A MAJOR bus service is to stop operating - leaving passengers without crucial transport links.
The 62 bus service from Dursley to Bristol which runs via Sharpness, Berkeley and Thornbury has been suspended after the Bristol Community Transport social enterprise stopped operating citing the pandemic and rising fuel costs.
A spokesperson said: “BCT will cease operations of their bus routes in the Bristol area from Friday.
“Local authorities are working to identify other operators to run as many of these routes as possible and we apologise for the disruption while new operators are found.
“We are deeply saddened to have been forced to make the decision to cease operations as BCT, but multiple challenges such as the financial impact of the pandemic and the current surge in fuel and labour costs have left us with no alternative.”
It means that the organisation's bus services, many of which provide vital connections to schools, health centres and shops, could face severe disruption.
Gloucestershire County Council says services will run until Saturday, September 3 and that it is working hard to find ‘alternative transport.’
Philip Robinson, GCC cabinet member for bus transport, said: “We were made aware on Monday, August 31 that Bristol Community Transport will no longer provide transport services in the Bristol and Gloucestershire area from Monday, September 5.
“This includes bus service 62 which connects Dursley, Cam and Sharpness with Thornbury and Bristol.
“We appreciate a number of people may have their travel plans disrupted as a result.
“The county council is working hard to try to find some alternative transport for our communities.
“We will update our website and social media channels as soon as possible.”
Other services part of the BCT network have also been cancelled including: service 52, 53, 54, 55, 505, 506, 511, 512, 515 and 516.
The 62 route runs from Dursley to Bristol city centre with six services per day from Monday to Saturday.
There has been an outcry on social media with residents trying to find ways to avoid disruption.
Some residents in Berkeley have set up a community carpool to reduce fuel costs whilst other people may be left stranded without the essential service.
Wendy Thomas, Gloucestershire county councillor for Dursley, said: “I have been in touch with GCC’s Integrated Transport Unit and they have received confirmation that the entire BCT network including the 62 will cease.
“GCC’s public transport team is trying to source a replacement operator to take over this route from Monday, 5 September.
“This route is essential for so many who commute to employment and education and many constituents are understandably extremely worried.
“I will keep you informed as soon as I hear more about the replacement service.
"I have made it very clear to GCC that this is an absolutely urgent issue to resolve.”
BCT is Bristol's largest community transport operator and is part of leading transport social enterprise HCT Group.
It comes as 18 other bus services in Bristol including three used by Yate and Chipping Sodbury residents are also set to be axed from October.
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