ROB Response to Metro Mayor and bus cuts (Sept. 24)

Dear Dan Norris,

Thank you for your detailed response and for acknowledging the concerns raised by Reclaim Our Buses. We appreciate your efforts to address the issues that have arisen from the Autumn service changes. However, we remain deeply concerned about the broader implications of these changes and the ongoing challenges facing public transport in the West of England.

Firstly, while we understand that some timetable adjustments may be necessary for operational reasons, the frequent disruptions and reductions in services are causing significant distress and inconvenience to residents. It is clear that the piecemeal approach to service cuts, without proper consultation or alternatives, is undermining confidence in public transport. As we campaign for a more efficient and reliable bus network, we cannot accept a system where communities are left stranded or forced into confusion every few months.

Your response highlighted that the Y1 and Y6 services are commercially operated, thus limiting your capacity to intervene. This underscores the fundamental flaw in relying on private companies to manage essential public services. These operators prioritise profitability over public need, which is why we continue to urge for public control and franchising. Franchising would allow for greater oversight, ensuring that routes and timetables serve the community rather than corporate interests. It is concerning that your position on this has not evolved, despite clear evidence that public control can deliver more reliable services elsewhere in the country.

We also note your comments on the Transport Levy and the financial constraints you face due to local councils freezing their contributions. While we understand the budgetary pressures, this should not be used as an excuse for inaction. The cuts to services such as the 84, 85, and those serving Winterbourne Academy have serious consequences, particularly for vulnerable groups like schoolchildren, the elderly, and those without access to alternative modes of transport. Relying on underfunded solutions only deepens the inequalities already present in the system.

Moreover, the issue of bus stop closures between The Globe and Saltford is emblematic of wider coordination failures. Passing responsibility back and forth between local councils and operators does not help the residents who are left without vital transport links. We expect stronger leadership from the West of England Combined Authority in ensuring that temporary solutions, such as alternative stops, are put in place with minimal disruption. Especially in the context of the Best Value notice delivered to you in March 2024.

We urge you to reconsider your position on franchising. We need a long-term, sustainable solution that guarantees essential services for all residents, not just profitable routes. Public transport is a lifeline, not a luxury, and should be treated as such.

We would welcome further engagement with you on these matters and hope that you will make time for a meeting with us in the near future. The voices of residents deserve to be heard directly, not just through email exchanges.

Yours sincerely,
Anna Mounteney
On behalf of Reclaim Our Buses