Buses in and around Bristol - merged posts

[whole diary]

[johnneyw]

It's happened before and First Bristol have warned of suspending services before.  There comes a point when the safety of both the drivers and passengers makes this necessary, if only temporarily and that point seems to have been reached unless things change very quickly and in a sustained manner.
What dismays just as much is the young age of some of the culprits.  I've witnessed (in Bristol but not in Hartcliffe) stones being thrown at buses by youths appearing not even yet to have reached their teens.

[broadgage]

I would support short prison terms for stone throwers and the like.

Much is made of the huge costs of imprisionment, and lack of space in prisons. I could run basic prisons very cheaply by eliminating most of the present costs.

A simple concrete cell with a barred window, a WC^▸ (Wiltshire Council (Unitary Authority)), a cold water tap, and a bench.
Give the prisoner a blanket and two packets of biscuits, and lock them up for from 24 to 72 hours according to the nature of the offence.
Provide an intercom or alarm button for use in case of emergency. Add 6 hours for each misuse of this.

No education, counselling, training, exercise or other facilities need be provided, it is only for up to 72 hours. No drink needed beyond the cold water tap. No food needed apart from a couple of packs of biscuits. No kitchens, workshops, classrooms, or the like are needed.
They can pray to any god, but no facilities for religous obseervance need be provided.
No visitors, therefore no need for any visiting facilities. No heating or electricity supply needed. (allow two blankets in very cold weather)

After releasing the convict, pressure wash the cell and launder the blanket. Very little else is required.

[grahame]

I wrote "and punished to the full extent of the law" and replaced it by "and brought to justice" in my post at yesterday lunchtime. "Let the punishment fit the crime" reminds me - I'm sorry - of a Victorian comic opera and is an oversimplification. Follow up needs to fit and consider the offender, the deterrence of others, the effect on other involved, the budget, the humanity and to a degree the offence. I am not saying "be soft" - rather "be effective in outcomes".

[Western Pathfinder]

In the case of Hareclive Road.
  Bristol Buses we all love you in your British Racing Green
    When we're waiting at the bus stop Seldom Heard and never Scene.

[TonyK]

It is shocking, but sadly not new, as has been pointed out. First pulled out of Inns Court at one point for very similar reasons. There have been other hotspots in the BS13 area - the spanky new bus shelters installed a few years ago were trashed long before the first bus arrived. Hareclive Road hasn't featured prominently in past times. The remedy should lie with the people who live in the area, not the powers that be, but that is far easier said than done.

[infoman]

on 8th July,some nice film footage on the local news of the bus going over the pride crossing in Wine street Bristol.

[infoman]

https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/im-not-a-bus-enthusiast-i-just-like-buses/?ct=t(B247_newsletter_180721)&mc_cid=62fd02d016&mc_eid=86ae7efe71

[Red Squirrel]

Or, to expand a little:

New Cabinet Member will move transport forward in Bristol

Councillor Don Alexander appointed by Mayor

Bristol has a new Cabinet Member to lead on delivering a better connected, sustainable transport network.

Councillor Don Alexander, Labour Ward Councillor for Avonmouth and Lawrence Weston, will take up the role of Cabinet Member for Transport immediately. 

Cllr Alexander will lead on delivering the Mayor’s vision for the city’s transport network, working closely with partners such as the One City Transport Board, First Bus, Network Rail and many others to do so. Major areas of work will include supporting the development of a regional plan for a mass transit system, overseeing a £1.783m investment in post-COVID-19 walking and cycling upgrades and supporting the decarbonising of the city’s transport systems.

Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said: “Don showed during our first term that he’s a councillor who can get things done for the community he represents. I’ve asked him to join the Cabinet to bring with him that enthusiasm and drive forward our plans to deliver better-connected communities where people have transport options that link them to opportunity.

“Transport is one of the biggest challenges the city has faced for generations. As with all big legacy issues such as this you need to be bold and plan for the long term. Whilst we’ve worked to bring partners together to view the challenge at a city level we’ve also been hard at work to ensure those systems work at a local level. We’ve agreed a successful bus deal, saved local transport routes from being removed and delivered greater connectivity by cycling and walking. Don’s role will be vital in ensuring our strategic ambitions don’t outstretch our local delivery.”

Cllr Alexander said: “I’m grateful to the Mayor for this opportunity to play a part in delivering his ambitious goals for the city’s transport systems. We’re fortunate to have so many eager and talented partners at the table to work with on delivering sustainable and inclusive transport options. I look forward to working with them and residents on turning our ideas into reality.

“As an active bus user and a supporter of our public transport services I feel I have a good sense as to the challenges communities face in trying to connect to other parts of the city. Whilst solid foundations have been laid to introduce the infrastructure and models of transport needed to make travel cleaner and more efficient, there remain challenges to ensure our transport network works as best as it can now. This includes making sure that highway maintenance is co-ordinated, that our roads and cycleways are fit for purpose and communities have a voice to help guide local interventions to keep roads safe for all.”

Source: Bristol City Council

Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees took on this role after Cllr Kye Dodd lost his seat in the recent council elections, but has now passed it on to Cllr Alexander.

[infoman]

on monday 19 july about the wearing of face masks on public transport and also doing the travel updates for the region.

[Marlburian]

I guess that most local and and national news organisations will be sending reporters down to bus and railway stations to assess the situation and produce a predictable balance of vox pops about the wearing or otherwise of face-masks.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect will be the size of the increase in numbers returning to work by public transport.

[infoman]

https://www.firstbus.co.uk/bristol-bath-and-west/news-and-service-updates/current-issues/service-cancellations-red-weather

[infoman]

being reported on BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) points west local news on Thursday morning.

Didn't know anything about it,did any one?

Stagecoach blame the disruption due to on going covid issues.

[infoman]

on Monday 9th May,sorry, forgot to post on monday morning.

[Marlburian]

Well, that's a teaser!  Why, I wondered, so Googled: https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/stagecoach-bus-services-cancelled-bristol-7055255

[Ralph Ayres]

...and to spare anyone else having to wait for one of those infernal <Townname>Live websites complete with endless adverts and videos to load, the gist of it is:
"The transport company has issued an apology as more than 40 journeys which were scheduled to happen throughout the day have been abandoned. Stagecoach's website says that the disruption has been partly caused by staff shortages. "