Two new cross-city bus routes planned for Bristol

The bus operator has revealed today that its 70 service between the University of the West of England and Temple Meads Station, and its 90 service between Filwood Park and the city centre will merge to create a new service every 20 minutes linking Knowle in the south of Bristol to the university.

In another link-up, the 73 service between Bradley Stoke and Temple Meads, and the 92 service between Hengrove and the city centre will also merge to create a second cross-city link. The 73 service will also be extended at off-peak times to the Aztec West Business Park, taking in the whole of Woodlands Lane.

The proposed changes are part of a bi-annual review of routes by First Bus, and will come into force on Sunday 3^rd September.

In other proposed changes:

• First Bus will reintroduce an X49 service between Staple Hill and the city centre, providing a morning express service into the city centre.
• The 48a service from the University of the West of England to Stapleton Road will increase its frequency from every 30 minutes to up to every 15 minutes to coincide with the new academic year.
• In a further boost to university students and other passengers, the U2 service between the University of Bristol Langford Campus and Queens Road in the city centre will extend beyond 6pm with an hourly service Monday to Friday until 11pm, and a new service, every two hours, at the weekend.
• The Y6 service between Bristol Bus Station and Southmead Hospital will now travel via Park Street, Whiteladies Road, Blackboy Hill, Northumbria Drive and Henleaze Road. There will also be some changes to the timetable to accommodate this new route.
• The frequency of the m1 metrobus, which serves Cribbs Causeway, UWE, Bedminster and Hengrove, will increase Monday to Friday from every 12 minutes to every 10 minutes in the morning and afternoon peak periods, from 15 minutes to 12 minutes off-peak, and from 30 minutes to every 20 minutes in the evenings. On Saturdays, the evening service will increase from every 30 minutes to every 20 minutes, and on Sunday mornings from every 30 minutes to every 20 minutes.
• There will also be further improvements to the m3 metrobus, with an additional service in the evening peak period, Monday to Friday.
• First Bus is also discussing with the West of England Combined Authority a proposal for a new service between Bristol and north Yate to supplement the existing Y1 service.

Rob Pymm, Commercial Director for First West of England, said: “We’re continuing to invest in improving bus services across Bristol and the West of England. Our two new cross-city services will improve connections between important areas of Bristol and make travelling around the city easier and cheaper for our customers.

“With lots of other improvements being made to other routes, including increased frequencies, and with adult and child single fares still £2 and £1 respectively and our on-board Tap On, Tap Off technology making payment quick and easy, we’re making bus travel accessible to even more people.”

First Bus has consulted on the new routes with local authorities, including the West of England Combined Authority, ahead of them coming into effect in September.

PLEASE NOTE: Timetables for all new/changed routes will be available soon.