Bus operator pulls out of several routes

Operator Transpora Group has withdrawn from running some services

A bus operator has pulled out of running several routes in Bristol and Gloucestershire over financial difficulties.

Three Bristol bus routes are no longer running after the London-based operator Transpora Group decided to immediately cease services.

Gloucestershire County Council said it is providing emergency cover for the number 60 service between Dusley, Thornbury and Wotton-under-Edge.

Bus operators Stagecoach and the Big Lemon have also offered to take on several routes in Bristol, including the reinstated 23 service from Broadmead to Ashton Vale.

In Bristol, services 90, 925 and N2 are currently not running.

In a statement, a spokesperson from Transpora said the company had decided to exit the Bristol market with "immediate affect" due to "a number of factors such as rising costs" and "lack of funding for smaller operators".

The spokesperson added that other parts of the Transpora business are not affected.

The company had previously been praised by local councillors and community groups for saving a number of bus routes, after some were cut by First Bus.

The operator recently started its own number 90 from Hengrove Park through Knowle West to Broadmead.

It also ran the 23 bus from Broadmead to Ashton Vale a year after it was cancelled.

Routes being covered

Since Transpora stopped its services in Bristol, Stagecoach and the Big Lemon have stepped in to take over some services.

Stagecoach is now operating the Monday to Sunday service 25 between the City Centre and Fishponds via St Werburghs & St Pauls on a commercial basis.

In a statement, Stagecoach announced it will also operate the Monday to Saturday service 60 between Dursley and Thornbury via Wotten-under-Edge and Charfield.

Gloucestershire County Council told passengers they will have a continued bus provision, with Stagecoach taking over the 60 service until 31 August 2024, when a full procurement will take place.

Bus Operator the Big Lemon has also agreed to operate the X10, 25, 60, 291 and Arthur David staff buses in Bristol.

The West of England Metro Mayor, Dan Norris MP, said officers are working to restore services.

"I'm aware some Transpora services have been suspended and my officers are working on arrangements to ensure that as many services as possible run normally, and passengers are affected as little as possible", he said.