A “lifeline” bus service cancelled by First West of England will be taken over by new operators, after a grassroots campaign to save it backed by the Metro Mayor. The 178 service was due to be withdrawn on October 8, with First citing low passenger usage and driver shortages as reasons for the cut.
A petition to save the route – which connects the villages of High Littleton, Farmborough, Timsbury, Marksbury and Keynsham with both Bristol and Bath – attracted over 1,100 signatures. Campaigners attended public meetings and appealed for First bosses to reconsider, but the transport company confirmed its decision last week.
A replacement service, the 379, is set to connect the two cities via the A37 – a route which would not include the rural communities. Readers have told Bristol Live that they have lost jobs over the cancellation, as they could no longer get to work.
READ MORE: 52 Bus service connecting south Bristol with city centre is saved
Now the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), headed by Metro Mayor Dan Norris, has announced that a new operator will be taking over the timetable, the details of which will be released.
Bus campaigner Damien Valentine credited Bristol Live for playing a part in bringing the issue to wider public attention. “There are a lot of very happy people along the 178 route today,” he said. “It's a huge relief to know that our communities won't be isolated and we can still get to work, school, shops and see our friends.”
He added: “To anyone else who is facing being isolated by these recent bus cuts, I'd say stand up, make your voice heard by writing letters, emails and petitions. Encourage others who use the same bus to do the same. The more noise you make, the harder you are to ignore and it proves that the bus you need is worth saving despite the problems facing the public transport industry.”
Mr Norris met bus company executives to negotiate a takeover of the route, with Citistar and Abus agreeing to jointly run a new service covering the remainder of the route. WECA will invest £22,000 a month in keeping the new service afloat.
The replacement service will add a 6.20am (to Brislington Park and Ride) and 7pm (to Welton) slot to the new timetable. Mr Norris said: “I promised we’d throw the kitchen sink at this, and we have. Thank you to Citistar and Abus for taking on this service that’s really important for local people and students.”
He added: “I’d ask passengers to use this service taking advantage of our new, cheaper fares. That’s vital for its future viability. I know some communities in other parts of the region will still miss out and my heart goes out to them, but I’m proud that we have saved over half of services due to be cut.”
Councillors Grant Johnson and Liz Hardman campaigned to reprieve the 178 service, or replace it with an equivalent. Cllr Johnson, Labour representative for Paulton, said: “We’ve been really lucky in Paulton and the wider Cam Valley to have a team of dedicated activists willing to fight for the bus services that matter to their communities.
“Me and Liz have been inundated with stories from those that rely so deeply on these vital services, so it is brilliant to be able to keep the 178 and keep these close communities connected.”
Cllr Hardman, Labour representative for Paulton, said: “It’s good to see that Dan has listened to the concerns of those living in villages like Farmborough, Marksbury and High Littleton, and has reinstated some of the of the routes previously covered by the 178 bus.
“The next job is to recruit more drivers, make the most of the newly capped fares and give the people of B&NES the bus services they deserve”.
READ MORE
Wetherspoon pub on Bristol border up for sale leaves customers 'gutted'
Moment teen car thief who couldn't drive smashed into traffic
Ashton Gate 'Sporting Quarter' and new housing set to get go-ahead
