I vividly remember the days when catching the National Express 788 to Luton Airport or the 767 to Stansted Airport was a breeze. These services not only made travel simpler for me but also for countless others who relied on them heavily as a critical link to major airports. However, ever since July 2024, when National Express withdrew routes 788 and 767, and subsequently Flixbus 002 (London – Bradford) also disappeared, Peterborough has been stranded, with no regular coach services to airports and major cities.

The absence of these crucial connections has left residents scrambling for alternatives, which are often more expensive and less convenient. While Peterborough has rail connections, train tickets—especially for peak travel, last-minute trips, or early morning flights—have become prohibitively expensive. Navigating airport travel by train usually forces passengers into stressful, indirect journeys through Central London or multiple transfers across regional rail networks, which simply isn't an option for early departures or late arrivals when trains aren't even running.

This loss impacts every corner of our city. For low-income families, shift workers, pensioners, and students attending ARU Peterborough, low-cost coaches are an absolute necessity, not a luxury. Furthermore, for a rapidly growing cathedral city and business hub of over 215,000 people, lacking direct coach links to major UK destinations—including London, Leicester, Nottingham, Sheffield, Leeds, Bradford, and Cambridge, as well as key airports like Luton, Stansted, and Heathrow—actively hurts our local economy, limits tourism, cuts us off from major urban centers, and forces more cars onto congested roads like the A1(M) and A47 when we should be pushing for greener travel options.

Public transportation networks serve as the lifeblood for communities like ours, ensuring accessibility for all citizens. Restoring these services would not only rejuvenate connectivity across the UK but would also support local economies by attracting more tourists, aiding students, and facilitating easier travel for business professionals.

We urge National Express, FlixBus and local leaders to reconsider and reinstate these essential coach services. Peterborough deserves reliable, direct, and affordable travel options to major cities and airports to remain a thriving hub within the UK.

Please sign this petition to help restore our much-needed coach connections and bring back convenience and accessibility to Peterborough.