New Bristol bus operator saves route facing axe by First

A south Bristol bus service facing the axe has been saved.

Operator First announced plans to scrap the 52 from Broadmead to Hengrove last month, blaming a lack of passengers for its decision.

Residents in Highridge claimed the removal of the service would leave them isolated and a petition against the plans attracted almost 1,000 signatures.

Now a new operator called Citistar, based in Paulton, has stepped in to rescue the service from April 6.

But Don Smith, chairman of Highridge Forum, which organised the petition, says the new service is inferior to the existing service.

Mr Smith said: "I'm shocked by the announcement of a new service because we've not been consulted about it.

"How will people be able to get home from work if the last bus from the city centre on the new service leaves at 5pm and how will people be able to get into work if the first bus is at 7.40am?"

The replacement service will be run hourly on Monday to Friday, with the first bus of the day leaving Highridge at 7.40am and the last bus of the day leaving Broadmead at 5.05pm.

The existing service runs every 20 minutes.

The Citistar service will largely follow the route of the service 52 between Highridge and the city centre via Bridgwater Road and Bedminster. The number 52 runs from Hengrove to the city centre via Hartcliffe, Bishopsworth, Highridge, Bedminster Down and Bedminster.

Andy Fear, director of Citistar, said he was planning to run a 37-seater low-floor bus on the service.

He said: "I've worked in the bus industry for 10 years, I got my operator's licence last year and have been waiting for an opportunity like this. It will be the company's first foray into bus services.

"The timetable we have set out is very much a starting point and we are dipping our toes in the water to see how we get on. If it goes well, we are all for expanding it. If the people of Highridge want anything changed, we will consider it."

Jon Rogers, city councillor in charge of transport, said: "I'm delighted that we have a new solution to serve Highridge. Now I would like to see a full review of bus services."