Axed buses branded the ‘collapse of Bristol’s public transport system’

The decision that hundreds of bus services have been axed has been branded “staggering”, “disappointing” and the “collapse of Bristol’s public transport system”.

First Bus announced on Wednesday that they are cancelling almost 1,500 bus journeys a week in the Bristol region as it does not have enough drivers to maintain its timetable. The cuts will affect 19 routes across Bristol immediately and are expected to last until at least 2 April.

Bristol West MP Thangam Debbonaire is now “urgently contacting” the service to find out how they will continue to serve people for whom buses are a lifeline.

She said: “Thousands of Bristolians depend on buses to get around the city. So I was very troubled to hear that many bus services are being cancelled.

“The apparent collapse in Bristol’s public transport system is also evident from messages I am receiving from people across my constituency, describing important journeys that have been completely disrupted in recent days.

“This chaos will only make life harder for people already struggling to pay the bills this winter. I will be contacting bus operator First Bus to demand answers.”

https://twitter.com/FirstBSA/status/1592865729246040068

In a statement, First said: “Due to ongoing driver shortages, which are making it difficult to operate all journeys in our current timetables, we have removed some journeys across several services.

“The cancelled journeys, which are listed below, will show as cancelled on the First Bus app, and on the real time information screens at bus stops.

“We are doing our utmost to address the driver shortage but doing so will inevitably take some time.

Almost every service across Bristol will be affected by the cancellations.

These include the number 1 bus leaving Broomhill from Monday to Friday, with the 0640, 0740, 0931, 1051, 1251, 1411, 1636, 1742, 1950, 2050 and 2320 all cancelled; and the 74 leaving the city centre on Saturday which will no longer be operating at 0810, 0830, 0910, 0930, 1010, 1030, 1110, 1130, 1210, 1230, 1310, 1330, 1410, 1430, 1510, 1530, 1610, 1630, 1710, 1730, 1810, 1830, 1910, 1930 or 2010.

The West of England metro mayor said the region was short of between 200 and 300 bus drivers, with the average driver working a 50 hour week.

“This news from First is disappointing. Under 20 of buses they run will now make fewer journeys, especially in off-peak time,” Dan Norris said, reacting to the announcement.

He added: “There is no short-term fix on drivers but I have invested in a big recruitment and training exercise to encourage people to drive buses. I know how important buses are to local people so please do consider a career change and be a real community hero.”

Labour councillor for Bedminster Mark Bradshaw Tweeted: “Quite staggering announcement by First Bus.

“Decimation of the bus network with little regard for passengers or elected reps.

“Understand the driver & cost issues but this is no genuine partnership. WECA needs to become proper transport authority & move to franchising key routes.”

Axed journeys will show as cancelled on the First Bus app, as well as on the information screens at bus stops, the operator said.

Main photo: Betty Woolerton

Read next:

• 1,500 bus journeys a week cancelled due to driver shortages
• Locals ‘left stranded’ by reduced and unreliable bus service
• ‘How can we reach net zero when our public transport system is in shambles?’

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: