Travel Hundreds sign petition to save bus route
A400-NAME petition has been submitted to save the “lifeline” number 17 bus to Bristol’s Southmead Hospital.
Cllr Andrea Reid told a council meeting it would be “unforgivable” to cut or change the service.
The West of England CombIned Authority (Weca) subsidises part of the route, which First Bus recently retained following a re-tender, and said it is working with the operator on new timetables to come into force from September 26.
It confirmed all journeys from the hospital will run the full route, along with early morning trips from Keynsham, but that passengers on other journeys from Keynsham will have to get off in Kingswood and wait 10 minutes before changing buses.
Kingswood ward councillor, Andrea Reid, handed in the petition to South Gloucestershire Council’s cabinet on Monday.
She said: “Residents are deeply concerned about the future of it being shaky and the lack of consultation.
“The 17 bus is the only service providing direct access for residents of areas on the route to Cossham and Southmead hospitals.
“It is essential both in terms of enabling medical staff to travel to work and allowing residents to access medical, sometimes lifesaving, treatment.
“The minor injuries unit at Cossham Hospital never came to pass, Frenchay Hospital was demolished, Yate walk-in centre does not have doctors on site and the 18 and 19 lost their evening services, severely limiting access to medical care and employment at the Bath hospitals.”
The Labour councillor continued: “The results of these decisions is that residents are already having to travel far more than is reasonable both to give and access healthcare.
“To end, reduce or convert the route to a two-bus journey would be reprehensible.”
Cllr Reid said that apart from connections to Bristol city centre, local bus services were sub-standard.
If cuts or alterations to the 17 service go ahead, residents of Downend, Staple Hill, Mangotsfield, Longwell Green, Kingswood, Bitton, New Cheltenham and Oldland Common are likely to be forced to use their cars or find funds for a taxi in order to have direct access to medical treatment and employment,” she said.
“For those with no transport of their own or family or friends to drive them, this is untenable.”
She told the meeting at Kingswood Civic Centre that changing the service would increase existing inequalities.
Cllr Reid said: “The 17 service is neither a luxury nor an optional extra – its entire route is quite literally a lifeline to many residents.”
A Weca spokesperson said: “The current number 17 is operated by First as a through service between Southmead Hospital and Keynsham.
“Only the part of the route between Southmead and Kingswood is operated on a commercial basis, the extension to Keynsham is subsidised by Weca.
“The contract for this subsidised element is due to end on August 28, so has recently been re-tendered.
“First has been successful in winning the contract for the subsidised section of the route and the combined authority is now working closely with First on new timetables.”
Outlining what will be retained, and what will change, the spokesperson added: “All journeys from Southmead Hospital will run the full route, along with early morning journeys from Keynsham.
“Remaining journeys through the day from Keynsham will require a change in Kingswood where there will be a 10-minute connection time.
“Passengers will be able to use the First day ticket for both legs of the journey.”
The route also covers Hillfields, Eastville, Lockleaze, Horfield and Fishponds.