All aboard! Introducing WESTlink

THE West of England Combined Authority is trying something new.

The Big Choices public meetings I held last summer with residents talking all things buses showed me that the status quo doesn’t work. People want change.

It’s one reason why I’m introducing WESTlink, the brand-new stop-to-stop minibus service offering tailor-made journeys for locals.

The first passengers will be able to book a WESTlink from their local bus stop from April - dropping them off at another bus or train stop to continue their onward journey. WESTlink will continue to fully roll out over successive months.

I saw the first WESTlink a few weeks ago. The bright green minibus, which was taking part in testing, is one of what will eventually be a new 30-strong fleet that residents in the West of England will be able to book by phone, online or with a dedicated app.

That bus will be ready from April, with more WESTlinks to follow until we reach the first milestone of 30 full-time minibuses. the Community Pollinator Fund page on the West of England

It is all thanks to a £3 million investment my West of England Combined Authority is making.

This is a big moment for the West of England, and our local transport journey.

Similar schemes have been trialled in other areas of the country, but never on such a scale. This scheme will grow to become the biggest in the UK.

It comes hot on the heels of my decision to bring forward a £7 million package of big bus improvements, including adding more main route buses to areas where WESTlink is arriving.

Now, I’ll be frank with you – it certainly won’t be plain sailing at the start.

We’re over a dozen drivers short at present. And there are other things we need to iron out to ensure people get to the places they need to go to as easily and efficiently as possible.

Combined authority website, at bit.ly/3lHWrCs.

This year's Bee Bold Awards, to recognise good work being done to encourage pollinators are also open for entries until April 28.

The awards are open to schools, community groups and businesses across the region.

There are two categories: a Space for Nature award recognising organisations that have created gardens or pollinator spaces within workplaces and a People for Nature award for organisations involving communities, employees or customers to create places for nature elsewhere.

Last year Thornbury Orchard Group was among the winners for its management of the community orchard off Gloucester Road.

More information can be found on the WECA website at bit.ly/42GVIlN.

In the first instance, you will need to consult a bus or train timetable to check the best way to make your onward journey, whereas in the future you will be able to do that all in the app.

But I’m determined we get on with trying something innovative and something different, so I need your help.

Please play your part by trying WESTlink yourself. Tell me how it needs to change and improve. By doing so, together we can grasp this fantastic opportunity to shape our transport future for the better.