RESIDENTS are being urged to have their say in a consultation which could shape the future of the region’s bus services.
A consultation on the West of England Combined Authority’s new Bus Plan runs until May 10, and is being promoted as “a chance for everyone in the West to help shape improvements across the region”.
Metro Mayor Helen Godwin, who launched the consultation, said: “We want to help more people across our region to get home sooner, get out into nature more, and explore the best the West has to offer, rather than being stuck waiting for a bus or in traffic.
“Residents, businesses, bus users, and people who don’t get the bus too, can have their say about what matters most, to help shape improvements for our buses, as we build a transport network that people can trust.”
National research by the Urban Transport Group recently found that bus passenger numbers in the West of England grew by the second fastest rate in the country between 2024 and 2025 – with a 6 per cent rise, compared to the English average increase of 1 per cent.
People can have a say online at haveyoursaywest.co.uk/betterbuses, or you can call 0117 428 6210 or write to FREEPOST West of England Combined Authority.
The survey is running as South Gloucestershire Council’s cabinet member for infrastructure Chris Willmore warns that Donald Trump’s war with Iran is ‘messing up’ the future of bus services in the region.
Cllr Willmore told a cabinet meeting in April that the surge in fuel prices caused by the Middle East war was coming as bus operators were bidding for routes subsidised by the WECA, which means the cost of keeping supported bus services on the road will also be higher.
• More than half of the public supports North Somerset joining WECA, a consultation found. Adding the area to the mayoral group of councils was backed by 56.7% of the 1,273 who responded, with 37.6% against.