Bus users in Bristol and South Gloucestershire have reacted to cuts to local services. Yesterday (March 15) Metro Mayor Dan Norris said the Y2 from Chipping Sodbury to Bristol, and T2 from Thornbury to Bristol, will no longer run, as he blamed the "Government's approach to bus funding."
Mr Norris, who heads transport in the West of England, also announced a proposed route change to the popular 92 bus, which connects Hengrove and Broadmead. From the end of April, the First bus will no longer serve Whitchurch or the South Bristol Community Hospital.
Mr Norris said the Government's decision to provide £150million to local transport services after the pandemic has saved some buses, but has been "too little too late" for others. Locals are not happy with the cuts to services, which connect the towns to Bristol city centre.
Also read: First Bus routes to Thornbury and Yate to be cut as mayor slams Government funding
Reacting to the news on Facebook, Downend resident Ann said: I feel First have been trying to get rid of Y2 service for some time now long before Covid, when they cut the times down to every two hours. I asked when will Y2 be going back to its normal timetable as public transport was getting back to normal after lockdown. They said there wasn't much of a demand for it, I said there is but not if first keep running it every two hours.
"It's a shame as I live in South Gloucestershire in Downend and now have one bus choice a 48 that has also cancelled services, so I have to run up to Staple Hill to try catch a 49. I like the Y2 as it is a quicker bus getting to and from work when it was on the old timetable. I'm thinking it's just another reason for me to take early retirement from NHS if I can't into work on time. Feel so fed up spending most of my time bus chasing to and from work."
Cynthia commented: "I can’t believe this. We catch it regularly from Downend to Yate and there are always plenty of people catching it. More so coming back. And yet they are keeping the 5 which we have never caught but often see. Every time we see it there is no one on there? So I don’t see how this makes sense... Seems so unfair.
"There are lots of cut backs that could be made. For example with the Park and Ride buses. Just less of those buses. They seem to run every 10 mins when there’s no need for that. They could cut one out and run them every 20 mins which would help with saving money and drivers."
Among the changes by First Bus is a proposed route change to the 92 in south Bristol. Hengrove and Whitchurch Cllr Tim Kent said no changes to route services have been shared with local councillors, and they are approaching WECA (West of England Combined Authority) for more information today (March 16.)
He commented: "Over the last 20 years bus services have been slashed in our area. For a modern city to leave communities with no service is appalling. All this talk about an underground and we can’t even give people a bus service. Those running this city need to wake up and take back control of our bus network - they need to do this now!"
First Bus has since announced a number of other routes, including the 75 and the m1, will be reduced due to a shortage of drivers and lack of passengers. You can see the full list of bus routes that are changing here.
Doug Claringbold, Managing Director of First West of England, said: “Despite the Government extending emergency funding for another six months, ongoing issues with driver availability mean further action is necessary beyond the changes we made at the end of January to ensure we can operate services more reliably for our customers.
“A number of services will see temporary reductions in frequency whilst passenger and driver numbers are constrained but unfortunately there are a number of services that are not commercially viable even at pre-pandemic passenger levels. As a result we are having to make difficult decisions to act on these poor performing routes and ensure that our resources are focused on the areas of the greatest need.
“Wherever routes have been curtailed or cut, these were difficult decisions and we apologise to all customers who will be adversely impacted. We need to make these adjustments to be able to ensure the overall viability of our network in what remain very challenging and uncertain conditions, and we will continue to work closely with the West of England Combined Authority and other stakeholders as we navigate this difficult path.”
Others said on Facebook that the cuts to bus services aren't encouraging people to use public transport.
Laura said: The buses are awful as it is, this isn’t exactly going to make things any better. They should focus on actually improving the service," meanwhile Tyrone added: "So you can’t drive into Bristol because, of the congestion charge, now you can’t catch a bus."
Angela added: "A different approach to that adopted by Andy Burnham in Manchester where he is developing an integrated public transport system, publicly owned, with maximum fares, £2 for adults, £1 for children. Perhaps shows that if the political will is there, people can be put first despite cuts."
WECA mayor Dan Norris, who oversees transport in the West of England area including in Bristol, said: “I will always step in to save vital buses where I can, but there isn’t an unlimited pot of money. I am pleased to be supporting the 178, Y5 and 5 but I wish I could have done more. These are all important services.
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"I and MPs cross-party warned again and again that the Government’s policy on emergency Covid-19 funding for buses was not fit for purpose. This was not scaremongering. As is now crystal clear, the Government's final U-turn has come too late for some bus routes."
When the Government announced an extension bus funding, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “The funding I’ve announced will ensure millions of us can continue to use vital public transport services, and brings the total we’ve provided to the sector to keep services running throughout the pandemic to over £2 billion.
“Not only that, as we look ahead and continue our work to overhaul services and build back better from the pandemic, this funding will also help authorities and operators work together to provide even better services for people right across the country.”
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