Public transport in Bristol

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The majority of public transport users in the Bristol Urban Area are transported by bus, although rail has experienced growth and does play an important part, particularly in peak hours. There were plans for a light rail system, however this has now been dropped although it remains in the long-term local transport plan. [1]

Contents

From 2017 the Mayor of the West of England and the West of England Combined Authority have the primary responsibility for organising public transport in the Bristol area.

Bus

Livery of First West of England buses in Bristol First Group livery.jpg
Livery of First West of England buses in Bristol

The Bristol bus station, in Marlborough Street, was opened in 1958. It was redeveloped in 2006

There are five main bus companies operating across the Greater Bristol area. They are First West of England, [2] National Express, [3] Abus, [4] Bugler Coaches [5] and Stagecoach South West. They provide services around Bristol and in to South Gloucestershire. The University of the West of England sponsors bus services (ULink) open to the public throughout the year, which are operated by Wessex Connect. [6] National Express provides services including London, Plymouth, Glasgow and Swansea. Megabus run services to London, Newport and Cardiff. [7] City Sightseeing Bristol operate tourist buses from all year except January. [8]

MetroBus, a new bus rapid transit system, begin in 2018 and consists of three routes: Ashton Vale to Bristol Temple Meads railway station, North Fringe to Hengrove and South Bristol Link. [9]

Rail

Bristol Parkway railway station Parkway.station.bristol.1.arp.jpg
Bristol Parkway railway station

The main railway stations in Bristol are Bristol Temple Meads, near the city centre, and Bristol Parkway in the northern suburb of Stoke Gifford. Although the latter is in the Bristol urban area, it is in South Gloucestershire. There are services to UK destinations from both Temple Meads and Parkway stations. There are also smaller stations across Bristol on different railway lines, including the Severn Beach Line, South Wales Main Line, Cross-Country Route, Great Western Main Line and Wessex Main Line.

Journey time to Cardiff is around 45–60 minutes and to London Paddington around 90 minutes.

There are three private rail companies that operate across the Greater Bristol area. They are Greater Western Railway, CrossCountry and South Western Railway. Great Western Railway operate all the local and regional services and intercity services between London Paddington and South Wales/Southwest England that pass through or terminate at Bristol. CrossCountry run cross-country intercity services that serve Bristol on routes between Southwest England and the Midlands, North of England and Scotland. South Western Railway operate four services a day between Bristol Temple Meads and Salisbury, three of which continue to London Waterloo.

There are several local, suburban rail routes throughout Bristol but many have either been closed or seen massively reduced services. The Severn Beach line which runs from Temple Meads to Severn Beach is regarded as a particularly attractive route. [10]

Part of the viaduct between Redland and Montpelier stations. Montpelier railway bridge Bristol.jpg
Part of the viaduct between Redland and Montpelier stations.

Following a successful campaign by Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways, the Severn Beach Line began to be served by an increased frequency from May 2008. [11] It is hoped this will pave the way for better services across the conurbation. An additional train now operates on the line meaning services average around every 40 minutes. Fares are set over two zones, and the trip from Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach is £3.00 return. There is, for the first time, a Sunday service to Avonmouth. The result is a service that can actually be used to commute to Bristol centre from outlying areas. Information has been improved at all the stations, from a push-button link to a computer-generated voice link, to real-time display screen. There has been a dramatic increase in passenger numbers, giving rise to complaints about not be able to buy tickets for through train journeys from the onboard train crew.

MetroWest

MetroWest is a current initiative in the West of England area to improve local rail services by reopening disused rail lines and stations and improving existing services. Phase One includes reopening the Portishead railway line to passenger traffic and improving services to the Severn Beach Line and Bath Spa. Phase Two will see the Henbury railway line reopen, along with half-hourly services between Weston-super-Mare and Yate. The phases are due to open in 2019 [12] and 2021 [13] respectively.

The West of England Local Enterprise Partnership also produced a Key Principles Report in November 2015 discussing future potential transport projects for the West of England region, including new rail transit based options referred to as MetroWest++. The options outlined include reopening the Thornbury Branch Line, a Yate to Bath route, the use of tram train technology, a link to the city centre and a connection to Bristol Airport. [14]

Proposed light rail or rapid transit

In November 2016, the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership began a consultation process on their Transport Vision Summary Document, outlining potential light rail/tram routes from the city centre to Bristol Airport, the eastern and north west fringes of the city, and a route along the A4 road to Bath. [15] By 2017, this proposal had changed to a mass transit network with potential for underground sections, linking the city centre with the northern and eastern fringes of the city and the airport.

Water

A ferry boat passes the Welsh Back landing stage, with Bristol Bridge in the background Bristol harbour arp 750pix.jpg
A ferry boat passes the Welsh Back landing stage, with Bristol Bridge in the background

Bristol Ferry Boats operates passenger ferry boat services on Bristol Harbour in the centre of Bristol. [16] Services are operated for the leisure market to and from both the city centre and Bristol Temple Meads railway station. Services are provided by a fleet of yellow and blue painted ferry boats.

In 2010 the city council supported commuter services formerly operated by the Bristol Ferry Boat Company were transferred to a new operator, Number Seven Boat Trips. [17] This company also operates daily tourist services. [18]

The Bristol Packet operates guided tours throughout the year around the harbour, and in the tourist season also downriver to Avonmouth and upstream to Beese's Tea Gardens, the Chequers Inn at Hanham and via the Kennet and Avon Navigation to Bath. [19]

Landing stages used by all operators include:

Related Research Articles

Bristol Temple Meads railway station Major railway station for the city of Bristol, England

Bristol Temple Meads is the oldest and largest railway station in Bristol, England. It is an important transport hub for public transport in the city. In addition to the train services there are bus services to many parts of the city and surrounding districts, and a ferry to the city centre. Bristol's other major station, Bristol Parkway, is a more recent station on the northern outskirts of the conurbation.

Bristol Parkway railway station Major railway station in Bristol, England

Bristol Parkway, on the South Wales Main Line, is in the Stoke Gifford area in the northern suburbs of the Bristol conurbation. It is 112 miles (180 km) from London Paddington. The station was opened in 1972 by British Rail, and was the first in a new generation of park and ride/parkway stations. It is the third-most heavily used station in Western England, after Bristol Temple Meads and Bath Spa. There are four platforms, and a well-equipped waiting area. The station is managed by Great Western Railway, who provide most of the trains at the station, with CrossCountry providing the rest.

Severn Beach line

The Severn Beach line is a local railway line in Bristol and South Gloucestershire, England. It runs from Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach, and used to extend to Pilning. The first sections of the line were opened in 1863 as part of the Bristol Port Railway and Pier, the section through Bristol was opened in 1875 as the Clifton Extension Railway. The line has faced several threats of closure over the years, and has been reduced to single track in many places. In recent years however it has experienced a surge in passenger numbers, with a 90% increase in the years 2007–11. All services along the line are operated by Great Western Railway, mainly one train in each direction between Avonmouth and Temple Meads every 40 minutes, calling at all stations, with one train every two hours extended to Severn Beach. The line carries little freight traffic, with most of the heavy freight traffic to Avonmouth Docks being routed via the Henbury Loop Line through Filton. The line has been highlighted by Thomas Cook as one of the scenic lines of Europe.

Stapleton Road railway station Railway station in Bristol, England

Stapleton Road railway station is on the Severn Beach Line and Cross Country Route, serving the inner-city district of Easton in Bristol, England. It is 1.6 miles (2.6 km) from Bristol Temple Meads. Its three letter station code is SRD. As of 2018, the station has two platforms, four running lines and minimal facilities. It is managed by Great Western Railway, the seventh company to be responsible for the station, and the third franchise since privatisation in 1997. They provide all train services at the station, the standard service being a train every 40 minutes along the Severn Beach Line, an hourly service to Bristol Parkway, and another hourly service to Westbury.

Filton Abbey Wood railway station Railway station in Bristol, England

Filton Abbey Wood railway station serves the town of Filton in South Gloucestershire, England, inside the Bristol conurbation. It is 4.4 miles (7.1 km) from Bristol Temple Meads. Its three letter station code is FIT. There are four platforms but minimal facilities. The station is managed by Great Western Railway, the seventh company to be responsible for the station, and the third franchise since privatisation in 1997. They provide most train services at the station, with two trains per day operated by CrossCountry. The general service level is eight trains per hour - two to South Wales, two to Bristol Parkway, two toward Weston-super-Mare and two toward Westbury.

Montpelier railway station Railway station in Bristol, England

Montpelier railway station is on the Severn Beach Line and serves the district of Montpelier in Bristol, England. It is 2.85 miles (4.59 km) from Bristol Temple Meads. Its three letter station code is MTP. The station has a single platform, serving trains in both directions. As of 2015 it is managed by Great Western Railway, which is the third franchise to be responsible for the station since privatisation in 1997. They provide all train services at the station, mainly a train every forty minutes in each direction between Bristol Temple Meads and Avonmouth.

Clifton Down railway station Railway station in Bristol, England

Clifton Down railway station is on the Severn Beach line and serves the district of Clifton in Bristol, England. It is 3.9 miles (6.3 km) from Bristol Temple Meads. Its three letter station code is CFN. The station has two platforms, each serving trains in one direction only. As of 2015 it is managed by Great Western Railway, which is the third franchise to be responsible for the station since privatisation in 1997. They provide all train services at the station, mainly a train every forty minutes in each direction between Bristol Temple Meads and Avonmouth.

Redland railway station Railway station in Bristol, England

Redland railway station is on the Severn Beach Line and serves the districts of Cotham and Redland in Bristol, England. It is 3.3 miles (5.3 km) from Bristol Temple Meads. Its three letter station code is RDA. As of 2015 it is managed by Great Western Railway, which is the third franchise to be responsible for the station since privatisation in 1997. They provide all train services at the station, mainly a train every forty minutes in each direction between Bristol Temple Meads and Avonmouth.

Sea Mills railway station Railway station in Bristol, England

Sea Mills railway station is on the Severn Beach Line and serves the district of Sea Mills and nearby Westbury on Trym in Bristol, England. It is 6 miles (9.7 km) from Bristol Temple Meads, situated at the confluence of the River Avon and River Trym and near the A4 Bristol Portway. Its three letter station code is SML. The station has a single platform which serves trains in both directions. As of 2015 it is managed by Great Western Railway, which is the third franchise to be responsible for the station since privatisation in 1997. They provide all train services at the station, mainly a train every forty minutes in each direction between Bristol Temple Meads and Avonmouth.

Shirehampton railway station Railway station in Bristol, England

Shirehampton railway station is on the Severn Beach Line and serves the district of Shirehampton in Bristol, England. It is 7.6 miles (12.2 km) from Bristol Temple Meads. Its three letter station code is SHH. The station has a single platform which serves trains in both directions. As of 2015 it is managed by Great Western Railway, which is the third franchise to be responsible for the station since privatisation in 1997. They provide all train services at the station, mainly a train every forty minutes in each direction between Bristol Temple Meads and Avonmouth.

Avonmouth railway station Railway station in Bristol, England

Avonmouth railway station is located on the Severn Beach Line and serves the district of Avonmouth in Bristol, England. It is 9.0 miles (14.5 km) from Bristol Temple Meads. Its three letter station code is AVN. The station has two platforms, on either side of two running lines. As of 2015 it is managed by Great Western Railway, which is the third franchise to be responsible for the station since privatisation in 1997. They provide all train services at the station, mainly a train every forty minutes to Bristol Temple Meads and one every two hours to Severn Beach.

St Andrews Road railway station Railway station in Bristol, England

St Andrew's Road railway station is located near to St Andrew's Road and serves a large industrial area near to Avonmouth, Bristol, England. The station and all trains serving it are operated by Great Western Railway.

Severn Beach railway station Railway station near Bristol, England

Severn Beach railway station serves the village of Severn Beach, England. This is the terminus of the Severn Beach Line.

Bristol is a city in south west England, situated near the Bristol Channel coast, approximately 106 miles (170 km) west of London. Several factors have influenced the development of its transport network. It is a major centre of employment, retail, culture and higher education, has many historic areas, and has a history of maritime industry. The city has a population of 400,000, with a metropolitan area of 550,000, and lies at the centre of the former County of Avon, which includes many dormitory towns, and has a population of one million. Additionally, it has the seventh highest population density of any English district.

Lawrence Hill railway station Railway station in Bristol, England

Lawrence Hill railway station is on the Severn Beach Line and Cross Country Route, serving the inner-city districts of Easton and Lawrence Hill in Bristol, England. It is 1.0 mile (1.6 km) from Bristol Temple Meads. Its three letter station code is LWH. As of 2018, the station has two platforms, four running lines and minimal facilities. It is managed by Great Western Railway, the seventh company to be responsible for the station and the third franchise since privatisation in 1997. They provide all train services at the station, the standard service being a train every 40 minutes along the Severn Beach Line, an hourly service to Bristol Parkway and another hourly service to Westbury.

Rail services in the West of England refer to passenger rail journeys made in the Bristol commuter area. 26 million passenger rail journeys were made in 2018-19 within the Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Bristol/Bath region.

Urban rail in the United Kingdom Overview of the role of the urban rail in the United Kingdom

Urban or suburban rail plays a key role in public transport in many of the United Kingdom's major cities. Urban rail refers to the train service between city centres and suburbs or nearby towns that acts as a main mode of transport for travellers on a daily basis.

MetroWest (Bristol) Project to improve the rail services in Bristol

MetroWest, formerly known as the Greater Bristol Metro, is a project to improve the rail services in Bristol, England, and the surrounding region. It was first proposed at First Great Western's Stakeholder Event in March 2008. The aim of the project is to develop half-hourly services through central Bristol which will also serve the surrounding West of England region. Transport campaigning groups Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways (FoSBR) and Transport for Greater Bristol are actively supporting the proposal, as are the three unitary authorities under the West of England Combined Authority and North Somerset Council.

Bristol Supertram

Bristol Supertram was a proposed light rail system for the Bristol and South Gloucestershire regions of England. In 2001, the project was given backing from the government to build a line that would link the city centre with the North Bristol region, but the project was cancelled in 2004.

Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways (FoSBR) is a Bristol-based campaign group, calling for better rail transport in the Bristol area.

References

  1. ↑ "West of England Joint Local Transport Plan 3 2O11 — 2O26" (PDF). Travel West. p. 73. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  2. ↑ "Bus Bristol, Bath and the West". FirstGroup. Retrieved 29 March 2010.
  3. ↑ "Bristol". National Express Coach. Retrieved 29 March 2010.
  4. ↑ "Bus Service Timetables and Route Map". A-Bus. Retrieved 29 March 2010.
  5. ↑ "Timetables". Bugler Coaches. Archived from the original on 7 August 2010. Retrieved 29 March 2010.
  6. ↑ "Bus Services". University of the West of England. Retrieved 29 March 2010.
  7. ↑ "Timetables for Bristol to London". megabus.com. Retrieved 29 March 2010.
  8. ↑ "City Sightseeing Bristol: timetables 2011". citysightseeingbristol.co.uk. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
  9. ↑ "MetroBus". travelwest.info. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  10. ↑ BBC Inside Out – Bristol's Severn Beach Railway Line
  11. ↑ "The Lib Dem Council Cabinet amended their budget to provide an extra train on the Severn Beach line from December 2007". Archived from the original on 10 February 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2007.
  12. ↑ "MetroWest: Phase 1".
  13. ↑ "MetroWest: Phase 2".
  14. ↑ "Issues and Options for Consultation. Key Principles Report" (PDF). West of England Joint Transport Study. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  15. ↑ "West of England Joint Transport Study - Transport Vision Summary Document" (PDF). Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  16. ↑ "Timetable". Bristol Ferry Boat Company. Archived from the original on 8 March 2010. Retrieved 29 March 2010.
  17. ↑ "Ferry Operations" (PDF). Committee Minutes. Bristol City Council. 23 October 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
  18. ↑ "Number Seven Boat Trips". Number Seven Boat Trips. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
  19. ↑ "Boat Trips in Bristol's Floating Harbour and on the River Avon – 0117 926 8157". Bristol Packet. Archived from the original on 30 December 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2011.

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