News / East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood
Residents in liveable neighbourhood trial area to receive up to £350 of free bus tickets
Every household within the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood trial area will be receiving £100 of bus tickets in the coming months.
Eligible households on a low income will also be able to choose between an extra £250 of bus tickets, a £150 voucher to buy a refurbished bicycle or a 12-month exemption to the trial’s bus gates if they need to drive for work.
And Blue Badge holders who live within the trial area – made up of Barton Hill, Redfield and St George – will be able to nominate a vehicle to drive through the new bus gates on Avonvale Road, Marsh Lane and Pile Marsh if they are eventually installed.
Ed Plowden, chair of Bristol City Council’s transport & connectivity committee, said: “We are continuing with the trial scheme because we know from looking at similar initiatives that they offer many health benefits and make local roads safer for everyone.
“Since the May local elections, we have been listening to concerns around the trial and have reflected on what support we can offer locally, especially for disabled people and those on a low income.
“I am excited that we will soon be sending every household across the trial area an extra £100 in bus tickets and that households on a low income, that meet the criteria, will also be able to access up to £250 worth of extra travel offers.
“This is great timing with the number 16 bus launching in April, which will offer more ways to travel about locally and into the centre.
“I’d like to thank First Bus for working with us on these fantastic bus travel offers.”
A bus gate is due to be installed on Marsh Lane in Barton Hill – image: Bristol City Council
But the payments have already been described as a “bribe” to unhappy residents by a vocal number of people who want to see the controversial scheme scrapped.
Writing on Facebook, Grant Hudson said: “Millions spent to put the UNWANTED liveable neighbourhoods in, and now you’re spending more to BRIBE the locals you’ve screwed over!
“Spending and supporting your mates is all you do Bristol City Council!
“Stop wasting our council tax on frivolous things and bribes like this and start fixing the stuff that is actually broken!”
Karen Green added: “Surely all these ‘adjustments’ being made are going to create a whole level of bureaucratic administration that will make it unviable.
“I just wish rather than push through with Labour’s flawed plans the Greens would take a longer look at it and talk to the people it affects.”
Bristol City Council say First Bus “is supporting” the free bus ticket offers, with the East Bristol Liveable Neighbourhood trial funded by the government through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement secured by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.
Main photo: Martin Booth
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