Ministers have been warned Bristol will "grind to a halt" unless public transport in the city is given a major overhaul (link below.)
http://thisisbristol.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=144913&command=displayContent&sourceNode=231190&home=yes&more_nodeId1=144922&contentPK=20259372Labour politician Kerry McCarthy raised the raft of problems endured by commuters in the region during a Commons debate yesterday, telling
MPs▸ that companies are reluctant to invest in the area because getting around is so difficult.
The Bristol East MP called for the creation of a transport authority that would take charge of bus and train strategy across the region.
She said:
"I have seen figures cited for the average speed [of travel] of between 13 and 16 mph, but anyone who travels through Bristol in the rush hour will know that is incredibly optimistic.
"We have also suffered from overcrowded and overpriced commuter rail services.
"The issues that I receive the most complaints about are the unreliable, overpriced and shabby bus services.
"Unless we can sort out the public transport system, things will eventually just grind to a halt in Bristol."
First Bristol spokeswoman Rachael Hicks said:
"We monitor our performance daily as we constantly aim to achieve standards that are set by the Traffic Commissioner.
"Most recently we have invested in a tracking system that is already helping us to amend our timetables and more realistically reflect what is going on out on the road."
