A campaigning bus passenger is fighting to save a doomed rural route for residents of High Littleton, Timsbury, Farmborough and Marksbury. Damien Valentine says the hourly 178 service from Radstock to Bristol is a lifeline for villagers commuting to work and school.
But the route is facing the axe under sweeping changes by First West of England, due to take effect from October, aimed at providing “more reliable services” which “reflect customer demand” and account for “acute driver shortages”, the operator says.
The 178 is an hourly route running from morning until evening during the week, and two-hourly on Saturdays. “It’s an absolutely vital service,” said Damien, “as many people here use it to get to work or school.
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“Timsbury has a doctor’s surgery that serves the neighbouring villages and for many the 178 bus is the only way they can get to it. We have no banks or Post Offices, having to travel to Midsomer Norton or Keynsham for these and other essential services.”
Damien is himself a regular user of the 178, describing it as “a fairly busy bus” even during off-peak hours. “When I see it go by, there are always people on it,” he added. “One driver I spoke to said it was ridiculous to cut the route, because he sees so many people using it all the time.”
The 178 is due to be replaced by the new 379 service. Travelling between Bristol and Bath, the new route will include Bristol Bus Station, Wells Road, Hallatrow, Paulton, Midsomer Norton, Radstock, Peasedown St John and Odd Down. First claims that this change will reduce journey times between the two cities – but it misses out several more rural stops.
“The 379 will avoid the rural communities in favour of the A37 because it's a slightly shorter route,” said Damien. “But the A37 is already served by half-hourly buses. Rural communities are once again being abandoned during some of the toughest living conditions we've faced for decades. We need access to our nearby towns and cities – cutting it off is going to ruin lives and families.”
Damien has organised a petition and letter-writing campaign to change the transport firm’s mind. He says many people have told him stories of how the loss of the 178 will make their lives significantly more difficult. “Losing this bus is going to be devastating to some people,” he said.
“We're facing a cost of living crisis which is only going to get worse as the year progresses. People who need this bus to get to work are going to lose their jobs – something that’s already started to happen.” One local resident told Damien that her daughter, who has worked in Bristol for thirty years, has been told to hand in her notice because of the bus cuts.
“Someone else told me she can't afford to learn to drive nor buy a car, when she's already going to be struggling to pay her bills and keep herself and her toddler fed this winter,” he added. “It might not be the most profitable route, but this bus is essential and should not be cut to give a well-served road even more buses when we will be left with nothing.”
Damien says he sympathises with the form over its declining passenger numbers and driver shortages, but insists that cutting the 178 is not the way to go. “Vague promises of sorting it out in six months or a year or two will mean nothing to the people who need it now,” he added. “These are bad cuts at an even worse time.”
A spokesman for First West of England told Bristol Live: “The very last thing any public transport operator wants to do is reduce or cut any services. We recognise the impact these changes will have on some of our communities and we are truly sorry for those who will be affected.
“We have actively engaged with local authorities to try to keep these services running. However, our data shows that passengers do not use these services in sufficient numbers and are unlikely to return in the future.
“On top of this, as with the rest of the bus industry, we are facing ongoing labour challenges which are particularly acute in our region, a cost-of-living squeeze and rising business costs. This means we simply have no choice but to withdraw or reduce those services and ensure we focus on running buses on the majority of routes where there are enough customers travelling.”
He added: “First West of England will continue to work with local authorities and partners to adapt services in a way that remains sustainable for the longer term, whilst seeking to provide customers with the reliability that meets their needs.
“This includes looking at community and Digital Demand Responsive Transport solutions, which in some parts of the region may offer better and more cost effective alternatives to meet local social needs than traditional scheduled bus services."
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