Bus operator First West of England has announced a number of adjustments to services in Bath to reflect the reduced customer demand, especially for school, college and university services.
It is expected that many of the service alterations will be for the duration of the lockdown period, but First Bus have said all their services remain under constant review.
Among the key changes to timetables and operating services is the suspension of several closed schools-only services, and the withdrawal of some journeys which were previously introduced to provide additional capacity prior to lockdown.
James Freeman, Managing Director of First West of England, said: “The introduction of this new lockdown is a reminder that we are still operating in a very fluid environment due to the pandemic. This set of changes reflects the ever-shifting situation.
“As circumstances change, we are regularly monitoring what is needed to get our customers moving safely and reliably and we remain fully committed to providing a service for all those who need to make essential journeys in line with Government guidance.
“We want to 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 we ask that everyone adheres 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 over the last few months which has been challenging for everyone.”
Alterations in Bath
Service 3s (Hayesfield School)
Service 3s, which operates journeys exclusively for Hayesfield School students, will be suspended, with students required to use other existing services to complete their journey.
Service 20a/20c/20s (Bath Circular/Ralph Allen School Bus)
Duplicate journeys between Twerton and the University of Bath, which previously provided additional capacity to and from the University, will be suspended. Both Services 20a and 20c will operate an hourly journey on each service, covering the full route.
Service 20s, which operates journeys exclusively for Ralph Allen School, will be suspended.
Service 21 (Newbridge Park and Ride)
There will be a reduction in frequency of Service 21, with journeys running every 30 minutes, rather than every 15 minutes. There will be no changes made to the hours of operation.
Services 18, 39, and X39 stop outside Newbridge Park and Ride, and may provide alternative journey opportunities.
Customers are advised to check timetables prior to travelling.
Service 31 (Lansdown Park and Ride)
There will be a reduction in the frequency of Service 31, with journeys running every 30 minutes, rather than every 15 minutes. There will be no changes made to the hours of operation.
Service 41 (Odd Down Park and Ride)
Across all days of operation there will be a reduction in the frequency of Service 41, with journeys operating every 30 minutes, rather than every 15 minutes. There will be no changes made to the hours of operation.
Services 171, 172, 173 and 174 stop outside Odd Down Park and Ride, and may provide alternative journey opportunities.
Customers are advised to check timetables prior to travelling.
Service 42 (Odd Down Park & Ride – Royal United Hospital)
From Monday to Friday, the additional morning and afternoon peak journeys on Service 42, which were introduced to provide further capacity for school movements, will be suspended.
Service U1 (University of Bath)
Due to extremely low demand for travel to and from the University of Bath, the frequency of Service U1 will be revised to every 30 minutes every day of the week. There will be no changes made to the hours of operation.
Service U5 (Bath Spa University)
Due to extremely low demand for travel to and from Bath Spa University, the frequency of service U5 will be revised to every 30 minutes during the day Monday to Saturday, and every 60 minutes during the evening and on Sundays and Public Holidays. There will be no changes made to the hours of operation.
Oldfield School Services OS1, OS2, OS3, OS4 and OS5
Services OS3, OS4, and OS5, which operate journeys exclusively for School and college students, will be suspended. Service 19 provides an alternative journey choice for students who would usually use these services.
Services OS1 and OS2 will continue to operate for those students that need to travel to and from Oldfield School.
Service D1 (Bath – Salisbury)
Additional Monday to Friday journeys on Service D1, which were introduced to provide further capacity for college movements, will be suspended.
Service D2/D2s (Bath – Frome)
On Service D2, duplicate journeys which previously provided additional capacity will be suspended.
Service D2s, which operates journeys exclusively for school and college students, will be suspended.
Alternative journeys will continue to operate at almost identical times and customers are advised to check timetables prior to travelling.
