Local bus operator First West of England has announced that it will be altering the timetables of some of its services from Sunday 24th January 2021.
The changes will affect the M1 MetroBus and no. 73 services which serve Bradley Stoke.
The adjustments, which reflect reduced customer demand during the current Covid-19 lockdown, are being made in response to advice from the Department of Transport and after consultation with the transport authorities including the West of England Combined Authority.
It is expected that many of the service alterations will continue for the duration of the current lockdown, but First says all services “remain under constant review”.
MetroBus M1
(Hengrove Park – Bristol city centre – UWE – Bradley Stoke – Cribbs Causeway)
From Monday to Friday during the day, the frequency of the Metrobus M1 service will be reduced to ‘every 12 minutes’, from ‘every 10 minutes’.
Service 73
(Bristol Temple Meads – Bristol Parkway – Bradley Stoke – Cribbs Causeway)
Due to reduced demand for travel during the national lockdown, the current additional Monday to Friday journeys between Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway will be suspended. As a result, the frequency of service 73 will be every 30 minutes for the entire route between Bristol Temple Meads and Cribbs Causeway.
From Monday to Friday, the 04:55 journey from The Haymarket to Cribbs Causeway will now start from Bristol Temple Meads at 04:45, ensuring that Bristol Temple Meads and the city centre benefit from an earlier first journey. During the week, the 07:10 journey from Bristol Temple Meads to Bristol Parkway will extend to Cribbs Causeway, operating a journey between Bristol Parkway and Cribbs Causeway.
Due to low passenger demand, some early evening journeys from Monday to Saturday will be withdrawn. Late evening departure times will be made consistent across all days.
Buses will operate every 60 minutes during the late evening on Sundays and Public Holidays.
Essential travel
James Freeman, managing director of First West of England, said:
“We are regularly monitoring what is needed to get our customers moving safely and reliably. These altered timetables will ensure that the number of buses in operation meet the needs of those who must undertake essential travel in line with government guidance.”
“We remind all customers that it is a legal requirement to wear a face covering when travelling by public transport, unless you fall within the government’s specified exemptions and everyone should adhere to this to help protect each other. Social distancing measures remain in place on all our buses and we also encourage customers to take advantage of contactless payment if possible, to make boarding faster and safer.”
“We’d like to thank all our customers for their ongoing patience and cooperation.”
More information and related links:
- Details of all service changes in the Bristol area (First West of England)
- Current and future timetables (First West of England)
- Bus services in the Bradley Stoke area (The Journal)
From Monday 8th March 2021, the schools-only service T1s will be reinstated with a journey operating from Harry Stoke (0731) to Thornbury Health Centre (0812), and a journey from Thornbury Health Centre (1514) to City Centre, Colston Avenue (1606).