Better buses for Portishead

People living in Portishead will enjoy better and more frequent bus links when timetables change later this month.

From Sunday, March  24, the new X2 and X3 service will replace the existing 357, 358 and 359 services with buses every 15 minutes between Portishead and Bristol city centre.

The new service, which will run two routes around Portishead serving the Nore Road and Village Quarter loops, will be ideal for commuters and anyone wanting to visit Bristol throughout the day.

The X2 and X3 will also serve Pill and Abbotts Leigh every half hour.

The 66 hopper service which already provides links to Clevedon, Nailsea and local attractions, will also have more stops in Portishead. 

It will serve Brampton Way for the first time and provide useful links for the X2 and X3 services.

The X23 route is also being extended and will provide an evening and Sunday service to Newfoundland Way for the first time.

The new services come in response to requests to North Somerset Council and local bus operators from the community to improve bus links in and around Portishead.

Cllr Elfan Ap Rees who has executive responsibility for highways and transport said: "These new services mean people living in Portishead will have improved bus links to Bristol, Clevedon, Nailsea and the surrounding area.  

"The daily car commute is a big headache for many Portishead residents so the new X2 and X3 Bristol service which will run every 15 minutes could be a useful option for commuters wanting to leave their cars at home, reduce their running costs and travel to work without any hassle."

Information about the new timetables is going up on all Portishead bus stops and buses this week. 

Plus anyone wanting to find out more can come along to special drop-in sessions at Portishead Library on:

• Saturday, March 9 10am-1pm; and
• Wednesday, March 13 9.30am-12.30pm and 2-4.30pm.

North Somerset Council and bus operator staff will be available at the sessions to answer questions about the new services.

The improved Portishead bus services are part of the council's two-year Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) programme which is improving public transport links in and around North Somerset for anyone travelling to work, school or training.  

The aim is that LSTF funded services will become financially viable during the next two years ensuring their long term future