First Bus Bristol timetable changes start today - full list of services impacted

Major timetable changes across the First Bus network in Bristol come into force today (October 9). The amendments, which include the axing of seven routes, mean passengers are being advised to check before they travel from today.

As well as the withdrawal of some services - 5, 71, 72a, X2, Y3, Y4 and Y5 - others may have different routes, drop-offs and pick-ups and frequency. The changes, confirmed in last month, are designed to ‘balance customer demand with available resource to deliver reliable services for its customers into the future’.

The 178 and 96 were also set to be withdrawn but have been saved. A-Bus will take on the 96 route from Hengrove to Brislington.

First Bus managing director Doug Claringbold has said the company has struggled with a shortage of drivers, while passenger numbers are reportedly below pre-pandemic levels. He said: “We simply have no choice but to withdraw or reduce those services and ensure we focus on running buses where there are enough customers travelling.”

Yet this morning, bus users have been sharing screenshots from the First Bus app from bus stops showing many cancellations. In Patchway this morning, three city-bound 75 buses were cancelled.

One person posted a picture on a Facebook Group showing cancellations. She said: “Words absolutely fail me.”

Alan Peters, of St Philips-based ABus, said: “I’ve just looked at various stops on the First app and see there are still cancellations on many services so presumably there are not enough duties saved. Hopefully things will improve tomorrow.”

One person responded: “We will see.... as a regular bus user I’m not convinced...but time will tell. As you say buses still being cancelled.”

Full list of changes can be found on a web page on First Bus’ website here.

The services withdrawn

5: Downend - Bristol

71: Hengrove to Muller Road

72A: Temple Meads - UWE Frenchay

X2: Bristol - Yatton

Y3: Yate - Bristol

Y4: Yate - Bristol

Y5: Chipping Sodbury - Bristol

New services

47: Provide a partial replacement for the majority of customers on Services 5, Y3, Y4 and Y5. Journeys will operate from Bristol City Centre, Lewins Mead to Yate via City Road, Ashley Road, Sussex Place, St Werburghs, Eastgate, Fishponds Road, Fishponds, Oldbury Court, Downend, Emersons Green, Pucklechurch and Westerleigh. In Yate, journeys will serve North Yate and Brimsham Park.

74: Provide a replacement for customers on Service 71. Journeys will operatre between UWE, Frenchay Campus and Bristol City Centre via Station Road, Filton Road, Gloucester Road and Broadmead.

Changes

• Service 17 – will extend from Southmead Hospital to Bristol Bus Station via Gloucester Road
• Service 36 – will terminate at St Annes
• Service 48a – will increase in frequency from Monday 19^th September for the start of the new academic year at UWE
• Service 70 – will extend to terminate at Bristol Temple Meads Station
• Service 71 – will be withdrawn and replaced with Service 74, which will operate between UWE, Frenchay Campus and Bristol City Centre via Station Road, Filton Road, Gloucester Road and Broadmead
• Service 349 – one journey in each direction will extend to Midsomer Norton for students attending St Brendan’s College
• Service A1 – will increase in frequency to meet the demands of the winter flying programme at Bristol Airport
• Service A3 – there will be an additional journey departing at 02.15 from Weston-super-Mare
• Service m3 – with the start of the new academic year at UWE, Service m3 will double in frequency to every 10 minutes, Monday to Friday, between UWE, Frenchay Campus and Bristol City Centre from Monday 19^th September. There are no changes to weekend services, and to the frequency of buses between UWE and Emersons Green
• Service m3x – in response to customer demand, 3 m3x journeys will be introduced for the afternoon/early evening peak between Bristol City Centre and Emersons Green
• Service T1 – will now terminate at Bristol Bus Station
• Service U1 will resume from Monday 19^th September for the start of the new academic year at the University of Bristol
• Service U3 – with the start of the new academic year at UWE, Service U3 will be reintroduced from Monday 19^th September to provide late night Monday to Saturday journeys (between 0000-0400) between City Centre and UWE via the M32
• Service X5 – will no longer continue to Bristol. Customers can change to Service X4 in Portishead to continue their journey to Bristol
• Service Y1 – will now terminate at Bristol Bus Station
• Service Y6 – will extend from Southmead Hospital to Bristol Bus Station via Gloucester Road
• Services 1, 2, 2a, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 42, 43, 44, 45, 48, 49, 75, 76, 90, 91 and 92 will have minor timetable changes to improve punctuality and reliability, and changes to stopping arrangements in Bristol City Centre.