The service, which is led by Suffolk County Council, launched as a 12-month pilot in east Suffolk in May 2021 but has now been extended by six months to December.
This is to give Katch a chance to encourage passenger usage and allow the council to establish a truer picture of demand as bus services strive to recover following the lifting of Covid restrictions.
In further good news for passengers the service will also now call at Blaxhall village, stopping outside the Youth Hostel in School Road from Monday May 16.
The service is also to see:
- Group tickets being introduced for two adults and two children or four adults, saving £4 on return journeys.
- Rewards cards being introduced – take six return journeys and get the seventh free.
- Upgrades to the booking app, including an online payment facility.
However, as part of the pilot extension a review of current demand has resulted in service hours being adapted.
From May 16 there will no longer be a Sunday service and Saturday hours will now be 10am-8pm. Weekday operating hours remain 7.30am to 8pm.
Katch is led by Suffolk County Council in partnership with operator CabsSmart, and with support from East Suffolk Council, Framlingham Town Council, Wickham Market Parish Council, Community Rail Network, and East Suffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership.
It uses two Renault ZE electric eight-seater wheelchair accessible vehicles.
Serving fixed bus stops it operates between Framlingham – Wickham Market – Blaxhall – Tunstall – Snape Maltings – Snape Village and to Wickham Market railway station at Campsea Ashe.
Journeys can be booked on-demand by telephone or via the app, charging fares in line with a bus service.
Councillor Richard Smith said:
