Estate Management
Uni 4 Bus
Service information and timetable
The University subsidises the Uni 4 bus service, launched on 24 July 2006, which runs from Madingley Road Park and Ride to Addenbrooke's Hospital Bus Station, via many University sites.
Details of the route and timetable are provided below.
Current members of the University can travel for a discounted fare of 50p per journey on the Uni 4 on presentation of their University Card. Valid cards must contain the holder's name and a clearly identifiable photograph, must not have expired, and must be presented to the bus driver at the time of travel. Otherwise, the normal fare is payable.
New and replacement cards are available from University Card Services - contact Christine Ngibuini at 17 Mill Lane, telephone (01223 7)66908.
The Uni 4 bus service is coordinated with the new Citi 4 bus service, along the route between Trumpington Street and the West Cambridge site (including JJ Thomson Avenue and Charles Babbage Road), to provide a combined 10-minute service frequency. The new Citi 4 service was launched on 23 July 2006 and operates between Cambourne and Cambridge City Centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why is the University Card the only acceptable form of identification for discounted fares for University Staff and Students?
A. We had to choose one card only so that bus drivers weren't presented with a confusing array of cards. The University card was chosen because it is available to staff and students throughout the University, and because it contains photo identification and an expiry date, which help to ensure that free travel is given only to current members of the University.
Q. How was the service route chosen?
A. The current route was agreed between the University, County Council and City Council. It meets their objectives to:
- provide a West Cambridge Site - City Centre shuttle bus service, required for the West Cambridge Site development
- link together many University sites
- provide a cross-City service between Madingley Road Park and Ride and the Addenbrooke's Hospital site
- avoid areas with congestion problems
Q. Why does the service not extend to Babraham Park and Ride?
A. The County Council does not support the provision of another bus service between the Park and Ride site and Addenbrooke's Hospital. Also, the extension of the bus service to Babraham Road Park and Ride would have meant that an extra bus was required to operate the route. This would result in significant additional operating cost.
Q. Why do Uni 4 buses not go to Cambridge train station?
A. That would involve buses getting held up in congested traffic at Station Road and the Lensfield Road/Hills Road junction, resulting in delays and service unreliability.
Q. Why does the service not operate longer into the evening, or at weekends?
A. The service operates for 12 hours during the normal working week, to cover normal working days and hours for staff and students. The University already pays a significant amount of money to support the service - any increase in operating hours would result in additional costs to the University.
Q. How long will the service last?
A. The current service is subject to a five-year contract between the University and Stagecoach, from July 2006.