The changes and cuts planned to First Bus services in Bristol, Bath and Somerset
Bus services across the South West are to be cut because of a shortage of drivers and low passenger numbers.
The changes from operator First Bus will come into effect from April 24.
The T2 from Thornbury to Bristol and the Y2 from Chipping Sodbury to Bristol will be dropped altogether, while the 92 bus will no longer call at Whitchurch.
In Weston-super-Mare, First Bus said "extremely low passenger numbers" means it will no longer operate services 2, 4, 5 and 6.
Other services are running to a reduced timetable because passenger numbers are still below what they were before the pandemic.
Managing director of First West of England Doug Claringbold said issues with driver availability are partly to blame for the service reduction.
“A number of services will see temporary reductions in frequency whilst passenger and driver numbers are constrained but unfortunately there are a number of services that are not commercially viable even at pre-pandemic passenger levels," he said.
"As a result we are having to make difficult decisions to act on these poor performing routes and ensure that our resources are focused on the areas of the greatest need.
“Wherever routes have been curtailed or cut, these were difficult decisions and we apologise to all customers who will be adversely impacted.
"We need to make these adjustments to be able to ensure the overall viability of our network in what remain very challenging and uncertain conditions, and we will continue to work closely with the West of England Combined Authority and other stakeholders as we navigate this difficult path.”
'Disappointing' - West of England Mayor
West of England Mayor Dan Norris told ITV News he is "very disappointed" to see services cut, saying he has been calling for more funding from central Government since August.
"We've had this announcement by the Government, which I welcome, of £150million across the whole of England. I don't know how much will be coming to the West of England but in any event it's too late to stop these bus service cuts and reductions."
What changes is First Bus making to Bristol routes?
Service 1 - Broomhill to Cribbs Causeway via Bristol City Centre. Monday to Friday off-peak and all day Saturday frequency will reduce from every 15 to every 20 minutes.
Services 2 and 2a - Between Cribbs Causeway (Brentry for Service 2a) and Stockwoodvia Bristol City Centre. Monday to Friday off-peak and all day Saturday frequency onboth services will reduce from every 30 to every 40 minutes, resulting in a 20 minutefrequency on the common sections of route.
Services 44 and 45 - Bristol City Centre to Cadbury Heath/Cherry Gardens. Monday toFriday off-peak frequency will be reduced from every 20 to every 30 minutes andsome poorly used early morning and weekend journeys will be withdrawn.
Services 48 and 49 - Bristol City Centre to Emersons Green/Lyde Green. Sundayfrequency will be reduced from every 20 to every 30 minutes and some early poorlyused morning and weekend journeys will be withdrawn.
Service 70 - Bristol City Centre to UWE Frenchay Campus. Monday to Friday off-peakfrequency will reduced from every 20 to every 30 minutes.
Services 75 and 76 - Hengrove to Henbury/Cribbs Causeway. Saturday frequency willreduce from every 15 to every 20 minutes, whilst Sunday frequency will reduce fromevery 20 to every 30 minutes.
Service 90, Bristol City Centre to Hengrove. Monday to Friday off-peak frequency willbe reduced from every 15 to every 20 minutes.
What changes is First Bus making to Weston-super-Mare routes?
Services 2, 4, 5 and 6 - will no longer operate
Service 3 - between Sainsbury’s in Worle and Searle Crescent will have its Sunday frequency reduced from every 30 to every 45 minutes
Service 7 -between Worle and Heywood Village will have its Sunday frequency reduced from every 30 to every 60 minutes
Service X2 - section between Yatton and Weston withdrawn
Service X8 - will cease to operate but Service X7 will be re-routed to serve Nailsea and Backwell Station every 60 minutes
What changes is First Bus making to Bath and Wells routes?
Service 1 - Some daily journeys will be withdrawn and Sunday frequency will reduce from every 30 minutes to every 40 minutes.
Service 2 - will depart from Hadleigh Arms throughout the morning journeys. Monday to Friday frequency will reduce from every 15 minutes to every 30 minutes (off peak only). Peak journeys will remain every 20 minutes. Saturday frequency will reduce from every 15 minutes to every 20 minutes. Some daily journeys will be withdrawn.
Services 3 and 3a - Service 3a will be withdrawn Monday to Friday but Service 3 will serve Elmhurst estate during Monday to Friday daytime to replace these current Service 3a journeys. Due to the withdrawal of the 3a service, Service 3 will increase to every 20 minutes Monday to Friday. Some daily journeys will be withdrawn
Service 19 - the first journey, Monday to Friday to Downend will be withdrawn. The first Monday to Friday journey operated from 24 April will be extended between Kingswood and Downend. Cherry Gardens will be added as a timing point so customers have more visibility when planning connections between services 19 and 45.
Service 5 - Some daily journeys will be withdrawn
Service 39/X39 - the first 3 journeys will now depart from ‘The Globe’. Some daily journeys will be withdrawn
Services 22, U1, U2 and U5 – revised University timetables will be introduced for the spring/summer period.
Service D2 - a small timetable amendment on Monday to Friday will be implemented for school movements. Some Saturday morning journeys will be withdrawn