A woman who faced losing her “lifeline” job of 30 years over the cancellation of the 178 bus route has learnt that she can continue in the role now the service has been saved. Rachel Bevan, who is 55 and has learning difficulties, has worked in the cafeteria of the Rolls Royce plant at Filton since the 1990s – a job her mum calls “a lifeline”.
But she was asked to tender her resignation when First West of England announced that the 178, which is one of two buses Rachel takes to work each day, would cease running from early October. However, following intense campaigning by passengers and intervention from Metro Mayor Dan Norris, the route will now be taken over by new operators.
Rachel’s colleagues at the cafe had always been friendly and understanding, said Margaret Bevan, 85. “It’s something to do and she’s got friends, people to chat to,” she added. “She lives at home with us, a couple of oldies, and is with us all the time. It’s nice to be out and mixing with other people.”
READ MORE:Moment teen car thief who couldn't drive smashed into traffic after robbing woman at knifepoint
Margaret said she feared that her daughter would not be able to find another job at her age, and with her learning disability, if their Timsbury home was cut off from the Bristol to Bath bus route. It appeared that she had “no future” in work, said the mum, leaving hardworking Rachel facing the possibility of going on benefits.
Despite a two-hour commute each way which sees Rachel spend longer on the bus than at work, on a service which has been less than reliable up to now, the news that Rachel would lose her job left her “upset”, Margaret said. “She’s not very communicative, but she looked upset,” she added.
The news that new operators would be maintaining the service, on a timetable which has yet to be confirmed, was thus very welcome, said Margaret. “We’re not yet sure about the timetable, but she will be able to get to work and back home on similar buses as now,” she explained.
“A very good effort by many people has brought about a good result,” she added, thanking BristolLive for bringing the impacts of the bus cuts to wider public attention.
BristolLive contacted Margaret’s employer, C H and Co Group, for comment on the eleventh-hour bus route reprieve, but none had been received at the time of publication.
Read next:
