This month we had hoped to be able to report that all requests for changes in April to the X91 Chew Valley Sprint and 99 Chew Valley Cat WESTlocal routes had been accepted. In reality three of our requests have been agreed and two have not, writes Jackie Head, from the Chew Valley CIC Sustainable Transport Partnership

From April X91 will be able to stop at all bus stops it passes, and change its route slightly in Bristol to enable greater use of bus lanes (with an additional drop off stop in Redcliffe).

Also from April the 99 will have an additional early evening service (from 6.30pm) on Friday and Saturday (having shown that this was wanted by 54 per cent of existing customers):

The new evening timetable for the 99 bus that will begin in April
The new evening timetable for the 99 bus that will begin in April. (X91 Chew Valley Sprint)

However, we are hugely disappointed that we are not being funded to run a Saturday service of the X91 despite showing that this was wanted by existing customers (55 per cent of these respondents wanted or strongly wanted this).

The MCA didn’t feel our business case was strong enough but they are happy to work with us to develop a proposal in time for September changes.

A final disappointment was the refusal to allow us to make use of stops at Litton and Chewton Mendip despite the fact that the 99 bus passes by these stops. The only explanation being ‘we are unable to approve serving these additional stops as they are outside the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority area’ and yet WESTlink buses, which draw on the same Bus Service Improvement Plan funding are allowed to stop there.

So, although this is a setback, the Chew Valley CIC Sustainable Transport Partnership has its eyes firmly set on making a strong business case for changes in September and ensuring the changes we have achieved draw more people on to the service.

With this in mind we will be launching a detailed survey this Spring to gather as much information as we can about your transport needs, including feedback on existing services.

Our group continues to get out and about promoting services, through interactive workshops and journey planning events across the area. On March 15 our Bus Café will be at The Waldegrave in East Harptree from 11.30am-1.30pm.

Please keep an eye on our Bus Transition in the Chew Valley Facebook group for more events going forward.

For more information contact [email protected] or visit https://thebiglemon.com/ for details of the 99 and X91 timetables.