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Author Topic: First Bus Service Changes in and around Bristol from April 2014  (Read 10805 times)
Lee
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« on: March 16, 2014, 08:43:58 »

From First Bus:

Quote from: First Bus
A number of significant changes are being made to bus services from April as First alters to its local network and introduces a number of brand new bus routes.

The changes are being made in response to a number of things, but most notably the opening of Southmead Hospital (and the transfer of the majority of NHS services to that site from Frenchay Hospital).

Some of the alterations also respond to a desire to better match resources against the level of demand for services and the need to address some concerns the company has regarding the punctuality and reliability of buses.

Some brand new bus routes are being introduced, while in some cases other old routes, which were previously operated by others under contract to local authorities, are being taken on commercially by First, with changes made to their service numbers.

People wishing to travel to and from Yate are particularly set to benefit, but new direct links are also being created between Bristol City Centre, Pucklechurch and Westerleigh, and between Keynsham and Southmead Hospital.

Some existing services are also being renumbered. Most notably from April more of the buses travelling in similar directions will have similar, sequential numbers, for instance routes 46/X46, 47/X47 and X49 will all provide journeys between Bristol and Yate (replacing services 327, 342/X42 and 689), while services 37, 38 and 39/X39 will offer journeys between Bristol and Bath (replacing services 332, 338, 339). These changes will make it easier for people to remember the numbers of the routes they want to use.

The specific highlights of the April service change can, however, be best summarised as follows:

* More frequent services between Bristol and Yate, with up to five buses per hour,

* Improved links to Southmead Hospital from various parts of the region, including some services designed to suit hospital visiting hours,

* Improved links between Kingswood, Bristol Parkway Station and Yate,

* Extra night bus journeys on Services 43 and 44,

* Improved Sunday and Public Holiday services on some routes, and new links between Bristol, Pucklechurch and Westerleigh on these days.

Talking about the changes, Simon Ford, Commercial Manager, First West of England says: "We've been working on these changes for some time, and have consulted with South Gloucestershire Council to develop the new network for Yate.

"What's happening is significant and will benefit a great many people, not least providing new links to Southmead Hospital. Furthermore the combination of the new Services 46, X46, 47, X47 and X49 will mean that from 13 April people wishing to travel between Yate and Bristol will have access to up to five buses per hour (Monday - Saturday daytimes).

"In addition to the Yate network changes, there are a number of other alterations being made and it's important that customers check the detail in advance so they understand how they may be affected. Specifically some existing services are being renumbered to make it easier for customers to remember them. This is particularly the case for buses travelling to and from Yate, and for services going between Bristol and Bath.

"The new timetables for the affected services will be available on our website by mid March and available to pick up from First Travel Shops by the beginning of April. A new map detailing the new Yate network will be added to the website in the coming days."

Specific changes affecting services in and around Bristol from 13 April

Service 4 (Centre - Downend): This service is being withdrawn from 13 April as the demand for services to and from Frenchay Hospital falls (in line with the transfer of many patient services to Southmead Hospital). In most cases though people who still wish to travel to points along the route will find that alternate services do exist: Services 24/48/49 will offer up to 14 journeys an hour between the City Centre and Eastville Park, Services 5 and 24 will offer up to nine journeys an hour between the City Centre and Eastgate Centre, Services 5 and 46 will offer up to four journeys an hour to and from Stapleton, while Services 5 and 18 will offer up to five journeys an hour to and from Bromley Heath. People wishing to travel directly from Easton to Stapleton or Frenchay will unfortunately need to change buses to complete their journeys though.

Service 5 (Centre - Emersons Green): This route of this service is being changed and extended from April. At the same time the Monday to Saturday daytime frequency of buses is also being increased (to one bus every 20 minutes) while steps are being taken to ensure the buses on the route are low floor and easily accessible.

In relation to the route, from April buses in Downend will travel from Overndale Road along Bromley Heath Road, Quakers Road, Four Acre Road, Badminton Road, Blackhorse Lane, Westerleigh Road, Emerson Way before terminating at Emerson's Green. This change means that people will be able to travel direct between Emersons Green, Bromley Heath, the Eastgate Centre and Ashley Road for the first time.

***NEW*** Service 17 (Southmead Hospital - Keynsham): This brand new service - which provides an enhanced replacement for Service 507 (currently operated by a third party under contract to the council) - will be operated commercially by First, linking Southmead Hospital to Fishponds, Hillfields, Kingswood, Hanham and Keynsham. Buses will run every half hour (Monday -Saturday daytime) between Southmead and Kingswood with alternate journeys then extending to and from Keynsham (Ashton Way).

While similar to the previous Service 507, the new Service 17 will offer users a number of benefits: there will be more early morning journeys to and from Southmead Hospital; there will be hourly journeys on Monday - Saturday evenings, and hourly journeys on Sunday and Public Holidays between Southmead Hospital and Keynsham. Notably due to a route change, people in Lockleaze will no longer have access to this bus, but they will still be able to get to and from Southmead Hospital using Service 24.

Service 18 (Emersons Green - Henbury): To coincide with the expansion of Southmead Hospital a number of significant changes are being made to Service 18. The route will change so that buses operate via Gloucester Road North, Filton Road and Monks Park Avenue (instead of Southmead Road). This change - which follows customer requests - means a new direct link to the hospital will be created from Gloucester Road North and Filton Road. In addition to this the route is being extended beyond Southmead to Henbury, via Westbury, Shirehampton and Lawrence Weston. Buses will run every half an hour Monday - Friday daytimes, and hourly on Saturdays.

The changes also mean that people wishing to travel between Shirehampton Road and Henbury will have more opportunities to do so, as where buses share the route with Service 40 there will now be up to two extra journeys an hour.

Service 20 (Southmead - Centre): In response to customer and councillor requests the route of Service 20 is being changed to see buses serve Clare Avenue, Kings Drive and Bishop Road (instead of Cranbrook Road and Upper Cranbrook Road). The change has been made possible following the introduction of smaller buses on the route, while work is continuing to address issues of inconsiderate parking in the area.

Service 24 (Southmead Hospital - Ashton Vale): The route and frequency of this service is changing significantly. From April buses will be extended to operate to and from Southmead Hospital, travelling (from the city centre) along the current route until Lockleaze Road and then via Wessex Avenue, Gloucester Road, Dorian Road and Dorian Way. This extended route will provide a direct link to and from the hospital from parts of Bristol that don't currently have them.

Buses will run every 10 minutes Monday to Friday (compared to every 20 minutes now). On Saturday's they'll run every 12 minutes (compared to every 20 minutes now) while on Sundays and Public Holidays buses will run every half an hour (as at present).

Service 25 (Horfield - Ashton Vale): This route variation is being removed. People who use the service between the City Centre and the Eastgate Centre will be able to use Service 5 instead though. At other points along the route the enhanced Service 24 should provide alternatives, although those travelling between Lockleaze, Ashton Vale and Bedminster will need to change buses to complete their journeys following the alterations.

Service 36 (Centre - Withywood): The timetable of this service is changing to improve the overall punctuality and reliability of journeys.

Service 42 (Centre - Keynsham): The route that buses take in the Cadbury Heath area is being changed in April to provide additional journey opportunities to and from the most popular stops and offer links to the Newton Road Shops. From April buses will operate via Parkwall Road, Newton Road, Park Road and Tower Road South. The section of Cadbury Heath Road between Mill Lane and Wraxall Road will no longer be served.

In addition to this the timetable is being altered to both add in an additional journey from Cadbury Heath to the City Centre (0632 Monday to Friday) and to improve the overall punctuality and reliability of the service and the spacing of buses on Services 42, 43, 44 and 45.

Service 43 (Centre - Cadbury Heath): The route that buses take in the Cadbury Heath area is being changed, this is to facilitate changes to Service 42 and ensure that all stops in the area continue to be served. From April buses will travel via Cadbury Heath Road, Parkwall Road and Newton Road.

In addition the timetable is being adjusted with a number of journeys added in. Specifically there will be extra journeys during the Monday to Friday rush hour: two in the morning at 0700 and 0722 hours from Cadbury Heath and two in the evening from the City Centre at 1540 and 1840 hours. These are designed to increase the overall capacity of service. In addition there will also be an extra night bus journey at 0400 hours (on the days that night services operate) running from the city centre to Kingswood (and continuing to Hanham as Service 44). The timetable is also being tweaked in places to improve the overall punctuality and reliability of the service and the spacing of buses on Services 42, 43, 44 and 45.

Service 44 (Centre - Kingswood): The timetable is changing slightly, with an additional night bus journey added in, at 0421 hours from Kingswood (Kings Chase Centre) to Lawrence Hill (Croydon Street). Notably this is an extension of the new 0400 hours Service 43 journey from the City Centre to Kingswood.

The frequency of buses on Saturdays is also being increased, to provide one bus every 20 minutes (compared to every half an hour at present). This change gives customers access to one additional journey every hour during the main part of the day. Elsewhere the timetable is also being tweaked in places to improves the overall punctuality and reliability of the service and the spacing of buses on Services 42, 43, 44 and 45.

Service 45 (Centre - Longwell Green): The timetable is being changed slightly to add in two new early Monday to Friday morning journeys, at 0620 and 0720 hours and thereby increase the capacity of the service during the rush hour. The frequency of buses on Saturdays is also being increased, to provide one bus every 20 minutes (compared to every half an hour at present). This change gives customers access to one additional journey every hour during the main part of the day. Elsewhere the timetable is also being tweaked in places to improves the overall punctuality and reliability of the service and the spacing of buses on Services 42, 43, 44 and 45.
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Lee
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« Reply #1 on: March 16, 2014, 08:46:25 »

From First Bus:

Quote from: First Bus
*** NEW *** Service 81 (Kingswood - Yate via Bristol Parkway Station): This new service, which First will operate commercially, will operate between Kingswood and Bristol Parkway Station every half an hour (Monday to Saturday) extending to Yate on every other journey (providing an hourly service to the town). It will effectively replace what is currently Service 581 (operated by a third party under contract to the Council) however the route and timetable will differ quite substantially.

Specially, from Kingswood (Moravian Road) buses will operate via Lodge Causeway, Fishponds, Blackberry Hill, UWE (Frenchay Campus), Bristol Parkway, Winterbourne and Frampton Cotterell before terminating in Yate. The new service will offer students the chance to travel between the St Matthias, Glenside UWE campus and the Frenchay site. It will similarly offer people additional links to the railway station, from where people will be able to pick up connecting bus services to Southmead Hospital if they wish to.

*** NEW *** Service 82 (Southmead Hospital - Yate): This new service will operate between Southmead Hospital and Yate, providing direct links between Yate, Frampton Cotterell, Winterbourne and the hospital. It will replace what is Service 482/483 (which is operated by a third party under contract to the council), albeit the route and timetable will differ quite substantially.

Buses will run hourly Monday to Saturday daytime and every two hours on Sundays and Public Holidays, but taken in conjunction with Service 81 (see details above) people wishing to travel between Yate and Bristol Parkway will have opportunities to do so every half an hour (Monday to Saturday). Notably departure times have been designed to suit hospital visiting times.

Service X18 (Kingswood - Aztec West): Following a review of the service, which First provides in partnership with South Gloucestershire Council, the timetable is being adjusted, with some underused journeys removed from it. From April four morning and afternoon journeys will run in each direction, with each one extending to Kingswood. The route of buses around Aztec West will also change slightly to reduce congestion on the approach road. From April buses will travel around the business park in an anti-clockwise direction. Customers are strongly advised to check the new timetables to see how they may be affected by the changes.

Specific changes affecting services to and from Bristol Bus Station from 13 April

*** NEW NUMBER *** Service 37 (Bristol - Bath): Service 37 is the new number for what has previously been known as Service 332. It is being renumbered so that the more of the buses travelling in similar directions have similar, sequential numbers. From April buses travelling between Bristol and Bath will be known as Services 37, 38 and 39/X39 (these replace services 332, 338, 339 respectively).

In addition to this the route is being altered slightly. In Bristol journeys, on departure from Bristol Bus Station, will travel via The Horsefair and Penn Street (rather than Fairfax Street and Broad Weir). This means one stop on Broad Weir will no longer be served, but does mean that buses travelling in a similar direction will use the same stops. Elsewhere, buses will no longer serve the Apsects Leisure Centre on Monday - Saturday evenings or Sundays and Public Holidays. This is because demand for stops at the leisure centre at these times is low.

Finally the timetable is being adjusted, with Monday to Friday departure times from Bristol and Bath made more consistent throughout the day. From Bristol buses will generally leave at XX15 and from Bath at XX20. In addition an extra early morning journey is being added in, from Bath to Bristol, and some other changes are being made to improve the punctuality and reliability of the service.

*** NEW NUMBER *** Service 46 (Bristol - Yate): This new service replaces what was Service 327, but with some changes to the route, and improvements to the timetable. The changes respond to the need to create better links between Bristol and Yate.

From April, Service 46 buses will start and terminate at Bristol Bus Station, travelling via Winterbourne to Yate. The route that vehicles take through Winterbourne will change though with Bradley Avenue no longer served. Instead buses will travel via Flaxpits Lane to reduce the overall journey time and allow changes to be made elsewhere along the route. In Yate buses will travel via Cranleigh Court Road, Greenways Road and Church Road (rather than Station Road). This change will provide a direct link to Bristol from that part of the town.

The frequency of buses is also improved. They will continue to run every hour Monday - Saturday daytimes, every hour on Monday to Saturday evenings (compared to two hourly at present) and every hour on Sundays and Public Holidays (replacing the current two-hourly council supported Service 329).

*** NEW *** Service X46 (Bristol - Chipping Sodbury via M32, Winterbourne and Yate): Working alongside Service 46 (see above), the X46 will operate between Bristol and Chipping Sodbury via the M32, Winterbourne, Iron Action and Yate. The express buses will run hourly Monday to Saturday daytime on a commercial basis.

In Bristol Service X46 buses will leave from Bristol Bus Station travelling out of the city via the M32, Winterbourne, Iron Acton and Yate. In North Yate they will serve Halifax Road. These changes are expected to be welcomed, not least because they give people extra opportunities to travel, and provide some new bus links - for instance a new direct bus between Bristol, Yate and Chipping Sodbury.

Modern low floor double deckers will be used on the route, significantly increasing the capacity for those people who wish to travel.

*** NEW NUMBER *** Service 47/X47/ N47 (Bristol - Chipping Sodbury): Service 342/X42 has been renumbered as Service 47/X47 while a new night bus service - N47 - will also be added in, replacing Service N50.

While the route of the existing 342/X42 will not change, the timetable will. There will be small changes to departure times from Bristol Bus Station (journeys pushed back to XX02 and XX32). During the evenings on Sundays and Public Holidays there will be significant improvements, with buses running hourly (compared to two hourly at present) and following the same pattern as Monday to Saturday evening journeys. This means there will be a later last bus to Yate and Chipping Sodbury on these days.

Steps have also been taken to allow Service X47 to operate non-stop from Cuckoo Lane and Bristol City Centre when traffic congestion is particularly bad. This means drivers will be allowed to use different routes to the centre rather than being forced to use the Avon Ring Road and M32.

Finally, a new N47 service is being created. This will operate under contract to South Gloucestershire Council (replacing the N50) and will run on Friday and Saturday nights, with departures from the city centre at 0015, 0155 and 0335. Buses will serve Bromley Heath, Downend, Frampton Cotterell, Coalpit Heath, Yate and Chipping Sodbury with the fare (^4 single) set by the Council. First West of England passes, and FirstNight tickets will not be valid for travel on these specific journeys.

*** NEW *** Service X49 (Bristol - Yate via M32, Fishponds, Staple Hill, Mangotsfield, Pucklechurch and Westerleigh): This new service, which First will operate commercially, will operate between Bristol Bus Station and Yate, following what was the route of Service 689 (the council funded service which is being withdrawn). Buses will run hourly Monday to Saturday daytimes and, for the first time in several years, there will be journeys during the evening (two journeys in each direction) and on Sunday's and Public Holidays. This is a significant and positive development as it will both restore bus services to Pucklechurch and Westerleigh on Sundays and Public Holidays, and for people in Staple Hill and Fishponds will offer a faster journey time in and out of the City Centre (compared to Service 49).

Service 309/310 (Bristol - Thornbury): The timetable of this service is changing from April with some off peak Monday to Saturday journeys removed from it. Buses will however continue to operate every half an hour Monday to Saturday daytime, with the Sunday and Public Holiday timetable unaffected. Customers are advised to check the new timetables so they understand how the changes may affect them.

Service X1/W1 (Bristol - Weston-super-Mare): A number of changes are being made to this service. Most notably Service 1 (Bristol - Weston-super-Mare) is being re-numbered as Service W1 to help reduce confusion that has arisen with different services having similar numbers. In addition the timetable for both the X1 and W1 are being adjusted. On the X1 the frequency of buses on Saturdays is being reduced, to one bus every half an hour (from one every 20 minutes) to better match customer demand. On Sundays and Public Holidays the frequency of buses on Service W1 will be increased though from one every hour to one every half an hour. This is being done on a trial basis for the duration of the summer. It will effectively double the number of journeys between Bristol and Weston-super-Mare on these days.

Service X4/X5 (Weston-super-Mare - Portishead /Nailsea - Cribbs Causeway): The timetable of this service is changing with one journey, the 0625 Monday to Friday departure from Weston-super-Mare to Clevedon, withdrawn due to low customer demand. In addition the Monday to Friday X5 journey from Weston-super-Mare to Portishead at 0645 will be renumbered as a Service X4 journey, meaning it will travel between Worle, the M5, Clevedon and Weston-in-Gordano and will no longer serving Congresbury, Yatton and Kenn. This change is being made to improve the punctuality and reliability of the following journey from Portishead.

Service X8 (Bristol - Nailsea - Clevedon / Portishead): The timetable of this service is changing to improve the overall punctuality and reliability of journeys.

Service X9 (Bristol - Nailsea): The timetable is being altered slightly, with some journeys renumbered as Service X10 (see details below). While the overall number of journeys will remain the same customers are advised to check the timetable to ensure they understand how the alterations may affect them.

*** NEW *** Service X10 (Bristol - Nailsea): A new route variation - which will work in conjunction with Service X9 - will be introduced from April connecting Bristol and Nailsea but running via Long Ashton rather than the bypass. This change is being made in response to customer requests and is expected to be welcomed locally.

Service A1 (Bristol Airport Flyer): The frequency of buses during the daytime (Monday - Friday) is increasing, from one every 10 minutes to at least every 9 minutes. This change coincides with the increased demand for travel during the summer flying programme.

The following services will also be renumbered - being replaced by those detailed above:

Service 327 - Renumbered as Service 46/X46,
Service 332 - Renumbered as Service 37,
Service 338 - Renumbered as Service 38
Service 339 - Renumbered as Service 39
Service 342/X42 - Renumbered as Service 47/X47.
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #2 on: April 13, 2014, 18:55:24 »

From the BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Quote
First Group launches new bus services in Bristol

New and improved transport links have been launched in Bristol by the city's biggest bus operator, First Group.

The company said the "significant" alterations to its service are in response to a number of factors including the opening of the new Southmead Hospital.

Changes include more frequent services between Bristol and Yate and new links to the hospital, which opens in May.

Improved Sunday and public holiday services have also been introduced.

First Group's Simon Ford said the changes are "significant" and "will benefit a great many people".

He said the new links have been brought in following a full consultation with South Gloucestershire Council.

A full list of the changes to bus services in and around Bristol can be found on the First Group website.
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William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #3 on: September 06, 2014, 18:00:57 »

From the BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Quote
Replacement for axed bus service to begin


First Bus withdrew the number 20 service at the end of August

A bus service has been launched in Bristol to replace one that was withdrawn because it was not commercially viable.

The new 520 service will run along most of the route previously served by the 20, which First Bus stopped last week.

Many passengers complained, saying they had lost a link to the city centre and Bristol Royal Infirmary.

Bristol City Council has reallocated existing subsidies on other routes run by First to fund the new service.

Paul Matthews, from First, said: "There was considerable strength of feeling around the loss of service 20... we are pleased that the council has been able to find a resolution to this issue."

The new bus service is due to begin operating on 15 September.
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William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
Lee
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« Reply #4 on: September 06, 2014, 22:32:55 »

I'd just like to point out that no 231 bus services were harmed during the making of the above article, and Bath Bus Station remains unaffected.
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #5 on: September 06, 2014, 22:54:16 »

I'm delighted that you, too, Lee, spotted that rather bizarre illustration of the BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) article.  Wink Cheesy Grin

The name for the link to that particular image, used by the BBC, is given as 'Bus at Bristol bus station' - which it quite clearly isn'tRoll Eyes Shocked Grin

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William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
ChrisB
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« Reply #6 on: September 17, 2014, 15:04:27 »

From Bristol Post

Quote

A REINSTATED bus service in Bristol is back in operation for the first time today ^ the same day that the city council announced an extension to an existing route.

The No 20 was axed by bus operator First because it did not regard the route as commercially viable, leading to an outcry by transport campaigners and residents. A protest was staged by bus users, who were supported by an MP (Member of Parliament) and councillors.

The city council stepped in and held talks with First, which led to the 520 subsidised service being introduced.

Running approximately every hour between Westbury-on-Trym and Lewins Mead in the city centre, the first bus leaves Westbury at 6.20am and the last returns at 6.15pm, Monday to Saturday.
 

Bus campaigner Peter Tomlinson said: ^Our thanks are due to Bristol City Council for financial support, to First for getting the service organised so quickly and to the Bristol Post for publicising our plight when the 20 service ceased.^

Meanwhile, the city council has confirmed an extension to the existing 508 Wessex bus service from Sea Mills to Brentry.

The new amended route, planned to start operation on September 22, will extend the current route from Charlton Road to Arnside Road and therefore help residents access the nearby doctor^s surgery and local shops.

The changes mean the service will operate every 1 hour 15 minutes rather than hourly but the extension will help connect parts of Greystoke Avenue with Westbury-on-Trym and at no extra cost to the council.

The 508 service will run between The Pentagon, Sea Mills, and Arnside Road from 7am to 6.49pm on Mondays to Saturdays. The new link is part of the council^s response to the withdrawal of the 20 service.
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #7 on: January 26, 2015, 21:34:47 »

From the Bristol Post:

Quote
Bus not turned up? Tell someone who cares - prank stickers taking swipe at First placed at bus stops around Bristol


One of the stickers spotted at bus stops in Bristol

It is no secret that Bristol bus users are often left frustrated when the city^s traffic causes delays and cancellations to their journeys. But it seems someone has become so fed up with the buses, they have decided to pull a prank at bus stops across the city.

Last week, some bus timetables in the city were given the addition of stickers, which on first inspection appeared to be the logo of bus operator First. But on closer look, the cleverly designed stickers were actually a prank, designed to take a swipe at the company.

The stickers, which First are now working quickly to remove, are written in the same font and style First uses, and read: ^Bus not turned up? Late for work? Tell someone who cares, because we don^t. First - sorry, not in service.^

First West of England said in a statement that although the stickers showed creativity, they were also a breach of the company^s copyright.

A spokesperson said: ^While the creator of this sticker can perhaps be commended for their creativity, they are in breach of copyright law by using our logos without our permission, and of course the message contained is something we strongly refute. We care a lot about our services, and the people who use them. Traffic congestion, road works and incidents can, and do, of course have an impact on the punctuality and reliability of services, but where this happens we seek to change the timetables to resolve this. We are working with our partners to ensure the stickers are removed as soon as possible.^

The prank comes a week after First bosses met with disgruntled bus users to discuss issues with some of the city^s major routes.

A Facebook group has been set up by Bristol bus users entitled ^First bus is not a public service - it^s a disgrace^. It now has more than 570 members.

Users have complained to First about services which do not show up or are frequently delayed, and about a lack of communication about why a service has been delayed.

Managing director of First West of England James Freeman said at the meeting steps were being taken to improve services in Bristol. He said: ^"On March 29, we will be making some changes to timetables and I am pleased to say we are adding some more buses into the more problematic routes, which will help over peak times. I'm not saying that all our problems will be solved, but we are serious about sorting these issues out.^
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« Reply #8 on: January 27, 2015, 08:21:32 »

Whilst I'm Cornish based & have no knowledge of any other area, I do heavily empathise with Bristol passengers.  It's all too familiar from my viewpoint.  New routes/amended routes trumpeted only to get lost in a mire of passenger backlash.  Reason?  Timetable planners have absolutely NO knowledge of adequate timings: plus First schedule the programmer with minimum busses & minimum drivers (for obvious reasons).  Unfortunately a driver runs late on his first run (local traffic), his second run is even later.  Perhaps he hands over into his meal break even later for the bus to go onto a different run.  And so things snowball.  Passengers complain to the driver as it's obviously his fault (& First don't discourage that on their Facebook page).
Drivers and local depots know the problem.  Local management above that hear but won't act.  Only when customer services/the Council/M.P's are involved the drivers are then blamed for being lazy, and "things will be sorted".  Senior managers shout at local management, and watch and time drivers from afar, plus putting the revenue team out on affected routes to challenge drivers as to why they're late. A few months later, bus timings are slightly changed to improve things (which they mostly do).
Could give many Cornish examples, and I'm sure all areas suffer this problem.
Now, if they'd done that when planning the timetables..............
A heartfelt rant, having been there, done that (and still doing that).
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« Reply #9 on: February 18, 2015, 22:21:37 »

From the Bristol Post:

Quote
First Bus changes Bristol timetable to improve service with extra buses and staff


First Bus is changing its timetable in Bristol

First Bus is changing its timetables in a bid to improve the reliability of Bristol's buses.

To cope with the 20 per cent increase in the number of people using buses, operator First West of England is rescheduling many of its services from March 29.

They will add 12 buses to the fleet and recruit 70 new drivers. Sunday frequencies will also be increased on services 17, 24, 39, 75/76, 46, X6, X74, X49.

The changes to the timetables are intended to fix issues with the punctuality of buses on key routes, taking into account of changes in recent traffic conditions in recent months.

James Freeman, managing director of First West of England, said: "We are making a whole raft of changes to our network from the end of March in a real effort to tackle the problems we have seen recently with services not running as they should do. We have already brought in more double-deckers to the Bristol fleet ^ with more to come later this summer and now we are putting more buses and consequently more drivers on the road.

"These will help us overcome the challenges of congestion in the city, while also providing extra capacity for the increasing number of people wishing to use our services. As well as attempting to fix some of the significant punctuality and reliability issues we're also adding journeys on Sundays and Public Holidays. For instance, services 75 and 76 will see an increased combined frequency on these days.

"On the other hand we are changing part of the routes on both service 5 and Service 36 in a real effort to make the services ^ which have historically suffered from poor punctuality ^ run on time. We understand that people may not welcome these adjustments, but we're doing what we can to both explain what's happening, and minimise the impact on local people by altering other services too."

Some changes have come out of the reduction in revenue support from Bristol City Council for a small number of evening and Sunday services. There is also a new route, service X48, for people wanting to travel quickly between the Bristol and Bath Science Park, Emersons Green and the city centre.

For full information about the changes or to view the new timetables for the affected services, visit www.firstgroup.com/bristol. The new timetables will be uploaded by early March, and will be available in hard copy format by mid-March from Travel Shops.
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William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
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« Reply #10 on: February 18, 2015, 22:43:45 »

A recent 20% increase in ridership and recent 10% increase in the price of the most popular day ticket in Bristol. Any correlation there?
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« Reply #11 on: February 18, 2015, 22:46:28 »

I assume that's a rhetorical question?  Grin
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William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
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