Metro mayor Dan Norris is urging residents to have their say ahead of more bus cuts this autumn. The West of England mayor is holding a series of public meetings next week called Big Choices on Buses to get the views of users about which routes are essential and also non-passengers to find out what would make them use public transport.
It comes amid a major review of the region’s network over the summer after operators indicated they would axe more services from October when the Government’s funding throughout the pandemic ends at a time of fewer passengers, soaring costs and a national driver shortage. Earlier this month, First West of England managing director Doug Claringbold apologised to South Gloucestershire scrutiny councillors for “unacceptable” levels of cancellations and agreed passengers needed to know buses would turn up.
He said this would mean new timetables from October based on reliable services and that the company should “not try to do too much” because of dwindling resources compared to current services. Mr Claringbold warned this would involve “difficult decisions” and that new ways of working were needed, such as flexible times and routes.
