The 12 bus services in Bristol under threat amid urgent talks to find new operators

The race is on to save 12 vital bus routes across Bristol which could be axed as soon as Friday should an alternative operator not be found.

Bristol Community Transport (BCT) announced this week that its Dial-a-Ride service and community minibuses, a lifeline for many elderly and disabled residents, will stop operating on Friday (August 26).

It means that the firm’s 12 mainstream bus services, many of which provide crucial connections to schools, health centre and shops, are also under major threat.

A spokesperson for the West of England Combined Authority told BristolWorld that Metro Mayor Dan Norris was currently unable to confirm if all 12 services would cease from Friday.

But they added that he had requested an urgent briefing with transport officers and would release more information over the coming days.

Many of the services operate in parts of South Bristol such as Hartcliffe and Whitchurch where residents have previously complained that they are ‘cut off’ and ‘forgotten about’ when it comes to public transport.

The m1 metrobus is understood to be safe after it was reported that the service featured in the list of under-threat services.

Here’s the full list of services that are likely to be axed should an alternative operator not be found.

Service 505

Route 505 runs from Long Ashton park and ride to Southmead Hospital. The popular route passes through Winterstoke Road and Clifton including Bristol Zoo and operates around two services an hour from Monday to Sunday.

Service 52

Route 52 runs every two hours or so from South Bristol Hospital to Broadmead. The service operates from Monday to Friday, passing through Bond Street and Old Market.

Service 53

A service runs from Monday to Saturday around every two hours on route 53 which circles around Clevedon, starting and terminating at the Clevedon triangle. There are a number of important stops along the way including Clevedon School and Clevedon Health Centre.

Service 54

Route 54 provides a quick service from the Clevedon Triangle to Bristol Airport, running approximately every two hours via Yatton and Claverham from Monday to Saturday.

Service 506

Route 506 runs between Broadmead and Southmead Hospital approximately twice every hour from Monday to Saturday, stopping at Lidl in Horfield along the way.

Service 511

Route 511 runs around five services per day from Monday to Saturday between Bedminster Parade through Knowle to Hengrove.

Service 512

Route 512 operates around one an hour between Totterdown and Broadmead from Monday to Saturday, stopping at Temple Meads and Bedmister Parade.

Service 515

Route 515 connects Stockwood to Hartcliffe, running every hour from Monday to Saturday via Whitchurch. Both Whitchurch and Hartcliffe are known to be ‘cut off’ areas and this service has several important stops including the Hengrove Park Skills Academy, Hartcliffe Imperial Park and an Asda supermarket.

Service 516

Route 516 runs around two services an hour from Knowle to Hengrove Park via Whitchurch, from Monday to Sunday. It provides a route between Knowle and Hengrove Leisure Park.

Service 62

The 62 route runs from Dursley to Bristol city centre via Sharpness and Thornbury, approximately six services per day from Monday to Saturday. It stops off at Filton College, Ham Techology Park and Everlands School.