'Appalling' decision to axe Oldbury Court bus service

17 route to Southmead Hospital, Kingswood and Keynsham will be cut back after losing a subsidy from councils made via the West of England Combined Authority - although First has confirmed daytime services will continue, with a "revised timetable to improve punctuality".

First says it is axing the 47, less than six months after it was introduced, due to "low passenger numbers" and says the 48, 48a and 49 are "nearby alternatives".

But resident Lori Streich, who organised a petition and public meeting last year to protest over the axing of the 5, said the service was "very well used" in Oldbury Court and was often full.

Lori said: "It's appalling - having cut one service, the replacement is going, too.

"Stapleton is already cut off, and removing the 47 will cut Oldbury Court off completely.

"It's a long way from Gill Avenue to Fishponds Road for people who are older, disabled, or with small children."

"First and WECA need to pay attention to this."

Frome Vale ward city councillor Lesley Alexander said: "I am appalled that this service is being withdrawn already.

"It will leave some vulnerable people without the means to get to work, see the doctor and a host of other things.

"I am very disappointed. I will continue to press for this service to be reinstated as soon as possible."

Metro Mayor Dan Norris said the increase in services on Fishponds Road meant residents could “turn up and go”without needing to check a timetable.

A month before announcing it was cutting the route that runs a stone's throw from their school, First took pupils from Frome Vale Academy on a bus tour of Bristol

Across the region £7 million from WECA's Bus Service Improvement Plan, awarded by the government, is being spent to improve commercial services.

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