FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions about Mid Suffolk Taxi Bus
Q) When does the service begin/start?
Our service begins on the 1st of November, with our first two live routes;
Stowmarket Circular via Thurston and Stowmarket Circular via Bacton
Q) Why are there only two routes?
This is a phased project, and is still developing. The remaining services will go live within the coming months, keep an eye out for further information online or subscribe to our newsletter for updates
Q) Why those two routes first?
The areas that were chosen to begin the project in have been identified as those with the greatest immediate need – this could be due to a lack of provision currently
Q) Will this service will have a negative impact on the taxi/bus industries respectively?
This is not our intention at all, and we are actively avoiding competition with the commercial bus network. Our service is designed to support areas where existing provision is either at capacity, or lacking entirely - helping to relieve the demand that the other services have on them, bring a lifeline to areas within a transport dessert, and offer a broader variety of sustainable transport options to our communities
Q) How many times per day will you run?
We intend to operate 3 times a week, at 6 times a day. All the services are unique and there are slight variations throughout the day on some routes, in order to accommodate for different types of journeys – by adding extra stopping points in employment areas at peak commuting times, for example
Q) Can we prepay?
Yes, this will be available soon
Q) Why are you not part of the £2 bus Scheme?
The service we provide is fundamentally different from a bus service, and is licenced differently. This means the service is not eligible to partake in government funded schemes for bus operations. However, the different licensing brings other advantages – for example even though the Mid Suffolk Taxi Bus will operate on a fixed route, we have flexibility to stop in additional places and adjust our routes if demand is demonstrated.
We can and shall be accepting taxi vouchers
Q) How do I know where your stops are?
Our website has route maps with a description of each stop. This information is also printed on leaflets that we will be distributing around the relevant local areas. In time we shall be having stop flags, and in some cases new stops created so that our pick up and drop off points can be easily identified
Q) Is your service wheelchair accessible?
Yes, we have wheelchair access on each of our vehicles, but due to the size of the vehicle we can only accommodate for 1 wheelchair per vehicle. If this capacity is reached, we do have additional support vehicles - so if needed please contact us via email or by phone and the team will be happy to help plan your journeys with us
Q) Will you have service updates for last minute changes to routes in the event of road closures or other unanticipated disruptions?
Yes. For prolonged road closures, we will provide notices on our website. For bad weather and last-minute variations to the routes we will operate a live WhatsApp update service that is free to join, or alternatively you can always contact us via email or phone
Q) How far in advance can we book?
Anything up to 3 months in advance is fine, via our website
Q) Do you run at the weekends?
All our routes run either Monday, Wednesday and Friday or Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday. Please check our timetable online for which routes operate a Saturday service. We currently do not operate on a Sunday, but there is scope to explore this if there is demand
Q) Do you run a service on Bank holidays?
Yes, we shall be running on Bank holiday Mondays as per our timetable The only days the service will not run will be Christmas, Boxing Day and New Years Day.
Q) How can we pay for your service?
You can pay in advance via our online booking service, or on the day via cash, contactless payment or taxi vouchers
Q) Can I Book online or via phone on the day?
We can accept advance bookings, for any journeys up to 24hrs in advance. This will guarantee your seat. For all on the day journeys, just turn up at the stop and jump on board. If there is no seat available for you, additional fleet will be sent as soon as possible to accommodate your journey
Q) Can I get on or off anywhere on route?
For now, our timetable doesn’t allow for picking up anywhere on route, as we have a strict schedule to stick to. However, we can accommodate passengers getting off anywhere along the way (subject to a safe pull-in point), please just notify your driver. The same fare would be always applied
Q) How can I make a complaint?
Please either fill out a feedback form in vehicle (these are anonymous), or contact us via email taxibus@swifttaxicabs.com
Q) Why are fares £6, this seems expensive?
In comparison to a taxi service, we believe our service offers exceptionally good value for money to passengers. For example, in ordinary taxi fares, the cost of a journey Stowmarket and Thurston would be approximately £24-£25, whereas the Mid Suffolk Taxi Bus can accommodate this journey for £6, offering a substantial saving
Q) Do you do return fares or discounts for group/block booking?
This is something we are looking to introduce once demand has been established
Q) Why don’t you stop at my village?
We have tried to accommodate as many areas as possible but unfortunately stopping in every village and hamlet is not viable. If you would like additional coverage/stops to be considered, please fill in our feedback form so we can monitor demand and review routes accordingly
Q) Can you be hired for private functions?
Yes, we can, but please book via our parent company, www.swifttaxicabs.com
Q) Will you be running a nighttime service?
Our routes currently stop at 6.30pm, but we do have future plans for a night service. Please sign up to our newsletter to receive further information will become available when we have moved forward with these plans
Q) Do you have a loyalty scheme?
This is something we are looking to introduce once demand has been established.
Q) Do you allow pets?
Yes, we welcome pets on board, provided they remain either on their owner's lap or within the owner's leg space throughout the journey to ensure the comfort and safety of all passengers. Please note that any soiling of the vehicle that is caused by your pet shall incur a cleaning charge
Q) What are your office opening hours?
Our office opening hours are between 9am – 3pm, Monday to Saturday
Q) You have brewery tours advertised on the website?
Yes, we do. We are currently working alongside numerous small companies in Mid Suffolk to help provide access and promote their services alongside ours. The aim of our is to help showcase what Mid Suffolk has to offer
Q) I’ve seen videos of other companies in your vehicles, what is this for?
As part of our aim to help showcase what Mid Suffolk has to offer, we are offering local businesses a unique opportunity to promote themselves on board our vehicles, helping them to get their business noticed via our innovative digital advertisement space
Q) Can your vehicles be flagged down like a normal taxi?
Outside of the Mid Suffolk Taxi Bus operating hours, you may see our vehicles out and about on the road. If the taxi light is on, it can be flagged down like any other normal taxi service, but please note that taxi-bus fares do not apply outside of taxi-bus operating hours
Q) Can I contact the driver directly?
No, this would be inappropriate. If a driver needs to be contacted, we ask it is done via the office to maintain our professional standards
Q) Do you do Airport Runs?
For this service, please contact our parent company www.swifttaxicabs.com