“The bendy buses should be part on the whole integrated transport system. There should be a light rail network as well. It'll also help if there was just a single number to ring for taxis. I find it incredible that you have to sift through the phone book to find a taxi number.”

“Definitely get rid of the bendy bus idea it's stupid in a city with narrow congested streets but have we got the money to put a tram system (back) in? Didn't the council spend all the tram budget just consulting about it?! Typical Bristol city council, never gets tired of wasting our money on one doomed transport scheme after another. How many years have they been trying to get a grip on this problem? 20? 30 years? As far as I can tell, their only 'achievement' over the last 10 years has been to install hundreds of unnecessary traffic lights and cycle lanes and slow traffic to a complete crawl.”

“Given that the Mayor of London is removing bendy buses from the streets here (albeit on a gradual scale), I'm not sure a bendy bus system for Bristol is the answer. Perhaps instead of that (and instead of the tram idea, although I've no experience of trams so I can't really comment), a way forward would be to increase the numbers of buses in the city?

I realise I'm looking at it from a Londoner's POV (although I was raised in the Bristol area and have family there still), but I can't see how more buses could be a bad thing.”

“Bendy Buses should be abandoned, they dont fit on Bristol's roads and not many members of the public want them, recently there have been articles about two rail projects, firstly the Portishead Line, that should be re-opened asap, it would remove a lot of traffic from the road leading to Britain's biggest cul-de-sac, it would also serve as a stopping point for countless numbers of football fans as the location of the old station is pretty much in the middle of Ashton Gate Stadium or the proposed new stadium, also this would help for any events that take place in Aston Court, secondly there is the old Ashley Hill Station, midway between Stapleton Rd and Abbey Wood Station, this station could serve as a stopping point for People going to Cricket Matches at Neville Road, Football or Rugby at the Memorial Stadium, and hundreds of students attending Brunel College, but as usual Bristol's backward thinking and inept Council continues to pursue bendy buses and and showcase bus routes, why is it that we as the citizens of Bristol have the misfortune of having so many useless and backward thinking people dealing with our transport woes, when some Northern Cities have so many bright ideas already in place and operating.”

“Bendy Buses should be abandoned, they dont fit on Bristol's roads and not many members of the public want them, recently there have been articles about two rail projects, firstly the Portishead Line, that should be re-opened asap, it would remove a lot of traffic from the road leading to Britain's biggest cul-de-sac, it would also serve as a stopping point for countless numbers of football fans as the location of the old station is pretty much in the middle of Ashton Gate Stadium or the proposed new stadium, also this would help for any events that take place in Aston Court, secondly there is the old Ashley Hill Station, midway between Stapleton Rd and Abbey Wood Station, this station could serve as a stopping point for People going to Cricket Matches at Neville Road, Football or Rugby at the Memorial Stadium, and hundreds of students attending Brunel College, but as usual Bristol's backward thinking and inept Council continues to pursue bendy buses and and showcase bus routes, why is it that we as the citizens of Bristol have the misfortune of having so many useless and backward thinking people dealing with our transport woes, when some Northern Cities have so many bright ideas already in place and operating.”

“Bendy Buses should be abandoned, they dont fit on Bristol's roads and not many members of the public want them, recently there have been articles about two rail projects, firstly the Portishead Line, that should be re-opened asap, it would remove a lot of traffic from the road leading to Britain's biggest cul-de-sac, it would also serve as a stopping point for countless numbers of football fans as the location of the old station is pretty much in the middle of Ashton Gate Stadium or the proposed new stadium, also this would help for any events that take place in Aston Court, secondly there is the old Ashley Hill Station, midway between Stapleton Rd and Abbey Wood Station, this station could serve as a stopping point for People going to Cricket Matches at Neville Road, Football or Rugby at the Memorial Stadium, and hundreds of students attending Brunel College, but as usual Bristol's backward thinking and inept Council continues to pursue bendy buses and and showcase bus routes, why is it that we as the citizens of Bristol have the misfortune of having so many useless and backward thinking people dealing with our transport woes, when some Northern Cities have so many bright ideas already in place and operating.”

“Forget the bendy bus and go back to the tram.”

“No bendy bus! If the old rail track from M-shed to Ashton Gate is ripped up and concreted over for bendy buses, it will cost more money to rip that up when a forward thinking council finally goes for light rail. I risk looking like an armchair expert, but you only have to look at Manchester and Nottingham to see what we could have had by now.
First, though, reopen the Portishead rail line. Then many of the people currently using the Long Ashton park and ride will be able to leave the car at home. Have a halt at Ashton Gate, or re-open Clifton Bridge station. Start the light rail line there, over the bridge(refurbished) over the New Cut, and down the line to behind M-Shed or to a new station in the old Wapping Wharf coal yard / car park. Perfect for the city centre. The Portishead train would continue to Temple Meads, perfect for the offices at Temple Quay. Trains will soon be available; London is having spanking new (German) ones.
The light rail vehicles could be two of the People Movers used successfully in Stourbridge or similar. If the bridge at Prince Street could be used, they could cross into the centre itself, or around the Grove to Temple Meads.
Next, reopen Ashley Hill and Horfield stations. Add passing loops or a third line to avoid slowing down the mainline services.
Thirdly, run light rail from Temple Meads through Avon Meads, on street past Sainsbury at Arnos Vale, and along the old disused rail line to what was, and could be again, Brislington Station, on to a new stop by Callington Road hospital, then through to Whitchurch.
After that, the city will have an embryonic light rail network, with good connections to heavy rail on suburban lines, and could continue to expand wherever fit.
If you think there is no appetite for suburban rail travel, look at the major success of the Severn Beach line. When it had irregular services, it was lightly used. Now there are more trains, it is hard to find a seat in the busy periods. So many uuse it that the city council have been able to cut the subsidy. More is less.
If you think there is no money, consider that Bristol City Council want to spend £47 million of your money on the absurd and short-sighted bendy bus thing. And Tottenham Court Road tube station is to have a refurb costing £500 million. Yes, one tube station, although it is in London.
If you think bus lanes solve the problem - well,catch a bus. The number 1 is supposed to be every 15 minutes. I have seen three of them in Sandy Park Road at the same time, a combination of traffic, ticket issue problems, and simple poor traffic management. I caught one to Temple Meads, then walked to the Galleries before it passed me.
And if you think guided bus ways are the way forward, look at Cambridge. A disused branch line was ripped up to provide a guided us route. It was supposed to open in April 2009, but hasn't yet - now due August 2011. It was supposed to cost £116 million, but has already passed £181 million. Birmingham and Edinburgh built similar to Bristol's proposed BRT. Both have since been abandoned. London abandoned plans for two routes before construction began.
If the people of Brisyol object to the council's plans, an inquiry will have to be held. Pressure can be brought to bear for light rail at that forum. If the busway is built, it will make the matter harder.
I'm not sure about an ITA, as I fear the four councils would spend years and millions arguing about a name and a logo. But it is not in North Somerset's interest to spend money helping its citizens to get to work in Bristol. Same goes for South Glos. The Evening Post campaign provides a great opportunity for a wider debate on the best way to address this problem, and hopefully, the pressure witll be constant until something is done.

I've done ranting now. No bendy buses!”

“Statistics show that bendy buses in London cause more than twice as many injuries than any other bus. Do we really want to bring them to our city?”

“I agree with most of the earlier comments - bendy buses are NOT the answer.
Revitalising the suburban railways in combination with an improved version of the current bus system (where required) and reinstatement of the tram system would offer a far more effective and long lasting solution.
As a motorcycle rider my view is clear....bendy buses are dangerous and will cause many accidents especially to cyclists and motorcyclists.”

“I agree with above comments that bendy buses are not suitable for Bristol and another dumb idea from a blinkered council. I would also definately go with light rail/local lines. Maybe trams could work but if they ran on the same roads as buses it would be a bit pointless.”

“NO I disagree. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) can offer a level of service comparable to a tram, costs less, and can be installed considerably quicker, using existing highway act powers (no separate act of parliament needed).

This article and all the others in the BEP on this story focus on the type of buses for the planned network - the 'bendy buses'. To focus solely on the vehicles is missing the point.

The key features of BRT that lift it above conventional buses (and make it 'rapid') are the infrastructure – bus only roads (busways) be they guided or unguided, bus lanes; better quality stops (platforms, large shelters, seats, ticket machines, real time info) spaced further apart at approx 500m; instant traffic signal pre-emption; and buses with ideally at least two doors at which passengers can board and alight simultaneously (like a train or tram).

I'll give you an example of how BRT can deal with a roundabout. Rather than go around with the traffic flow, BRT can be routed straight across (as a tram would be) with traffic signal protection.

Images below are of the 'Fastway' BRT system in the Gatwick/Crawley area:

http://tinyurl.com/44bf6n6
(Roundabout)

http://tinyurl.com/3mbae27

http://tinyurl.com/4x923wj

http://tinyurl.com/3vwkzp4

http://tinyurl.com/3hdkl6l

http://tinyurl.com/3zjhftw

Images below are from the 'Fastrack' BRT system in North Kent:

http://tinyurl.com/3bayxko

http://tinyurl.com/3ta6oq3

http://tinyurl.com/3jxhkjb

My suggested alternative to bendy buses for the Bristol BRT:

http://tinyurl.com/4y7thlm

http://tinyurl.com/3e2wz3t

Images below are from Nantes, France:

http://tinyurl.com/3zhp44u

http://tinyurl.com/3z3k92e

http://tinyurl.com/3zvtw7d

http://tinyurl.com/3s628rr

Something tells me the South Bristol Link won't look as good as this:
http://tinyurl.com/3dk2b9b

It's even good enough for Paris! (Using articulated and rigid buses)
http://tinyurl.com/3gk39qo

http://tinyurl.com/45yerzw

http://tinyurl.com/3sur8fm

http://tinyurl.com/3epw5wm

http://tinyurl.com/3hbs9ej

http://tinyurl.com/3cxxlgh”

“This video clip expains how a BRT system works. THe example is the new 'T Zen' BRT recently opened in the Paris suburbs. You don't need to speak French to understand the key points. Now is this not quality public transport?

http://tinyurl.com/3lre22w”

“The problem with a tram system is that it costs millions of pounds and people end up getting run over because they can't work out where the trams come from.
The problem with bendy buses is that they cost millions of pounds and people end up getting run over because they can't work out where it's turning.”

“marccooper01 - What utter utter nonsense !!!!”

“Here's a picture of the Edinburgh busway, which opened in 2004. Then closed in 2008.
http://tinyurl.com/4y5ootc

Now I know that Edinburgh is by no means the very model of how to do infrastructure projects. But I can see Bristol importing the idea of having a grandiose plan, opposed by the opposition parties, that begins to be built just as the said opposition becomes the controlling party. The next local elections may well bring new opinions, and anything other than complete agreement between all the parties in not likely to be helpful in getting things done. We are a very long way from that. Bristol's BRT has in no way gripped the public imagination, and is facing real opposition. I am by no means the only person who thinks it would not only do little to help, but plenty to block real progress in transport.”

“I just think this council has wasted so much money in trying to improve congestion etc. I just think reducing the bus fares, investing this wasted money and subsidising or forcing first bus to reduce their fares will get more people on the buses. You have to make the cost of public transport cheap this is the only way but of course this will never happen.

Another example is that i have to travel to bath 3 times a week and a return journey for a 10 min ride costs me over £7 a day. That is ridiculous”

“I think the council should use the money to save day and respite centres for the vulnerable adults and leave the roads alone.”

“The future is not buses. bendy or otherwise. Neither is it trains or trams. It's cars - electric ones. Nobody wants to ride a bus or a train if there's an electric car in the driveway, giving them the freedom to go wherever they want. Think of those films set in the future when humanity is some way enslaved and things like books and expression is banned - everyone's riding buses. Just a thought. ;-)”

“Stephjm quoted "another dumb idea from a blinkered council."
How right he/her is.
I left Bristol 17 years ago and nothing much has really changed.
The new office blocks blight the once historic Centre and have now destroyed the experience of the 'Old Duke or Llandogger Trow'. The iMax didn't last long, I hope the new M shed museum lasts longer. The transport is as bad as ever and the speed cameras seem to have reduced all traffic to 20mph. It takes an age to get anywhere. There is No park 'n' Ride facilitis worth speaking of.
The day the councils get anything right in Bristol I will be pushing up daisies.
the fact you have more than one arguing between themselves is causing damage beyond belief, but on and on they go scared they might pay tuppence more than the other one and recieve a pennies more in benefit.
Until you have a unitary council you will never become the 'FIFTH' largest city in the UK. You will remain a joke. Like 'Lulsgate International Airport' ...... people still can't find it !”

“Since my earlier rant, we have had a taste of bendy-bus operation, at the Bath Road Park and Ride. It hasn't gone well, and there are calls for a boycott. I don't know about that, but driving from Brislington, intending to head towards St Phil's Causeway and Avon Meads, I had to sit at the lights at the bottom of Sandy Park Road for a complete cycle and a half, watching them go green, then red, then green again, just getting across as they went back to amber. Others behind me - I was on pole at the red light to begin with - were not so lucky. The cause? Bendy-bus stuck completely across the junction, blocking both lanes of traffic. This was at 3pm, not rush hour peak.
Prior to that, I got the bus from Arnos to Temple Meads, heading to catch a train, at 7.15am one morning, again not at the peak. We had to wait in the road to get into the stop at Temple Meads, because half a bendy-bus was poking out. He couldn't start to unload until the bus in front had finished boarding passengers, which always takes an age. Poor lambs get off the train, not knowing that they need change in Bristol. After I got off, I couldn't cross whilst the pedestrian lights were in my favour, because the same bendy-bus was becalmed across the walkway, waiting for the lights ahead to let him through. I had to take my chances with the traffic. I have nothing against bendy-buses as a principle, but the Bristol infrastructure isn't able to cope with them. If they are supposed to be easing congestion, then they have failed badly. Send them back to London, and give us double-deckers again.
I guess we will see the usual Bristol solution of everyone blaming everyone else, our inept transport masters making "adjustments" to try to make the existing system work rather than starting afresh, and things getting steadily worse day by day.
The only supporting post for the Bus Rabid Transit system, above, Chipnum, seems to think it will work, and be popular. I don't. I think it is costly, short-sighted, and only put forward in the hope that a very poor second best might be smiled on by a cash-strapped government. I dearly hope not. This barmy idea, just before tram-train trials are due to start in Yorkshire, will do away with any hope of a proper metro, and with it, hope of getting Bristol moving. It is the wrong solution to the wrong problem, and is the white elephant in the room. Shoot it now, and spend the money on rail services, including Portishead, and a selective traffic light removal programme.”

“london commuters pleaSed to see the end of bendy hogs,london station lbc only reporting that they have managed to sell(sale)some of these to malta!,BRISTOL NOT EVEN MENTIONED,Malta complaining already.”