Buses and routes owned and run by South Gloucestershire Bus and Coach Company are set to be taken over by a Birmingham-based firm (link below.)
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=145365&command=displayContent&sourceNode=145191&contentPK=17898415&folderPk=83726&pNodeId=144922Under an operating name of Flights Hallmark and branded as Western Connect , Rotala will begin operating council-subsidised routes in both Bristol city and South Gloucestershire.
It will also take over the two park and ride services based at Long Ashton and Avonmouth.
Rotala chairman John Gunn hopes his company will provide the two councils with an alternative to the near monopoly currently held in the city by First Group.
He also said there was a "social need" for more competition , calling for the installation of a new transport authority for Greater Bristol and saying Rotala hopes to expand in Bristol , setting up a "sizeable operation" in the city.
Staying in South Gloucestershire , pensioners and the disabled are to have their new free bus passes replaced by the incoming national smartcard scheme (link below.)
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=145365&command=displayContent&sourceNode=145191&contentPK=17898449&folderPk=83726&pNodeId=144922The smartcard cannot be used for discount on railcards or community bus schemes.
