Bristol: Airport Road, Rail & Access Issues

[TheLocalYokel]

It should prove popular. The schedule seems workable (unlike the bus schedule at my local airport) with the near 24 hour operation. The early morning departures should see the majority of the airports first flights covered.

agree with you aviador about should do well.
there is a lot of bill boards around wales about this service.
the bus service to lhr/lgw does well.as it does from bristol.its just a shame it does run. as a lot of pax from the bristol area can not get the flights they want from brs.
the same can be said from wales as well.
lets hope the service from wales to brs does well.and its given time to prove it self.
time will tell.

The Greyhound website does not make things simple to navigate if looking for the BRS service. It can be found but has to be searched for, especially the timetable, and currently will only take bookings until the end of March. So if someone wants to use it from Wales to the airport next week and return in early April they have a problem if they want to pre-book.

The airport itself, though obviously supportive of the new service as they featured it on their website along with publicity pics when it was announced, doesn't even mention it on the BRS official website under the bus and coach section of 'How to Get To The Airport'.

The Bath service that commences on 24 March doesn't appear on the BRS website either though the airport is presumably supportive as it permitted some excellent publicity shots of the green liveried double deckers on the apron alongside aircraft.

Anyone interested look at the Bath Bus Company's website - http://www.bathbuscompany.com/ - which shows the timetable and the pics mentioned above.

The service will be hourly with the first bus leaving Bath at 0300 and the last bust leaving BRS at 2330.

This means that the airport will have one 24 hours a day bus service and two others that are nearly 24 hours a day.

And now the CBI is calling on the government to fund a direct link to Bristol Airport - http://www.southwestbusiness.co.uk/news ... k-to-city/

The bus links will be all right if all the services operating or about to operate prosper though the roads aren't that brilliant with congestion not unknown in the city itself.

 

[tpm]

I had a brief look at the Bath Bus Company's website and especially their route map

which seemed a bit crazy, if not offputting (more so even than the horrible comic font on their website) - it looked like the route was going through central Bristol, but then the timetable shows that it's going via Hengrove Park after all.


Are the fares from Swansea and Cardiff regular fares or some introductory special offer? Seems very good value.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I had a brief look at the Bath Bus Company's website and especially their route map
which seemed a bit crazy, if not offputting (more so even than the horrible comic font on their website) - it looked like the route was going through central Bristol, but then the timetable shows that it's going via Hengrove Park after all.

Are the fares from Swansea and Cardiff regular fares or some introductory special offer? Seems very good value.

I don't know if the Bath bus will pick up at all regular bus stops en route or whether it's a limited stop service. I wonder too whether people could use it from, say, south Bristol to get to Bath or whether its route licence won't permit that.

Between Bath and Keynsham and on into Brislington it seems to follow the path of existing bus routes between Bath/Keynsham and Bristol before cutting across to Bishopsworth and the A38 to the airport.

I hope I'm wrong but I wonder if there will be enough custom to fulfil this ambitious hourly schedule for around 20 hours in each 24.

The Flyer at a much more intensive schedule of 10-minute frequencies for much of its time drops to hourly through the night and has the advantage of connecting with Temple Meads and the Country Bus & Coach station with through tickets. But even it is lightly loaded at times, though has standing passengers at other times, because of the peaks and troughs of the flight arrivals and departures.

As for the South Wales Greyhound it's not made clear whether the advertised fares for March are introductory ones.

 

[Aviador]

From the bus company website: "From 24th March 2013, Bath Bus Company will be operating "A4" bus service, which will travel from Bath to Bristol Airport and serve every stop along the way!"

I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

From the bus company website: "From 24th March 2013, Bath Bus Company will be operating "A4" bus service, which will travel from Bath to Bristol Airport and serve every stop along the way!"

I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

The route between Bristol and Bath is a high density bus route with about nine buses an hour in both directions for much of the day operating various routes, mainly along the A4 trunk road which the A4 bus service will follow until it branches off at the western end of Bristol. Incidentally, I don't know whether the A4 route number relates to the road or to the existing A1 and A2 routes operated by the Bristol Airport Flyer bus.

Therefore, I don't think the A4 bus will become bogged down stopping at every bus stop along the way. What it will do is afford flexibility to passengers who live along the route who want to go to the airport though they may not be that many in number, at least not all on the same bus.

Today was the first day of the new Greyhound service between South Wales and the airport. I saw one of the vehicles enter the Bristol country bus & coach station at lunchtime with 'Swansea' in its destination box. There were no passengers on board and the published timetable suggests it was running about 30 minutes late.

About half an hour later I saw another Greyhound coach entering Anchor Road by the Harbourside with 'Cardiff' in its destination box. It too was passengerless but its appearance bore no relationship to the published timetable and it was apparently heading for the A4 Portway/M49/M4, when South Wales-bound Greyhound coaches would be expected to transit the M32 northbound to service the UWE campus at Frenchay.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

The Greyhound service from South Wales has now been running for a couple of weeks and seems to be picking up some punters from what I've seen as they've passed through the middle of Bristol.

I was at the airport today when the 1400 hours service arrived. About eight passengers got off and about a dozen got on the return service to Wales.

The Bath Air Decker began yesterday and I've seen some of the buses pass through south Bristol in the middle of the day and they appear to be very lightly loaded/empty (apart from the driver). It's early days but they need to find some punters pretty quickly at their hourly frequency each way for about 20 hours each day.

Maybe the morning and evening services are busier when there are more air departures and arrivals.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

A4 Air Decker service Bath to Bristol Airport

I was in Bath today so caught the A4 from outside Bath bus station where it terminates/commences and travelled as far as Brislington. The service doubles as a local bus along its route although only a total of six passengers (including me) was on board the bus I used.

Although the buses aren't new they are well laid out with two tables between facing double seats on the top deck.

The service only started on Sunday. I chatted with the driver who told me that the start was as anticipated and the early buses (the first is at 0300 from Bath) were being used by passenger catching the early batch of flights.

This service along with the South Wales Greyhound is now advertised on the airport's website under 'getting to the airport' as well as the Flyer, 121 Bristol-Weston route and the long distance National Express coaches that call at the airport in the early hours.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

A4 Air Decker Bath-Bristol Airport

I'm frequently out and about in south Bristol and always take an interest when one of the Air Deckers drives by.

I have to say that they are often empty except for the driver.

They seem to pick up some passing trade mainly pensioners using bus passes between Bath and Newbridge/Saltford/Keynsham.

It is early days still and the busy summer is yet to come.

Return fare between Bath and the airport is £17 and a single is £11 for a 75-minute journey. Leaflet drops advertising the service have been made in my area of south Bristol, and no doubt elsewhere on the route, so it can't be said the company is not trying to advertise the service.

The snag is that it's hourly and if an incoming air passenger just misses a bus they have a long wait for the next one. They might as well get on one of the 10-minute frequency Flyer buses to Temple Meads (25 minute journey time) and take a train to Bath (11 minute journey time).

The Greyhound coaches from South Wales seem to have higher loads when I see them though often in single figures, although I did see around 15 people boarding one at the airport yesterday afternoon. These run at two-hourly intervals in the middle part of the day (hourly earlier and later) so the Flyer-train can be quicker to South Wales.

I hope that both services do succeed as it's always good to have alternative means of public transport to and from the airport but the loads surely need to pick up a bit, especially on the Bath route.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I notice that the airport now features a digital live 'real time' departure board for all bus services leaving the airport, viz the A1 and A2 Airport Flyers, the A4 Air Decker to Bath, the 100 Greyhound route to South Wales and the 121 'Buzz' operated by Bakers Dolphin to Weston-super-Mare and Bristol bus station.

The Greyhound service from/to South Wales seems to have picked up momentum and I've seen it at both the airport and in the city centre carrying 30-40 passengers on a number of occasions.

The A4 Air Decker from/to Bath operates a route that passes close to where I'm often out and about. It seems to be doing well if it carries six or seven passengers, although I never see it early in the morning or in the evening.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

[textarea]Plans in for South Bristol Link

A planning application has been submitted for the South Bristol Link, which is set to encourage more jobs and reduce congestion in the city.

Bristol City and North Somerset councils have lodged an application for the combined road and rapid transit MetroBus link.

The route will be between the A370 in Long Ashton and Cater Road roundabout in Hartcliffe. It also includes new cycle and pedestrian paths along the entire route.

The route, along with other MetroBus routes running from Ashton Vale to Temple Meads and from north Bristol to Hengrove, is designed to ease congestion.

The scheme would also make travelling to the airport easier, the councils said.

Colin Skellett, chairman of the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), said: "Our focus in the LEP is on delivering economic growth by removing obstacles. One of the most important of those is the relatively poor transport network that currently exists.[/textarea]

Full report at: http://www.insidermedia.com/insider/sou ... istol-link

It would remove the need for the journey around the traffic-logged south Bristol suburbs for traffic coming from South Wales and along the M5 from further north, but I'm not sure of the position of the Airport Flyer.

It currently travels through the busy Bedminster suburb and does drop off and pick up passengers there, especially staff members.

A re-routing arund the proposed MetroBus link (as has previously been suggested might be the case) would take it away from Bedminster.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

[textarea]Transport scheme will improve Airport journey

Bristol City and North Somerset Councils have submitted a planning application for the South Bristol Link. Consultation on the combined road and rapid transit bus route between the A370 in Long Ashton and Hengrove Park is now underway and runs until 21 August.

While the primary aim is to attract more investment into South Bristol, it will also improve access to Bristol Airport, cutting traffic on rural roads and reducing public transport journey times. As part of the Section 106 Agreement linked to planning approval for development of facilities to handle 10 million passengers per annum, Bristol Airport will contribute around £3.4 million to the scheme.

Airport users wishing to find out more and have their say are encouraged to submit comments at http://www.n-somerset.gov.uk and http://www.bristol.gov.uk.[/textarea]

The airport has issued a press release on the subject of my previous post: http://www.bristolairport.co.uk/media-c ... -link.aspx

The airport expansion s 106 payments will be pumping a sizeable amount into local traffic schemes.

Just need to get some of the airport building enhancements started now.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

[textarea]Timetable improvements to be introduced on Bristol Airport Flyer

Buses will run every eight minutes at peak times

Timetable changes to be introduced from 1 September will increase the frequency of the Bristol Airport Flyer service, with buses running every eight minutes at peak times.

The express bus service operates round-the-clock between the Airport and Bristol city centre, including stops at Temple Meads and Bristol Bus Station. However, under the current timetable, some city centre stops are only served every 20 minutes at peak, and the existence of two different routes can create confusion for passengers.

Under the new timetable, which comes into force from the beginning of next month, the Flyer will operate a circular route around the city centre taking the existing route to Temple Meads before travelling to Bristol Bus Station via Temple Way and Newfoundland Street. From the Bus Station the service will return to Temple Meads via Rupert Street, Colston Avenue, Baldwin Street and Victoria Street before heading on to the Airport along the existing route.

This single, high-frequency service will mean that buses can operate at higher frequency, reducing journey times to and from the Airport and better serving key transport hubs, attractions and hotels along the route. Several new stops have also been added as part of the update.

The simplified service will be particularly beneficial for inbound visitors who will be able to board the Flyer for their return journey from the stop at which they alighted. Although the revised timetable will mean that Clifton is no longer served, a range of through ticketing options will be available to link with onward transport across Bristol and beyond.

The latest enhancements build on the improvements made to the service in April 2012, when 24 hour operation was introduced. Since then, more than 900,000 passengers have used the Flyer to get to or from Bristol Airport.[/textarea]
BRS press release: http://www.bristolairport.co.uk/media-c ... table.aspx

It should be simpler for passengers to use. The alternate A1 and A2 routes from the airport that currently exist can be confusing to non-regular travellers.

The down side is that the edge of Clifton will no longer be served.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Bus-serv ... z2dO6D0GsY

Yet another new bus service to call at the airport to go with the Bath Air Decker, the South Wales Greyhound, the Bristol-Weston 121 and the increased frequency Flyer (every eight minutes).

This one though is purely for the local villages. It will operate a circular route every hour Mon to Sat from 0530 till 1830.

I'm not sure that many will use it to access the airport.

 

[superking]

Sounds ok this service, but will local people use it.For many years people have parked cars in villages and got a taxi or what ever means to get to airport after parking cars where ever and leaving it there till they get back. i know redhill has had many problems over the years with cars parked for the duration of holiday etc.
I can see this happening a lot more. hope it works. will have to watch this space for cars parked ever where.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Having been raised in the villages of Wrington and Redhill but moved away when I was 20 (in the 1960s), I know the Wrington Vale, Chew Valley and Mendip areas intimately.

Although I've had one serious health scare in recent years I've been lucky to have maintained general fitness and I do a lot of serious walking in the area now - anything up to 15 miles a day (it's the one way I've found to keep my weight down to something approximating to the recommended BMI Index whilst not having to indulge in disagreeable dieting).

I use the bus a lot for this purpose, including the Airport Flyer and the Bath Air Decker (they both permit the use of pensioners' cards), as it means I can do linear walks without the need to return to my starting point or worry about leaving the car in remote areas or further clogging up village streets. I've noticed that the Flyer seems to be carrying more and more passengers over the past two or three years although the Bath Air Decker never seems busy - the most I've experienced to or from the airport on this service were 14 passengers.

The 121 Bristol-Weston 'village tour' tends to be busier between Winscombe and Weston than it does on the northern section of its route. When I've used it (frequently) most journeys don't see anyone getting on or off at the airport, and when they do it's never more than one person or a couple, although yesterday afternoon was an exception when five women got off the bus from Weston at the airport.

The main purpose of the new local circular routed bus seems to be to link into the X1 Bristol-Weston on the A 370 and the 121 Bristol-Weston on the A 38 so I can't see much airport traffic emanating. I'll probably use it because it gives me more walking options but how well used it will become remains to be seen.

 

[Aviador]

Bristol Airport has said the "A38 currently closed North of Bristol Airport due to an accident. Please allow extra time for your journey."

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Road now open.

I was at Bristol's main railway station (Temple Meads) this afternoon and the taxis were doing a roaring trade. A bus inspector was advising passengers that the road was closed and Flyer buses could not get through but suggested that people group together and go by taxi via some secondary roads.

During the few minutes I was there lots of people went off in taxis in groups.

I don't know what happened about the South Wales Greyhound coaches or the Bath Air Deckers.

Road access to BRS is not easy at the best of times with the A38 the main conduit to the airport. There are secondary routes, mainly country lanes, but it's necessary to have a good local knowledge. I suspect that sat navs might not be the complete answer for strangers either.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

[textarea]Bus route to Bristol saved

First has teamed up with North Somerset Council to save the 121 service which was under threat last month when Bakers Dolphin scaled back its operations.

The route connects Weston, Winscombe, Sandford, Churchill and Wrington and news of Bakers Dolphin’s decision to terminate its contract was met with dismay by many living in the area.

The revised timetable will see the 121 service operated by First leave Marine Parade for Bristol Bus Station every two hours.

Shorter journeys to Wrington have been axed but two evening services between Weston and Bristol Airport have been agreed, while Bakers Dolphin will run the 121 service on Sundays and Bank Holidays.[/textarea]

Full report at: http://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/news/ ... _1_2809585

So although the overall frequency between Bristol and Weston-super-Mare remains the same there have been reductions on the previously expanded Weston-Wrington section but additions on the Weston-BRS section in the evening.

For anyone not familiar with the area this service is a niche one around villages. The main X services between Bristol and Weston operate at high frequency along a different route that does not go near the airport.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

New route A2 bus service

From next week the new circular bus service linking the airport with surrounding towns and villages will commence. The details are as follows, taken from the First website.

The service will be free until 27 December.

*** NEW *** Service A2 'Link' (Yatton - Nailsea): Having worked in partnership with North Somerset Council, First will be operating a new Service A2 from 4 November. The route, which has been designed to enhance links for commuters in North Somerset, will provide much needed links between Yatton, Nailsea & Backwell Railway stations and First's current commercial network of services.

Specifically Service A2 buses will operate hourly during the peak periods (Monday - Friday) linking Nailsea and Yatton and travelling via Backwell, Brockley Combe, Bristol Airport, Langford, Congresbury and Claverham. Departure times have been designed to suit shift patterns for workers at Bristol Airport and students studying at Langford College. There will be a limited number of off peak Monday - Friday journeys too.

Most notably, to help establish the route and encourage people to use it, all travel on Service A2 will be free for all passengers up until 27 December.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

[textarea]Bristol Airport welcomes approval of South Bristol link

Commenting on the approval of the planning application for the South Bristol Link by Bristol City Council (27 November) and North Somerset Council (7 November), Robert Sinclair, Chief Executive Officer at Bristol Airport, said:

“A successful airport, like a successful city-region, needs to be accessible, with good public transport links. The South Bristol Link will enable us to deliver high quality, efficient and reliable surface access to Bristol Airport, enhancing existing services, making airport jobs easier to access and allowing the airport to deliver its full potential for the West of England.

“Alongside improvements to airport infrastructure such as the construction of a new £6.5m central walkway which will open next summer, approval of the South Bristol Link is a clear signal to passengers and airlines that Bristol Airport is committed to enhancing all stages of the customer journey.”

The Flyer Express bus service which operates every eight minutes at peak between Bristol Airport and Bristol city centre and carried over 700,000 passengers last year will be more efficient and reliable using the South Bristol Link. Passengers travelling by car from the north, east and west will also benefit from reduced congestion and delays en route to the Airport, removing traffic from unsuitable rural roads in the process.

Bristol Airport has committed to contribute up to £4.1m to the scheme, which is expected to be completed in winter 2016.[/textarea]
This is an airport press release at: http://www.bristolairport.co.uk/media-c ... -link.aspx

With the Flyer currently using the congested Bedminster streets where a significant number of passengers are picked up and dropped off it will mean that a switch to the new Link will lose this facility.

I remember that when it started nearly 15 years ago the Flyer went from Temple Meads to the airport via the Three Lamps, The Bush and St John's Lane, picking up and dropping off very few passengers in this section, albeit overall airport and Flyer passenger numbers were much lower than is now the case.