Westlink - Demand Responsive Transport (West of England Combined Authority)

[Callum15632]

Probably not being removed because it hasn't been deregistered, it's just that the other zones are new and th thus they are the only ones needing to be registered.

Will they be shortening the Future Transport Zone then?

 

[Citistar]

From looking at the WECA registrations published today, it looks like FTZ stays. The registrations are for the following 'routes': Boyd Valley, Bristol South, Future Transport Zone, Portishead, Thornbury Rural, Weston, and Yate & Thornbury Town.

Info taken from https://travelwest.info/bus/registrations/register-of-local-bus-services-applications/

Boyd Valley?

 

[Dai Corner]

Boyd Valley?

The River Boyd rises near Dodington and flows via Wick to the Avon near Bitton

River Boyd - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Citistar]

The River Boyd rises near Dodington and flows via Wick to the Avon near Bitton

River Boyd - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Well, we learn something new every day. Having spent my whole life around these parts, i've never heard that description used before!

 

[NorthOxonian]

The River Boyd rises near Dodington and flows via Wick to the Avon near Bitton

River Boyd - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

It's also a ward of South Gloucestershire Council - covering roughly the area you'd expect (including Wick, Marshfield, Pucklechurch, Westerleigh, and Tormarton, though not Bitton). It's a reasonable short hand for the rural bits of that authority south of Yate and east of Kingswood's sprawl.

 

[Dai Corner]

Well, we learn something new every day. Having spent my whole life around these parts, i've never heard that description used before!

I lived in and worked in what's now the WECA area for thirty years and never heard of it either.

It's also a ward of South Gloucestershire Council - covering roughly the area you'd expect (including Wick, Marshfield, Pucklechurch, Westerleigh, and Tormarton, though not Bitton). It's a reasonable short hand for the rural bits of that authority south of Yate and east of Kingswood's sprawl.

So you won't be able to get the bus to the shops and other amenities in Yate, Kingswood or Bitton?

 

[NorthOxonian]

So you won't be able to get the bus to the shops and other amenities in Yate, Kingswood or Bitton?

The boundaries aren't confirmed and might not be exactly the same as Boyd Valley ward - I probably should have made that clearer! The rural part of the service will probably cover that sort of area but the final zone will likely include destinations such as Yate, Bitton, and perhaps Keynsham (currently in both North/South and adjacent to the Boyd Valley area) - but we won't know for certain until these changes are properly announced.

 

[Callum15632]

The boundaries aren't confirmed and might not be exactly the same as Boyd Valley ward - I probably should have made that clearer! The rural part of the service will probably cover that sort of area but the final zone will likely include destinations such as Yate, Bitton, and perhaps Keynsham (currently in both North/South and adjacent to the Boyd Valley area) - but we won't know for certain until these changes are properly announced.

Will the Future Transport Zone stay? I hope it does!

 

[-Colly405-]

Will the Future Transport Zone stay? I hope it does!

Yes. If you look here... https://travelwest.info/bus/registrations/register-of-local-bus-services/
E-Zec has 7 'routes' listed with start dates of 7/4/24 -
PH2062102/01010004/0 E-Zec Medical Transport Services Ltd Future Transport Zone
PH2062102/01010010/0 E-Zec Medical Transport Services Ltd Bristol South
PH2062102/01010005/0 E-Zec Medical Transport Services Ltd Yate and Thornbury Town Zone
PH2062102/01010006/0 E-Zec Medical Transport Services Ltd Boyd Valley
PH2062102/01010007/0 E-Zec Medical Transport Services Ltd Portishead
PH2062102/01010008/0 E-Zec Medical Transport Services Ltd Thornbury Rural
PH2062102/01010009/0 E-Zec Medical Transport Services Ltd Weston

It looks as though registrations 001-003 are the existing zones, with everything starting again form this April with 004-010 as the new zones. I' presuming that 001-003 will be cancelled in due course.

 

[Citistar]

One would assume there are further registrations coming for Somer Valley, Chew Valley and other parts of North Somerset? Unless these are being amended to from the original registrations, but that seems a cumbersome way of doing it. Either way, it does seem to represent a significant need for some of these areas to have fixed bus services reinstated in order for Westlink to link to them and there is now no mechanism for that to happen until September. Another slab of sour WECA Fudge seems to be in the making.

 

[Callum15632]

North Somerset's on-demand bus service to become more reliable for passengers

Since it started, more than 110,000 trips have been made by people travelling on WESTlink.

www.thewestonmercury.co.uk

There is going to be 13 Shared Zones and 8 small zones from April 7th.

 

[Marcus Fryer]

Bus service changes April 2025 - WEST

Planned bus service changes to routes operating within the West of England area from 6 April 2025. List of service changes Last updated 27 February 2025. Please note this list may still be subject to change. Please use the search function on the top to search for your service – if your service...

travelwest.info

https://travelwest.info/app/uploads/2024/03/Westlink-Zones-April-2024.png

​

WESTLINK SERVICE CHANGES FROM 8 APRIL​

Changes include new zones and booking adjustments.

WESTlink has now been running for a year, helping many people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to link up to other public transport. More than 110,000 trips have been made by people travelling on a WESTlink bus since it started – and it’s becoming more popular with the number of monthly trips doubling to more than 13,000 in February.

However, it’s not worked for everyone in the way it was originally intended. Therefore, changes are being introduced to try to fix some of the issues and make the service better. Feedback from passengers as well as community groups and local councils has helped to shape these changes:

New zones​

• The current three large zones – North, South and FTZ (largely North Bristol) and two shared zones are being replaced with nine smaller “core” zones and 12 shared zones.
• This will help tackle one of the biggest issues that customers have identified – that WESTlink minibuses aren’t always available when needed. One reason for this is that minibuses are too often being used to make long journeys often with just one person on board. This can take a bus out of action for up to an hour and leave other people waiting. One journey was logged at almost 20 miles long.
• The new zones won’t allow this and the vast majority of trips currently made by WESTlink will still be possible. The zones have been carefully designed to make sure that popular journeys are still covered – for example between Yate and Thornbury – and allow people to make short trips and connect with standard bus services for onward travel.
• The WESTlink area has been expanded to bring in new locations including:

1. Royal United Hospital, Bath University and St Martins Hospital in Bath
2. Hengrove Leisure Centre, Kingswood High Street, Ashton Vale, Hungerford Road area and a small area in Withywood, in and around Bristol
3. Failand, Hewish and Nailsea and Backwell railway station in North Somerset

• A number of key destinations such as Cribbs Causeway, Southmead Hospital, Aztec West, UWE and Parkway Station will now be able to be reached by WESTlink for the first time from new locations including Yate and Thornbury.

The new zones have been developed by looking at where WESTlink trips have been made over the past year, overall regional travel patterns plus feedback from residents and community groups.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Mar 2024 ==

Latest News - West of England Combined Authority

West of England Combined Authority latest news

www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk

19 March 2024

Changes to WESTlink from April​

Changes to improve WESTlink - the region’s shared bookable minibus service - are on the way, regional Mayor Dan Norris has confirmed on Monday 18 March.

From this April, the first year anniversary of WESTlink hitting the streets, the “zones” the green minibuses cover will be changing. In response to passenger feedback, the overall WESTlink area has been expanded to bring in new areas to include Bath Royal United Hospital, Kingswood High Street, Ashton Vale, Cribbs Causeway and Southmead Hospital.

To address concerns that there are not enough WESTlinks available for passengers, new measures have been put in place to encourage shorter journeys. The three large zones are being replaced with eight smaller “core” zones and 13 shared zones, while making sure that popular journeys are still covered - for example, between Yate and Thornbury.

More than 100,000 trips have been made by people travelling on a WESTlink so far. The aim of WESTlink minibuses is to help those who live in areas with little or no public transport to connect with main bus routes, so attracting new passengers onto buses.

There will also be changes to the booking system, as the app has previously allowed people to book trips where there were already existing bus routes. Dan Norris, West of England Mayor, says: “I always said we would listen and learn as we went along. These are important changes. And this will continue.

"Stop-to-stop travel is new to us all but the core concept remains the same.

"WESTlink’s aim is to allow all passengers to link up with the popular main bus routes that run every 15 minutes into our main cities.”

To book, passengers should download the WESTlink app from the App Store or GooglePlay, or call 01174578561. A single adult journey costs £2. Journeys can be booked up to 24 hours in advance.

The changes come into effect on Monday 8 April.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Mar 2024 ==

What is not stated in the commentary, but is apparent from the map, is that Axbridge will be taken out of the area served by Westlink.

 

[Citistar]

That's a shame. The one Westlink journey i've done (and purely for bloodymindedness) was from Chewton Mendip (Somerset) to Axbridge (ditto). Axbridge will now be off the map as the 126 has been bankrolled through to Weston. Unfortunately this revision does nothing to address one of the other problems which has developed with Westlink, which is that it's primary usage is now as a school bus service for a select few with a massive subsidy.

 

[Marcus Fryer]

I’ve received an email from Westlink:

​ ​ Changes to WESTlink are happening on Monday 8 April. They are being introduced to fix some of the issues and make the service better: Zones - There will be significant changes as the three current zones will be replaced by nine smaller “core” zones and 13 shared zones. Booking - Changes will be made to the booking system so that people will be offered the best available option – if that’s a normal bus service, then a WESTlink will not be able to be booked. Disruption on 7/8 April To allow the changes to happen, there will be no service in the Future Transport Zone (which will be renamed Bristol north) on Sunday 7 April. Also, bookings for Monday 8 April across all zones must be requested on the same day rather than prebooked a day before. We apologise for any inconvenience this causes. To see more details about the changes and the new zone maps, please visit www.westlink.app

 

[Marcus Fryer]

Email received from Westlink today:
Service changes from Sunday 1 September

We're writing to update you on some changes to WESTlink from 1 September

Bristol north zone:
As part of the WESTlink trial in the Bristol north zone (which is funded separately from the main part of WESTlink), we are making changes to see if the service can be run more cost effectively using smaller vehicles. The current 12-seater minibuses will change to smaller 7 seater vehicles. They will still be bright green and there will be the same number of vehicles with space for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs.

This will take place over a couple of months from 2 September – in the meantime, some vehicles may be smaller and have a temporary WESTlink sign. You’ll be able to track the registration number of your WESTlink on the app, and if you have any concerns, please speak to your driver who will be able to show you their WESTlink ID.

The Sunday service will no longer operate from September 1, bringing the zone in line with the rest of WESTlink. The operating hours on Monday to Saturday (05:30 – 21:30) will remain unchanged.

Yate rural zone:
Lyde Green has been added to the existing Yate rural zone, providing much needed links to the Science Park and nearby businesses, making it easier for commuting.

New shared zone for Wotton-under-Edge
A new shared zone is being created which covers the area between Wotton-under-Edge towards Charfield including KLB school. In Wotton, the zone includes the main road leading to Wotton war memorial from the south, providing connections to local doctors. People will be able to travel by WESTlink to Yate and Chipping Sodbury.


There are no changes to other zones. If you have any queries, please contact 0117 457 8561 or visit travelwest.info/westlink/

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Email received from Westlink today:
Service changes from Sunday 1 September

​ ​ ​ We're writing to update you on some changes to WESTlink from 1 September Bristol north zone: As part of the WESTlink trial in the Bristol north zone (which is funded separately from the main part of WESTlink), we are making changes to see if the service can be run more cost effectively using smaller vehicles. The current 12-seater minibuses will change to smaller 7 seater vehicles. They will still be bright green and there will be the same number of vehicles with space for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs. This will take place over a couple of months from 2 September – in the meantime, some vehicles may be smaller and have a temporary WESTlink sign. You’ll be able to track the registration number of your WESTlink on the app, and if you have any concerns, please speak to your driver who will be able to show you their WESTlink ID. The Sunday service will no longer operate from September 1, bringing the zone in line with the rest of WESTlink. The operating hours on Monday to Saturday (05:30 – 21:30) will remain unchanged. Yate rural zone: Lyde Green has been added to the existing Yate rural zone, providing much needed links to the Science Park and nearby businesses, making it easier for commuting. New shared zone for Wotton-under-Edge A new shared zone is being created which covers the area between Wotton-under-Edge towards Charfield including KLB school. In Wotton, the zone includes the main road leading to Wotton war memorial from the south, providing connections to local doctors. People will be able to travel by WESTlink to Yate and Chipping Sodbury. There are no changes to other zones. If you have any queries, please contact 0117 457 8561 or visit travelwest.info/westlink/ WESTlink team Visit website​ ​ ​ ​ Unsubscribe Copyright 2018. All rights reserved.

Use of smaller vehicles? Most of the ones I see could be managed on a moped with a pillion passenger. I think the most I've ever seen is two passengers.

 

[lukem]

Seems pretty hypocritical of WECA to extend westlink into the Gloucester Country Council area when they use the argument that the 84/85 route can not exist because of council area boundaries. Dan Norris said that that it would require a change of law for WECA to fund a cross border service..

 

[pjnathanail]

Seems pretty hypocritical of WECA to extend westlink into the Gloucester Country Council area when they use the argument that the 84/85 route can not exist because of council area boundaries. Dan Norris said that that it would require a change of law for WECA to fund a cross border service..

He has either been lazy or disingenuous in how he’s worded that. Absolutely nothing stops a Local (Transport) Authority from funding a service into another LTA’s area. The legality issue arises in respect of the reason the service is needed.

Each LTA has a statutory duty to consider the public transport needs of their residents and then where they deem a need is present but unmet they can choose to subsidise a service. So if residents of village X in LTA area A need to get to town Y (which happens to be in LTA area B), LTA area A is absolutely fine to fund it. It would not be appropriate for LTA area B to use the travel needs of village X to fund a service, as village X does not contain their residents.

 

[-Colly405-]

Seems that North Zone Westlink are now using Uber cars...

 

[swifty]

Seems that North Zone Westlink are now using Uber cars...

I meant to post about this yesterday… I was very confused when a Seat Alhambra with taxi plates passed me on Whiteladies Road, with magnetic WESTLink slips on the sides!

 

[lukem]

Additionally most of these cars aren't wheelchair accessible, so rather than being able to book via the app, you have to now phone a call centre (that isn't open the hours they advertise.)

 

[TheManOnThe172]

Taxis (and cabs before them) have been delivering Demand Responsive transport for about 400 years.

Untimetabled DRT buses are not an economic way to meet increasingly sparse (but still important) public transport needs in rural areas. So replacing DRT with taxis has some sense to it - except for problem of how you constrain demand. A DRT service has a fixed budget that funds a fixed number of vehicles, and when their schedules are full, then "computer says no".

But once you decide to use taxis, how do you make sure that you stay within budget? First-come-first-served for a fixed taxi spend per day? Or do you get brave and define who gets to travel and/or for what purposes? If you do neither of these, the demand for taxi-for-the-price-of-a-bus will be almost limitless.

 

[Callum15632]

Seems that North Zone Westlink are now using Uber cars...

Apparently they are only for this week only.

 

[richw]

Apparently they are only for this week only.

One of the zones is supposed to be going to 7 seaters, 3 in total. As it will be 10% of the total business they can’t be run on the ops licence so will need private hire or taxi plates

 

[Callum15632]

One of the zones is supposed to be going to 7 seaters, 3 in total. As it will be 10% of the total business they can’t be run on the ops licence so will need private hire or taxi plates

I got told they are still waiting for their buses they are running late on delivery.

 

[richw]

I got told they are still waiting for their buses they are running late on delivery.

To quote from @Marcus Fryer post number 75 above

We're writing to update you on some changes to WESTlink from 1 September

Bristol north zone:
As part of the WESTlink trial in the Bristol north zone (which is funded separately from the main part of WESTlink), we are making changes to see if the service can be run more cost effectively using smaller vehicles. The current 12-seater minibuses will change to smaller 7 seater vehicles. They will still be bright green and there will be the same number of vehicles with space for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs.

This will take place over a couple of months from 2 September – in the meantime, some vehicles may be smaller and have a temporary WESTlink sign. You’ll be able to track the registration number of your WESTlink on the app, and if you have any concerns, please speak to your driver who will be able to show you their WESTlink ID.

 

[-Colly405-]

One of the zones is supposed to be going to 7 seaters, 3 in total. As it will be 10% of the total business they can’t be run on the ops licence so will need private hire or taxi plates

Yes, it is this zone.

 

[Citistar]

One of the zones is supposed to be going to 7 seaters, 3 in total. As it will be 10% of the total business they can’t be run on the ops licence so will need private hire or taxi plates

Given how easy it seems to be to acquire South Gloucestershire PH plates, i suspect it'll be on those if a batch of vehicles are required to be plated.

 

[Marcus Fryer]

Apparently they are only for this week only.

My ride home from the shops today was in a Toyota Prius with WESTlink names on the sides.

 

[MotCO]

My ride home from the shops today was in a Toyota Prius with WESTlink names on the sides.

Was it standing room only, or did you have a personal chauffeur