The Katch service 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.
Suffolk County Council, with support from East Suffolk Council, Framlingham Town Council, East Suffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership, the Department for Transport Community Rail Development Fund, Community Rail Network, Greater Anglia and Cars Smart, launched the Katch service earlier this year in May. The service, which is a pilot scheme, 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 service is available seven days a week from 06.30 to 22.30 Monday to Saturday and 09.00 to 19.00 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 the service proves a success and is regularly used by local people in addition to commuters and rail passengers, Suffolk County Council is keen to facilitate further schemes across the county.
Cllr Alexander Nicoll, Suffolk County Council, Wickham Division and Deputy Cabinet Member for Transport Strategy, said:
“The Katch service is a new opportunity providing an innovative, flexible and green solution to rural transport needs. It allows local residents in Wickham Market, Framlingham and Campsea Ashe to make easy and regular journeys between these destinations. Local people, commuters and visitors can also enjoy access to the wider Suffolk transport network and beyond as Katch serves Wickham Market railway station in Campsea Ashe.
“This pilot scheme, if successful, could pave the way for similar schemes to be rolled out across Suffolk.”