First admits Bristol bus service not good enough

Pensioners in Bristol who staged a campaign over an axed bus route have been vindicated after First Bus admitted its replacement service is not adequate.

The Knowle Go-Getters launched a campaign in April for the return of the 89 bus service axed by First last August when the company combined it with the 90 service.

This new service, between Hengrove and Broadmead, runs every 12 minutes Monday to Saturday during the day, and every 20 minutes in the evening.

But crucially, it no longer stops in Leinster Avenue, Knowle, causing the Knowle Go-Getters to say that older people who rely on bus services were being treated “like second- class citizens.”

Not stopping at Leinster Avenue means many elderly people living in the area have a long walk to a bus stop to catch the number 90 or they have to get two buses to get to the city centre.

First changed the timetable of Service 36, which uses the Leinster Avenue route, to improve reliability but pensioners want a direct service from Leinster Avenue reinstated.

But after pressure from Bristol South MP Dawn Primarolo, First managing director Justin Davies has accepted there are problems and that service 36 is not an adequate replacement.

Mr Davies has also acknowledged the need for the company to identify a final solution and says First will be carrying out detailed surveys of passenger numbers in the area with a view to finding a way to better serve Leinster Avenue.

Mrs Primarolo got on board with the campaign in April and has received hundreds of letters from constituents complaining about the bus service in the area.

The Labour MP said: “I’ve received over 350 responses to my survey about the withdrawal of the 89 bus, proving this is a really important issue for people living in Knowle.

“I welcome the news from Justin Davies that he’s looking for a solution to this problem, but I would encourage all residents affected by the bus changes to get in touch with me, if they have not already done so, in order that I can continue to demonstrate the strength of feeling about this issue to First and make sure residents’ voices are heard.”

Mrs Primarolo has also taken the issue up with the Transport Minister, Paul Clark. She has written to the Minister, has discussed the matter with him and is currently waiting for his reply.

Last April, residents complained about the loss.

Lyn Caple, 60, who lives in Novers Park Drive, said: “There has been a winter of discontent in Knowle. All we have got is the 36 which is often full. People were left standing at the bus stop in bad weather.”

Carol Crane, 51, of Novers Park Drive, added: “I have to catch three buses if I want to visit South Bristol Cemetery.

“I used to go shopping in Broadmead once a week, now I go once a month because of the difficulty in getting a bus.”

Spokeswoman for First Bus Suzannah Marsh said: “The new Service 90 has proved extremely popular and the higher frequency has attracted more customers.

“However, we understand the concerns of customers in Leinster Avenue and we will carry out detailed surveys of passenger numbers.”