Local bus operator First West of England has confirmed which services will face cuts or changes next month, as part of efforts to “balance” customer demand.
Photo © Jon Craig
The operator says the changes are being implemented due to changing post-pandemic demand, which has seen passenger numbers fall by 25 per cent compared to pre-Covid figures.
The effects of this have been further impacted by driver shortages across the region.
The majority of routes in Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and Somerset have been retained.
Transport authorities worked with First West of England and other local operators to complete a network review to assess the viability of all routes in light of changes to travel patterns and bus use post-pandemic.
First West of England’s changes, which come into effect on 9th October, follow this review and were shared in July to allow the maximum time for them to consider whether alternative options were available.
Doug Claringbold, Managing Director of First West of England, said: “The very last thing any transport operator wants to do is reduce or cut any services.
“We recognise the impact these changes will have on some of our communities and we are truly sorry for those who will be affected.
“We’ve actively engaged with local authorities to try to keep these services running.
“We had high hopes that, as we moved beyond the pandemic and Covid restrictions, we would see a stronger recovery in bus use.
“Unfortunately, the world has changed more than we predicted and we are still seeing a significantly lower level of bus use, as well as different travel patterns across our network.
“On top of this, like the rest of the bus industry and other sectors, we are operating against the backdrop of rising business costs and labour shortages that are particularly acute in our area.”
“Our data shows that passengers do not use these services in sufficient numbers and are unlikely to return in the future.
“Along with the significant driver shortages, this means we simply have no choice but to withdraw or reduce those services and ensure we focus on running buses where there are enough customers travelling.”
First West of England says it will continue to work with local authorities and partners to adapt services in a way that remains “sustainable for the longer term”, whilst seeking to provide customers with the reliability that meets their needs.
Changes from Sunday 9th October in Bath & North East Somerset include:
- The withdrawal of services 22, 42 and 178. Changes to Service 4 and the introduction of Service 379, will mitigate the loss of Services 42 and 178.
- Service 379 will operate between Bath and Bristol via Peasdown St John, Radstock, Midsomer Norton, Paulton, Hallatrow, Wells Road and Knowle. This will replace Service 171 and provide a partial replacement for the majority of customers on Service 178, reducing journey times to and from Bristol compared to that service.
- Service 4 journeys will be extended to Odd Down Park and Ride to cover the loss of Service 42.
- Service 2 – will increase in frequency.
- Service 3 – will no longer serve Elmhurst Estate. Customers in the Elmhurst Estate can use a new service, Service 13, which will operate between the Elmhurst Estate and Bath City Centre.
- Services 4, 4a and 4b – will no longer serve the full length of Eastfield Avenue following a request from Bath and North East Somerset Council due to ongoing problems with the road surface. Customers can still use the Eastfield Avenue terminus.
- Service 8 – will reduce in frequency.
- Services 11, 12, 20 and 82 – these services are operated by First West of England under contract to the West of England Combined Authority. The contract for them ended on 27th August but First West of England agreed with the Combined Authority that the services could continue until Sunday 9th October to align with the wider set of changes on that date. Due to driver shortages, from Sunday 9th October, First West of England have not re-tendered for, and will therefore no longer operate, these contracts. The Combined Authority will determine whether alternative provision can be secured.
- Service 172 – will operate hourly, with most journeys terminating at Tesco in Midsomer Norton, evening and Sunday services also covering Paulton and early morning and late evening journeys operating to and from Wells.
- Service 174 – will have a revised timetable and will serve Chilcompton on Sundays with the introduction of Service 379 maintaining a 15 minute frequency along the common sections of route.
- Service D2 – Sunday frequency will be reduced to every 2 hours, with most journeys covering Rode, whilst a reduced evening service will operate.
- Services U1, U2 and U5 will increase in frequency for the start of the new academic year at the University of Bath and Bath Spa University.
- Services 1, 2, 5, 19, 39, X39 and 173 will have minor timetable changes to improve punctuality and reliability.
New timetables will be available from First West of England’s website for all changed or new services nearer to 9th October.
Speaking last week, West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris said: “I have been concerned throughout 2022 that there would be cuts this October. Sadly, these fears are now being realised and these cuts will be disheartening and worrying for local people.
“The problem of too few drivers to staff our region’s vital bus services has gone off the Richter Scale. We are also living in unprecedented times with annual inflation in the bus industry letting rip at over 40 per cent.
“These two major challenges have come together to create the perfect storm to see commercial bus providers up-and-down the land cutting back on the services they provide.
“Even where financial support has been made available by the West of England Combined Authority or the Government to keep local buses going, operators are still unwilling to run these services as they simply don’t have the drivers to operate them.
“This is far more about bus driver shortages than cash, even though the sky-high inflation is a massive and difficult challenge. These cuts will cause real difficulty for many local people and communities right across our region.
“While the news in the short term is difficult, I hope to have better news on fares soon and later in April when the next timetable changes take place, and funding from the Bus Service Improvement Plan kicks in. Here the West of England, we have been very successful securing the second highest amount nationwide from this government fund.
“The West of England Combined Authority is looking to use more cost-effective minibuses in future over more traditional buses where this is appropriate.
“This also has the advantage that minibus drivers can be trained more quickly to fill the critical shortfall. We are already working with the bus companies to identify new drivers, and to then recruit and train them.
“However, building up a resource of new drivers takes time, and this is really something that should be co-ordinated by national government to ensure our region, and others don’t poach newly qualified staff from one another which is currently the risk of any local initiative.”
