.30pm on Monday to Saturday
9am to 7pm on Sunday
All journeys must be booked in advance via the Katch App or telephone by calling 01728 55 44 55. The cost of a return journey is £7 and a single journey is £4.
If successful and is regularly used by commuters and rail passengers, Suffolk County Council is keen to facilitate further schemes across the county.
Councillor Matthew Hicks, Leader of Suffolk County Council:
“Suffolk County Council is delighted to be able to offer the new sustainable, electric taxi-bus service in the East of the county. The service will provide a travel solution for local residents and visitors in Wickham Market and Framlingham as well as for those who need to meet their train connections at Wickham Market train station in Campsea Ashe.
“It is also hoped the service will encourage more people to consider using public transport rather than relying on the car. “Following a successful trial, there is an opportunity for this type of flexible and green alternative travel to be considered across other communities in Suffolk.”
Councillor Steve Gallant, Chair of the East Suffolk Community Partnership Board:
“East Suffolk Council is really pleased to be able to support this new service which provides a flexible and accessible solution to the travel needs of local people and visitors alike. Not only does Katch support our environmental vision by offering a sustainable travel option, but it also provides a vital connection for many people who may not be able to get around easily otherwise.”
For further information about Katch, please visit www.katchalift.com