First and Abus join forces

First and Abus are to begin operating a new network of buses between Nailsea and Bristol on 23 August. The new services follow an investment by North Somerset Council using the Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF). A consultation with local residents was held in February and then local bus operators were invited to submit their proposals for how they would improve bus services.

Services X8 and X9 will now operate between Nailsea and Bristol only, with a combined frequency of every 15 minutes into the city centre. Service X8 will operate via Backwell and the Long Ashton bypass, whereas service X9 will operate via Wraxall and Long Ashton. Wraxall will have a bus every 30 minutes, a significant increase for the village and very much sought after by local residents. Service A2 will be extended to Clevedon and Portishead, with buses alternating between the two destinations. This replaces service X8 in these areas and provides Clevedon and Portishead with a bus link to Bristol Airport for the first time. Late evening journeys have also been introduced on the service X8 between Nailsea and Bristol. First is offering free travel after midnight for the first two weeks of the new timetable.