Social enterprise to operate Bristol’s major new MetroBus route

It has taken years of disruption, millions of pounds and a healthy dose of frustration, but the long-awaited MetroBus scheme is finally set to launch early this summer.

And small social enterprise Bristol Community Transport (BCT) has just been announced as the operator of the network’s longest route – meaning that all profits from these journeys will be ploughed back into providing services for some of the most vulnerable groups in the city.

The collaboration between main operators First West of England and the not-for-profit company has been hailed a “ground-breaking first”, marking the future of public transport in Bristol.

It will see a fleet of brand new, biogas buses take to the roads, complete with inbuilt wi-fi, USB sockets and cyclist detectors.

Driver Lukasz Linka behind the wheel of the new biogas bus

BCT will be running the new m1 route, linking south Bristol with the city centre, UWE Bristol and Cribbs Causeway – and the media were invited aboard for the fledgling run on Monday morning:

https://www.facebook.com/bristol247/videos/10155861149134807/

Addressing press gathered in The Kitchen, on Silver Street, Dai Powell, chief executive of HCT group, BCT’s parent company, said the new scheme has the power to “transform the way public transport is run in Bristol”.

He added: “MetroBus creates a real opportunity to get people out of their cars and onto public transport – with all the environmental benefits that brings for people and planet.”

Inside one of the new biogas buses

Having been contracted by First for 10 years, BCT has invested £7m in 21 new biogas double decker buses – with fuel generated from food waste – and is in the process of installing a refuelling station at its Parson Street depot.

MetroBus will run along three colour-coded routes and First bus has now confirmed the first route, m3, linking Emersons Green, Bristol & Bath Science Park, Emerald Park Industrial Estate, UWE and the city centre, will be launching on May 29.

The new MetroBus map

No date has yet been set for routes m1 and m2 as of yet, but BCT has said it is keen to get buses up and running on the m1 network as soon as possible so it can start to see a return on its investment and put money back to good use within communities.

Acknowledging it has taken a long time to get to this point, James Freeman, managing director of First, said: “Bristol is a real success story in terms of public transport. We are lifting the image and also the actuality of public transport. This relationship with BCT is ground-breaking – it’s never been done before.”

When it finally launches, transport bosses say MetroBus will offer a faster, greener and more reliable service.

But this will come too late for some businesses, which have been hit by disruption caused by the ongoing works.

Tickets will be transferable throughout the MetroBus network and also on other First services. They must be bought before travel at iPoints, available at all MetroBus stops, online, via a special app and at selected retailers.

There will be a two-zone system, with single tickets in one zone costing £1.50, or £2.50 across two zones. A day ticket for unlimited travel will cost £4. To celebrate the launch, First is offering free travel to m3 passengers between May 29 and June 9, to give people a chance to trial the new service.

Mhairi Threlfall addresses the media at the Station Kitchen on Silver Street

Mairi Threllfall, Bristol City Council’s cabinet member for transport, told Bristol24/7 it is great to finally have a start date for first leg of the long-awaited scheme.

“The vision for public transport in Bristol is to be sustainable and affordable,” she said. “Part of that is that Metrobus has to sit alongside cycling and other networks so that people have a useful alternative to using their car.”

The biogas bus stops at UWE Bristol

Read more: ‘MetroBus is poised to change everything’