Thousands of people travel around Bristol by bus each day, whether it’s for commuting to work, school and college, visiting friends and family or going to the shops and attending important appointments.
But as any regular bus user knows, the service can often be unreliable, with cancellations, delays and even ‘ghost buses’ that appear on bus stop display screens and the bus app and then mysteriously vanish into thin air.
Bristol World asked readers to share their experiences of the city’s buses - the best and the worst services and why.
Reader Nicola Morrish says the worst routes for her are the 48 and 49 because they ‘never turn up and are always cancelled’, while Suzie Warfield claims the 90 is ‘getting worse’ and says she sometimes waits an hour or more for one and even then they disappear off the bus app.
Several readers think bus services in south Bristol are the worst, including Jacqueline Rainbow who says south Bristol is ‘ostracised’ and Whitchurch is ‘cut off from practically everywhere’.
On the bright side, Martin See says the M1 bus is the best and a ‘fantastic service’ and Paul Denning thinks they’re ‘all good - just need more’.
Here are 9 pictures of the best and worst bus routes in the city, as chosen by Bristolians.
1. WORST: 90 - The Horsefair to Hengrove
Here in 2015, Karin Smyth helped launch the double-decker bus service for south Bristol in response to rising passenger numbers. However, it appears the service is not so popular with some complaining of long waits and ‘disappearing’ services. The route is to be merged with the 70 route which will see it going to UWE Bristol’s Frenchay Campus and Temple Meads. Suzi Warfield says: “90 getting worse as sometimes got to wait a hour or more or it get cancelled and bus disappeared off the bus app!" | Alex Ross
2. WORST: 73 bus - Bristol Temple Meads to Aztec West (from September)
Last year, the 73 route stopped serving parts of Bradley Stoke and Cribbs Causeway - however, from September it will be turned into a cross-city link, merging with the 92, to run as far as Hengrove. The service will also be extended at off-peak times to the Newleaze and Woodlands Park stops in Bradley Stoke and Aztec West Park Avenue. But that’s not enough for Simon Grant, who says: “[The worst is] the 73 because it doesn’t go to Cribbs Causeway any more.....its a pain to change to the M4 at Parkway with the shopping if you live on Filton Avenue." | Alex Ross
3. WORST: 24 - Ashton Vale to Southmead Hosptial
One of the city’s most indirect services, the 24 goes all over the place. It goes from Southmead Hospital (one of only two routes now serving the hospital with the 76) and goes out to Lockleaze, to Easton, through the city centre and then out to Southville, a loop around Ashton Gate to Bedminster, before stopping at Ashton Vale. Jordan Zel Brenner says: ”The 24 is a particularly grotty route. Kind of goes everywhere, though.” | SWNS
4. WORST and BEST: 349 - Bristol city centre to Keynsham
It’s bus service many in south Keynsham rely on to get to Bristol city centre. The service, now operated by First, goes as far as Bilbie Green in Keynsham before looping back down to Bristol Road and on to Hicks Gate. But the service to Bilbie Green from Monday to Friday stops at 7pm, only on Sunday are there two services after 7pm. Tatiana Heraghty says: “349 best routue for me but worst service as doesn’t run past 7pm. Would be amazing if this route could continue to service South of Keynsham after 7pm. | Alex Ross