A new solution to our bus crisis

LAST year I held scores of mayor events across the West of England to meet thousands of local people face-to-face to discuss buses.

For me, this was all about listening. It quickly became clear the severe bus driver shortage nationally is impacting hard locally.

For the individuals and communities hit by route changes or cuts, this is a very big deal.

The old ways don’t work. It needs new and innovative solutions as soon as possible.

I am proud to announce that a fleet of green minibuses called WEST link will form a new ‘on-demand’ service within the West of England, starting this summer.

Passengers in designated zones will be able hail a ‘WEST link’ minibus by using an app on your smartphone, visiting a website or by phoning up.

Unlike traditional buses, WEST link will be unrestricted by a timetable. Instead, clever tech will use algorithms to link up several people’s needs, combining them into one trip as efficiently as possible.

The 7am to 7pm Monday-Saturday service will cover much of North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and parts of Bristol including Windmill Hill, Knowle, Brislington and St Anne’s. Within this overall area, there will be local zones. Passengers will be able to use a WEST link minibus in their local zone to get to key transport corridors to then pick up another bus or train.

Vitally, using more minibuses will help address the acute bus driver shortage. How? Well, it’s easier and quicker to train to drive a smaller vehicle and for most people, it is far less daunting!

It also allows drivers already qualified to get behind the wheel of large double-deckers to focus on the busy routes. On demand minibuses also better meet the needs of our more remote or isolated communities.

You have been telling me the status quo hasn’t been working and that unrelia- ble buses cannot be tolerated.

You have said things must improve to help you get to where you need to travel and to meet our vitally important and ambitious 2030 Net Zero targets.

I agree – so there will be changes.

Change is hard: it’s disruptive and takes time.

I, my staff, and the bus companies, will have to learn lessons as we work hard to put things right. Please play your part by trying WEST link, so we can grab this positive opportunity to shape our transport future for the better.

n WHAT’S ON IN OUR AREA

February 2 n SPEAKER MORNING, Lincombe Barn. Sort It Suez, with Andy Paterson and Hugo Jacobs. Coffee from 10.15am, talk 10.45-11.45am. Talk £2.50. Coffee extra.

February 8 n WILD WOMEN, Hillfields Library, 7-9pm. Group open to women of all ages, free of charge. For more information contact hillfieldswildwomen@gmail.com.

February 14 n MINI EXPLORERS at Hillfields Library, Summerleaze, Hillfields, 10-11am. Free playgroup for pre-school children aged two to four - siblings also welcome. Songs, activities and nature-based crafts, drinks and biscuits. No need to book. Email hillfieldscommunitygarden@gmail.com for more details.

February 18 n CARE FOR YOUR PARK GROUP, Hillfields Park, 10.30am-noon. Friendly volunteer group to help look after the garden. No tools or experience needed - volunteers of all ages welcome. Open to all, with activities for children. Email hillfieldscommunitygarden@gmail.com for more details.

Regular Events

Monday n BARTON HILL RFC CHARITY CAFE, Duncombe Lane, Speedwell, from noon until n WELCOME SPACE at Hillfields Library, Summerleaze, Hillfields 12.15-6pm. Open to all, with free hot drinks, food, newspapers and magazines, games, information on support services and after-school homework club. Every Monday until April.

3pm. Food and drink, bargain donated goods, friendly and welcoming place to meet, staffed entirely by volunteers raising money for charity.

Tuesday n PHOENIX ART CLUB meets on Tuesdays at Stapleton Church Hall, Park Road, from 10am to midday. n TAI CHI Downend Folk House, Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road, BS16 2RW. A gentle introduction to Tai Chi - a relaxing peaceful art, recognised for increasing health and vitality of mind and body. These weekly classes will offer beginners the opportunity to learn Qi Gong and traditional Yang Style Tai Chi. Suitable for most abilities.

Tuesday 7.30-8.30 - starting February 7th. All welcome £7 per class or £35 for 6 classes. Contact Georgina Green on 07845 748568 or georginagreen@mindfultaaichi.org.uk

Wednesday n BARTON HILL RFC CHARITY CAFE, Duncombe Lane, Speedwell, from noon until 3pm. Food and drink, bargain donated goods, friendly and welcoming place to meet, staffed entirely by volunteers raising money for charity. n DOWNEND FLOWER ARRANGING CLUB meets at 7.30pm on the first and third Wednesday of each month from September to June, at Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road, Downend. Call Genise on 0777 245 1217. n BRISTOL SCRABBLE CLUB meets every Wednesday evening at 7pm until 10pm at Filton Community Centre, Elm Park, Filton BS34 7PS. New members welcome- first visit free so come along and give us a try. For further information contact Sheila on 01179570792 or 07435316458 or email shinett@blueyonder.co.uk

Friday n EASTVILLE PARK FOODCLUB OPEN FOR COLLECTIONS, every Friday 121.30pm. To enquire about membership, email eastvilleparkfoodclub@gmail.com or call 07591 748548. n FRIENDS OF HILLFIELDS LIBRARY Silver Explorers social group for retired people living in Hillfields. Weekly group running until April, 10am-noon. Activities include talks, music, crafts and history. Free tea and coffee. More information at friendsofhillfieldslibrary@gmail. com or friends' Facebook page.

Saturday n LU LIFE CHURCH 'SHARED SPACES', Fishponds Old Library, Fishponds Road. Every 3rd Saturday of the month, 2-3pm. Singing, dancing and drumming. All welcome. For more details email LULifeChurch@gmail.com or call Rev P on 0750 839 0298.

Quarry House in Fishponds offers safe and nurturing care

We are now enabling close contact visits in the home, every resident is able to have an essential care giver, and there is no isolation required for new residents from the community. We still have a varied activity schedule which keeps life interesting and happy.

We also ensure:

• Strict Infection Control measures approved by Public Health England are fully implemented

• Care staff wear PPE at all times and we have ensured a high volume of supply

• Skilled nurses are on site 24/7 and respiratory equipment is at hand

• Safe face-to-face visits where possible