More support available for households across East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood

We are introducing a package of travel offers and extra bus gate exemptions aimed at helping people adapt to the changes being brought in by the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood trial scheme, which is being installed across Barton Hill and parts of Redfield and St George.

Travel offers of up to £100 are open to all over 18-year-olds who live, work or study in Bristol, and every household within the trial area will receive an extra £100 of bus tickets through the post in the coming months. These can be used by all the family on First Bus services, including the number 16, which is launching on 6 April, and will travel from Fishponds to the centre every half hour, via St George, Barton Hill and Temple Meads.

Households within the trial area on a low income, that meet the eligibility criteria, will also be able to choose between an extra £250 of First Bus tickets, a £150 voucher to buy a refurbished bike, or a 12 month exemption to the trial’s bus gates if they need to drive for work.

Blue Badge holders, who live in trial area, will also be able to nominate a vehicle to drive through the trial’s bus gates on Avonvale Road, Marsh Lane and Pilemarsh when they go live. This will be through an annual application process that will be launching soon.

Councillor Ed Plowden, Chair of the Transport and Connectivity Committee, said: “We are continuing with the trial scheme because we know, from looking at similar initiatives, that they offer many health benefits and make local roads safer for everyone.

“Since the May local elections, we have been listening to concerns around the trial and have reflected on what support we can offer locally, especially for Disabled people and those on a low income.

“I am excited that we will soon be sending every household across the trial area an extra £100 in bus tickets and that households on a low income, that meet the criteria, will also be able to access up to £250 worth of extra travel offers. This is great timing with the number 16 bus launching in April, which will offer more ways to travel about locally and into the centre. I’d like to thank First Bus for working with us on these fantastic bus travel offers.”

We are offering one-to-one sessions to help people with journey planning, bus gate exemptions, and travel support.

Find out more about the travel offers, bus gate exemptions, and how to book a one-to-one session.

The East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood trial is being funded by the UK government through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, secured by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority. This funding is to help tackle congestion, reduce carbon emissions, and improve the environment, as well as support the growth of the local economy by connecting people to education and jobs.

First Bus is supporting the free bus ticket offers for households across East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood. The bus ticket offer does not include airport services.