Local bus routes play an integral part in getting students (and staff) up to campus every day. As an SU, we annually lobby the University, bus companies, and local council for good quality bus services.
You may want to pass feedback or a complaint straight to the bus companies or provide us with more evidence to lobby for change.
I would also like to encourage all students to submit their feedback both positive and negative to First Bus themselves.
Throughout the summer of 2022, SU Officers met with various senior University staff, local politicians, and First Bus company representatives to ensure that students’ concerns regarding transport is considered as a critical issue this year. We have particularly been pushing for improved active and alternative travel provision, a replacement for First’s service 22, and improved communications with students.
Specifically, in terms of University staff, Officers have raised the issue of bus provision with the Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Student Experience), Chief Operating Officer, and Director of Education & Student Services.
We further highlighted the importance of the issue by making transport one of The SU’s Top Ten priority issues this academic year. As one of our central campaigns, we are calling on the University to develop and commit to a five-year transport strategy to improve provision and find a permanent solution. We recognise this is not a new problem, but one that has affected students for years at Bath. We are asking for serious action in the form of a long-term solution. One central benefit of putting an issue on our Top Ten is that the University senior leadership team commit to working with us on the issues throughout the year – we will be having regular meetings with the University's senior management team to ensure progress across the breadth of these issues.
Our representatives work hard to be the voice of students and champion the issues that matter to you. Last year, student leaders passed a Standpoint at SUmmit to direct our stance as a Students’ Union:
“The SU believe that students should have access to an affordable, accessible, safe and reliable transport service”
On 08 November, we hosted a live panel Q&A event with with representatives from the University, First Bus, and Abus. The event was hosted by our SU President, Alexander Robinson, who put forward a range of questions to the panel members. Students in the auidence also put questions directly to the panel. Watch the full Q&A recording below or read some key points.
The main challenges to having a successful bus network for students in Bath
- The geography (e.g. hills).
- Nationwide shortage of bus drivers.
- Inflation and costs of running a bus service (including fuel costs).
- Existing infrastructure in Bath (e.g. lack of bus lanes).
- Traffic (one way systems, busyness, road works).
What happened with the 22 route?
- Due to driver shortages, First Bus could no longer support the 22 route, so Abus stepped in to take on the route but with a reduced service compared to before.
- It is acknowledged that the new 22 route is not a like-for-like service and isn't perfect.
- Abus have acknowledged the need for improvement, including better timetabling and are planning to take card as well as cash soon.