Nearly 700 teenagers aged 16 and 17 in Bristol are not in education, employment or trainingA general image of a bus in Bristol(Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)

Bristol Live readers are debating claims that poor bus services and a lack of opportunities from employers are leaving thousands of the city’s young people without work or training.

Figures show almost 700 teenagers aged 16 and 17 in Bristol are not in education, training or work, while more than 2,200 young adults aged 18 to 24 are claiming unemployment benefits. The highest numbers are in deprived areas such as Hartcliffe, Lawrence Weston and Knowle West, where transport links and job options are limited.

Jane Taylor, the council’s head of employment, skills and lifelong learning, said: “We’ve got the perennial issue of transport in this city, which is expensive and inconsistent. Many young people lack the confidence to travel outside of their immediate locality. Work experience is really key, and we’ve got a really important role here in the council to contribute to that and talk to other employers about showing them the way.”

Councillors were told that while investment has gone into bus services, unreliability remains an issue, especially compared with London’s regulated system. Services are now set for more disruption later this month as First Bus drivers plan nine days of strike action in a pay dispute.

Labour councillor Kerry Bailes said: “We fight to get our children a decent education. It costs us a lot of money, time and energy, and it’s really draining. Then when they finally leave school, there’s nothing. There’s this big void, there’s no jobs, there’s a lack of opportunities.”

The M1 metrobus route could be extended into Hartcliffe next year, improving access to the city centre and north Bristol, while the council continues to provide training for some young people on how to use public transport independently.

Commenter Oldgreg13 says: “Whilst the bus service in Bristol may be poor, it’s better now than at any other point. Feeble excuse.”

Bs3bob agrees: “Oh come off it. Blaming the bus network for kids in certain areas being layabouts is laughable. As with most problems in society when it comes to younger people, the problem lies squarely with their parents. Either through a bad example, or even worse some parents just don’t give two figs as long as they don’t personally annoy them.”

Pioneer2508 adds: “Biggest load of rubbish I’ve ever heard. The 16/17yr olds get around quite easily on public transport on a weekend when they go down town and have been using buses all on their own well enough during these summer holidays. What it actually is, is just another excuse for a generation to blame others for their failings and not take some personal pride in themselves.”

BigglesofBristol101 writes: “Service 75 and 76 are so reliable and frequent compared to some parts of Bristol, also kids can walk or cycle unless they have a disability. Before I became a full-time carer I used to walk to the other side of Bristol for work, then got myself a bike and used to cycle.”

Redcoat thinks: “The bus service in Bristol is not good enough, the buses need to be pleasant enough that people choose them before using a car. 76 and 75 have always been fairly regular, but to get to the other end of the city takes nearly 2 hours. If you’ve got a disability then you might not be able to drive, and you can no longer get a taxi or free bus pass on the back of a disability. The buses need to be better.”

Terryst agrees: “Many bus users, as a whole, have difficulty in getting where they want to, due to such poor bus service. I live in Downend, South Gloucestershire & since the pandemic we have not had a bus service running between Fishponds & Yate. We used to have 2 major bus services. Another bus company should take over the routes & prove to First where they went wrong in our area.”

Asmodeus asks: “Where is the metro-mayor and mayoral combined authority on this, as the metro-mayor has responsibility and funding for post school training, work experience and so on? Hartcliffe is to receive £20 million government- that is tax payer- funding as a ‘trailblazer neighbourhood’, so it might give significant thought on how to to help its deprived youth into work experience or employment opportunities. This age range would get subsidised bus travel as students and there is always bus franchising for areas genuinely suffering inadequate bus services.”

Do you think poor bus services in Bristol are stopping young people from getting jobs? Have your say in the comments.