Reclaim Our Buses West of England
Find out more
The Problem
Our buses are in crisis. Thousands of services have been cancelled while entire routes have been cut.
Local authorities have limited control over commercial bus services. This means bus companies do what they like, dictating prices, routes, and timetable.
The Solution:
It doesn’t have to be like this. Franchising our buses gives power back to the public and unlocks new ways to add routes, boost reliability, and improve affordability (read more about how here). Basically? It puts people over profit.
Dan Norris, the West of England Combined Authority mayor and council leaders from Bristol, South Gloucestershire and B&NES have the power to bring your buses into public control. Every other Labour Mayor is using their power to reclaim their buses. It’s time Dan did too!
Get in touch on: reclaimourbuses.woe@gmail.com
We are collaborating with We Own It to campaign for buses in the West of England to be franchised
Latest from our socials
Follow:
How to Get Involved
1. Sign the Petition
2. Calls to Action
Lobby your local MP and Councillors using the briefing templates below
3. Join Campaign Meetings
Join a campaign meeting: every 2nd Wednesday of the month, 5pm-6pm on Zoom
4. Collect Signatures
Volunteer to help collect signatures for the petition; make props for events; attend WECA meetings; lobby local councillors and more - email us to get involved reclaimourbuses.woe@gmail.com
SeptemberAction:
Call your MP to respond to the ongoing public transport crisis!
The new government is in favour of bus franchising. There is now no reason not to move forward in the West of England. Make sure yoru new MP knows why this is an essential first action for the West of England region by sending them our updated July edition Briefing Document
Instructions here! ➡️
Step 1:
Find your MP here - you just need your postcode.
You should be able to copy and paste the email address of your MP into a new email.
Step 2:
Copy the cover letter we drafted, and paste it in your email account in a draft email to your MP. Personalise it as you wish.
Don’t forget to put your parliamentary candidate’s name and your name on it. You also need to put your address, so that they know you are in their constituency - they only have a duty to respond if you are their constituent. And make sure you do step 3 before pressing send!
Step 3:
Download the briefing document, and attach it to the draft email to your councillor. It is packed full of information about why franchising buses is a good idea - have a read through to learn more.
Step 4:
Press send!!
Please send us any responses you receive from parliamentary candidates! Email: reclaimourbuses.woe@gmail.com
Do you live or work in Bristol, Bath, North East Somerset, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire?
Do you think our region's transport could be better?
We're launching a People's Passenger Transport Executive so we can get community voices organised for when WECA creates an official one.
There'll be food, fun activities, stalls and speakers. Come and bring your imagination!
Get your tickets here:
Imagining the Future of Transport Event
Imagining the Future of Transport Event
WESTACT is organising an exciting and inclusive community day on Saturday 23rd November, where we’ll be reimagining sustainable transport and promoting active travel across the West of England. This event will feature engaging and creative talks, interactive stalls, diverse campaigns, kids activities and speakers and organisers. We want to connect with local action groups and communities to help shape a greener, more connected future.
We’re inviting people from across the Bristol, Bath, North Somerset, North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire regions to help us animate the space!
Please get in touch either by completing our quick Google form below (which will help us keep track of things) or by emailing Anna: comms.reclaimourbuses.woe@gmail.com and/or Emilia: reclaimourbuses.woe@gmail.com :
if you have something you could offer or something you’d like to showcase (sustainable transport themed)
if you’d like to volunteer - we have lots of ideas we need help with implementing!
Campaign Updates
Campaign Highlights
Light up the night demonstration at South Gloucestershire Council meeting
Volunteers share news articles and information on our campaign WhatsApp group
Petition launch event on college green - with our big cardboard bus
Dedicated Ashton Vale residents who want their bus services back - at our petition launch
Petition launch on college green - support from the Trades Union Council
Getting the word out to sign our petition - at Forward festival on the Downs
