Environmental activists ‘hijack’ billboard to criticise WECA on public transport

The face of metro mayor Dan Norris smiles out of a billboard in Easton with the caption “demand better from WECA”.

This antithesis of an advertising slogan for the West of England Combined Authority is the work of a group of environmental activists who ‘highjacked’ the space to highlight what they say is “politicians dragging their feet” on the issue of public transport.

Campaigners from Extinction Rebellion Youth Bristol (XRYB) replaced the disused billboard with a design featuring Norris and his quote promising “public transport for the 21st century”, along with the question “what happened?”.

The group has launched a campaign demanding the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and its constituent councils provide:

• Free bus travel for under 25s, students and apprentices in the region.
• A consultation and public forum to identify improvements to bus routes that would best serve communities.

Extinction Rebellion Youth Bristol ‘hijack’ a billboard in Easton – photo: Silverbirch/ Extinction Rebellion Youth Bristol

Responding to the demands, Norris said XRYB members are “absolutely right” to say a fair and reliable bus service is essential to reach the 2030 net zero target and one of his “highest priorities”.

He went on to say there are “big challenges to overcome and therefore big choices need to be made” to achieve this, stating that the millions in funding for buses secured so far is only a fraction of the £20bn required.

Youth activists have also erected billboards in other locations, including along Bath Road, calling for “free and fair buses”.

In a letter to WECA, they stated: “The West of England is facing a public transport crisis. Your continued cuts to bus services, increasing fares and refusal to make the transport system work for working class communities make you complicit in the cost of living, climate and air pollution crises.”

Speaking this week, XR youth spokesperson Torin Menzies, 17, said: “Metro mayor Dan Norris’ promised ‘public transport for the 21st century’ yet the West of England’s buses are in a dire state.

“For too long have politicians dragged their feet on the issue – we’re demanding free bus travel for young people across the West of England and an improved and fair bus network for everyone as a measure to tackle the climate crisis, air pollution crisis, cost of living crisis, and educational equality crisis all together.”

“For too long have politicians dragged their feet on the issue” – photo: Extinction Rebellion Youth Bristol

Responding, Norris said: “Local net zero by 2030 will be very hard to achieve, but for the planet’s sake, we have to. That means we must all pull our weight – individuals, companies, organisations and national and local government.”

He continued: “Bus costs are also going through the roof – up a whopping 42 per cent. I was shocked when I discovered that we were shelling out over £200 per passenger per journey on some routes. I’ve put a stop to that happening again as we have to use our limited resources effectively and well. I am currently looking at innovative fare schemes whereby I put some money in to encourage more people to try buses. Franchising is absolutely on the table as an option and remains under ongoing review.

“We all agree what people want and deserve is a reliable, affordable public transport system. I will keep fighting for every penny I can get from government. I also urge local people to do their bit and use our buses so we can use their fares to invest in the better public transport the West of England region needs”.

Main photo: Silverbirch/ Extinction Rebellion Youth Bristol 

Read more: Boss of First bus apologises for lack of reliability 

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