Free bus travel for south Bristol residents

Residents catching the 36 bus in south Bristol next week will be able to do so for free – thanks to the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.

Buses run regularly (up to every half hour) throughout the day, seven days a week, serving residents in St Anne’s, Brislington, Knowle, Knowle West, Hengrove Park, Hartcliffe, Withywood, and Highridge.

The route provides vital connections to St Brendan’s College, Oasis Academy Brislington, Oasis Academy Daventry Road, Merchants Academy School, Bridge Learning Campus, South Bristol Skills Academy at City of Bristol College, South Bristol Community and Callington Road Hospitals, as well as Broadwalk and Imperial Park shops.

To take advantage of the free offer, from Monday 3 November to Sunday 9 November, people just need turn up and get on board – with no need to sign up or download a ticket. The offer is open to everyone. For more information, maps, and timetables click to open in a new windowvisit Travelwest.

Since the bus route was introduced in April to provide additional transport options in an underserved area, passenger numbers have already grown by almost 50%.

Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:

“The regional authority is introducing new fare offers to help more people hop on board and try out our buses. Kids went free all summer on all our buses – 910,000 times – and now everyone can on the number 36 next week!

“With new green electric buses rolling out across the West, and more on the way, together we’re beginning to build the bus network that local people deserve.”

Councillor Ed Plowden, Chair of Bristol City Council’s Transport and Connectivity Committee, said: 

“This free travel offer provides a fantastic opportunity for residents in south Bristol to experience the benefits of our new and expanded 36 bus route, and we’re pleased to be working with the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority to promote this brilliant scheme.

“Since its launch, the 36 has already made a huge difference in connecting local communities with education, healthcare, employment and leisure opportunities. We’re committed to making bus travel a more attractive option for everyone, and this initiative is a step towards a greener, fairer transport network for Bristol.”

Rob Pymm, Commercial Director for First Bus in the West of England, said:

“We’re really pleased to continue our great partnership work with the West of England Combined Authority to support free bus travel again after the success seen in the summer. The bus is a fantastic way to get around, and we hope this initiative inspires local residents – like it did earlier this year – to hop on board and experience how easy and affordable it is to travel by bus.”  

This is the first in a series of fare offers planned across the region on buses funded by the Mayoral Combined Authority, designed to encourage more people to get the bus.

Some of the £13.5 million of Bus Grant funding secured from the UK Government’s Department for Transport by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority is funding the first year of the new 36 service, operated by First Bus. Thereafter, it will be funded by Bristol City Council using Clean Air Zone funding.

Original press release by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority