Description of the scheme
This major scheme comprises a significant investment in ten corridors across the Greater Bristol area to deliver substantial improvements in the quality of bus services. These ten corridors serve a much wider network of bus services with 70 different services benefiting from the GBBN improvements. Due to the cross boundary nature of this project the scheme is being promoted by the four councils of Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol City, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, working with bus operator First. Generically the scheme can be defined as a 'bus showcase' network comprising a range of measures that will improve the speed, reliability, comfort and image of conventional bus travel across the Greater Bristol area. It will complement two bus showcase routes that have already been taken forward: the north-south 76 and 77 services along the A38 showcase corridor between Henbury and Hartcliffe which was completed in December 2003 and the east-west A420 corridor which will be completed in 2007/08.
In summary, the scheme comprises:
Bus priority measures along each of the 10 identified corridors such that the impact of traffic congestion on bus travel times and reliability can be reduced, delivered in a way that does not have an adverse effect on travel conditions for other road users
The provision of new fully accessible low-floor buses on the core routes serving the GBBN corridors
The provision of improved service frequencies and new bus routes, where demand potential is at its greatest
The provision of significantly improved passenger facilities at bus stops, including new shelters, raised kerbs and, at the most heavily used stops, real time passenger information
The provision of improved passenger information in conjunction with the extension of the existing Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) system
Objectives of the scheme
The GBBN scheme is an integral part of the Joint Local Transport Plan (JLTP) and as such its aims are to support the Plan's bus strategy in:
Increasing the number of bus passengers
Increasing satisfaction with bus services
Improving bus reliability and punctuality and reducing journey times
Increasing the percentage of the population within 45 minutes journey time by bus from the major centres of Bath, Bristol, Cribbs Causeway, the North Fringe and Weston-super-Mare
The scheme will also assist in the achievement of the broader JLTP targets including those around accessibility, road safety, congestion and air quality whilst promoting social inclusion.
Scheme cost
The total cost of the scheme is £69.8 million, comprising:
Department for Transport - £42.3m
First Group - £20m
Local authority contributions - £1.8m
Developer contributions - £5.7m
Programme key milestones
The Major Scheme Business Case (MSBC) for the GBBN scheme was first submitted to the DfT in July 2005. In summer 2006 the DfT awarded the scheme programme entry which is an agreement in
principle to fund the scheme. Since this time the MSBC has been revisited and was submitted to the DfT for full approval in March 2007. The scheme was given Full Approval by the DfT in May 2008.