News / Bus
Community launches new bus service
A new WESTlocal bus service that connects Avonmouth to neighbouring areas will be available from September 2.
The new WESTlocal: 40 will be operated by The Big Lemon, a community interest company which currently runs bus services across several areas of Bristol including Hengrove and Whitchurch.
WESTlocal is a fund from the West of England Combined Authority but the development of this new service is also supported by seven community organisations: Avonmouth Community Centre Association, Ambition Lawrence Weston, Bristol North West Foodbank, Pioneer Medical Group, SevernNet, St Andrew’s Church and St Bede’s Catholic College.
is needed now More than ever
The new bus service will likely be welcomed by people in the Avonmouth after FirstBus decided to remove their service from the area – photo credit: Martin Booth
The new bus has been nicknamed the ‘Yellow LAB’ as a nod to its route passing through Lawrence Weston and Brentry.
The ‘Yellow LAB’ will likely be welcomed by people in Avonmouth, after FirstBus decided to remove their number three bus service from the area.
Darren Jones MP for Bristol North West, who first proposed introducing the new bus route, said: “Even when buses are run by private companies, we should never forget the public service that they offer.
“In axing one section of a bus route, people lost access to the food bank in Avonmouth; parents were left struggling with how to get their children to school; patients couldn’t get to appointments at GP clinics in Lawrence Weston and Brentry; and people were cut off from employment opportunities in Avonmouth.
“With such a vital need for a new bus service, I was delighted to learn about WESTlocal – an initiative championed by West of England Mayor Dan Norris – whereby local people are encouraged to design and run their own bus services.”
Darren Jones MP was “delighted to learn about WESTlocal” – photo credit: Betty Woolerton
From September 2 the ‘Yellow LAB’ will offer a service that runs hourly on weekdays from Crow Lane to St Andrew’s Church from 7.50am to 6pm.
To support children travelling from school, the bus will also stop at St Bede’s Catholic College at 3.30pm and make a one-off journey to Cribbs Causeway.
The ‘Yellow LAB’ is one of eight new WESTlocal services which will debut in September.
Read next:
- Dedicated bus service will be available for Balloon Fiesta
- Bus services cancelled as operator ceases trading
- Some bus tickets will soon not be able to be bought on First buses
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