Following consultation with the West of England Combined Authority, and in response to advice from the Department of Transport, First Bus is further adjusting their ongoing services in Bath.
Changes will be coming into effect from Sunday 24th January to reflect reduced customer demand across the region during the latest lockdown.
It is expected that many of these service alterations will be for the duration of the lockdown period, but all services remain under constant review.
Among the key changes to timetables and operating services is the continued suspension of several schools-only services and the adjustment of some timetables to reflect the reduced demand from customers, especially around peak times.
James Freeman, Managing Director of First West of England, said: “We are regularly monitoring what is needed to get our customers moving safely and reliably.
“These altered timetables will ensure that the number of buses in operation meet the needs of those who must undertake essential travel in line with Government guidance.
“We remind all customers that it is a legal requirement to wear a face covering when travelling by public transport, unless you fall within the Government’s specified exemptions and everyone should adhere to this to help protect each other.
“Social distancing measures remain in place on all our buses and we also encourage customers to take advantage of contactless payment if possible, to make boarding faster and safer.
“We’d like to thank all our customers for their ongoing patience and cooperation.”
Service changes in Bath
Service 1 (Bath Bus Station – Southdown)
Monday to Friday, during the day, there will be slight a reduction in frequency of Service 1, with journeys running every 10 minutes, rather than every 8 minutes.
On Saturday, this service will operate journeys every 12 minutes, rather than every 10 minutes.
In addition, reflecting customer demand, the frequency of buses on this service will be slightly reduced from Monday to Saturday, before 0800, and between 1800 and 1900.
On Sunday and Public Holidays, there will be no change to frequency of buses on this service during the main part of the day, but before 1000 and between 1830 and 2000, the service will operate every 40 minutes.
Monday to Saturday journeys at 2325 and 0005 from the Bus Station will be withdrawn due to low customer demand. The Sunday and Public Holiday journey at 0005 will also be withdrawn.
Service 2 (Bath City Centre – Mulberry Park)
From Monday to Friday during the morning and afternoon peaks there will be slight a reduction in frequency of Service 2, with journeys running every 20 minutes, rather than every 15 minutes, while the frequency of Monday to Saturday evening journeys, between 1800 and 1900, will be reduced to every 30 minutes.
Service 3 (Foxhill – Bath City Centre – Bathford), 3a (Weston – Bath City Centre – Elmhurst)
Service 3 journeys towards Foxhill will move from the bus stop at Broad Quay to Dorchester Street (Service 3a, 4 stop) to free up space at Broad Quay to improve safety.
There will be a slight reduction in the number of Monday to Friday journeys before 0700 and e, between 1830 and 2000, while on Saturday the frequency will be slightly reduced before 0900.
Service 3 evening journeys from Monday to Saturday, which have seen little use, will be withdrawn, with no journeys operating on this service after approximately 1800.
Service 4 (Weston – Bath City Centre – Odd Down)
From Monday to Friday there will be a reduction in the number of journeys operating before 0700. On Saturday there will be a reduction in the number of journeys before 0900. Likewise, on Monday to Saturday, there will be a reduction to the number of journeys between 1800 and 2000 as customer demand for travel has reduced into the evening.
Due to low customer demand, on all days of operation late evening journeys on this service will be withdrawn after approximately 2330.
Service 5 (Bath Bus Station – Twerton – Whiteway)
From Monday to Friday there will be slight a reduction in frequency, with journeys running every 12 minutes, rather than every 10 minutes.
In the early evenings, Monday to Saturday, the frequency will be reduced from every 15 minutes to every 20 minutes.
Each night, the last departure from the City Centre will be at 2358, with later journeys withdrawn, and some journeys terminating at Twerton Parade on return from Whiteway.
Services 6, 6a, and 7 (Bath Bus Station – Fairfield Park/Larkhall)
Services 6, 6a and 7 will start their journeys from Manvers Street rather than Dorchester Street.
Service 11 (Bath Bus Station – Bathampton)
On Saturdays, the Service 11 timetable will be reinstated and will operate every 60 minutes during the core hours of the day, in response to customer requests.
Service 11’s starting point will move from Dorchester Street to Bath Bus Station Bay 9 (alongside Bay 8 for service D1) to provide a common boarding point for services to Bathampton.
Service 12 (Bath City Centre – Whiteway)
On Saturdays, the Service 12 timetable will be reinstated and will operate every 60 minutes during the core hours of the day, in response to customer requests.
Services 20a & 20c (Bath Circular services) & 20s (Ralph Allen School Bus)
Departure times across this service will be amended to improve reliability and punctuality.
Service 20s, which previously operated journeys exclusively for Ralph Allen school students, remains suspended.
Service 39, X39 (Bath – Bristol)
From Monday to Friday there will be slight a reduction in frequency of Service 39 and Service X39, with journeys running every 15 minutes, rather than every 12 minutes.
From Monday to Saturday there will be a slight reduction in frequency in the early evenings.
On Sunday and Public Holidays, the frequency of buses during the main part of the day will be reduced, with journeys running every 20 minutes, rather than every 15 minutes.
Services 171/172 (Paulton –Midsomer Norton – Radstock – Bath)
The timetables of Service 171 and Service 172 will be adjusted to reduce the dwell time at Midsomer Norton, providing improved journey times.
Service 173 (Wells – Gurney Slade – Chilcompton – Midsomer Norton – Radstock – Bath)
Departure times across this service will be revised to improve reliability and punctuality.
Service 174 (Wells – Shepton Mallet – Midsomer Norton – Radstock – Bath)
Departure times across this service will be revised to improve reliability and punctuality.
Due to low customer demand, the short journeys that operate Monday to Saturday just between Wells and Shepton Mallet only will be withdrawn.
Service 376 (Bristol – Wells – Glastonbury Street) also Service 376s (School service)
On Monday to Friday there will be a reduction in frequency of Service 376, with journeys running every 30 minutes, rather than every 20 minutes while on Sundays and Public Holidays the frequency will be reduced from every 30 minutes to every 60 minutes.
Service 376s, which operates journeys exclusively for Wells and Strode College, will be suspended.
Service D2s (School service Bath – Frome)
Service D2s, which previously operated journeys exclusively for school and college students, remains suspended. Service D2 continues.