First faces competition for Bristol's high-speed buses
Four transport firms might bid for the right to run Bristol's rapid transit bus network, the Post has learned.
First Group and Wessex Connect, as well as Go Ahead and Stagecoach, have expressed interest in operating the city's new routes.
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Details of how the contracts will be set up to run the high-speed bus services are yet to be decided.
But the Post has learned that the four big transport companies are all keeping their eyes on the project.
Most of them already operate their own high-speed guided bus systems in the UK. Go Ahead, for example, runs the Fastway service between West Sussex and Surrey to Gatwick Airport, while Stagecoach operates a supertram in Sheffield and a high-speed bus in Cambridge.
A Wessex Connect spokesman said it was keen to continue expanding its operation in the Bristol area and confirmed that the company, along with First, has already discussed the first rapid transit line with the city council.
Earlier this week North Somerset Council gave its official approval to Bristol's first rapid transit project, from Long Ashton to the city centre.
Following on from a link through Bath, the lines will be up and running by 2013 and will be the first in a network of high-speed transport systems around the Bristol area.
By 2026, Kingswood, Bath, Keynsham, Avonmouth, Patchway, Emersons Green and Bristol International Airport could all be linked through the rapid transit network.
It could see multi-million-pound contracts awarded for the running of the services, which are part of a major transport package aimed at easing congestion on the city's roads.
Martin Dean, spokesman for Go Ahead, said: "We would always look at any public transport projects around the country so we will certainly look at Bristol's rapid transit system. Our Fastway system is really, really successful and while we do not have any experience of running a rapid transit service in an urban context I think the concept is a really good one."
Steve Davies, depot manager at Patchway for Wessex Connect, said: "We don't know the full details yet but we are interested in expanding our business in Bristol and this could well feature in our plans."
Stagecoach said they had not yet decided whether or not they would bid for the contract but admitted that they were aware of the scheme.
Justin Davies, managing director of First Bristol, said: "We are aware of the plans for rapid transit in the city and we will be interested to see how these plans develop in the future."
Julia Dean, spokeswoman for the West of England Partnership, said: "Currently we have only spoken to the two local operators and at the moment we don't know what procedures we are going to follow.
"We do know that it's going to be an open and competitive process but we are taking legal advice on how it's going to be managed.
"The new Local Transport Act has changed the rules on bus partnerships and we need to maximise our opportunities so that we get the best value for the passenger and for local authorities. We need to make sure any service will be reliable and frequent."
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by Derek Ashworth, Nuremburg
Monday, February 23 2009, 9:25AM
“I think it is wrong to compare Bristol buses with the Continent as eg here in Nuremburg we have roads mostly dual carriageway with the Trams running between.So no traffic jams.I cant think of anywhere in Bristol where this would work.There would be traffic jams at every tram stop! Exactly the same as the buses so where is the gain? Just imagine Redfield Rd in the rush hour or out of it for that mat”
by GARY, BRISTOL
Sunday, February 22 2009, 11:00PM
“natalie.it wont be ready for 4 years ??? and if its starting from long aston and ashton vale it will be mainly the over 60s but i think your kids will of left school and have kids of there own by the time the councils get things moving”
by Natalie, Bishopston
Sunday, February 22 2009, 10:43PM
“I hope who ever gets the contract has enough space for 300 or so childrens buggies and toddlers in the rush hour.
Due to no local spaces in Bristol primary schools this September - we are being offered 'free' bus passes to travel 6-12 miles to school s- right past lots of local schools on the route.
I am sure you will all enjoy us clogging up your commute to work.
Well done Bristol City Council again!”
by Gareth, warmley
Sunday, February 22 2009, 6:45PM
“walking past my bus stop earlier a bloke asked me what time the 44a was. i said 5 past the hour! he said he,d been waiting a hour and a half. now if first cant run 1 bus an hour properly on a sunday with hardly any traffic on the road how can they run a futuristic tram system properly i ask myself!”
by Mr Happy, Bristol
Sunday, February 22 2009, 2:27PM
“I'm having a happy campaign and will make this miserable driver, smile, and if I don't MR Happy will retire.
I urge all you people out there to do the same, lets get the miserable ginger driver on the portway 902 to smile and say hello.
Remember next week is the start of the campaign to get miserable ging,driver of the portway 902 park and ride bus to smile, this applies to all passengers.”
by Gee, Bristol
Sunday, February 22 2009, 1:33PM
“Please Please Please NOT FIRST!!!
GIVE IT TO STAGECOACH... they are the only ones really that would be able to run the system properly... It might not be amazing and yes I agree that a Monorail and trams in Central Bristol would work better but please give it a chance, at least somethings being done!!!”
by Ben, Clifton
Sunday, February 22 2009, 1:08PM
“I do hope the bids from the other firms outweigh First's, so we can have some heathy competition in Bristol.”
by Rupert, Clifton
Sunday, February 22 2009, 12:55PM
“Is the ginger driver called rog ?”
by Mr Happy, Bristol
Sunday, February 22 2009, 12:11PM
“In fairness the amount of contact you have with the driver, it does not matter. 902 park and ride have a great service, however the ginger driver, we all know him if you use the service, will not give you the time of day or any facial regonisation. It don't matter there always there and very efficent.”
by PeteM, Bristol
Sunday, February 22 2009, 11:46AM
“'So before considering getting rid of this company and that, just remember you'll end up with the same drivers anyway!! '
I think people generally don't have a problem with the drivers (although I must admit a few of your colleagues could do with some serious interpersonal training). In fact I have every sympathy for you. Judging by the way First treat the general public, I can only guess how execrable they must be as an employer.
Drivers will still have jobs regardless of which company runs them. Having said that though I'm not convinced we'll get to oust them. Backs will be scratched, back-handers will be paid, and whatever goes on behind the scenes will go on as usual. And they'll get the contract, as always. It's all so depressingly predictable.”