Bus service would be better than trains
ARE you waiting for a bus? Or is there no bus to wait for?
Dan Norris, West of England
Metro Mayor, says he cannot subsidise unprofitable bus routes. First Bus cannot get enough bus drivers. People can earn more driving lorries.
There is an answer. Mayor Norris and North Somerset Council plan to spend £152 million reopening the Portishead railway line, yet a dedicated bus route would provide a better service. This would cost about £20 million. That leaves about £130 million to spend on the missing buses.
It’s quite simple. Lay tarmac on the 3.5km of disused railway between Portishead and junction 19 of the M5 (Gordano services). Buses can run up the M5 until Avonmouth (junction 18).
Bus priority measures are already in place on the Portway, for the Portway park and ride. At Cumberland Basin, they join the Metrobus priority measures to go along Cumberland Road to Temple Meads.
The buses don’t have to go to Temple Meads. They can use the Metrobus routes to provide a service wherever needed in Bristol, such as straight down the motorway to Cribbs Causeway. They can also start at the far end of Portishead.
The planning has cost £21 million and taken 21 years, without moving a single passenger. A train may have been a good ideal 21 years ago. Times change. £310 million has been spent on Greater Bristol Bus Network and Metrobus since then. The project has developed its own momentum. No one wants to question it now.
Nearly all the trains will be almost empty. It’s true that a couple in the morning and evening rush hours will be well used, but the projected passenger figures show 88% of seats empty. After 15 years, 84% of seats will still be unused.
Reinstating the trains will increase greenhouse gases by 1,000 tonnes per annum. What is the point of running nearly empty trains doing 2mpg, especially in a climate emergency? A bus doing 11mpg makes more sense.
A more convenient service, less CO2, and £130 million for more buses. What’s not to like? So, while you’re waiting for that bus, take out your smartphone and email Dan Norris (mayor@westofengland-ca. gov.uk). Tell him to stop playing with trains and fix your bus service.
Barry Cash
Bristol