First rolls out new Bristol buses
Bus operator First has put 16 new vehicles on two routes running between the centre of Bristol and Emersons Green.
The double deckers, which cost a total of £2.7 million, are the first low floor buses to operate the 48 and 49 routes.
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First rolls out new Bristol buses
They will make it easier for parents with pushchairs and in wheelchairs to get on board.
They also have more comfortable seating, digital CCTV security systems, designated space for wheelchairs, prams and buggies, satellite tracking units and low-emission engines.
First is now delivering more than 20,000 leaflets to homes along the route taken by the buses to let people know they are in service and to offer a half-price off-peak ticket to travel on them.
Justin Davies, the company's managing director for Bristol, Somerset and Avon, said: "These new buses should make a real difference to the 48/49 routes, which have not had low-floor vehicles before."
The buses are the latest to be bought to upgrade the First fleet.
Between the autumn of 2007 and the end of this financial year, the company will have spent £20m on 131 new buses to operate on the greater Bristol bus network.
First said the latest 16 in use replaced vehicles that were at least 15-years-old.
Each seats up to 74 passengers, with room for 14 to stand, and are fitted with engines that meet up-to-date emissions standards.
Mr Davies was joined by Brian Allinson, South Gloucestershire Council's executive member for transport, in Staple Hill when the buses went on the road for the first time.
He said: "We know good quality buses are one of the key ways of attracting greater bus patronage. I hope more South Gloucestershire residents will be encouraged to travel by bus and help us tackle congestion."
Service 48 follows a route from the city centre through Eastville, Fishponds, Downend and Blackhorse to Emersons Green.
Route 49 also goes from the centre to Eastville and Fishponds but then travels through Staple Hill before reaching Blackhorse and Emersons Green.
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by oysterc, island gardens
Wednesday, June 24 2009, 11:46PM
“New buses, cheaper fares, in fact £1 per journey with an oyster card. More buses than Bristol & Bath put together in this area alone. Never seen an empty one at any time of day or night. If one is late, no problem. Next one's there in 4 minutes.
Bristol has a loooooooooooooooooong way to go...........”
by guy, bristol
Wednesday, June 24 2009, 8:47PM
“on bcc website its on about cutting the service or reduce the times on services 4,5,6,7,52 from 30 min to 1hr service or taking the service of running dail a ride service in its place”
by Sam, bristol
Wednesday, June 24 2009, 6:20PM
“number 73 bus today : if people do absolutely HAVE to pee on a bus do they really need to do it on the floor whilst turning a corner?? is it not possible to use a bottle or can??!! they seemed to have enough of them rolling around the floor”
by derek, Nuremburg
Wednesday, June 24 2009, 4:00PM
“What was that line in Adge Cutler`s song About 40 years ago?The buses down Old Market be enough to make EE swear.They`re still moaning Adge,not much changes over the years in Bristol!!!”
by guy, bristol
Wednesday, June 24 2009, 3:46PM
“first is on about chaning the 24/25 routes in lockleaze & chaning the service in ashton plus changing the 8 & 9 service”
by m, Downend
Wednesday, June 24 2009, 3:40PM
“Do the new busses have enough room for your legs between the seats ?”
by Digg, Upper Eastville
Wednesday, June 24 2009, 1:28PM
“Nice to have new buses at last ! Perhaps they can now train the drivers with first class manners. A driver yesterday told us we could not use our passes because it wasn't 9am, when we said it was, he told us he would chuck us off his bus, if we were rude to him!! All we said was it was 9am, and I have the ticket to prove it was. What a rude , grumpy old man he was.”
by Joe, Staple Hill
Wednesday, June 24 2009, 12:14PM
“The new buses are fantastic. Being a regular user of the 49 I must say in the past 3 months or so the punctuality of First has been superb. My main complaint is to the customers who are very rude to the drivers when they stop at bus stops for several minutes to ensure they stick to their timetable! Well done First the improvments over the past 3 months have been fantastic!”
by Liam, Fishponds
Wednesday, June 24 2009, 10:09AM
“@ person from Clifton - I take it you've never got on a First bus, then. Or, needed to be somewhere only for the First bus company to let you down.”
by michelle, Bristol
Wednesday, June 24 2009, 9:48AM
“Having more buses means there is a greater possibility of getting one on time.
Unless...instead of waiting for ages and two come along at once you wait ages and 5 come along at once. hehe! :)”