Local operators Stagecoach and Ths Big Lemon have stepped in to cover services in and around Bristol previously operated by Transpora Bus South West. Following a change to senior personnel recorded at Companies House for the Transpora business earlier in the month, confusion arose on Friday 12 July, and it was suggested in a Tweet (later removed) by the West of England Combined Authority that services operated by Transpora would cease operating that day.
The following day, local operator Ths Big Lemon said on its social media: “We have been made aware that Transpora Bus South West has ceased operations overnight. While the future of the business is clarified we have worked with their team to put in place a plan to operate as many of the services as possible.”
The Big Lemon said that it would initially operate Transpora services X10, 25, 60 and an Arthur David Foods staff bus as usual over the weekend and on Monday 15 July. “We will operate these services plus the X91 while we clarify the position with stakeholders,” the company said, adding that services would be operated with a combination of Transpora and The Big Lemon vehicles. “We’d like to thank Transpora’s team for working with us to ensure as many services as possible can continue to run, and pay tribute to their drivers for their commitment to passengers during this uncertain period.”
Subsequently, The Big Lemon told CBW on Monday 15 July that it was covering the X10, 23, 60, X91 and Arthur David Foods staff buses, but the continuation of that arrangement beyong the end of the week depended heavily on stakeholders. “We stepped in at very short notice to keep people moving and we were very happy to do so, a Big Lemon spokesperson said. “Due to our own constraints, services 925 and 90 remain uncovered at this stage.”
West of England Mayor Dan Norris said: “I’m aware some Transpora services have been suspended and my officers are working on arrangements to ensure that as many services as possible run normally, and passengers are affected as little as possible.” The West of England Combined Authority confirmed that at the time of writing, services 23, 60, X10 and X91 were being operated by The Big Lemon, service 25 by Stagecoach, and services 90, 925 and N2 were not running, and advised users to keep an eye on its social media feeds for updates.
Stagecoach confirmed that it would operate service 25 from 15 July, and said in a statement: “Following the news of Transpora’s exit from the Bristol bus network we have been discussing with WECA ways we can help. We are delighted to be able to step in and serve the community at short notice to ensure a continued bus provision and announce that from Monday 15 July Stagecoach will be operating the Monday to Sunday service 25 between the city centre and Fishponds via St Werburghs and St Pauls. This will be operated on a commercial basis.”
The company confirmed that passengers who had a pre-paid weekly ticket would be able to continue to use it until the date of expiry. The company added that it would maintain the existing timetable.
Managing Director of Stagecoach West Chris Hanson said: “Following the sad news that Transpora has ceased operations we are glad to be able to step in and save this vital service for our communities in Bristol. We look forward to welcoming our new customers on board in the coming days.”
When initially contacted on Friday 12 July and asked to clarify the then-unconfirmed reports that the business had ceased operating, a spokesperson for Transpora responded: “There is no need for a statement; it is not true.” At the time of going to press, CBW awaited a response to further requests for clarification of the situation following subsequent developments.
UPDATE:
Stagecoach has confirmed that it is to run two of the former Transpora services, having also agreed to operate service 60 between Dursley and Thornbury on behalf of Gloucestershire County Council.
The BBC has reported that a spokesperson for Transpora said in a statement that the company, which had stepped in to operate a number of routes after they had been cancelled by other operators, had decided to exit the Bristol market with ‘immediate affect’ [sic] due to ‘a number of factors such as rising costs’ and a ‘lack of funding for smaller operators’ and that other parts of the Transpora business are not affected.
