How should WECA pay for franchising? We know that people in the West of England want more control over the buses through franchising. But there are a few different ways to fund it, with different pros and cons. Read our explainer below, and let us know what you think!

There's just under two weeks to fill in the Next Stop Better Buses survey! Demand franchising in both of the open-text answer boxes. The survey is open until 10th May. haveyoursaywest.co.uk/betterbuses/...

It’s our chance to demand Franchising! Let’s tell Mayor Godwin loud and clear that we want to Reclaim Our Buses: we want franchising! Demand franchising in both of the open-text answer boxes. The survey is open until 10th May. haveyoursaywest.co.uk/betterbuses/...

"Patchway is over five miles from Bristol City Centre; this means people seeking asylum either have to walk a ten mile round trip or spend a significant amount of their weekly allowance, meaning less money for food, clothing and other vital costs,” www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...

Unite regional officer Ken Fish said: "There is still an opportunity for First West of England to come back to the negotiating table to stop this disruptive strike action." www.unitetheunion.org/news-events/...

“We recognise the disruption this industrial action will have, and acknowledge its impact on you and your ability to travel. We at First Bus are committed to continuing discussions with union representatives in an attempt to reach a resolution,” www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...

Tonights campaign meeting is at 5pm, phoenix pub near Cabot Circus www.phoenixbristol.com

Want to stay in the loop with Reclaim Our Buses? 💥🚌Subscribe to our mailing list to never miss a stop! eepurl.com/idPt1b 🫵It's super easy - we just need your name and email address.

Meanwhile, in Private Eye… WECA and mr Norris have been misleading the public about what’s really happening—especially regarding the Best Value Notice. Let’s hope May brings some clarity.

this could have been bath and bristol... www.msn.com/en-gb/travel...

Interesting read... www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerse...

No wonder residents feel let down... www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerse...

@greenpeaceuk.bsky.social @green-alliance.org.uk @transportfornewhomes.org.uk @transenvuk.bsky.social @gregmarsden-leeds.bsky.social @metalprofessor.bsky.social @northeastptug.bsky.social @jamiewclarke.bsky.social @emilykerr36.bsky.social @reclaimourbuses.bsky.social @mjhtopham.bsky.social

Great to see the CAZ being looped back into securing sustainable transport and active travel: www.bristol247.com/news-and-fea...

EVs won't solve this

I blame the media for starting it and fanning the flames and pouring petrol on it every time they have a chance. We're all trying to get to where we're going.

Fix Fares for Good (Campaign for Better Transport) added to Transport Knowledge Wiki. transportknowledge.net/index.php/Fi...

"affordability is the main factor stopping existing passengers from travelling more by train"

Dan Norris is the only @teamlabouruk.bsky.social mayor not to be using his powers to pursue and action franchising...

Weird how they rarely ever mention costs for this type of work but it's always "£750,000 cycle lane to begin construction" www.bbc.com/news/article...

"which would see a city centre road become inaccessible to through traffic" Wrong question. Why should traffic need to go through a city?

what do you think? www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol...

🚌👀 WECA’s proposed cuts are a threat to accessibility. With buses cut & routes reduced, how are those with disabilities supposed to travel? Accessible transport isn’t a luxury—it’s a right. #InclusiveTransport #AccessibilityMatters #SaveOurBuses

❗️It’s time for WECA to step up. Delays in devolution & lack of local control are stalling progress on public transport improvements. Let’s invest in sustainable travel, not more cuts to services. #BusServiceCuts #WestOfEngland #SustainableTransport

The committee meeting has started! Watch WECA leaders live here: westofengland-ca.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocume...

www.ippr.org/articles/cha... Link to IPPR report

www.ippr.org/media-office... IPPR press release on the impact of bus cuts since 2013. Cost to economy: £2.6 billion; cost to climate 292million kg greenhouse gases. There’s also a good research report on their website.

Our notes from the reports pack ahead of the WECA Committee meeting at 1 pm: docs.google.com/document/d/1...

This is a fantastic article and a great podcast... Thanks to the Bristol Cable (who i cant see on bluesky yet!)... thebristolcable.org/2023/02/taki...

Ah yes: a longer journey, dark, dingy, narrow, can feel very unsafe due lack size and corners, tight 90° turns and can flood. But those on the road don't get interrupted. If we are really serious about getting more people walking and wheeling we have to get serious about change. #NECALTP

This stuff might feel trivial, but it's one example of how, over and over, people in cars are shown they are more welcome in our cities than people not in cars

Here are @reclaimourbuses.bsky.social questions to the WECA committee later today: westact.org/updates/anna...

Are you ready for the @WestofEnglandCA committee meeting today at 1pm? We know we are! Take a look at the agenda here: westofengland-ca.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocume...

Are you ready for the @WestofEnglandCA commitee meeting today at 1pm? We know we are! Take a look at the agenda here: westofengland-ca.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocume...

There are some great transport and travel related surveys, awards and challenges going on throughout the West of England by WECA, see more here including the Travel to Work survey, The Love the Ride challenge and Bristol Walkfest: travelwest.info/for-business...

WECA's Travel to Work Survey 2025 will be taking place from the 3rd to the 16th of March 2025, register you organisation here: online1.snapsurveys.com/Interview/89...

Really good opportunity to get involved with this consultation, easy and straightforward! www.gov.uk/government/c...

Massive, polluting, and dangerous SUVs are becoming the norm in the UK. There's a better way. Today, we launch the SUV Alliance with a 5-point manifesto for safer and fairer streets without SUVs Manifesto 👉 suv-alliance.org.uk

🚍✨ #ReclaimOurBuses is a campaign fighting for better, more accessible public transport in the #WestOfEngland! 🌍 From affordable fares to reliable services, we're pushing for a transport system that works for everyone. Join us in making buses a real priority: linktr.ee/reclaimourbuses

For those that missed the scrutiny meeting yesterday here are my notes. Maybe helpful if you would like to draft a statement for the committee meeting on friday: docs.google.com/document/d/1...

Seth, a Reclaim Our Buses volunteer & undergrad, is researching why ethnically minoritised people are underrepresented in UK climate protests. 🌍✊ 💬 Share your thoughts in a 40-60 min interview (online or in person). 📧 Contact Seth: [email protected] #ClimateJustice #InclusiveClimate

I can’t see it happening anytime soon and shouldn’t distract from proven ways to reduce road danger in the meantime. I’m pro using smart tech (ie speed limiters) to improve safety but sit in the “is this a future most people really want?” camp on fully driverless cars.

None of us act in isolation – and our choices have more influence than we think.

Cities full of cycle parking for all are quick and easy wins. If your neighbourhood doesn't have any, ask your council why not? #Hackney

Good stuff from Green Alliance on transport decarbonisation. In sum: government should throw the kitchen sink at this. Get the shift to greener transport right and we’ll also boost prosperity, improve health and give people access to better, more affordable, transport options. Sounds good to me.