New bus service for Tytherington and Rangeworth

Stagecoach West has introduced a useful new service from Chipping Sodbury to Cribbs Causeway via Yate, Rangeworthy, Tytherington and Thornbury - full timetable here.

Bristol to Chipping Sodbury Night Bus to stop running

First Bus have decided to stop running the weekend 47A Night Bus service from Bristol through Downend, Frampton Cotterell, Coalpit Heath, Yate and Chipping Sodbury after the end of April. This means that the services at 1.31 am and 3.31 am Saturday and Sunday will stop, and the last bus will be 11.35 pm from Bristol Bus Station.

These late night buses have in the past been supported by town and parish councils along the route, but now First have have doubled the amount of money they want as a council subsidy, and the passenger numbers have fallen - on average only 13 passengers are using each bus.

Other bus companies have been contacted, but they wanted even more money to run the service. It's just not economic any more - councils would have been paying First a subsidy of £6 for every passenger journey. Many young people now use the internet to arrange their own lift-sharing and prefer that to the bus.

This service has been running for more than ten years. We're sorry to see the end of it, but if you add up the subsidy and the £4 bus fares for 4 people, it comes to more than the cost of a taxi. At £6 subsidy per person First have simply priced the bus off the road.

In recent years this service has been supported by Yate Town Council, Dodington Parish Council, Downend and Bromley Heath Parish Council, Frampton Cotterell Parish Council, Mangotsfield Parish Council, Sodbury Town Council and Westerleigh Parish Council.

Bus service changes

There are a number of changes to the 47/X47 services from 24th April:

• There will be two more X47 journeys departing Chipping Sodbury at 0620 and 0850.
• Extra time and an extra bus has been added to Service 47 to ease some of the current issues of poor punctuality and reliability.
• An additional evening journey from Bristol on Service X47 will also be added. The times of the departures of Service X47 in the evenings will change.
• Following customer requests an additional 0500 departure from Bristol Bus Station has been added to Service 47, this will allow customers to arrive into Yate before 0600.

Following agreement with the parish councils, a nightbus service will be running but it will be renumbered and will go straight down Badminton Road rather than round Frampton Cotterell (Beesmoor Road/Woodend Road/Church Road) as it used to.

Changes to the 86 bus service

South Glos is asking for your views on changes to some bus services, including the 86, which would operate between Yate and Longwell Green, going via Coalpit Heath and Greenacres Park. It should provide a more frequent service and school journeys will still be provided, although times may alter slightly. You can have your say here before 11th February.

Bus fares rise

At the start of this week, First West of England raised bus fares on longer journeys.

The following tickets (bought on bus, at a First Travel Shop or via PayPoint) now cost:
Bristol & Bath Outer Zones

• Day £6.50
• Week £23.80
• Month £86.40
• Year £907
• 10 Journey £27
• Family Day (5 people max 2 adults) £13

West of England Zone

• Day £7.50
• Week £27
• Month £103.50
• Year £1,134
• Family (5 people max 2 adults) £15

The above fares are for an adult - children aged 5 – 15 get a 50% discount, young people aged 16 – 21 or students with a valid Student ID receive 30% discount. Single tickets across the West of England will not change and prices will be frozen for customers using mTickets or First’s ‘Touch’ smart card. For more information see the First Bus website. 

A chance to put your views to First Bus managers - Mon 9th Feb

If you have problems with or questions about First's local bus services, you may be interested in their Online Meet the Manager event on Monday, timed to coincide with the commute home.

Between 5 and 7pm on Monday (9th February) you can talk directly online to First’s management team, either asking specific questions about local bus services or offering feedback. It is being held in addition to the normal Meet the Manager sessions, which are generally held every few months at various locations throughout the West of England.

To take part, you can:

• post a message on to the Facebook wall (www.facebook.com/FirstWestofEngland) 
• send a direct private message via the Facebook Page
• tweet the company, at @FirstBSA, using the hashtag 'tweetboss' ie #tweetboss. 

Messages will be answered on the night by First West of England’s Managing Director, James Freeman and the business’ Regional Customer Services Manager, Natacha Tagholm. Let's just hope potential participants are on a bus with WIFI or a good phone signal...

Southmead bus services safe

There was concern locally when some eagle-eyed people spotted that First Bus were deregistering the 82 bus service. However, Pat Hockey, the Lib Dem Transport lead member, has investigated and all is well.

Pat said, "I spoke to First’s Managing Director, James Freeman. In order to make bus services more reliable the timetables have been investigated and some of them found to be totally unrealistic in view of the traffic congestion. This has resulted in changes to timetables. The new timetables have to be registered with the Traffic Commissioners and will start on March 29th. The existing services have to be deregistered to accommodate this and include the 82."

"There is absolutely no intention to stop the Southmead services. The aim is to make them reliable. Before the changes come in I am assured there will be full publicity."

Buy a bus ticket on your mobile phone

First Bus have just introduced a new way to buy bus tickets - using your smartphone.

Their M-ticketing app allows you to pay for a range of tickets, with the option to pay using Barclay's Pingit.  You then store the tickets in a virtual wallet ready for use. Currently you can buy adult tickets for:

• Bristol Inner zone: either a carnet of five day tickets, a week ticket or a month ticket
• Bristol Outer zone: either a carnet of five day tickets, a carnet of 10 single tickets (otherwise known as a 10Journey ticket), a week ticket or a month ticket
• Bath Inner zone: either a carnet of five day tickets, a carnet of 10 single tickets (otherwise known as a 10Journey ticket), a week ticket or a month ticket
• Bath Outer zone: either a carnet of five day tickets, a carnet of 10 single tickets (otherwise known as a 10Journey ticket), a week ticket or a month ticket
• Weston-super-Mare: either a carnet of five day tickets, a carnet of 10 single tickets (otherwise known as a 10Journey ticket), a week ticket or a month ticket
• West of England: either a carnet of five day tickets, a week ticket or a month ticket

The M-tickets cost the same as they do to buy in other forms and child and young person versions of the app will be added in the coming months. For more information see www.firstgroup.com/m-tickets

Let's Get Yate Moving!

Local MP Steve Webb and Lib Dem Focus Team councillors have launched a campaign to improve public transport in and around Yate.

The campaign comes as thousands more houses are set to be built in and around Yate over the coming years, on top of hundreds already built in the last few years.   Campaigners are calling on South Gloucestershire Council to plan ahead for the new housing and make sure that there are proper public transport options for new and existing residents.

In particular, the Lib Dem team are calling for:

• A Park and Ride for Yate and the surrounding area, next to the Council offices at Badminton Road;
• For the Yate-Bristol rail route to be included in the electrification project for the Great Western mainline;
• For improved bus services in residential areas, especially for North and South Yate and Dodington, not just services from Yate town centre.

Go to http://letsgetyatemoving-ldthornburyandyate.nationbuilder.com  to back the campaign and share your experiences and ideas about local transport.

NEWS FLASH - Buses still running in Westerleigh despite bus stop suspension

Due to work being carried out on behalf of Western Power Distribution (WPD), some bus stops in Westerleigh village have been suspended with very little notice. The bus services are still running though and will be picking up and putting down as close to the bus stops as they can.

Local councillor Claire Young has contacted WPD to find out why no notice was given to householders who are affected by the works. We will update as soon as we can.

Bus number correction

The buses to Southmead from Frampton Cotterell are 81 and 82, not 41 and 42 as it said in the Frampton Cotterell ward Focus. Service 82 goes all the way to the hospital while service 81 requires a change at Parkway but takes a shorter route. Both go down Church Road.

Building understanding between drivers and cyclists

On Sunday, First Bus are running an event to build understanding between drivers and cyclists.

You'll be able to sit behind the wheel of a bus, speak with bus drivers, other First Bus staff and the police who will be present to give safety advice and promote bike security. Bus drivers will be on hand to talk to you, to understand more about how you feel about cycling near buses. The intention is to build mutual understanding and awareness.

Dr Bike and the Travelwest team will be there to talk about bike maintenance and cycle routes.

There will also be the opportunity to win cycle tool kits, hi-viz jackets and bus tickets.

The event is on Sunday 6 July 2014 between 10am and 4pm at the Lloyds Amphitheatre, Bristol Harbourside.

Stop Press - First Bus Meet the Manager event on Thursday

First bus will be holding a meet the manager event in the Atrium at Southmead Hospital this Thursday 3 July from 10:00 - 14:00.

In the evening, there will be an online meet the manager session from 17:00 - 19:00 on Twitter (@FirstBSA) and Facebook (First West of England).

Both sessions will offer opportunities to residents of the West of England area to provide feedback on the changes to the services to the hospital which were made in April, the forthcoming changes to the fare structures in the wider West of England area (as Bristol was changed last November) and to discuss anything else which is of concern to them.

People thinking of catching a bus to Southmead from Frampton Cotterell should note that the correct service numbers are 81 and 82, not 41 and 42 as it said in the Frampton Cotterell ward Focus. Service 82 goes all the way to the hospital while service 81 requires a change at Parkway but takes a shorter route. Both go down Church Road.

Bus fares and reliability

Following a consultation, First Bus have announced new fares for our area. The main changes are:

• The cost of single tickets will be based on the distance you travel within your chosen area.
• There will be no return tickets but First Day tickets will still be available and are probably the best option for multiple journeys.
• Up to 2 children under five travel free with each fare-paying adult or young person.
• There will be a 50% discount for children aged 5-15.
• There will be a 30% discount for 16-21 year olds and students.

You can find out more on what's changing and the fares in our area online.

Cheaper fares make bus travel more attractive, but what's your experience of the reliability? We're hearing stories of delays on some services. If you regularly experience problems, please send us details. 

Good news for users of the 967 bus service

There was good news on Wednesday for users of the under-threat 967 school bus service.

After hearing from local parent Eva Hailstone and Westerleigh councillor Claire Young (both pictured left), the council’s Planning, Transport and Strategic Environment Committee voted unanimously to back a motion proposed by Pat Hockey to keep the 967 service along with several other threatened local bus routes.

The vote came after a campaign by local residents and Lib Dem councillors to save the 967 service, which serves pupils at Chipping Sodbury Secondary School and Brimsham Green School travelling from Westerleigh and other areas.
     
Claire said, "This is excellent news for all those local residents who fought to save this service. The 967 route covers a stretch of road without any footpath. Many parents are not in a position to drive their children to school and there was considerable concern that cutting this service would have left some children in Westerleigh without a safe route to school."

"Encouraging the use of public transport from an early age is vital if we want to see fewer cars on the road in the future. There will be a lot of relief locally that the service has been saved."

Bus fare consultation

First Bus have started a consultation on fares, which runs until 16th March. More information about the consultation can be found at www.fairerfaresforall.co.uk and hard copy questionnaires will be available on buses, in libraries, in council one-stop-shops and in First’s own travel shops. There will also be a series of roadshows.

Latest bus timetable changes

From 2nd February, First is changing the timetable of some early morning and early evening 342/X42 journeys.

The following Monday to Friday early morning departures from Chipping Sodbury to Bristol Bus Station will be brought forward by either five or ten minutes: 0540 hours, 0635 hours, 0655 hours, 0710 hours.

In addition, the following Monday to Friday departures from Bristol Bus Station will also change: 0645 hours departure brought forward by five minutes, 1725 hours and 1755 hours departures pushed back by five minutes.

Full details of all the changes First are making are available on their website.

Have your say on bus fares

You can now have your say online as part of the First Bus fare review process. They are hoping to hear from both bus users and those who don't currently use the bus. The survey is available here:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/fareconsultation

You have until 29 June to fill it in. If you know people who would like to respond but who aren't online, hard copies will be available at the Travel Shop in Bristol Bus Station from the end of April. First Bus have also organised some events where people can have their say in person:

• Monday 22 April: Clifton Downs Shopping Centre, from 9am until 5pm
• Wednesday 24 April: The Galleries Shopping Centre (near the post office), Bristol, from 9am until 5.30pm
• Wednesday 24 April: Bristol Bus Station – Travel Shop, Marlborough Street, Bristol, from 11am until 4pm
• Thursday 25 April: Willow Brook Shopping Centre, Bradley Stoke, from 11am until 7pm
• Thursday 25 April: Bristol Bus Station – Travel Shop, Marlborough Street, Bristol, from 8am until 11am and 4pm until 7pm
• Friday 26 April: Kings Chase Shopping Centre, Kingswood, from 9am until 5pm
• Friday 26 April: Bristol Bus Station – Travel Shop, Marlborough Street, Bristol, from 10am until 12.30pm

Bus service changes

With effect from Sunday 4th November there are some changes to First services affecting our area. Passengers are advised to check timetables before travelling - the new timetables are on the South Glos Council bus timetable page

Service 327 (Bristol - Yate)

• Monday to Saturday there will two additional journeys at 20:50 and 22:50 from Bristol to Yate.
• Monday to Saturday there will be an additional and later last journey at 2140 from Yate to Bristol.

Service 329 (Bristol - Yate)

• The Monday to Saturday evening Service 329 will be withdrawn.
• The Sunday and Public Holiday daytime journeys operated by another operator will continue to operate.
• The following Monday to Saturday evening journeys will be withdrawn:
     20:50 Bristol, Bus Station to Yate, Shopping Centre
     22:45 Bristol, Colston Street to Yate, Shopping Centre
     21:37 Yate, Shopping Centre to Bristol, Bus Station
     23:37 Yate, Shopping Centre to Bristol, Colston Street
• Please see changes to Service 327 and Service 342 for details of alternative journeys.

Service 342/X42 (Bristol – Chipping Sodbury)

• Monday to Saturday there will be an additional Service 342 journey at 22:30 from Bristol to Chipping Sodbury. This additional journey will mean that there is now an hourly service from Bristol to Chipping Sodbury throughout the evening.
• The Monday to Saturday 22:17 Service 342 from Chipping Sodbury to Bristol, Colston Street will terminate at Bristol, Bus Station and re-timed to depart at 22:30.
• Monday to Saturday 23:15 Service 342 from Bristol, Colston Street to Chipping Sodbury will start from Bristol, Bus Station at 23:30.
• Monday to Friday 05:50 Service 342 journey from Chipping Sodbury to Bristol will be brought forward to 05:40.

482/483 bus service changes

The current operator of the 482 and 483 bus services, from Chipping Sodbury to Cribbs Causeway via Coalpit Heath and Frampton Cotterell among others, had announced that they no longer intended to operate the service from 20 May, as the services were no longer commercially viable. Following an emergency tender, Wessex Connect will now run the service for a year with increased journeys in the afternoon peak times.