What's Happening in Ipswich?

Changes to all three Ipswich Park & Rides *and* other pending withdrawals both meaning significant changes for municipally-owned Ipswich Buses.

With effect from 1 November 2008, Ipswich's Park & Rides pass to First Eastern Counties, though it's debatable whether First's promised new vehicles will be available. This releases an Ipswich Buses PVR believed to be equivalent to 12.

And, changes in September 2008 mean a further reduction of seven buses, with the withdrawal of every 20-minute service 2 to Priory Heath & Gainsborough, plus cutbacks on four other services. These are set to save Ipswich Buses considerable sums, after a difficult period including the £300,000 loss of the Park & Rides, increased fuel costs and what it claims as a shortfall in free travel reimbursements—another example of free travel woes. Cuts of this magnitude will not go down well with locals even if, generally, frequencies are maintained at what amounts to reasonable levels.

Will the changes such as these secure the future of a well known, old established and hitherto respected municipal, with its relatively modern fleet? Or does it signal the writing on the wall for yet another municipal, in an age when history will tell us many have struggled?