A bus route serving villages between Bristol and Bath will be axed, its operator has confirmed, despite more than a thousand people urging them to spare it. A petition to save the 178 service attracted almost 1,100 signatures, with personal appeals and high-level meetings between Metro Mayor Dan Norris and First West of England.
But the firm has now stated that the service “will be withdrawn” from next month, with no chance of reprieve. A spokesman repeated that the decision had been taken as a result of driver shortages and falling passenger numbers – despite anecdotal evidence that the service remains popular, even off-peak.
“The very last thing any public transport operator wants to do is reduce or cut any services,” said the spokesman,” but “data shows that passengers do not use services such as the 178 in sufficient numbers and are unlikely to return in the future.” Covid restrictions saw a decline in bus use which has never returned to pre-pandemic levels, he added.
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With a continued 178 service out of the question, a replacement 379 service will operate between Bristol and Bath via Peasedown St John, Radstock, Midsomer Norton, Paulton, Hallatrow, Wells Road and Knowle from 9 October. This will provide “a partial replacement for the majority of customers on the 178 service,” the spokesman said, adding that detailed timetables will be released nearer its launch date.
But the replacement route will miss out High Littleton, Farmborough, Timsbury and Marksbury, effectively cutting those villages out of the transit network. “We recognise the impact these changes will have on some of our communities and we are truly sorry for those who will be affected,” the spokesman said. “We have actively engaged with local authorities to try to keep these services running.
“Unfortunately, the world has changed more than we predicted and we are still seeing a significantly lower level of bus use, as well as different travel patterns across our network. On top of this, like the rest of the bus industry and other sectors, we are operating against the backdrop of rising business costs and labour shortages that are particularly acute in our area.”
He added: “We 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 (D-DRT) 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.”
Damien Valentine has been campaigning against the cut. He was disappointed, but not surprised, to hear that First would not reconsider. “This is more or less the same statement they've been making ever since they announced that the 178 would be cut,” said Damien, “but it does nothing to deter me from campaigning.
“My understanding is there are talks underway with another operator, but that's all I know.” He added: “It personally doesn't matter to me who runs the bus, as long as there is something in place as clearly it's needed. If asked, I'm sure my fellow 178 passengers would feel the same way.”
Damien says that he and other regular 178 passengers will attend a West of England Combined Authority (WECA) committee meeting scheduled for 23 September, to deliver a statement on behalf of all users of the service. Bristol Live contacted WECA for comment, but none had been received at the time of publication.
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