First Bus: Why we're cutting Bristol buses
First Bus is axing and trimming back bus routes in the Bristol area. Here, managing director Justin Davies put the case to justify the move.
"For many businesses the past few months have been a difficult time as the effects of recession have reduced the demand for their products, writes Bristol First Bus managing director Justin Davies.
-
Car sales are down so firms have had prolonged shutdown periods and reduced the number of shifts being operated.
Shops in the high street have been suffering because people have less money in their pockets to spend and are concerned about the future of their jobs.
John Lewis has just reported a decline in sales which no doubt reflects the experience of other traders at Cribbs Causeway and Cabot Circus, other high street chains have recorded a reduction in profits, and some, such as Woolworths, have even disappeared completely.
These changes mean fewer people are travelling by bus; we are seeing reduced numbers of passengers travelling to work and to shop.
Like other businesses we have had to reduce our costs to match a reduced income level. Internal economies have been made and we continue to search for ways to be more efficient in our operations.
We will always ensure our safety standards remain at the highest possible levels though with good vehicle maintenance, staff training and investment a given.
However we have looked at the services we operate and reluctantly concluded there are some that we can no longer run because the income taken does not even match the operating costs.
Our decision to no longer operate these services does not prevent an alternative operator taking them on and running them on a commercial basis.
Alternatively the local authorities can choose to offer an open tender for the provision of any bus service they believe to be essential, in which case any bus operator has the opportunity to bid for that tender.
While we have concluded that we have to withdraw some services in light of the current economic climate, the vast majority of our customers in Bristol will see little or no change outside of small timetable adjustments which are designed to improve the overall reliability and punctuality of services.
We fundamentally believe better punctuality and reliability, in addition to better vehicles, are the things our customers want and our efforts continue to be focused on delivering these key goals.
Notably, we are continuing to invest in our fleet with new double-deck and single-deck buses due to be delivered this year representing £6 million in capital investment and completing the promised £20m of investment by First in the Greater Bristol bus network.
These are difficult times for the country and there seems no clear indication when they might end.
We will take the right business decisions now to ensure the company is in a robust position to weather the economic storms and is able to meet the future travel needs of the people in and around Bristol."
16 Comments
View all
by Ricardo, Bristol
Monday, March 16 2009, 3:04PM
“I would like to see a new service in place for use of cycle routes.
The service will be similar to the small sounding trains that run up and down the Weston Super Mare Pier or along other seaside resorts.
It will be small, safe, waterproof and will pull 12 carriages along the routes for up to 3 miles i.e. Emmersons Green to Gardener Haskins using the B&B Railway Path and Aston to Central Bristol the opposite way. Bring in to action 60 trains like this running continuously and watch our city change with an efficient, reliable and accountable service at a fraction of the cost of buses and railways.”
by NIGEL, Downend
Monday, March 16 2009, 2:55PM
“Why are people saying "they don't have a choice? I suppose that may be the case if you do not drive, ride a bike, walk or live in Outer Mongolia. However 99% of the population can switch to other forms of transport or move to a more accessible area - can't they?
However although I have notice less people on the rush hour buses I most certainly have also notice more oaps using their free bus passes. Perhaps this it the real reason for the cut backs? ie. less profit.”
by Peter john, Kingwood
Monday, March 16 2009, 2:38PM
“hi,I live on bus routes that are good and the service is good and regular.I have however noticed the buses serving me are all being affected by these changes because they serve south Gloucestershire.Generally I think all public services should be public owned,whether it be buses,trains electricity ,gas water sewage or telephones.All these services have become a disaster as far as the general public is concerned,either by high prices or bad service,because they are driven by profit and not value for money service.All prices are high because of a need for profit and coal is high because a government decided to leave billions of tons of coal under the ground we stand on.Getting back to our bus service,there are a lot of places in our wonderful city that there is not a bus link too.I find it incredible that I cannot catch a bus direct from east Bristol to Temple Meads station,both owned by first.This is also the case from say,Kingswood to Horfield common.If one took a careful look there would be many others.I also find it amazing that council tax payers subsidise a private company,when this company is not willing to give everyone in this city and area a top service.I think this company should be charged for using our roads for this same reason or the running of Bristol bus services should be put out to tender every two years.I'm sure stagecoach would be interested.”
by Paul, Bristol
Monday, March 16 2009, 1:04PM
“First Bus is axing and trimming back bus routes in the Bristol area. Here, managing director Justin Davies put the case to justify the move....
"My bonus last year unfortunately didn't cover my new private yet, Olympic Swimming Pool in my £10 million mansion, fleet of Bentleys to take me to and from work and my daily bath in Champagne so we've decided to cut routes, increase fares and generally not care about Bristols public who haven't got any other option apart from winge winge winge. All in days work though."”
by Chris, Bristol
Monday, March 16 2009, 12:43PM
“If we don't like it don't use it!!! Bus travel isn't like a shop, we don't have choice we are stuck with First Bus, Saturday services are now often no better than the old Sunday services, many people using services are using their free passes, those that have a choice have exercised it and gone elsewhere.
The bus service in Bristol is useless, one questions if it is fit for purpose. I use it everyday, I have no choice.
Hihg cost of running services?? Fares went up when fuel prices rose but they haven't come down now that fuel is cheaper.
Let's have some real competion in our bus services in Bristol. How about increasing services so that it doesn''t take an eternity to get from the suburbs into central Bristol on a weekend, perhaps then people will return to the service rather than leaving in droves.”
by John, Gloucestershire
Monday, March 16 2009, 12:13PM
“Has bus travel ever been a viable form of transport for commuters?
For anyone on shifts, lives outside the city boundary or doesn't work near the City Centre its appalling.”
by PeteM, Bristol
Monday, March 16 2009, 12:11PM
“Presumably as the very perceptive Justin recognises that we're all suffering in this recession that he'll ensure we're not inflicted with another price hike for the time being?
Or should I say FAT CHANCE?”
by Pete, Bristol
Monday, March 16 2009, 11:43AM
“Anon,stop spouting so much garbage, " if we dont like it dont use it" you fool we have no alternative.”
by Anthony, Horfield
Monday, March 16 2009, 10:46AM
“Highly profitable routes should subsidise the less profitable.
Who wrote the operators contract for First Bus in Bristol? It needs to be re-negotiated accordingly when it comes up for renewal.”
by Mike, Staple Hill, Bristol
Monday, March 16 2009, 9:50AM
“Its this sort of thing that makes me so against the potential congestion charge for Bristol. I'd probably consider it with a more open mind if it didnt leave me in a position where I have to depend on First. I know lots of people that are angered by the way First conduct busienss and they are not people that are only found on this website.”