Bath bus operator First West of England has announced a number of changes to its services across the local area following a review to meet demand following the easing of lockdown restrictions.
Services are being reviewed on a regular basis and the latest alterations are being introduced to improve reliability and punctuality.
Among key changes to timetables and operating services are more frequent Park and Ride services, more buses between Bath and Bristol at peak times, and an increase in frequency of university services.
Doug Claringbold, Managing Director of First West of England, said: “As lockdown restrictions continue to ease with the Government’s roadmap to recovery, we are continuing to monitor what is needed to get our customers moving safely and reliably.
“These new timetables will ensure that the number of buses in operation meet the needs of our customers as they begin to undertake more day-to-day travel in line with Government guidance.”
Where a service has ‘s’ after the service number, these buses are schools-only services and can be filled to the normal seating capacity. Members of the public are unable to use these services as they are for schools and colleges only. Social distancing remains in place on all other services.
Mr Claringbold added: “We would like to remind customers that it is still 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.
“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.”
Key changes
Service 5
- The frequency of buses from Monday to Friday during the day will be increased from every 12 minutes to every 10 minutes.
Service 20a, 20c, 20s
- The Service 20a/20c Monday to Friday daytime frequency between Twerton and the University of Bath will be increased from every 60 minutes to approximately every 30 minutes.
Service 21 – Newbridge Park and Ride
- The frequency of buses on all days of operation will be increased from every 30 minutes to every 15 minutes, with no change to operating hours.
- The first departure from the Park and Ride site on Sunday will be 15 minutes earlier at 0930.
Service 31 – Lansdown Park and Ride
- The frequency of buses on all days of operation will be increased from every 30 minutes to every 15 minutes, with no change to operating hours.
- The first departure from the Lansdown Park and Ride site on Sunday will be 15 minutes earlier at 0930.
Service 41 – Odd Down Park and Ride
- The frequency of buses on all days of operation will be increased from every 30 minutes to every 15 minutes, with no change to operating hours.
- The first departure from the Odd Down Park and Ride site on Sunday will be 15 minutes earlier at 0930.
Service 39, X39, X39s
- The frequency of Service X39 buses from Monday to Friday during the morning and afternoon peaks will be increased from every 15 minutes to every 12 minutes.
- Following feedback from customers, evening departure times on all days of operation will be set back 5 minutes.
- Due to increased demand for travel to and from Hayesfield School in Bath, Service X39s journeys will be introduced, which will operate on school days only. This will be a closed school service and will not be available to the general public.
- In the morning, Service X39s will depart from Temple Meads, Temple Gate, at 0716, arriving at Hayesfield School at 0805. In the afternoon, Service X39s will depart Hayesfield School at 1520, arriving at Temple Meads, Redcliff Way, at 1609.
- Normal First tickets will be accepted on service X39s. Students travelling from Bristol will need to purchase a West of England zone ticket.
Service 42
- The 1514 journey from Odd Down Park and Ride to RUH will now depart at 1454 due to changes in travel patterns. This is an additional journey to provide extra capacity to coincide with school finishing times.
Service D1, D1s, D1x
- An additional journey will operate Monday to Friday from Fore Street, Trowbridge, at 0655 to Bath Bus Station at 0747. This reduces the current gap between departures for customers travelling from Winsley into Bath.
- The 0801 Monday to Friday Service D1s from Warminster to Trowbridge College will be extended to Wingfield Road to accommodate an increase in demand for travel to St Augustine’s School.
Service D2, D2s
- The 1538 Monday to Friday Service D2s from Bath Bus Station to Frome Market Place will additionally serve Rode and arrive later into Frome. Please note that this journey is a closed school journey for school children and college students only.
Service U1
- The frequency of buses from Monday to Friday daytime will be increased from every 10 minutes to every 7/8 minutes.
- The frequency of buses from Monday to Friday evening will be increased from every 30 minutes to every 15 minutes.
- The frequency of buses Saturday daytime and evening will be increased from every 30 minutes to every 15 minutes.
- The frequency of buses Sunday daytime and evening will be increased from every 30 minutes to every 20 minutes.
Service U3
- This service is suspended until further notice. Service U1 will serve Oldfield Park for customers travelling to this destination.
Service U5
- The frequency of buses from Monday to Friday daytime will be increased from every 15 minutes to every 10 minutes.
- Saturday daytime and evening frequency will be increased from every 30 minutes to every 20 minutes.
- Sunday daytime frequency will be increased from every 60 minutes to every 30 minutes.
