First Bus timetable in Bristol region changing from today 29 August 2021

No 5 Bus Route is affected 

Major timetable and route changes have been announced by the main bus operator serving the West of England region.

First Bus has rolled out the revisions from today (Sunday, August 29), affecting passengers across Bristol and parts of Somerset and Gloucestershire.

There are 16 routes affected in Bristol and the surrounding area, 14 routes affected in the Weston-super-Mare area, and about 30 routes in the Bath and wider area.

Some of the route changes are to reflect students' return to schools, colleges and universities, some appear to be due to the changing seasons and reduction of tourists, and others are due to a general lack of demand.

Following a review of financial support from the West of England Combined Authority, bus service number 18 between Bath and Kingswood via Keynsham and North Common will be withdrawn.

First has advised passengers travelling between Bath and Keynsham to use services 39, X39 and A4 (operated by Bath Bus Company), and has confirmed service 19 between Bath and Cribbs Causeway via Kingswood will continue.

Doug Claringbold, managing director of First West of England, said: "We are constantly monitoring service usage and reviewing our timetables to reflect customer demand which, although steadily rising overall post pandemic, has remained, and looks likely to remain, very low on some routes.

"Working in close partnership with the West of England Combined Authority, we have to ensure we are providing an adequate and reliable service for our customers where it is needed most."

He said passengers are still being encouraged to travel at quieter times and book in advance if possible, and to wear face coverings on board "for their own sake and that of their fellow passengers".

Key changes across the region

• Service 5: Due to "very low customer demand", Service 5 will no longer serve Bromley Heath and from Overndale Road, buses will operate directly via Cleeve Hill to The Horseshoe in Downend. The route change will mean that Service 5 will no longer serve Bromley Heath Road, Quakers Road, Queensholm Drive, Four Acre Road and Badminton Road. Customers in the Bromley Heath area may be able to complete their journeys by using Services 19, 48 and Y2. A small number of evening journeys Monday-Saturday and Sunday and public holiday services will be withdrawn.
• Service 19: Minor change to the route designed to improve access to Charlton Hayes. Changes to some journeys around school start and finish times to accommodate travel to and from Oldfield School.

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/first-bus-timetable-bristol-region-5845889?utm_source=linkCopy&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar