North Somerset District Council

05/22/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/22/2024 08:35

Free X10 ticket to ride!

Find out more about travelling on the X10 bus service to Clevedon, Portishead, Cribbs Causeway, Filton and Southmead Hospital by coming along to a free event in Portishead this Saturday, 25 May 2024, 12-3pm - and get a free bus ticket to ride.

North Somerset Council and X10 operator Transpora will be bringing a bus to Parish Wharf Leisure Centre, Portishead, and giving out free bus tickets whilst offering information about the route.

There will also be an opportunity for children to get on board and try out the X10 bus driver's seat along with free colouring-in activities - a great way to start the half-term.

After being stopped in 2021 due to low passenger numbers, the council reintroduced the X10 service following a petition from 3,000 residents. In April 2024, operator Transpora Bus took over the X10, expanding its offering to link communities to Southmead Hospital, SGS College's Filton Campus and Cribbs Causeway. With further connecting services to Bristol Parkway and destinations such as Chepstow and Chipping Sodbury.

The hours of operation have also been extended to cover both morning and evening peak times to allow residents in North Somerset consistent access to work, college, shops, or medical care in Bristol.

Simon Newport, Head of Commercial for Transpora, said: "We are excited and proud to be operating the X10.  It is great to be working with our local authority partners and the local community to provide this service. We now need to take it forward and encourage more people to use the bus to travel to places like Cribbs Causeway and Southmead Hospital. We look forward to meeting and giving out free tickets to the community on Saturday."

Cllr Hannah Young, Executive Member for Highways and Transport at North Somerset Council, said: "Our residents asked for the X10 to be brought back and we listened and worked hard to find an operator who would take it on - now it is important we make the most of the service. With half-term beginning this weekend and the summer holidays coming up, it's a great time to make use of the free tickets on offer and explore our local area. Pop by our event on Saturday 25 May to get your free ticket, and to join in with some fun family activities."

North Somerset Council is supporting the X10 service as part of the region's Bus Improvement Service Plan (BSIP). Working in partnership, North Somerset Council and the West of England Combined Authority want to encourage everyone to 'walk or wheel' where possible, helping reach their carbon neutral goal by 2030. When that's not possible, they want bus travel to be the first choice over car usage for those who have access to it, helping ease traffic congestion and creating a greener way to travel.

For more information about the X10, including latest travel times, please visit the TravelWest website.