Bristol Live readers have taken to our comments section to debate the recent announcement of a £90 million investment in electric buses for Bristol
(Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)
Bristol Live readers have been engaging in lively debate in our comments section following the recent announcement of a £90 million investment in electric buses for Bristol.
The Local Transport Minister has committed to ongoing discussions with Bristol and the West of England regarding the potential for a mass rapid transport system for the city, supporting the long-standing campaign to regain control of current bus services.
During a visit to South Bristol, Minister Simon Lightwood officially inaugurated the newly-refurbished Hengrove bus depot, praising the public-private partnership between the Government and First Bus that will soon introduce ‘zero emission’ electric buses on most city routes.
By year’s end, 99 new electric buses will be operating in Bristol and the West of England, including a fleet of 74 from the Hengrove depot, which covers all First buses in South Bristol and up to Cribbs Causeway.
Bristol Live first reported in April that the Government was investing £20 million in the West of England, supplementing First’s own £70 million investment. On Tuesday, Mr Lightwood visited the Hengrove depot to see how the funds have been utilised, following its conversion to accommodate and service the electric buses.
“I’m here today to open the refurbished Hengrove depot which has been electrified for a fleet of 74 zero emission buses which will serve Bristol and surrounding areas,” he announced proudly. “We invested £20 million to unlock vital investment by First Bus to deliver these vehicles which will provide that cleaner, greener transport option for people here.
“When I speak to passengers about their experience with zero emission buses they find the whole experience far superior than that of diesel buses,” he added.
One reader, 6470 writes: “So the government and Weca spent £90 million on a fleet of electric buses. How many cars do they think will be taken off the road because of this. Let me guess NONE. Again got priorities wrong the council is trying to stop cars on the street and the government spends money they have not got on something just for a headline. Where are the carrots we are having the stick.”
Junius says: “Despite the Bus Services Bill, there’s still a complete lack of clarity on whether the West of England will choose full franchising or keep to an enhanced partnership model for buses. Helen Godwin’s contribution avoided the subject. If franchising, in the past, has been rejected by WECA metro-mayors because of the absence of a tram system, the best remedy would be to get a tram system.
“Godwin avoided, once again, what kind of rapid mass transit system Bristol and the West of England should have. Reeves’ fiscal rules allows for capital borrowing to invest, in infrastructure etc., so the mayoral combined authority should submit, as priority, a funding bid for trams. This may progress city transport beyond the endless car wars arguments in BL comments.”
Mikeey12 adds: “Diesel, petrol, electric, all we want is to be able to catch a bus. For god’s sake, who cares what powers it. However 90 million means no cheap transport for the public up goes the fares.”
Webbo3 comments: “South Bristol will actually get some buses, makes a change, two 75s were cancelled yesterday, had to get an Uber to be in work on time to get the first patients in the hospital.”
Blackbeard83 believes: “Buses create a lot of pollution in this city so yeah we should care. There’s no realistic plan been proposed for trams. They cant get funding without a plan. Where will the cars go that use those roads? How much pollution will be cut? Lots. They’re cheaper to run too.”
Junius says: “The ‘red route’ has already been identified as a suitable tram route. A more elaborate plan of suitable routes can be worked out around that. Transport for Greater Bristol submitted a proposed plan to WECA some time ago. The purpose of trams is to provide a sustainable alternative to cars.”
Junius writes: “The bid of £800 million put in by the mayoral combined authority for ‘mass transit’ does not include costings for a tram system, which would be significantly more now than Nottingham’s cost over 20 years ago.
“To give an idea, Greater Manchester and Birmingham are getting respectively £2.5 billion and £2.4 billion to extend their tram networks and West Yorkshire is getting £2.1 billion for its tram network start up. The amount received by WECA, after deducting £200 million for upgrading rail infrastructure between the Brabazon industrial estate and Temple Meads, other rail improvement and whatever else relating to buses contained in the bid, leaves a pittance for trams. It may leave enough for a consultancy report on trams in an unspecified future. In terms of trams being on the ‘table’.”
Bs3bob says: “Maybe just maybe, WECA have done the sums and bus franchises won’t reduce fares and only provide a modest increase in services but instead of being able to blame the evil private companies, it’ll be on them.”
Do you think that this will be the solution to Bristol’s traffic woes? Comment below or HERE to join in the conversation.