A six-month pilot community bus service linking Haverhill with West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds will be launched next month, it has been announced.

East Anglian Daily Times: Dr Steve Dunn, chief executive of West Suffolk Hospital Picture: TOM SOPER PHOTOGRAPHYDr Steve Dunn, chief executive of West Suffolk Hospital Picture: TOM SOPER PHOTOGRAPHY (Image: Tom Soper)

The service, which follows demand for a new way for people to travel from Haverhill to the hospital, will be provided by The Voluntary Network – Suffolk County Council’s connecting communities operator in west Suffolk.

Passengers can book a journey through the online community transport service called ‘RIDE’, and a full return trip will cost £8.

Villages close to the A143 will also have opportunities to use the service which will operate, on demand, Monday to Friday, between 7am and 7pm. Passengers will be charged fares in line with local bus services and the pilot will launch on August 1.

Mary Evans, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for highways, transport and rural affairs, said: “If you need to get to hospital for an appointment, to visit someone or even work there, you need viable travel options.

“I am just one of the many people who have been asking for a direct bus service from Haverhill to West Suffolk Hospital for years, so I’m absolutely delighted that Suffolk County Council has been able to offer this new service.

“I am especially pleased that people from the villages along the A143 route will be able to use the service.

“We now need people to make this a viable long-term option by using it as regularly as possible. With opportunities to book on demand return journeys each day, I think this will help people make the journeys they need.”

Stephen Dunn, chief executive of West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It’s extremely good news that Suffolk County Council has put this pilot in place.

“We know there are transport challenges for our more rural patients. This service will provide a much needed solution for our patients and staff travelling to and from Haverhill to West Suffolk Hospital, to access our CQC-rated ‘outstanding’ services more easily.”

Matt Hancock, MP for West Suffolk and secretary of state for health and social care, said: “I am so pleased that from August 1, the pilot of the Haverhill to West Suffolk Hospital bus service will be launched.

“Rural transport and getting to hospital can be challenging for some people, so it is great news that Suffolk County Council has put this scheme in place – it will be of huge benefit to the residents of Haverhill.”

To book a journey with RIDE, people can visit www.bookyourride.co.uk or call 01638 664304 Monday to Friday between 8am and 4pm.

Concessionary passes cannot be accepted because seats are pre-booked.