51 bus saved!
Local Councillors vow to keep up fight for 51 following Wessex Bus pulling out
Local Councillors in South Bristol have said they will continue to work to ensure a 51 service remains in September after Wessex Bus decided to withdraw their involvement from the end of August.
The 51 service was threatened two years ago when First Bus decided to cancel the service which had operated in the area for decades and carried around 400,000 passengers a year.
The service was saved following a vocal campaign by local Lib Dem Councillors, residents and the involvement of Wessex bus who, when invited by Lib Dem Councillors, launched a full replacement service.
Hengrove and Whitchurch Park Councillor Tim Kent said:
“We thank Wessex for running the service for the last two years which has seen around 3/4M passenger journeys in that time. “We are now reaching out to other bus companies and we are determined to do everything we can to see a replacement service up and operating in September.”
Knowle Lib Dem Councillor Gary Hopkins said:
“This is a vital route for South Bristol lining many communities to the centre, Broadwalk and the South Bristol Hospital. We know the route can be run at a profit and we have already reached out to other bus companies in hope that they will register a new service.
“This will be devastating news for our residents and communities. We are determined to do everything we can to find a replacement operator.”
The 51 Bus Service runs from South Bristol Hospital through Whitchurch, Hengrove and Knowle to Broadwalk then along the Wells Rd to Temple Meads and Union Street in the Centre. It carries around 400,000 passengers a year and in many parts of Hengrove and Whitchurch is the only local bus service. In 2016 Local Lib Dem Councillors launched a campaign to save the service gathering around 4000 signatures to a petition that went to Full Council and eventually struck a deal with Wessex bus to take over the route. The campaign website can be found at www.save51bus.weebly.com
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Local Councillors in South Bristol have said they will continue to work to ensure a 51 service remains in September after Wessex Bus decided to withdraw their involvement from the end of August.
The 51 service was threatened two years ago when First Bus decided to cancel the service which had operated in the area for decades and carried around 400,000 passengers a year.
The service was saved following a vocal campaign by local Lib Dem Councillors, residents and the involvement of Wessex bus who, when invited by Lib Dem Councillors, launched a full replacement service.
Hengrove and Whitchurch Park Councillor Tim Kent said:
“We thank Wessex for running the service for the last two years which has seen around 3/4M passenger journeys in that time. “We are now reaching out to other bus companies and we are determined to do everything we can to see a replacement service up and operating in September.”
Knowle Lib Dem Councillor Gary Hopkins said:
“This is a vital route for South Bristol lining many communities to the centre, Broadwalk and the South Bristol Hospital. We know the route can be run at a profit and we have already reached out to other bus companies in hope that they will register a new service.
“This will be devastating news for our residents and communities. We are determined to do everything we can to find a replacement operator.”
The 51 Bus Service runs from South Bristol Hospital through Whitchurch, Hengrove and Knowle to Broadwalk then along the Wells Rd to Temple Meads and Union Street in the Centre. It carries around 400,000 passengers a year and in many parts of Hengrove and Whitchurch is the only local bus service. In 2016 Local Lib Dem Councillors launched a campaign to save the service gathering around 4000 signatures to a petition that went to Full Council and eventually struck a deal with Wessex bus to take over the route. The campaign website can be found at www.save51bus.weebly.com
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Campaigners Claim Victory on 51 Bus
After a short but extremely energetic campaign South Bristol campaigners expect that today Bristol City Council will announce that they are supporting the offer from Wessex, put to the Council by Councillors from Knowle and Hengrove and Whitchurch Park, Gary Hopkins, Tim Kent, Harriet Clough and Chris Davies.
There was huge public anger that First had abandoned the route and that the Council had failed to warn local Councillors and residents. To rub salt into the wounds the Council planned to transfer the annual subsidy for later buses from the 51 route to Firsts 50 route.
Tim Kent said: "The offer was just too good even for this administration to refuse and we will get a more frequent and reliable daytime service with greater reliability andlower fares. After taking a couple of months to repair the damage done by First Wessex expect to make a decent profit and will share that with local community groups."
Gary Hopkins said: “Because of earlier Council delays we had a very short time to organise and get the proposals into the Traffic Commissioner but local people and businesses have been magnificent in helping to get this result. The prospect of the Council debate on 13th September secured by the 3,500 +signature petition certainly seems to have helped to focus minds."
After a short but extremely energetic campaign South Bristol campaigners expect that today Bristol City Council will announce that they are supporting the offer from Wessex, put to the Council by Councillors from Knowle and Hengrove and Whitchurch Park, Gary Hopkins, Tim Kent, Harriet Clough and Chris Davies.
There was huge public anger that First had abandoned the route and that the Council had failed to warn local Councillors and residents. To rub salt into the wounds the Council planned to transfer the annual subsidy for later buses from the 51 route to Firsts 50 route.
Tim Kent said: "The offer was just too good even for this administration to refuse and we will get a more frequent and reliable daytime service with greater reliability andlower fares. After taking a couple of months to repair the damage done by First Wessex expect to make a decent profit and will share that with local community groups."
Gary Hopkins said: “Because of earlier Council delays we had a very short time to organise and get the proposals into the Traffic Commissioner but local people and businesses have been magnificent in helping to get this result. The prospect of the Council debate on 13th September secured by the 3,500 +signature petition certainly seems to have helped to focus minds."
Campaign Update - Councillors present rescue package
Today (16th August) local councillors and leaders of the #Save51Bus campaign - Tim Kent, Gary Hopkins and Harriet Clough - met with the councils officers to present a rescue package for the 51 route. The campaign has been in touch with operators and has an operator prepared to deliver a replacement to the 51 route. We now need the support of the Mayor and the Council to make this a reality. Please do ensure all supporters have signed the petition and do write to the Mayor and the Bristol Post urging those in power back the local community and agree to save the 51!
2500 signatures reached!
2500 signatures reached! We now have well over 2,500 signatures but we need to collect 1000 more to force a full council debate which will help us secure the 51 bus route. Please do ensure your family, friends and neighbours have signed the petition.
Campaign update 11th August
10 days after the news leaked out from ‘First’ and Bristol council our campaign is in full swing.
Due to the initial secrecy, time is very short and this is hampering the making of alternative arrangements.
Several alternative operators have shown positive interest after being approached by us.
* Over 500,000 journeys including 150,000 freedom (mainly pensioner) journeys each year.
* Well over 1000 signatures in the first week. On line at www.save51bus.weebly.com, at signing points, and postal returns.
* Over 20 signing points (thank you) have been set up in shops and businesses in the area. If you know a good point not yet covered please let us know, or approach them.
We need ‘ride on’ campaigners who will distribute leaflets and monitor passenger numbers (to give confidence to a new operator).
We also need people to deliver leaflets and gain signatures.
If there is not a full reversal of this decision we aim to force a debate in full council on 13th September. We need 3,500 signatures by the end of August.
There will be a mass photo shoot and demo at 12.00 on Saturday 13th August at the main Broadwalk Centre entrance (bring a friend and a banner)
Due to the initial secrecy, time is very short and this is hampering the making of alternative arrangements.
Several alternative operators have shown positive interest after being approached by us.
* Over 500,000 journeys including 150,000 freedom (mainly pensioner) journeys each year.
* Well over 1000 signatures in the first week. On line at www.save51bus.weebly.com, at signing points, and postal returns.
* Over 20 signing points (thank you) have been set up in shops and businesses in the area. If you know a good point not yet covered please let us know, or approach them.
We need ‘ride on’ campaigners who will distribute leaflets and monitor passenger numbers (to give confidence to a new operator).
We also need people to deliver leaflets and gain signatures.
If there is not a full reversal of this decision we aim to force a debate in full council on 13th September. We need 3,500 signatures by the end of August.
There will be a mass photo shoot and demo at 12.00 on Saturday 13th August at the main Broadwalk Centre entrance (bring a friend and a banner)