Former HCT Group subsidiary services in Bristol have started to be replaced after the company suddenly ended its operations in the south-west city
Following the demise of Bristol Community Transport on 26 August, local authorities have been working to secure operators to provide replacement services. From 5 September, three of the bus services recommenced: the metrobus m1 service resumed after a pause on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 September to allow the 15 Alexander Dennis Enviro400 City CBG-bodied Scania N280UDs used on the route to be transferred to and checked over for continued use by First West of England, service 511 from Bedminister to Hengrove commenced with new operator Eurocoaches, operating to the previous timetable and route, and service 62 also recommenced from the same date, operated by Applegates Coaches, though on a revised and reduced route with connections for those travelling into Bristol.
Talking about the revised 62, Councillor Philip Robinson, cabinet member responsible for bus transport at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “Unfortunately, it was not possible to replace the service in full at such short notice due to a lack of available buses and drivers at rates the council could feasibly afford using public funding. This amended service is the only sustainable way of serving the areas in Gloucestershire affected at this time. We continue to work with partners to overcome the many challenges bus providers are facing, including driver shortages and inflationary pressures, to ensure Gloucestershire’s residents can have reliable and effective bus services.”
From 12 September, Transpora Group commenced operation of service 52 between Hengrove Park and Bristol. Councillor Tim Kent liaised with the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) on Transpora’s behalf. “The 52 is an essential service linking people to the hospital and the city centre,” he said. “The key thing for me was that here was a company with the buses, the drivers and the ticket machines ready to go. I communicated with WECA for them and, within a day, they had been awarded a contract. If we can get more operators in, creating more competition, it should help with price, which is good news for Bristol residents.”
It is currently unknown whether North Somerset Council services 52, 54 and 55 will return, but West of England Combined Authority services 505, 506, 515 and 516 could restart next month.
Brighton-based community interest company The Big Lemon is setting up a new outpost in Bristol, subject to the granting of an operator’s licence. One of company’s zero-emission Higer Steeds was noted in the city on 12 September recruiting bus drivers, with the offer of a welcome bonus, free membership to the Transport Benevolent Fund and ‘excellent rates of pay.’ A spokesperson for The Big Lemon told Bristol Live: “Subject to our licence being granted we will be running four services in Bristol from Monday 3 October. The Big Lemon is passionate about providing an excellent passenger experience on the buses and excited by the opportunity to launch in Bristol. Our drivers in Brighton are famous for the friendly and helpful service they provide, and we are really looking forward to bringing the same ethos to our services in Bristol.”
