Stranded on hairpin bend
Bus services in Bath are under strain following the closure of Cleveland Bridge.
People in Batheaston have been particularly hard hit by delays this summer, with some buses “vanishing” off the First Bus app.
Now, Rob Sanderson, the provider’s operations manager for Bath and Wells, has explained the pressure drivers are under.
He said: “We do, of course, acknowledge that some services have not been optimal for the last few months, however, this is down to a number of factors beyond our control that have converged to cause some levels of disruption.
“The closure of Cleveland Bridge has led to significant traffic disruption not only in Batheaston but also along Walcot Street to the bus station causing major delays.
“We have been told that the bridge is scheduled to reopen on September 28 and we can only reiterate to our customers that we are doing everything we can to meet this challenge and get people safely and reliably to their destinations.”
But the bridge is not the only thing affecting services, with thousands of bus drivers nationwide being struck by the “pingdemic”.
Mr Sanderson said: “Across the UK travel operators have been coping with varying levels of staff absence while people isolate after being contacted by NHS Track and Trace, and the team in Bath is no different, unfortunately.
“On a positive note, we have new timetable changes coming in next week to try to improve punctuality and I am very pleased to report that staffing levels are now improving too.”
People living in north-east Bath have slammed the unreliable bus services of recent weeks.
Sarah Warren, a councillor for Bathavon North along with Kevin Guy, met Mr Sanderson to discuss how things could improve.
Cllr Warren, the deputy council leader and cabinet member for climate and sustainable travel, updated Batheaston locals in a Facebook post.
After summing up First Bus’s challenges, she said: “I know this is really a frustrating and difficult time for anyone dependent on the buses.
“I very much hope that the service will return to something like normal once Cleveland Bridge reopens at the end of next month.
“In the medium term, Kevin Guy and I (your ward councillors) are lobbying the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) hard, as they carry out their “Bus Service Improvement Plan”.
“There is new money for improved bus services coming via WECA from April onwards, and we are pushing hard for big improvements - we hope for affordable services that go where people need to go.
“I don’t yet know whether the money on offer from government will be enough, but this is our long term goal, and we will continue to work hard on your behalf.”