Following the recent public consultation about proposed changes to services 75, 75A, 76 and 77, First has looked carefully at all the customer comments. We would like to thank everyone who took the time to respond.

Most people were concerned about finding the best way to improve the reliability of their buses. Some customers were positive about the proposed split in services in the city centre, however, we also heard from many people who were worried about the potential loss of the cross-city link to, for example, St Mary Redcliffe School and Bedminster.

In the light of this, we've reviewed our plans about the best way to improve the reliability and punctuality of these bus services.

• We will not split the services in the centre of Bristol
• We will:
• Simplify the routes, creating 2 services
• Add extra buses
• Put more time into the timetables to help catch up from delays - this will improve the reliability of the services

We think this will create a more realistic timetable, bringing noticeable improvements for most customers without needing to split the service.

Some people will be disappointed by some of the route changes, but we believe that these will significantly help to reduce delays. We remain committed to running safe, reliable and punctual services for customers.

The New Services - from 1 February 2009

• Service 75 Cribbs Causeway - Broadmead - Centre - Whitchurch Lane
• Service 76 - Henbury - Broadmead - Centre - Hartcliffe

The new Service 76 will incorporate all existing service 77 journeys, and will be extended from Southmead to Henbury on the current Service 77 route. There will no loss of frequency - in fact some parts of Southmead, Henbury and Brentry will get double the number of buses every hour.

Based on feedback received during the consultation, we are improving service 75 on Saturdays to Cribbs Causeway by extending current journeys that finish at Royal Mail in Filton - this will bring a better 10 minute frequency to Cribbs Causeway.

Route changes

Patchway: We will be re-routing Service 75 in Patchway to run along Coniston Road. As part of the consultation process, we have talked to the Local Authority to see if parking issued can be solved. Unfortunately nothing can be done in the short term, so regrettably we will no longer run along Rodway Road, Durban Road and Bradley Road.

Asda: We will no longer serve Asda at Cribbs Causeway on Service 75. This enables us to build in additional time at the end of each journey, which allows any late buses to catch up, and then leave on time for the next journey.

Southmead: We will re-route the new Service 76 so that all buses serve Southmead Road, Doncaster Road and Greystoke Avenue. Customers in parts of Southmead, Henbury and Brentry will benefit from an improved service with a bus up to every 10 minutes.

Hartcliffe Way: We will withdraw the poorly used service 75A. These journeys will be merged into the timetable of Service 75 which will still serve Somerfield HQ.

New timetables will be available in mid January.

Please click here for a map of the new services from February 1 2009
(Link opens a PDF in a new window. Size 98KB)