Planned Number 5 Bus Route changes

Last year a number of residents across Twerton raised concerns with us about buses unable to pass in both directions on a number of the narrower roads. We met with Firstbus and even went on a ride around the area to highlight these issues. Following our communications, Firstbus carried out a review and consultation and have now confirmed the changes they are proposing for the Number 5 route.

FirstBus are looking to implement these changes from 29th April 2018 on a trial basis, with a view to either reverting back to the old route or adopting the new route on a permanent basis at the end of July 2018.

The new route will see the bus go along Newton Road to the end, turn up Pennyquick, then turn into the Hollow by Haycombe Cemetary and up into Haycombe Drive by the Beehive Surgery, where it will pick up the previous route back into town.  The only additional alteration to this is the bus will not turn into Kelston View from Haycombe Drive, but will continue around Haycombe Drive into Whiteway Circle and then down North Way to join the rest of the route down through Twerton.

A number of issues were raised during the consultation and FirstBus have taken all of these into consideration before proposing this route and will be closely monitoring the Pennyquick area of the route specifically.

Shaws Way - Traffic disruption 1st October

On Thursday 1st October Wessex Water will be carrying out essential work to replace covers on the section of Shaws Way, between it's junction with Newton Road and Cleeve Green.

This work is scheduled to be carried out between 9.30am and 3.00pm and is likely to cause disruption to all traffic, including busses, with potential partial or full road closure possible for some of the time.

If you will be travelling by bus, we would advise you check with the local bus companies if a planned diversion is in place or if they are continuing to run via this route during the road works.

Missing Buses & Lower Bus Fares

I have had cause to tackle first Bus for failing to run a service on the number 5 bus route last night for what I have been told by passengers was up to 2 hours between about 7.15pm till 9.15 pm towards Twerton.

The problem is that although First knew there was a problem running buses to Twerton they seemed to make no effort to inform passengers waiting at the bus station or those on route to Twerton.

A very valid reason for buses not running properly was very evident as there was a very serious house fire on the Lower Bristol road at the time but this was not communicated.

I remember a child an inspector took pride in making sure that passengers were aware of a problem it seems that this failed completely last night.

First have agreed to look at their procedures and to find out what went wrong.

On a good point First have just told us that they are reducing their fares for Families and Children please follow this link for that story http://www.cllrtimball.org.uk/news/106-bus-fares-for-children-and-families-coming-down

Bus Updates Number 5 Twerton

I have again this morning raised the problems with buses running late on the number 5 Bus Route.

I was disturbed last night to receive a phone call from a very elderly lady who told me that she had to take her husband back home as he could not stand any longer after waiting for over half an hour at Poolemead Road.

I have made a formal complaint this morning to First and drawn the issue to the attention of the councils supported bus service team.

I have also escalated it and have let the traffic commissioner know about First problems in running a service.

Below are the contact details for First and the Traffic Commissioner

First Customer services.
Empress Road.
Southampton.
SO14 OJW
0845 602 0156

 http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/bristol_bath/help_contact/contact_us/


Traffic Commissioner if phoning it is option 4 when you reach the automated switchboard.

West of England

Sarah Bell
Jubilee House
Croydon Street
Bristol
BS5 0GB

Phone 0300 123 9000

Fax 0117 929 8352 

 https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/traffic-commissioners/about/access-and-opening#west-of-england

Firt Bus in Twerton

Yesterday we posted pictures of the new bus shelter being put up at Newton Road in Twerton and saying how good it was to see all the good work that the council was doing to help bus passengers.

I am afraid today it seems like First Bus are totally letting us all down by running a service that is not fit for purpose.

The number 5 service is supposed to be every twelve minutes in the day time but yesterday I arrived at the bus stop at Walwyn Close at 10.10 am and waited until 11.05 am for the bus to turn up.

This morning I had a complaint from a resident who tells me that the bus that should run about twenty pat eight did not turn up until nearly 9 am.

I have made formal complaints to First Bus about these issues as these are not one off issues and as I have received many other complaints.

COME ON FIRST LETS HAVE A BUS SERVICE

Wessex Connect to withdraw Number 5 Service

Wessex Connect have announced that they are withdrawing their number 5 Bus Service on the Twerton route as from 28th July.

Wessex have been running a service on the Twerton Route for the last few years but this service has slowly run down and is only running every 30 minutes at the moment.

Wessex are not the first company to come and go on the Twerton Route and this latest exit leaves First Bus as the only operator on this route.

We have raised recent concerns about the age of the First Bus fleet and will be following this up to ensure passengers have a reliable on time and comfortable bus service.