Letter to Metro Mayor following mass Bus Cuts (Aug. 24)
Dear Mayor Norris,
I hope this message finds you well.
I am writing on behalf of the Reclaim Our Buses campaign to address the significant concerns arising from the recent bus service changes across our region. As part of the WESTACT initiative (West of England Sustainable Transport and Active Travel), Reclaim Our Buses advocates for public control and franchising of bus services to better serve our communities.
The recent cuts and re-routing of bus services, effective from 1st September, have had a dramatic impact on various communities. These changes, announced during the school holidays, disrupt access to secondary schools and eliminate crucial routes, such as those connecting Bristol to Chipping Sodbury. Despite recent discussions with First Bus, the outlook remains concerning, and we are seeing considerable opposition from affected areas.
In Winterbourne, the cancellation of student bus services, specifically the 427 and 459, has left over 150 families in distress. Previously saved by South Gloucestershire Council in 2023, these services are now discontinued due to expired funding. This leaves many students facing dangerous or impractical travel options, affecting their education and safety. The flawed data from a school survey, which did not accurately reflect current limitations and overcrowding, exacerbates the problem.
In Yate, the proposed discontinuation of the 84/85 bus route, a lifeline connecting Yate to Wotton-under-Edge, has caused significant disruption. The replacement WESTlocal service does not adequately cover the former route, leaving many residents isolated. Similarly, the 86 route has been rerouted, missing key stops, and the frequency of services like the Y1 and Y6 has been reduced, impacting access to employment, education, and medical appointments. Rebecca Bennett from the Yate Community Bike Hub, along with local councillors and MP Claire Young, have engaged with First Bus, but immediate reversals seem unlikely. We are also preparing to discuss potential improvements with Stagecoach regarding the 525 and 620 routes.
In Wotton-under-Edge, the cancellation of the 84/85 service significantly impacts residents who rely on it for essential services and connectivity. The route’s discontinuation disrupts access to jobs, education, and medical appointments, and the proposed alternatives fall short of meeting the community's needs. This has led to protests and a strong call from the community to reconsider these cuts.
The temporary closure of bus stops on the A4 between The Globe and Saltford has further compounded these issues, disrupting daily travel for 25-35 passengers at Corston Turn. The lack of replacement stops is particularly problematic for elderly residents, families with young children, and those with disabilities.
Given the scale of these impacts and the urgent need for a cohesive solution, we strongly believe that addressing these issues requires action at the WECA level. The proposed franchising report, which was promised last year but has yet to be delivered, is a crucial step towards better control and coordination of bus services across the West of England. Franchising would enable a more integrated and responsive transit system that can address both urban and rural needs effectively.
We also recognise that Wotton-under-Edge is outside of the West of England Combined Authority boundary, and yet hugely affects many of your constituents who travel across the South Gloucestershire/Gloucestershire boundary for work, education and healthcare. Cross-boundary bus routes are essential - as many of the public statements at the July WECA committee meeting pointed out, transport is about crossing from one place to another. We urge you to take a more can-do attitude to tricky cross-boundary issues and rise to these challenges rather than hide behind administrative complexity.
We urgently seek your support in advancing this report and implementing franchising to ensure a more coordinated approach to managing and improving our bus services. We request a meeting with you within the next two weeks to discuss these issues in detail and explore potential solutions. Clear communication about route changes, enhanced community consultation, and the development of integrated transport solutions are essential to meeting the needs of our communities.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your response and the opportunity to collaborate on finding effective solutions.
Best regards,
Anna Mounteney
Reclaim Our Buses
