southbristolvoice April 2018 No. 30
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Metrobus accused of failing to come clean over delays EXCLUSIVE: There’s only one iPoint, and services are still months away METROBUS stands accused of not keeping the public fully informed about continued delays to the £230 million project after it emerged that: • The Ashton Vale-city centre route – expected to open around Easter – will not be ready for months; • The remaining “snags” on the Ashton Vale route in fact include installing CCTV and lighting, plus driver training and vehicle tests; • The first route to open will be to Emersons Green – but this won’t be until a vital viaduct is finished;
VOICE COMMENT
Alone: The sole iPoint on test • Only one iPoint has been built – yet 78 of the hi-tech ticketing stations are needed, one for every stop. Officially, the Emersons Green route is supposed to open in the spring, “closely followed” by the Ashton Vale route. But when quizzed, Metrobus officials say that “spring” means May or June. It sounds likely that further delays could follow,
IF METROBUS wants the public’s backing, it has to be more open with the public. Its bosses point out, rightly, that the scheme is already bringing benefits. The South Bristol Link Road and bus lane improvements are reducing journey times in the city centre and around Parson Street. But if we are not to see wheels turning on the Ashton Vale route until the summer, then come clean with us. Let us know what’s causing the hold-ups, and how long they will take. Dripping out bad news in an inconsistent way is no route to retaining public confidence. turning spring into summer. Metrobus was expected to start services on the route from Long Ashton Park & Ride to the Continued on page 6
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