Saturday, September 21, 2019
A round-the-clock bus service between Weston-super-Mare and Bristol Airport forms part of a package of public transport improvements.
These improvements would accompany future development if plans are given the go-ahead by North Somerset Council, boosting employment opportunities for residents and further strengthening links to the rail network.
The A3 Weston Flyer currently operates from Weston railway station every hour from 03:05 to 23:05, calling at Worle, Congresbury and Cleeve. The proposed enhancements will also see the route changed to call at Worle station. This will provide further opportunities to connect with the rail network, all on one integrated ticket making the interchange between transport modes quick and easy for passengers.
More than 75,000 journeys were made on the service during the last 12 months, of which more than 40 per cent were by people working at the Airport. Around 500 people from Weston work at the Airport, with development forecast to create a further 100 jobs for residents of the town. Operating 24/7 will make these jobs accessible to even more people, ensuring that all shift patterns are served by public transport from North Somerset’s largest population centre. Airport staff enjoy discounted fares on the Weston Flyer, with tickets including a connecting journey within First’s Weston Town Zone at no additional cost.
Paul Baker, Surface Access Strategy Manager, said:
“These enhancements will make the Weston Flyer even more attractive for passengers and staff. It further demonstrates our commitment to providing alternatives to the car when travelling to and from Bristol Airport.”
GWR Managing Director Mark Hopwood said:
“It is great to see that the Weston Flyer will now call at Worle Station. The Airport Flyer service from Bristol Temple Meads is an incredible success and now the Weston service is growing in popularity. Having it stop at Worle station will further support our work to improve integrated travel and help shift people away from their cars.”
Mark Langman, Network Rail’s Wales & Western Regional Managing Director, said:
“This is another step forward as integrated travel and connectivity between the railway and Bristol Airport is further improved following strategic partnership working.
“The Airport Flyer service from Bristol Temple Meads is already very popular and a huge success. This builds on significant improvements to the railway in and around Bristol in recent years which is providing more frequent services and thousands more seats.”
The new stop at Worle station would bring the number of railway stations linked to Bristol Airport in the future to five*. This follows the announcement earlier this year of plans to trial an innovative new public transport service which would provide links to Yatton and Nailsea & Backwell stations, as well as the towns of Clevedon and Yatton. ‘Demand responsive’ shuttle services could be in operation on these routes as early as 2020.
Significant highways improvements are also proposed in the Airport’s plans to increase capacity from 10 to 12 million passengers a year, alongside major investment in sustainable travel, which will be set out in a new and ambitious Airport Surface Access Strategy.
Source:- Bristol Airport
Tags: Bristol Airport
