Improvements for community-run buses across West

WESTlocal, the region’s community-run buses, are set to see further improvements to connect more people to public transport.

The following changes will come into effect from September, including:

• 40: offering people in Avonmouth direct connections to Cribbs Causeway
• 61: connecting people in St Annes and The Dings to Sainsbury’s Castle Court/Arnos Vale
• 99: improved frequency and simplification of the route following passenger feedback
• 532: updated route to connect to Longwell Green, after local surveys indicated increased demand
• X91: a new Saturday service including evening journeys and an extra daytime round trip journey
• Y8: route extended to reconnect South Gloucestershire passengers with Alderley, Hillesley, Kingswood, Wotton-under-Edge

 

Following feedback from passengers and the local community, Keynsham Town Council is working with the Mayoral Combined Authority to explore adding a new stop to the K1 route to serve Tesco.

 

Image credit - Freia Turland

Helen Godwin, the new Mayor of the West of England, said:

 

“Communities know their buses backwards, particularly when they’re involved in running those routes. I know how important bus services are for local people, particularly in the more rural areas of our region. This raft of improvements to WESTlocal will connect more people to local services and amenities by bus, starting to make a difference that people can see and feel when getting around the West.”

 

Darren Jones MP, the Member of Parliament for Bristol North West, said:

"Our goal from the outset was to re-establish a bus service between Avonmouth and Cribbs Causeway. This was something that my constituents made clear they wanted.

"When the first bid was submitted for funding, extending the route beyond Brentry to Cribbs Causeway was not permitted, as this would compete with existing First Bus services. But thanks to the perseverance of the community groups that my office brought together to launch this bus service, especially the team at SevernNet, I'm glad this roadblock has been overcome."

Jackie Head, Chew Valley CIC Sustainable Transport Partnership for the 99 and X91, said:

 

“We are delighted that these change requests will allow local people to get what they have asked for; a simpler 99 route and more options for coming into the chew valley and travelling to Bristol on the X91.”

 

Kate Royston, SevernNet, said:

 

“We welcome the opportunity to extend our community led Route 40 service to connect Avonmouth with Cribbs Causeway regularly through the day – Monday to Friday. As a community led service we’re addressing the feedback we’ve received and look forward to the community’s patronage!”

 

Members of Bitton, Oldland, Pucklechurch and Siston Parish Councils, said:

“Members of the steering group representing Bitton, Oldland, Pucklechurch, and Siston would like to express their gratitude to the many individuals who participated in the survey. They also want to thank the dedicated staff of WECA for their unwavering support in this significant change. This change will establish a strong foundation for a local service that connects people from both existing and new neighbourhoods in the Emersons Green, Warmley, and Oldland area to essential places of employment, shopping, and leisure in Longwell Green.”

Revised timetables and maps will follow for all of these routes, including to show how the 40 differs from the commercial 3 and 4 services.