Katch is your bookable bus service. It’s convenient, cost-effective and fast.
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One of Suffolk’s most popular destinations is now easy to reach without needing a car following the launch of taxi bus service Katch.
The on-demand service now runs to Snape Maltings, the arts, retail, and heritage site on the banks of the River Alde, near Aldeburgh.
With its converted Victorian buildings, Snape Maltings is home to independent shops and galleries and several performance venues, including the world-famous Snape Maltings Concert Hall. Katch is led by Suffolk County Council, and with support from East Suffolk Council, Framlingham Town Council, Wickham Market Parish Council, Community Rail Network, East Suffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership and Greater Anglia.
It uses vehicles operating as shared taxi buses serving Framlingham - Parham - Hacheston - Wickham Market - Wickham Market Railway Station (at Campsea Ashe) - Tunstall - Snape Maltings - Snape.
It serves fixed bus stops and journeys can be booked on-demand by telephone, online, and soon via the Katch app, charging fares in line with a bus service. Payment can be made by contactless card or cash.
Journeys must be booked at least 30 minutes in advance of your chosen time.
Book your journey by calling 01728 635 939 or through the website at www.katchalift.com (please note booking submitted through the website will only be dealt with during office hours Monday to Friday 08.30 to 16.30).
The service runs:
Monday – Friday | 7.30am – 6.30pm
Saturday | 10.00am – 6.30pm
For further information about Katch visit www.katchalift.com.
Katch collects you from your chosen stop at your chosen time.
And brings you back when you choose. Simple.
Councillor Alexander Nicoll, Suffolk County Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Transport Strategy and county councillor for the Wickham division (covering Wickham Market and Campsea Ashe) said: “I am delighted Katch is now able to help people visit Snape Maltings, which is such a popular arts and heritage destination.
“Katch is also part of our wider strategy to help, especially rural, communities with better public transport connections to facilitate work, education and leisure needs.”
We are delighted to be working with Katch to help people from both the local area and further afield to reach Snape Maltings. We are eager to make the site more accessible to everyone.Harry Young, Britten Pears Arts
Aaron Taffera, chair of the East Suffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership, said, “We were very keen to support the expansion of this service to make it easier for people to access train travel in a rural area; at the same time tourists will now be able to easily visit Snape Maltings in addition to Framlingham Castle using the rail network.
“With rail travel being the third most sustainable form of transport after walking and cycling, a combined journey using the train and Katch will help to cut down on emissions and pollution from car use in our countryside and encourage people back to rail."
My little girl and I absolutely loved today. We will definitely be back to more events in the future. The staff were all so friendly and accommodating. I do not have a bad word to say about my experience. The event itself was perfect for my little one and the site is absolutely beautiful and easily accessible with a pushchair. I used the Katch transport which was simple and easy to use and convenient. Thank you so much!Audience Member, December 2021