A NEW independent bus company hits the road on Tuesday – to replace the 52 bus service which has been axed by bus operator First.

Andy Fear, director of Citistar Limited, will start his new service on Tuesday at 7.45am between Highridge and the city centre.

He will be driving a 28-seater white single decker with an orange skirt on an hourly weekday service. It is expected to be replaced soon by a 37-seater green and cream single decker.

Mr Fear, 31, who lives in Paulton, said: "I would just like to emphasise that this service is not getting any public money to support it.

"It is entirely a gamble by me to try to provide a service which I think is very much needed for the area.

"If it's well-supported, then it's my intention to re-invest and improve the service."

The new service will follow the current 52 route between Highridge (Lakemead Grove) and Broadmead, with a few slight differences.

In Broadmead, buses will no longer run back via Union Street but instead via Bond Street and The Haymarket.

The stop at Rupert Street will continue to be served on buses running towards Bedminster and Highridge.

At Highridge, buses terminating at Lakemead Grove will run a loop via Highridge Common, Highridge Road, Wyatt Avenue, Cutler Road, Lakemead Grove and Sandburrows Road to Highridge Common heading back in to town.

From May 4, some peak hour services will run to and from Four Acres in Withywood.

The fares will be cheaper than First. For example, a single fare from Highridge to Broadmead will cost £2, compared to £2.35 with First.

Citistar will also be offering a 10-journey ticket for £12.

Mr Fear said all the single fares were £1, £1.50 or £2 to save the hassle of dealing with change which could be irritating for passengers. Return fares will be between £1.80 and £3.

Dozens of residents turned out at College Green last week to protest against cuts to Bristol's 52 bus service before a council meeting.

They stood with placards outside the Council House, complaining at cuts in a city council subsidy which had led to the service being axed.

They submitted a petition with more than 1,000 names opposing the cuts.

Mr Fear said the subsidy for First's service was for the Monday to Saturday evening and Sunday/Bank Holiday service only.

He said he had no contract with the city council and received no subsidy.

Mr Fear previously worked in information technology after taking a computer science degree at the University of the West of England. He has worked in public transport for the past eight years and has been looking for a service to run since passing his transport manager exams last year.

For more details about the Citistar 52 service, visit the website www.citistar.co.uk.