Major funding announced to improve Bristol’s public transport

A new rapid bus network for Bristol will be built after the UK Department for Transport announced US$55 million funding towards the US$73 million total cost of the project. The aim is to provide better bus connections between key areas of employment, housing, retail and leisure. The network will tackle traffic congestion, help create regeneration and support new jobs and homes. The Metrobus is intended to encourage car drivers coming into Bristol to shift onto public transport. Existing bus services i
September 16, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
A new rapid bus network for Bristol will be built after the UK 1837 Department for Transport announced US$55 million funding towards the US$73 million total cost of the project.

The aim is to provide better bus connections between key areas of employment, housing, retail and leisure. The network will tackle traffic congestion, help create regeneration and support new jobs and homes.

The Metrobus is intended to encourage car drivers coming into Bristol to shift onto public transport. Existing bus services in the west of the city will also be able to use the new infrastructure with faster travel times.

The rapid transit scheme will provide a new bus service from the south west of the city to the centre along a new 2.5 mile segregated busway from the Long Ashton Park and Ride site. The dedicated busway follows former rail routes and will feature a new bridge over the Bristol to Portishead rail line. The city centre section will run on existing roads with added bus priority measures including bus lanes and upgraded junctions.

Transport Minister Baroness Kramer said: “The Bristol Metrobus will provide a step change improvement for public transport serving not just in the city itself but also surrounding communities. Buses will be able to get around quickly, travelling along dedicated busways and priority lanes around Bristol and into the city centre. The new link will stimulate economic development and link communities with jobs.”

The work will be completed in April 2016.

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